Sean

I was approached to stage an outdated “bachelor pad” condo in Toronto. The condo was dark and dreary with low ceilings, over-sized furniture and grim lighting. My approach was to modernise it for sale, whilst maintaining an aesthetic that appealed to a wide variety of buyers. Since the property was located in the suburbs, I wanted a warm inviting feel that complemented the area and demographic. The outcome is what I call “farmhouse modern”.

The brief was to create a bright and light space which showcased the eclectic furnishings and art whilst allowing the interior architecture to breathe. The house was a mews house behind the Royal Crescent and lacked a lot of natural light. Choosing to pull up the carpets and paint the existing floorboards bright white, created the illusion of space and light. In addition to this, the layering of sisal rugs with traditional and contemporary furnishings created a very chic outcome.

This apartment had high ceilings, was filled with natural light and had amazing interior architecture. I used this to my advantage and opted to create a gallery inspired space by painting the walls a chalky white and introducing an eclectic mix of modern and traditional furnishings interspersed with statement art and layered accessories. The result is an uber chic urban pad that reflects the client’s travels, history and above all, their personality.

When a property developer approached me to design a show apartment for his four unit townhouse development in a hip part of London, Sean Symington Interior Design used the architecture of the new build to dictate the design direction. The space was contemporary and for me, bordered on industrial with its pale grey tones and crittall doors and windows. I knew instantly that I wanted a paired-back, Scandi vibe with warm leathers, and rattan juxtaposed by the white walls, iron and glass. I think the result is rather full of personality, whilst still appealing to a wide range of buyers.

My client wanted a fresh and fun design for their sitting room. She loved the idea of incorporating my signature leopard print and blue and white ceramics. I found this vibrant floral fabric and used it as the jumping off point for the entire space. Drawing the palette for the upholstery from this print, I kept the walls white, which allowed the art and ceramics to take centre stage. A maximalist’s dream.

Fed up of paying hefty hotel bills, my client decided to invest in a tiny studio apartment on a prime street in Chelsea for a place to stay when in London on business. The compact 220 square foot property is located on an iconic leafy street in Chelsea and will act as a boutique hotel suite filled with all the modern amenities and conveniences of home, perfectly tailored to her taste. We worked tirelessly with our client to maximise every square inch of the floor plan in order to attain as much storage and functionality as possible. We kept the space open-plan in order to maximise the light and used the peninsula of the kitchen to act as the division between zones. Overall, the space is feminine, pretty and fresh. The perfect spot to unwind after work or during a girls’ weekend in the city.