ST. James’s Square private Offices

Central London

Hero image of 5 St James’s Square private offices, showing light-filled Georgian interior with bespoke furniture, herringbone timber flooring and refined detailing for a residential-style workplace.

Two Muse Studios

A private office in St James’s should feel like more than a workplace – it should feel like a London address. For this project at 5 St James’s Square, we worked with LA-based Two Muse Studio and their private client to create a suite of bespoke furniture pieces that bring a quietly luxurious, almost residential character to a Grade I listed setting.

Facade of 5 St James’s Square in Central London, a restored Georgian townhouse with classical stonework, tall sash windows and a discreet entrance leading to bespoke private office interiors.

Our scope centred on a monumental reception desk in dark-stained oak and blackened steel, together with a family of sofas, lounge chairs and finely detailed storage units that make the space feel like a calm city apartment rather than a conventional office.

An Historic Square With A Domestic Mood

St James’s Square has long been synonymous with London high society, framed by grand townhouses that once housed diplomats, statesmen and royalty. Today, 5 St James’s Square has been reimagined as discreet private offices, retaining its historic bones while welcoming a more contemporary way of working.

Exterior view focusing on the central bay and railings of 5 St James’s Square, emphasising the dignified architecture that frames the calm, residential-style bespoke office interiors inside.

Two Muse’s concept was to treat these spaces less like a corporate HQ and more like a “home away from home”: softer silhouettes, generous seating and honest materials layered to feel warm, tactile and lived-in. Our role was to translate that design language into bespoke furniture and joinery that could stand up to daily use while sitting comfortably within the architecture and heritage of the building.

 
View up to the entrance portico at 5 St James’s Square, with stone columns, traditional lantern and dark green door opening into a warm-toned lobby, hinting at the refined, residential quality of the private offices inside.
 

Collaborating With Two Muse Studio

Two Muse Studio are known for their ability to blend influences – mid-century lines, European elegance, a hint of Californian ease – into interiors that feel effortless rather than themed. For St James’s, they wanted the furniture to bridge the gap between West Coast comfort and London formality.

 
Fabric label reading ‘Two Muse Studios – Designed in Los Angeles’ stitched onto dark upholstery, highlighting the collaboration behind the custom furniture for the St James’s Square private offices.
 

We worked closely with their team on proportions, radii, leg profiles and seam details so that each piece feels related, even when the forms are deliberately eclectic. The result is a cohesive collection of bespoke furniture: a reception desk, sofas, armchairs and storage units that anchor the scheme without ever feeling heavy-handed.

A Reception Desk Centrepiece

The reception desk is the first thing you see when you step out of the lift – and it’s designed to behave more like a piece of sculpture than an item of office furniture. Spanning around three metres, the desk is formed in dark-stained oak with a blackened steel structure, giving it a commanding presence while still reading as refined and crafted.

Workshop shot of the blackened steel reception desk framework in fabrication, showing cut-outs, curved edges and precise joints before cladding in dark stained oak for the corporate lobby.
Close-up of the steel top plate for the reception desk, highlighting the radius corner and crisp arris lines that will later support the dark oak cladding in the St James’s Square reception.
Oblique view across the unfinished metal reception desk carcass in the workshop, emphasising the sculptural plan form and mix of cut-outs that will house cable management and reception services.
Fabrication detail of the reception desk showing welded steel joints and fixing points along the frame, illustrating the robust engineering behind the sleek, monolithic entrance counter.

The oak is finished in a deep graphite tone that brings out the grain, so you still read it as timber rather than a flat block of colour. The blackened steel provides a crisp frame and plinth, its matte patina catching the light in a subtle way that feels industrial but not harsh.

 
Finished reception area with the monumental graphite-stained oak and blackened steel desk set against classical panelling and herringbone flooring, creating a bold sculptural welcome for visitors.
 

Practical elements – concealed storage, cable runs, integrated power and a generous work surface for reception staff – are all tucked behind clean lines. From the front, you read a single, continuous gesture: planes of timber and steel playing off one another, with carefully softened edges where a guest’s hand might naturally rest.

Solving The Access Puzzle

The building’s historic layout and tight access routes meant that delivering the reception desk in one piece simply wasn’t possible. Instead, we engineered the steel framework and cladding to arrive in carefully planned sections that could be carried through the existing stair cores and corridors.

On-site welding of the curved steel sections of the reception desk, with sparks flying as fabricators join components that could not be brought in whole due to the building’s tight access routes.

On site, our metalwork team assembled and welded the desk in situ, effectively building a piece of bespoke joinery and metalwork sculpture inside the reception itself. This approach demanded millimetre-accurate fabrication, detailed coordination with the fit-out team and a carefully sequenced installation to avoid damaging surrounding finishes.

