Our Bahamas Penthouse was a particularly special project for us. It was a privilege to work on such an iconic, landmark project in The Bahamas, and the experience of working on it was a true joy.
The brief took on the full interior architecture and FF&E design of this 14,800 sq ft duplex penthouse apartment, located within a prestigious luxury resort community. The apartment includes 5,200 sq ft of terraces with a pool and views overlooking the yacht marina. The embodiment of tailored and considered design, this contemporary home honours its Bahamian setting, while also exhibiting a sophisticated London-feel. Thus, taking on its own distinct character and seamlessly blending two unique design styles.
The brief was to create an elegant, stylish and comfortable family home, with subtle contextual nods to its Bahamian location. We originally worked with our clients on their London property, so in their second home they craved familiarity, whilst still creating a sense of place and relevance to The Bahamas.
From the outset our clients wanted a highly functional- yet beautiful- home suited to modern family living, and they didn’t want a design that was overly literal in its Bahamian references. They sought a more subtle connection to the surroundings—an approach that would convey a sense of place without it needing to be loud or overt. It was important to them that the design had the effortless refinement of London, but still felt anchored to its Bahamian surroundings. Achieving that balance was what made this project so exciting and rewarding.
The setting in the Bahamas offered a fresh opportunity to push our creative boundaries and challenge our design versatility. The look and feel of this home are decidedly more contemporary than many of our previous projects, but in a way that remains deeply respectful of the local environment. It was an exciting challenge to create a design that celebrated the spirit of the Bahamas, while ensuring the references were more conceptual than literal, subtlety mimicking the materiality and forms of the natural world outside its walls.
What truly defined this project was the balance we struck between luxurious comfort and design sophistication. The penthouse, with its fresh, modern sensibility, mirrors the laid-back elegance of The Bahamas, while still exuding the refined, luxurious aesthetic our clients desired. This duality was a key driver for us as we designed. We wanted the space to feel rich in detail, yet calm and inviting, with each room telling its own story without overwhelming the senses.
Art played an enormous role in the design, and we loved how it seamlessly integrated into every space. Our clients’ existing art collection was such a key element, and it was a privilege to create environments that showcased these pieces while also helping them build on it with new works.
One of the standout moments for me was the bespoke De Gournay art panels that became the headboard wall in the little girl’s bedroom. The panels were entirely custom, incorporating some of her favourite animals, and every detail—from the colours to the composition—was meticulously considered to fit with the overall scheme of the room.
There were also some truly memorable features throughout the space—like the fully movable golf simulator and golf room, to the red-light sauna and therapy bed. Unique touches that added a layer of wellness to the home. These bespoke elements really gave the space a sense of personalisation, and it was a joy to work with the clients on these details.
Throughout the design, we made sure that each space had its own character, yet still felt cohesive with the rest of the home. The use of materials was key in creating this flow—Taj Mahal quartz, textured plasterwork, soft warm timbers, rattan and alabaster stone all contributed to a rich, tactile atmosphere.
There was a strong connection between the materials used inside the home and the surrounding natural environment, referencing the external palette without feeling forced or overly literal. Local craftspeople were instrumental in bringing this vision to life, with all joinery custom-made locally, to fit the exacting standards we set for the space.
A defining challenge for us was adapting the design to the extreme weather conditions of the Bahamas. The humidity and intense sun were always top of mind when selecting materials, so we chose fabrics and finishes that would stand the test of time. We made sure that any fabric exposed to exterior spaces had high lightfastness and resilience to the elements.
Outdoor furniture was another consideration—balancing the weight so that it would withstand the regular high winds yet remain movable in the event of hurricane season. Small touches like adding weights to the bottom of scatter cushions were just one example of the practical details we carefully considered.
From start to finish, this project was imbued with meaning. Collaborating with clients over multiple properties over the years deepens our relationship and allows us to create designs that are truly personal. It’s a privilege to work on spaces that feel timeless, elegant, and most importantly, deeply connected to the families who live there. There’s a joy in creating a home that reflects both the spirit of the place and the essence of the people who inhabit it, and the Bahamas Penthouse will always be a reminder of that.
