TECHNICOLOUR DREAMBOAT

What it is: 

A handsome 1930s house perched high up on a winding road in Muswell Hill. Though bestowed with spacious light filled rooms it was hard to see past the previous owner’s dated decor choices (think flocked wallpaper, orange tinged wood flooring and a whole lot of uninspired cream paint) and the tired spaces needed a revamp to add colour, pep and personality.

The family: 

 A vibrant family of 3 plus regal North London princess, Wilma, their queenly King Charles spaniel. With the wife being a rule breaking personal stylist with a love for daring colour and bold pattern, and the husband leaning more towards classic French Country decor with a hint of edge the key was to find the soft spot that satisfied them both.

Background: 

The couple had originally been searching for a Victorian or Edwardian home in the area but were swayed by the generously sized rooms and open feel of the house, especially the open plan kitchen, dining, living area at the back of the house which is bathed in warm west facing light much of the day. Keen to put their stamp on the spaces but to phase the works so as to minimise disruption in their home life, not least given their little girl had just started to settle into their new house after the recent move, we started by tackling the ground floor of the house in a first phase of works.

Muses & motivations: 

The overarching aim was for a perfect blend of relaxed charm, savoir-faire and playful imagination with a soupçon of edge. Favourite destinations, especially France, where the couple spent 8 blissful weeks in Provence inspired the schemes, as did fashion and textiles.

It’s all in the details: 

Just as the stylist wife loves to embellish outfits with accessories and jewellery, and appreciates the little details that elevate an outfit, such as a contrast lining or daring pattern choice, we sought to infuse the house with similar details. One of the family’s favourite reimagined spaces, the deeply cocooning bay in the living room, is full of thoughtful touches. We created a sumptuous upholstered window seat with rope trim detail on the drawers and custom cushioned seating, with an enveloping cherry wallpapered ceiling and striking soft cloak of patterned detail in the roman blinds.