Known for its elaborate British government buildings, London's Whitehall Street is now home to many converted luxury living quarters. In late 2023, American couple Trevor Burgess, a banking CEO, and Gary Hess, a high-end real estate professional, purchased a home at the OWO Residences by Raffles, part of the Old War Office building.
The owners wanted to blend their contemporary style with British influences, so they enlisted London-based design studio Angel O'Donnell, drawing inspiration from the sleek worlds of James Bond and Tom Ford.
The living room, with nearly 15-foot ceilings, was designed to balance entertaining with daily life. The 452-square-foot room is split into two areas: one centered on a fireplace and seating area, the other on a sofa and a television hidden from view when not in use.
To work within the context of the room, the designers chose an almost 12-foot-long L-shaped sofa and an elongated coffee table. "We really liked the slight curve [of the table] and that almost gold-leaf finish on the inside of it," says Ed O'Donnell, the firm's co-founder. "The polished, stripey eucalyptus wood has an almost art deco kind of feel."
The wall that faces the sofa also has an art deco vibe. The gesso paneling, inspired by a star map, is covered in deep blues, grays and greens. "It spoke to us of Bond movies, such as 'Moonraker,'" O'Donnell says.
Should a guest ask for a martini (shaken, not stirred), a nearby drinks cabinet stands ready. It's as much a sculptural object as a place to mix cocktails. A frosted-glass chandelier ties the two zones together, adding drama without overwhelming the room.
The room also features selections from the family's queer art collection -- one of the country's largest -- assembled with the help of Georgia Stoneman of Stoneman Collins. Two red Keith Haring works hang by chains beside the entryway, while a colorful Grayson Perry portrait of Margaret Thatcher hangs above the drink cabinet.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
July 19, 2026 12:00 ET (16:00 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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