Tour An Eclectic London Penthouse

When acclaimed interior designer Caroline Cobbold first stepped into filmmaker Tarsem Singh's central London penthouse, she immediately recognised the unique opportunity before her. Nestled among Georgian-style facades just beyond Trafalgar Square, the space demanded a design approach as distinctive as its owner.

"Working with Tarsem was a wonderful creative collaboration," Cobbold explains. "He came to me after the initial structural reconstruction with a vision for an open, boundary-free space that would reflect both his global influences and personal aesthetic."

The project presented Cobbold with an intriguing challenge: how to create cohesion between the existing Asian-influenced elements and new design components while maintaining the open flow Singh desired. "Tarsem's background—growing up between India and Iran—provided rich cultural references that I wanted to honour in the design," she notes.

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Cobbold approached the project as if designing a film set, focusing on creating dramatic visual narratives throughout the space. "I suggested repainting the walls a bold red to create warmth and energy in the open floor plan," she says. "This provided the perfect backdrop for introducing mid-century modern furniture that would complement, rather than compete with, the existing elements."

The centerpiece of the living area became the iconic Roche Bobois Mah Jong modular sofa—a choice that Cobbold feels perfectly embodied the home's versatile spirit. "The Mah Jong represented exactly what Tarsem wanted: a piece that could transition effortlessly between formal and casual gatherings, while also nodding to Eastern traditions of floor seating."

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To balance the intensity of the color palette, Cobbold introduced contemporary art objects and cheerful patterns. "I wanted to create moments of artistic vitality throughout the space," she explains. "The custom de Gournay chinoiserie wallpaper was a particularly special addition that brought an elegant, handcrafted quality to the environment."

For Cobbold, the project exemplified her philosophy of creating spaces that evolve with their inhabitants. "When I first came on board, Tarsem described how his aesthetic had shifted from Nordic minimalism to something more eclectic and personal," she recalls. "My role was to help curate that evolution while ensuring the space remained cohesive."

The designer took particular care with the placement of statement pieces, including a Jonathan Adler table and sculptures by Brazilian artist Bruno Giorgi. "Each element needed to stand on its own while contributing to the overall narrative of the space," Cobbold notes.

The kitchen area presented a special opportunity. Located below the master bedroom, Cobbold enhanced its Scandinavian-inspired Bulthaup design with Wishbone chairs, creating a functional yet stylish nook that has unexpectedly become one of Singh's favorite spaces.

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The master bedroom presented Cobbold with an opportunity to craft a more intimate space while maintaining the penthouse's overall aesthetic. "For the bedroom, I wanted to create a tranquil sanctuary that still carried through the home's bold personality," Cobbold says.

Positioned to overlook the roof garden, the bedroom embodies Cobbold's talent for balancing drama with serenity. "We installed sliding doors rather than traditional ones to maintain the open flow that was so important to Tarsem," she explains. "This allowed the bedroom to feel connected to the rest of the home while still offering a sense of retreat."

The guest bedroom, with floral furnishings like the ‘Secret Garden’ curtains by Sheila Coombes for Brian Yates, ‘Solomon Aqua’ headboard and ‘Solomon Red’ cushions, both by Colefax and Fowler.

Upstairs, Cobbold approached the bathroom with the same fearless creativity that characterizes the rest of the home. Working with Singh's unusual find—a stainless steel shower from a British prison—she designed around it with a deep blue ceiling that draws the eye upward and creates a striking contrast with the industrial fixture.

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Throughout the process, Cobbold remained mindful of the penthouse's dual nature: a bachelor pad that occasionally hosts large family gatherings. "The design needed to accommodate both solitude and sociability," she explains. "Every element was chosen for its ability to transition between these modes of living."

Looking back on the project, Cobbold sees it as a testament to successful designer-client collaboration. "The most rewarding projects are those where you're able to translate a client's personality into physical space," she reflects. "With Tarsem's penthouse, we created something truly unique—a home that balances Eastern and Western influences, combines various periods and styles, and ultimately tells the story of its inhabitant."