A whole lotta love plus a dash of decadence and a sense of the unexpected – that’s what built this fun-filled family home
Get the look: The bureau is from Wolfe Antiques. The poodle artwork is from Abigail Ahern. The big paper decorations are by Talking Tables. The plants are from Angel Flowers.
THE PROPERTY
A five-bedroom Victorian house in east London. There is a living room, family room, kitchen-diner and WC on the ground floor. The main bedroom and en-suite bathroom are on the first floor, along with two children’s bedrooms and the laundry room. The second floor has another bedroom and the family bathroom. There’s also a loft room that serves as an office/guest bedroom with an en-suite bathroom.
LIVING ROOM
Decadent is not a word you associate with a busy family home, but visitors love the wildness and sense of the unexpected of this east London home.
The final touches have just been put on (a zebra-patterned stair runner and provocative pieces of art), following an extensive refurbishment and overhaul. All the internal walls, ceilings and floors were knocked down and replaced; the house was rewired and replumbed, with three new bathrooms fitted. Having a complete overhaul has the advantage of giving a blank canvas for personalisation.
For example, an upstairs loo was turned into a laundry room – a game changer as it’s right by children’s bedrooms, thus eliminating the need to carry endless piles of laundry up or down the stairs.
Get the look: The pendant light is by Soho Home at Liberty. The Tank chairs, rug and mirror salvaged from a train station in the Czech Republic are from Pure White Lines.
You could describe the interiors as stealth luxe. It’s not showy, but there’s a bit of bling happening with the brass globe light, marble fireplaces and bespoke kitchen tiles.
Moody and atmospheric, the living room relies on luxe finishes – marble, brass and leather – for its air of opulence.
Get the look: The blinds are made in Hackney Empire velvet by House of Hackney. The pendant light is by Soho Home at Liberty. The Chesterfield sofa, