See inside this south London townhouse painted head-to-toe in striking blues

published 26 February 21

THE PROPERTY

An early Victorian four-storey south London townhouse and modern home. There's a dual-aspect sitting room on the ground floor, while the lower-ground floor houses a study, living room, cloakroom and kitchen, which leads to a dining / family room. On the first floor is the master bedroom, guest bedroom and a bathroom. The girls' bedroom, plus another guest bedroom and a bathroom, are on the top floor.

The home is filled with plump, button-backed blue chairs, swan-necked lamps and fringe-clad sofas. Cobalt ebbs into azure, ultramarine fades into forget-me-not: it’s a palette that, in less confident hands, might feel overwhelming. But here, the effect is bold, glamorous – and as enticing as a deep lagoon on a hot day.

The look sits very well with the architecture of the house. The house is early Victorian, on the cusp of Georgian, and the architecture is stunning throughout.

THE LIVING ROOM

The living room is a bold blue hue, feeling simultaneously dramatic and calm.Like elsewhere, an easy mix of designer objects and antiques brings the space to life.

The velvet sofa is fringed as thickly as a flamenco dancer’s skirt. Reflecting her love of clean lines, the abstract painting by Jane Goodwin is echoed in toe-cosseting rugs by another client, Christopher Farr.

Blue makes the art stand out, and despite being a dramatic colour, it feels surprisingly calm.

THE KITCHEN

Whisper-blue walls set the tone for the kitchen, where bespoke joinery is offset by brass handles and a Victorian-esque tap.

The bespoke kitchen includes deeper-than-average work surfaces, with tops made from Carrara marble.

THE FAMILY ROOM

In the adjoining family space, succulent plants draw the garden inside through wide windows. The hothouse-feel is echoed in an over-scaled palm print by the late, charismatic textile designer Michael Szell, which is lavished on a sofa, lamp shades and curtains.

THE DINING ROOM

The dining room is lovely, light and inviting.

THE MASTER BEDROOM

The low headboard is designed to not to detract from the carefully arranged accessories. This brings definition to the space, with its restful mix of designerand vintage pieces.

THE GIRLS' BEDROOM

The twin bedroom looks smart with identical beds, table lamps and wall sconces in complementing pastel shades.

Colourful pompoms add a a sense of fun to the otherwise calm room.

THE STUDY

In this slim but practical home office, a bespoke marble-top desk echoes the design of the adjoining kitchen.

See more of Katharine’s interior design work at katharinehowardstyle.com.

Photography ⁄ James Merrell

See Also: Striking Home Office Ideas

Livingetc

Shining a spotlight on the now and the next in home design and decor, Livingetc is the UK's best selling high end and contemporary home design magazine. As a brand, Livingetc showcases the world's very best homes, breaks and makes the trends, and has access to leading international designers for insight and ideas. It was first published in 1998, and is currently edited by Pip Rich.