Wide view of a welder in full mask working on the blackened steel reception desk frame in the panelled lobby, arc light illuminating the ceiling and revealing the craft behind the finished desk.
Close-up of gloved hands and welding torch as the curved edge of the steel reception desk is joined on site, blue light flaring across the metal and showing the precision behind the seamless counter.
Macro detail of a curved steel section with fresh weld bead along the joint, part of the reception desk framework, capturing the raw metalwork before blackening and cladding in dark stained oak.
Close-up of on-site grinding to the steel reception desk joints, smoothing welded seams so the final blackened finish appears seamless and the sculptural desk reads as one monolithic piece.
Gloved hand wiping liquid across the rounded edge of the steel reception desk top, beginning the blackening and finishing process that will give the bespoke counter its rich, matte patina.
Close-up of the steel top plate of the reception desk with droplets catching the light, showing the textured patina and careful surface preparation before the bespoke office counter is completed.
Detail of the finished reception desk at St James’s Square, showing the rounded blackened steel top plate meeting deep graphite-stained oak with crisp edges above herringbone timber flooring.

Once the welding and final grinding were complete, we applied the blackening treatment and protective wax on site before installing the final 3 metre long steel top plate to ensure a seamless junction between timber and steel. That level of coordination is invisible to the end user, but it is fundamental to why the desk feels so monolithic and “meant to be” within the space.

Wide shot of the reception area mid-installation, with floor coverings, tools and the desk structure visible, emphasising the careful coordination required inside this listed St James’s Square townhouse.
Finished reception desk seen from a different angle, dark oak front and blackened steel top plate stretching across the lobby and anchoring the entrance while echoing the classical wall panelling.

Sofas And Lounge Chairs With A Residential Spirit

Beyond reception, the client wanted meeting and breakout spaces that feel more like a private apartment than a formal boardroom. We responded with a series of bespoke sofas and lounge chairs that echo this residential brief.

Wide shot of the upholstery workshop with rolls of fabric, benches and part-built chairs, illustrating the scale of bespoke production behind the soft seating for the St James’s Square offices.
Upholsterer sewing thick upholstery fabric on an industrial machine, hands guiding the cloth carefully to create strong, neat seams for the bespoke sofas and lounge chairs in the office lounge.
Timber and bent components stacked in clamps in the workshop, showing curved oak elements and darker stained pieces being prepared for frames, arms and bases of the bespoke office seating.
Part-upholstered lounge chair sitting on a workbench in a bright factory space, fabric draped and pinned ready for stitching, capturing the craft involved in every bespoke upholstered piece.

Seat depths are generous enough for a relaxed posture, with supportive backs that still suit a working day. Arm profiles are softened and slightly rounded, inviting people to lean, perch and settle in – more living room than lobby.

Close-up of a curved sofa seat upholstered in soft patchwork wool in earthy tones, showing the fine stitching, rounded profile and tailored bespoke upholstery used in the office lounge.
Mid-century inspired lounge chair with oak frame and pale leather upholstery sitting on herringbone timber flooring, expressing the blend of residential comfort and refined office design.
Calm corner of the lounge with a curved patchwork-upholstered sofa, mid-century armchair and floor lamp against cream panelling and herringbone oak floor, bringing a domestic mood to the office.

The upholstery palette was developed with Two Muse to sit quietly within the oak and steel architecture: textured neutrals, subtle colour, and a mix of tactile fabrics that photograph beautifully but, more importantly, wear well over time. Bespoke upholstery details – from stitched seams to tailored piping and carefully positioned zips for maintenance – give each piece a couture feel without tipping into fussiness.

Large communal worktable with oak frame, integrated task lamps and red leather chairs in a panelled room, giving the private office the atmosphere of a calm library rather than a boardroom.
Detail shot of a traditional oak umbrella stand holding grey-handled umbrellas against crisp wall panelling, underscoring the genteel townhouse character of the St James’s Square private offices.
Close-up of a shearling-upholstered oak armchair beside a sculptural floor speaker in the lounge, the tactile boucle seat and backrest reinforcing the residential comfort of the office setting.
Wide view of the main lounge at 5 St James’s Square, with layered seating, bar, dining area and large windows, where bespoke sofas and casegoods create a club-like, apartment-style office interior.

Bespoke Upholstery For Comfort

Because this is a private office that hosts both formal meetings and more intimate conversations, comfort was a priority throughout. We worked with our upholstery partners to fine-tune foam densities, layering softer toppers over supportive cores so that seats feel inviting from the first moment but retain their structure after years of use.

