ELEMENTS OF surprise

In this Victorian home in London, designer Peter Mikic has weaved through playful shapes, standout colours and sumptuous touches that delight and intrigue

- VIVIENNE AYERS

A playful and colourful scheme was top of the client's wish list when they engaged interior designer Peter Mikic to refresh this Grade II-listed five-bedroom Victorian home in west London, but beyond that, Peter virtually had carte blanche. 'The client was open to any ideas,' he says.

The house's exquisite architectural features – including the stone staircase, ceiling roses, cornicing, skirting, panelling and large sash and stained-glass windows – provided an elegant backdrop against which Peter, who is renowned for blending historical and contemporary influences, was able to weave his magic. 'The original features bring lots of charm to this house,' he says. 'What was important for me was to keep as many of these details as possible because they give the house so much character. Anything else that we did was to enhance this.'