The 3 lessons in using curves to take from this chic Islington home
Explore the wonderful juxtapositions between architectural angles and curved shapes in this unique London home


For style leaders and design lovers.
Thank you for signing up to LivingEtc. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
This home in the heart of London's leafy Islington is stunning on every level, but we're especially captivated by the ways it uses curved shapes to enhance the interior. From modern living room ideas to some very inspired choices for bathrooms, it finely balances a contemporary minimalist aesthetic with warm, rounded touches of shabby chic.
Here are the main lessons in this stylistic blending we're taking away from it.
1. Add curved furniture pieces for a bespoke look
The striking furniture designs remind us of 1960s futurism – soft, rounded shapes that are somehow out of this world. These furniture pieces instantly create an updated and bespoke look, livening up the traditional Victorian room with a mantlepiece and alcoves.
The color scheme is kept neutral to avoid the furniture completely dominating the room – it provides just enough of an accent thanks to the curved designs. The overall effect is timeless and ever so slightly mischievous.
To update your own living room, start by browsing the best sofas in our guide.
2. Don't underestimate the power of lighting
Lighting is never just functional – it is always a design element, and the shapes of your lights can really affect the feel of a room. In this house, lights are a softening device – the rounded pendants in the kitchen offset the formal and graphic look of the Crittall windows.
In the study, the retro lamps with soft shades create a more informal look than task lamps would. We like this boudoir-style look in the room that's supposed to be serious.
Like the Crittall look? Explore steel framed windows in our style feature.
3. Choose rounded accessories in bathrooms
Finally, the bathroom is the perfect space for experimenting with shape juxtapositions. In one of the bathrooms, decorated in an emerald metro tile, a curved mirror adds unexpected warmth.
In another, which features classic, hand-crafted joinery, the claw-foot bathtub provides an inviting counterpoint. The furniture is a mixture of retro and antique – again, a dainty and soft style typically used in bedrooms is taken into the bathroom area.
This house proves that you don't have to follow rules, and you certainly don't have to stick to just one style or one time period to make an interior work. It's all about having an eye for how different shapes, finishes, and colors interact.
Period homes from the Victorian and Edwardian eras especially benefit from a more individualized approach to styling – the combination of classic and modern is irresistible.
The Huntington Street house is on sale for £2,750,000 by The Modern House.
The Livingetc Newsletter
For style leaders and design lovers.

Anna is a professional writer with many years' experience. She has special interests in architecture, photography, and high-end interior design. Her work has appeared in Homes & Gardens, Gardeningetc, and many other publications.
-
-
Dorit Kemsley's hallway is the perfect example of why you shouldn't neglect "in-between spaces", say designers
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star showed off her statement wallpapered hallway recently - here's why designers love the idea
By Hugh Metcalf Published
-
The best dark green sofas - make your love for this timeless color official with one of these 9 picks
Find the perfect dark green sofa to fit your space and your budget
By Amy McArdle Published