Written by Natalie Aldridge.

Earlier this week, we marveled at an extraordinary English manor house restored by the talented Sean Symington. And while we love losing ourselves in grand estates, it’s just as delightful to see smaller spaces masterfully done—like this vibrant Holland Park flat that Sean designed for a young American professional temporarily calling London home.

She tasked Sean with transforming her rental into a stylish sanctuary. In town for a short-term work assignment, she craved a space that felt like home, rather than just a stopover. The catch? Like most rentals, structural changes were out of the question.

Instead, the design focused on choosing pieces she could take with her when she moves. Hunting down antiques and vintage gems became part of the adventure, with a standout find being a set of botanical prints framed in a cheeky glossy green finish, adding just the right pop of color.

The flat, set in a charming Victorian building overlooking the park, already had character to spare. The design team’s task was to honor its historic architecture, with special attention given to the window treatments, turning those lovely panes into standout features.

A little design magic followed—placing the dining area in the bay window created a show-stopping focal point that draws you right in. The goal was to keep things fresh, vibrant, and perfect for a single professional in her thirties balancing city life with a cozy retreat. In the end, a few thoughtful touches, lots of color, and feminine flare, turned this rental into a chic sanctuary. I think we are ready to move in as well!

To learn more about his work, please visit Sean Symington Interior Design and follow @seansymington on Instagram.  You can also read The Glam Pad’s Style Profile Q&A with him here, and tour a botanically-inspired villa he designed here. And make sure to explore Monday’s post on his stately Gloucestershire project here.