House Tours Open Door with Art Historian, Claire Read

Welcome to series 2 of House Tours Open Door. We've been busy filming gorgeous homes over the summer, filled with cool and clever ideas from their creative owners. 

We plan to beam you into eight jaw-dropping homes, to hear from the owners and to get under the skin of exactly what makes a place special. Inspiration from the comfort of your living room? Sounds like a double win.

EPISODE 5 - AT HOME WITH CLAIRE READ

Art Historian, Claire Read, has opened the doors to the home she shares with her husband, Simon, a media consultant and their two children, to lift the lid on how they created this open, flowing space.

The project was a tired, five-storey home in southwest London, which the couple planned to radically redesign, through a series of rear and side extensions, clever glazing and the addition of an extra floor in the basement  which the builders had to dig down six metres to create.

The family moved out during the renovation and relocated in the South of France. would fly home regularly to check in with architect Jo Cowen and the build team.

To achieve the kind of open, flowing space the family craved, Jo recommended the floors be levelled and to lose the returns and half-staircases typically found in properties of this age.

The entire back of the house had to come down. Now, the property's contemporary interior is a glorious surprise hiding behind a period façade.

It isn’t the architecture alone that helps six storeys function as one flowing home. It’s the décor too.

Once the couple had decided on the pale wood flooring, the whole space came together.

The fireplace was custom-made from blue limestone in Turkey. A classic sofa is teamed with a funky pendant, demijohns picked up in France and a sleek glass table. From here the family enjoy movie nights on their LG 77" Oled TV (opens in new tab).

The white Paola Navone sofa and armchairs have removable, washable covers that don't need ironing - essential with two young children.

A beautifully sleek white kitchen stretches along the centre of the lower-ground floor. The island is 4.5m long, and at one end is an LG wine cellar (opens in new tab), which comes into its own when the couple have friends and family over.

In addition, a monochrome palette forms the backdrop and a tactile mix of natural materials, including linen, sisal and marble, features throughout.

While this recipe may seem Scandi in flavour, the couple have seasoned it with French finds, many carried back in their hand luggage.

There’s a mix of contemporary and antique furniture too and lots of art. Yet behind the gorgeous look runs a stream of practicality.

SHOP CLAIRE'S KEY PIECES

Natural materials are found throughout the house and, here, linen bedding and a rough timber bedside table continue the look.

Shop now: The Lauren Ghost bed was designed by Andrea Parisio for Meridiani (opens in new tab).

Claire admits the bespoke dressing room and walk-in wardrobe is a complete indulgence.

Shop now: The ottoman is custom made by Chelsea Upholstery & Interiors (opens in new tab) 

The generous walk-in shower is faced with Calacatta marble.

Shop now:  The shower is from Lefroy Brooks (opens in new tab)

A TV is mounted into the wall near the bath (not seen).

Shop now: Find a similar towel rail at Drummonds (opens in new tab)

Find out more about the LG SIGNATURE range of premium appliances at LG SIGNATURE.com

Find more inspiration and watch more House Tours (opens in new tab)