Detail of cream corduroy sofa and deep brown velvet sofa arranged around a timber coffee table, with table lamp and oak storage behind, highlighting the warmth and layered textures of the scheme.
Macro shot of the brown velvet upholstery on the bespoke sofa, showing the soft rounded arm and rich pile of the fabric, emphasising comfort and the tailored finish of the lounge seating.
Framed view towards a cream sofa with green cushions and shearling chairs in the foreground, with a sculptural black speaker behind, capturing the quiet, domestic feel of the meeting area.
 
Close-up of a stitched fabric label reading “Two Muse Studios – Designed in Los Angeles” on the underside of an upholstered piece, celebrating the collaboration behind the bespoke office furniture.
 
Lounge arrangement with brown velvet sofa backed by a long low bookcase of vintage volumes, cream sofa and black marble fireplace, giving the office the relaxed feel of a cultured city apartment.

Where appropriate, we introduced subtle changes of texture – a different weave on an accent chair, a slightly richer fabric on a feature sofa – to give designers visual rhythm within the floorplate. These moves help the spaces feel curated rather than “fitted out”, aligning with Two Muse Studio’s residentially inspired brief.

View across the bespoke bar run, showing oak cabinetry, brass footrail and upholstered stools, drawing attention to the crafted joinery and soft finishes within the office’s social space.
Wide perspective of the bar and dining area in the main room, with curved timber bar, upholstered stools, round dining table and brown velvet sofa, creating a hospitality-style hub within the office.
Close-up of a polished brass sink set into a veined marble worktop, with brushed taps and oak joinery below, illustrating the level of detail given to the bar and pantry areas in the office.
Close-up of richly veined marble surface in warm creams, golds and soft greens used in the bar area, highlighting the elevated material palette that complements the timber furniture and brass details.
Detail of a marble counter with pot plant and bowl of wrapped sweets in the foreground, blurred bar and coffee equipment behind, suggesting a welcoming, hotel-like atmosphere for staff and guests.
Marble-topped bar counter with espresso machine, brass-framed shelves and oak cabinetry beneath, reinforcing the blend of members’ club comfort and functional office refreshment point.
Pair of tufted lounge chairs upholstered in soft neutral fabric facing a chessboard table, with bar and storage beyond, creating an inviting corner for informal breaks within the offices.
Handmade chessboard table with chunky wooden pieces on glazed tiles, set before a tufted lounge chair, providing a playful, club-like detail within the relaxed lounge of the private offices.
Wide shot across the principal lounge from behind a soft ivory sofa, revealing rows of armchairs, coffee tables and a long tan sofa, making the private office feel like a generous city living room.

Oak Finishes And Tailored Storage

To support the day-to-day life of the office, we produced substantial storage units and credenzas in complementary oak finishes. These pieces act almost like built-in furniture in a home: places to tuck away files and AV equipment, display art books or house a coffee set-up between meetings.

Front view of bespoke oak and taupe lacquer storage behind a desk, with slim framing and recessed panels, acting as refined casegoods that provide generous office storage without visual clutter.
Installation shot of two fitters carrying a substantial oak table base across herringbone flooring, showing the weight and care involved when positioning heavy bespoke elements in the office.
Run of tall oak and lacquer storage integrated into wall panelling, with multiple doors and drawers, providing discreet hidden storage while reading as a considered architectural feature.

The carcasses are fabricated in high-quality birch ply for stability, then faced in oak veneers selected to sit comfortably alongside the dark-stained reception desk without feeling too matchy. Discreet shadow gaps, handleless doors and soft-close hardware maintain a calm, uninterrupted visual line.

Detail of open oak shelves and closed cupboards within a bespoke credenza, showing precise joints, handleless doors and calm shadow lines that help the storage recede within the office scheme.
Side view along a line of oak-faced storage units sitting on herringbone flooring, demonstrating how the tailored casework acts like built-in furniture in a residential living space.

Internally, the storage is highly practical – adjustable shelves, cable management routes and ventilated sections where needed – but from the room, you simply see a series of clean, architectural volumes that quietly support the overall design narrative.

Night-time shot of taupe and oak storage unit framed between glazed partitions, seen from the reception desk, with a small plant in the foreground, underlining the calm, ordered feel of the workspace.

A Private Office That Feels Like An Address

The finished scheme at St James’s Square sits somewhere between members’ club, pied-à-terre and discreet workplace. The dark-stained oak, blackened steel and bespoke upholstery bring a sense of permanence and personality to the interiors, while the layout and comfort cues borrow confidently from residential design.

For us, this project is a good example of how bespoke furniture can shape the character of a workspace: a single, magnificent reception desk setting the tone, supported by a family of sofas, chairs and storage pieces that quietly do the hard work in the background. It’s a workplace, yes – but one that feels unmistakably like St James’s.

 
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