This duplex proves that finishes don’t have to be loud to make a statement says its interior designer owner, Amanda Hoyle of Sey Studios.
Tucked along Kensington Park Road, where Notting Hill’s bohemian roots meet its polished present, lies an apartment that embodies both elegance and edge. Designed by homeowner and founder of Sey Studios Amanda Hoyle, the renovation stands out – professionally and personally.
“I didn’t come into interiors through a traditional route,” begins Amanda, whose background is in marketing and brand storytelling. “But when we bought this flat, the remodelling became a full creative project. I completely fell in love with the process.”
It also became a launchpad for Sey Studios. Retraining at the prestigious KLC School of Design, Amanda’s side passion soon turned into a full-time practice, with the studio offering a design philosophy that merges narrative with an intuitive understanding of materials and mood.
Amanda describes her aesthetic as “eclectic, artful and layered with a sense of sophistication”, but perhaps it’s best understood through the space itself. In the open-plan living area, Victorian cornicing and ceiling roses are meticulously restored, framing a more contemporary edit of furnishings. “I love the tension between styles and eras,” she explains. “A traditional shell with bold, modern touches – that friction is where the personality lives.”
“We design for people who actually live in their spaces – not just style them”
Every detail is part of a wider story, starting with a Philip Maltman painting that inspired the entire colour palette. From the deep, cocooning blue of the dining nook to soft plaster pinks and muted greens, the backdrop radiates a quiet confidence. “Colour doesn’t have to be loud,” Amanda says. “But it has to be intentional.”
Texture plays as pivotal role, too – influenced by Amanda’s partner, Oliver, a geologist. Veined stone, natural timber, woven textiles and hand-finished details lend depth and comfort. “Good design is about layering, and materials are key to that. We wanted everything to feel lived in.”
For all its elegant restoration and attention to detail, though, the home is fundamentally built for real life. “Function is just as important as beauty,” Amanda affirms. “We design for people who live in their spaces, not just style them, so it needs to support the rhythms of real life.”
With furnishings continually being added and edited, Amanda’s way of living and designing feels dynamic – refusing to see the home as ever fully ‘done’. “A space feels complete when it really reflects the people who live there, but I don’t believe in a totally finished home,” she continues. “I’m always collecting new pieces; it keeps things feeling alive. I love design that evolves with you.”
It’s an approach shaped by a lifetime of travel. Originally from Canada, Amanda studied in the US, lived in Australia and has called London home for nearly a decade. That global experience informs her design sensibility: one that pairs the openness and functionality of North American homes with the character of British design. “Many of our clients are expats too,” she says. “I think they’re drawn to that balance of modern practicality with a strong sense of place.”
“Colour is one of the most powerful tools in design and I always try to make that story feel intentional”
And the place, in this case, is Notting Hill. “We love living here,” notes Amanda. “It has a great mix of elegance, individuality and creativity. There are so many go-to destinations around here, but our favourite thing to do is host.” A typical evening might involve picking up something fresh from the Notting Hill Fish Shop, a bottle of wine from Franklin’s and a table full of people in the tucked-away dining nook where conversations happen late into the night. “That’s what the apartment was designed for,” she smiles. “And that’s when the space really feels like home.”
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