This London Penthouse Proves Modern Apartments Don’t Have to Feel Cold and 'Austere' — The Designer’s Color Palette Cocoons It From the City

A modern living room with a contemporary rust sofa, earth tones, decorative accessories and artwork and a vase of foliage with berries on the round coffee table.

This fully-furnished penthouse in London's Embassy Gardens is the first of its kind by luxury Italian furniture and decor brand Artemest, brought to life by award-winning Irish interior designer, Róisín Lafferty, who is known for crafting contemporary, detail-led spaces that tell a story.

The modern home, with panoramic views of London's skyline — including unobstructed views of Big Ben — serves as a serene retreat from the busyness of the city below. "The aim was a subtle, luxurious atmosphere that made the penthouse feel inviting, rather than austere," says Róisín Lafferty, "A Sanctuary in the Sky."