Step inside this joyous Georgian London townhouse with more than a little Palm Springs style
Sun-drenched shades bring more than a touch of Southern California to this Georgian London townhouse.
The Property
A six-bedroom Grade II-listed Georgian house in central London. On the ground floor of this modern home there is a drawing room and study. The lower-ground floor includes an open-plan living room, kitchen and dining room. The master bedroom is on the first floor, with further guest suites on the floors above.
See Also: This Georgian terrace oozes understated chic
ENTRANCE HALL
Beyond the austere façade, the mood of this Georgian home is joyous and energetic – more Palm Springs than Bloomsbury. Designer, Rebekah Caudwell likes to break a few rules ‘because sometimes that’s how you have the most fun'. She wanted an element of surprise as you walk in, so her vision for this Grade II-listed townhouse kicks off in the flagstoned entrance hall, with a wall crosshatched with vivid bolts of magenta, turquoise and yellow offset with peachy chairs.
Living Room
There’s nothing impetuous about this look – it’s a thoughtful, informed rewrite of a classicism that Rebekah is well versed in. An English degree, teaching history of art in Italy and early interior design jobs that were ‘steeped in antiques’ gave her a solid grounding in doing things by the book. After all, you have to know the rules before you can break them.
Rebekah’s skill lies in taking risks – mixing old with new, brights with neutrals – and creating something that’s both classic and fresh. So in a favourite corner of their living room, the poise of a Vermeer print is balanced by an Italian Fifties chair in citrus yellow.
Colour can be tricky to work into a scheme without it feeling shouty. Rebekah says the easiest ways to ease into it are with throws, cushions or rugs.
KITCHEN
The lower-ground floor is awash with light, thanks to a large light well over the seating area and a sunken terrace next to the kitchen. This is where the owners hang out most evenings. And there’s plenty of space for friends to stay over.
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletter is your shortcut to the now and the next in home design. Subscribe today to receive a stunning free 200-page book of the best homes from around the world.
DINING AREA
Rebekah and her husband enjoy entertaining and it’s easy to see why guests linger long with those comfy chairs and plenty of decorative eye candy.
See Also: Bright ideas - exploring colour in the dining room
Rebekah's family is from Staffordshire and her grandmother used to paint the pottery, so the antique Staffordshire ceramics are a tribute to her grandmother and her roots.
DRAWING ROOM
The impossibly tall windows are swathed in a Pierre Frey tropical fabric that could be straight out of a Slim Aarons print. Rebekah loves how the blues and greens sing against the sunshine yellow. It’s like a blast of Palm Springs, in WC1. The red cabinet acts as another décor wake-up call. Rebekah fell for its dynamic shade when she was visiting Los Angeles, so had the vintage piece shipped over.
MASTER ENSUITE
There's so much space in ere – it’s a bathroom, dressing room and sitting room all in one.
MASTER BEDROOM
In the master bedroom, Rebekah used a softer palette to create a more peaceful space. The ceiling and mouldings were a real draw for the couple. The Tudor Rose wall plaques are a nod to the house’s classical plasterwork.
The rug adds an Oriental note, woven with silk for a luxurious sheen.
GUEST BEDROOM
Rebekah bought the twin beds on eBay and joined them together to make a generous double. The wallpaper is from Cole & Son, one of her favourite sources.
Visit rebekahcaudwelldesign.com for more info.
Photography / Paul Raeside
See Also: 24 Guest bedroom ideas - Gorgeous guest room schemes to make visitors feel at home
The homes media brand for early adopters, Livingetc shines a spotlight on the now and the next in design, obsessively covering interior trends, color advice, stylish homeware and modern homes. Celebrating the intersection between fashion and interiors. it's the brand that makes and breaks trends and it draws on its network on leading international luminaries to bring you the very best insight and ideas.
-
5 Kitchen Lighting Design Rules Interior Designers Warn You Should Never Ignore for a Well-Lit Space
These pitfalls of kitchen lighting can cause practical and aesthetic problems for your cooking space
By Sarah Lyon Published
-
5 Interior Design Trends Experts Are Predicting Will be Out of Style in 2025
Is your house starting to look tired and dated? Designers share the elements that may be causing this, and what to replace them with
By Raluca Racasan Published