When it came to deciding on colours and fabrics, she started by showing the family strong concept images and seeing which ones they responded to. Second-guessing what people will like is, after all, a key part of her job. ‘You’ve got to be able to read your client,’ she says.
The family’s tastes erred towards the traditional and so Bass drew inspiration from the building, opting for a Deco-inspired theme. ‘Deco style means geometric patterning; lots of metal – bronze, polished stainless steel; bevelling on mirrors – that kind of thing. It was quite a glamorous era,’ she says. And with its luxe fabrics, marble bathrooms and bespoke furnishings, the apartment certainly captures that essence.
When it came to furnishing the property, rather than looking to Italy or Paris, Bass kept her sights closer to home. ‘We tried to bring in as many local artisans and craftsmen as we could to enhance the UK feel of it,’ says Bass. So there’s rugs from The Rug Company, while furniture was sourced at Ochre in Clerkenwell. Based Upon – a Deptford-based team of artists and sculptors – created bespoke artwork. It may sound grand, but the apartment does a good job of feeling comfortable and homely. It’s very much a family house, rather than a gallery. Perhaps for exactly this reason, Base Interior’s work on the flat has been short-listed for two awards.