Nomad Developments, under the leadership of CEO Jack Simpson, has carved out a niche in London’s property market by masterfully blending heritage restoration with contemporary elegance. Their latest project, the Chelsea Townhouse, exemplifies their commitment to reimagining historical spaces for modern living while preserving their architectural integrity. In an exclusive interview with The Interior Guide, Jack Simpson offers a detailed look into the creative process, challenges, and inspirations behind this remarkable renovation.
From Concept to Creation: A Thoughtful Design Process
At the heart of every successful Nomad project is a deep and thoughtful creative process. “Our creative process begins with asking questions. What is the purpose of this house? Who might our buyers be? How do we want the space to make its occupants feel? Which historical features should we retain? For private client projects, the client’s vision is our driving force. We hold multiple concept design meetings early on to ensure we have a deep understanding of the client’s tastes, styles, and most importantly, how they envision living in the home.” These guiding questions form the backbone of the design, ensuring the home not only meets practical requirements but also resonates emotionally with those who live in it.
The concept for the Chelsea Townhouse was to create “a relaxed yet elevated home that caters to the modern London family.” Nomad Developments focused on making the house feel both welcoming and sophisticated, while also being functional. This balance between elegance and comfort is a hallmark of Nomad’s projects.
However, the renovation was far from simple. “Like many central London renovations, this project presented significant technical challenges. The entire core of the 1850s building, including the roof, was completely demolished,” explains Simpson. While they had to preserve the historic façade and rear of the house, modernizing the structure required extensive excavation. The lower ground floor was expanded to create a more generous ceiling height of 3 meters in key living areas, and the garden was lowered to establish a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces. “Balancing modern comfort with conservation requirements was a major focus throughout,” says Simpson.
In addition to these technical complexities, the project also faced other obstacles. One of the more challenging aspects was managing the installation of a bespoke staircase in a space that had no internal access for much of the build. The absence of the staircase posed logistical difficulties, but through careful planning, the Nomad team managed to overcome them. Despite these challenges, the professionalism of Nomad’s team ensured the renovation progressed with precision and success.
Creating a Harmonious Flow: Materials, Colors, and Design Trends
Natural materials are a cornerstone of Nomad’s design ethos, and the Chelsea Townhouse is no exception. The house features luxurious Calacatta marble from Verona in the kitchen and Principal Bathroom, while the entrance hallway is adorned with stunning orange and crema marble. Simpson explains that their color palette “leaned towards warm, earthy neutrals to create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, but we weren’t afraid to go bold.” In secondary rooms, vibrant shades of pink, orange, green, and red were used to add vibrancy and depth, creating a perfect balance between subtlety and statement.
One growing trend Simpson incorporated into the project was the use of checkerboard patterns. “Checkerboard patterns are having a moment, and we embraced this trend in the design,” he shares. The entrance hall’s crema and orange marble tiles create an immediate visual impact, and this motif is carried into other areas, including the kids’ bathroom and guest bedroom, where unique design elements enhance the overall aesthetic. In addition to the thoughtful selection of design elements, Simpson underscores the significance of preserving and enhancing the home’s architectural elements, particularly the existing archways. “The existing building already incorporated several, and we made sure to highlight and preserve this feature throughout the home with new arched patio doors and cabinetry details,” he explains.
Maximizing Space Without Sacrificing Luxury
Optimizing space was a critical focus for Nomad, especially in central London, where every square foot counts. To create more spacious, luxurious rooms, Nomad reduced the number of bedrooms from five to three. “Our rule of thumb is that if a bedroom feels compromised, you probably have too many of them,” says Simpson.
In addition to the clever use of space, the Chelsea Townhouse’s distinctive charm was enhanced through the integration of custom design elements. “Bespoke design played a major role in this project, with around 50% of the furniture being custom-made,” Simpson shares. Standout pieces include a bespoke velvet headboard in the principal suite and a Dedar fabric daybed in the formal living room. The combination of custom furniture, antique finds, and modern touches helped create a curated, timeless feel throughout the home.
Curated Design Brands, Lighting, and Accessories
For furnishings and decor, Simpson and his team carefully selected pieces that reflect a blend of comfort and style. “We incorporated several pieces from RH, particularly their Cloud sofas, which were used in the formal living room and snug—there’s nothing quite as comfortable,” says Simpson. Lighting also played a pivotal role in the design, with the focus on creating ambiance through accent lighting. Simpson explains, “Lighting is a key element in all our projects—it can truly make or break a space.”
Nomad used a combination of floor lamps, pendants, and sconces to create a warm, inviting glow, especially in spaces like the formal living room, which doesn’t have a single downlight. Thanks to the large sash windows, natural light fills the space during the day, adding to the home’s airy feel. Additionally, the house is equipped with a Lutron system, offering personalized lighting control throughout the home.
Decoratively, Simpson emphasizes the importance of sourcing unique pieces that tell a story. “We always strive to make our projects feel curated over time, even when the timeline is tight,” he shares. The design team traveled to flea markets in Paris and antique fairs across southern England to find the perfect balance between antique, bespoke, and modern furniture, ensuring that the Chelsea Townhouse felt layered and full of character.
Art also plays a significant role in bringing depth and personality to Nomad’s homes. “For this project, we collaborated with several artists, including Studio Lawrence, Arran Rahiman, Eric Stefanski, and Damien Hirst,” Simpson notes. Pieces from Freddie Mercury’s private collection were also displayed in the snug, adding a unique layer of history and artistic flair to the home.
A Look Back and Lessons for the Future
As the Chelsea Townhouse project has been successfully completed, it stands as a testament to how the integrity of a historic façade can be maintained while transforming the interior into a warm, modern, and spacious environment. Signature design elements, such as the striking checkerboard marble entrance hall and the seamless transition from the kitchen to the lowered courtyard, highlighted how each detail was thoughtfully crafted to balance both beauty and functionality. The successful completion of the project allows Jack Simpson to reflect on the journey with pride.
Looking ahead, Simpson is excited to see his design style continue to evolve. “After the Chelsea Townhouse project, I see my style growing with an even greater focus on balancing functionality and aesthetics,” he explains. The project underscored the importance of making bold design choices that not only reflect the character of the space but also meet the needs of its occupants. Moving forward, Simpson is excited to experiment further with natural materials, blending contemporary and antique elements, and seamlessly integrating lighting and architectural details to enhance the overall flow of a home. “I’ve also gained more confidence in pushing the boundaries of color and texture,” he adds, knowing the right balance can truly transform a space.
With every project, Nomad Developments pushes the boundaries of design, effortlessly blending history with modern living to craft homes that unite heritage and innovation.
>> Nomad Developments, London – Photography: Kensington Leverne
