The Curator’s Apartment in Bath
Drawing on the bohemian spirit of Walcot Street, The Curator’s Apartment is a heritage holiday rental in Bath that was designed by London-based property investor Tina Liu to encourage guests to slow down and appreciate the home and the city’s charm
Bath’s Walcot Street is known as the Artisan Quarter, where you’ll find a range of independent shops as well as arts and music destinations. Drawing inspiration from the street’s bohemian spirit, London-based property investor Tina Liu of Kinden Property renovated The Curator’s Apartment — a 90-square-metre two-level heritage maisonette on Walcot Street, which she furnished and decorated it in a way that speaks to travellers who are creatives and aesthetes.
‘As a design-conscious traveller myself, I’ve noticed that while there are many wonderful boutique hotels out there, the design standards of holiday rental properties are generally low,’ Liu says. ‘That’s why I created Kinden Property, a new brand of modern, contemporary apartment hotels. This apartment is our first holiday let.’
The apartment includes an open-plan living room, dining and kitchen space on the lower level, two bedrooms on the upper level, and two bathrooms. Through the street-level door, guests enter a streamlined black-and-white kitchen with a window overlooking a green valley. The living and dining space comes next, with dramatic three-metre-high ceilings and tall sash windows. The living room’s original fireplace was restored, with a marble hearth and linear Frama pendant introduced to create a modern composition that brings out the best in the apartment’s old bones.
In each space, Liu has paired furniture from contemporary Nordic brands with antique pieces to create a sense of drama. ‘For example, I combined Victorian-style chairs, vintage Danish chairs and mid-century chairs to create the set of six chairs in the dining area,’ she says.
Liu selected matt tiles and matt-finish paints to create a sense of rustic earthiness and comfort throughout. She replaced all the original white electrical sockets and switch panels with black versions for a refreshed, contemporary look.
Selecting the right artworks was essential to creating the atmosphere Liu envisioned. ‘Every single piece of art was chosen specifically for this apartment, and some are original commissions,’ she says. Her favourite bespoke pieces include a floral installation by Bruton-based floral studio LUNARIA that hangs above the landing on the upper level, and an abstract fabric work by textile artist Lawrence Calver in the master bedroom.
‘Even though The Curator’s Apartment isn’t a country retreat, there are bucolic elements in the art, the colours and the materials,’ Liu says. ‘I think we could all do with a little more calmness, no matter where we take a break. I hope this space encourages guests to notice the beauty of the art, as well as the city and landscape outdoors, and to enjoy life at a slower pace.’
Text / Michele Koh Morollo
Images / Toby Mitchell
