Behind the Scenes: How Our Interior Designers Transformed Our Show Apartment Into a Dream Home

Creating a home that feels both contemporary and calming is an art - and at Kew Bridge Rise, this is highlighted in our latest two-bedroom Show Apartment designed by Rebecca Charles, Design Director at Killer 5.

Located in Starling House, this new show home captures the essence of riverside living, pairing soothing tones with modern design details to inspire future homeowners.

Rebecca lifts the curtain on the creative vision behind the newly launched Show Apartment, sharing the inspirations, design decisions and insider tricks that shaped every detail. In this exclusive behind-the-scenes feature, she reveals how the team brought the space to life and how homebuyers can recreate the look in their own new home.

Q. What was the main inspiration behind the overall design concept for this show home?

“The main inspiration was taken from the nearby green spaces and close riverside proximity. This was achieved by using a soft green and blue colour palette to represent nature and water. Overall, this created a calming space which promoted wellness and wellbeing. This still provided a contemporary feel where every room was crafted to balance modern sophistication and comfort.”

Her approach mirrors wider design movements favouring nature-inspired palettes, as often explored in leading design publications such as Dezeen and Architectural Digest.

Q. What practical takeaways can buyers apply in their own homes?

Rebecca shared some clever ideas with us such as:

1. Creating “purpose zones” 
   Even in open-plan layouts, you can define areas for dining, lounging, or working using rugs, furniture placement, and lighting.
    
2. Layer lighting for atmosphere
   Use ceiling lights, table lamps, and accent lighting together. This adds warmth and depth and allows a room to adapt from day to evening.
    
3. Add greenery and natural elements
   Plants soften corners and elevate shelves or tables. They provide movement, colour, and a noticeable sense of well-being.

Q. How did you use interior design to maximise space and create a sense of openness?

“A great trick is to use a similar colour palette throughout the home, which will emphasise the space from room to room. The colours can ebb and flow through different rooms. Using deeper tones in a bedroom is a great way of creating an ambience.”

This technique is popular among interior designers for new-build apartments, where flow and visual continuity are essential.

Q. Natural light plays such an important role in how a home feels - how did you work with the light in this property?

“The apartment has fantastic ceiling-to-floor windows in each area, so we were able to push the depth of colour a little deeper, knowing there was plenty of natural light to take the design.”

Q. Do you approach new builds differently compared to traditional homes?

“Yes, absolutely. Often, with older properties, there are hidden issues to deal with, such as electrical locations not being in the correct positions for modern-day living. Almost always, there is a need to carry out full decoration due to outdated wall treatments, which can be very costly. Opportunities with new builds are excellent due to thought-out internal layouts and electrical locations which suit our modern lifestyles… and of course, a blank canvas means purchasers can create their own identity with minimal spend.”

This is one of the advantages that many homeowners appreciate when purchasing at Kew Bridge Rise - a blank canvas ready for personalisation.

Q. And do you personally prefer designing for new builds?

“New builds are always preferable to create an interior for, due to the reasons mentioned above. Also, the base build finishes that are predetermined by the developer are always of an excellent quality/design and colour palette to work with.”

Q. How much influence does the local area and community have on your design choices?

“This has a great influence on design decisions, often using the surrounding area for inspiration. It is always great to incorporate local history into the design, for example, if a development has been built on a site where an old building has been an integral part of the local community.”

For an area like Kew Bridge, where riverside scenes, greenery, and historic architecture meet, this influence is paramount to the final design. For more on the local area at Kew Bridge Rise, click here. 

Q. Which rooms did you focus on to help potential buyers imagine living here?

“Both the living area and the main bedroom were a key focus. The living area is usually the heart of the home, so this was emphasised with the furniture layout and how the space can be used for relaxing or hosting/entertaining. As buyers often imagine waking up here, we focused on comfort, privacy, and storage. Also incorporating feature wall panels with a nature inspired theme to link with the outside space.”

Q. Were there any design trends or styling ideas you wanted to showcase?

“Textural elements were used heavily throughout the design. This helps to create both visual and tactile interest within the design, such as the textural wall feature wall panels in the main bedroom. Key design trends were incorporated with furniture finishes, these include black and brass details, marble and sophisticated fluted details to furniture.”

These trends echo broader shifts toward layered materials and statement craftsmanship, frequently highlighted by trend forecasters such as WGSN and Houzz.

Q. Finally, how do you hope visitors feel when they walk through the finished show home?

“When visitors walk through the show home for the first time, we hope they feel an immediate sense of calmness as though they’ve stepped into a space where life feels a little easier, a little brighter, and beautifully balanced. We want them to feel welcomed, inspired, and able to imagine themselves settling in, relaxing, and truly belonging there.”

Are you interested in seeing the design in person and exploring the space to see how you can design your new home to create a calm, inviting and livable space? Our sales suite and show apartments are open 7-days a week at Kew Bridge Rise. Get in touch with our sales team today to book a private viewing.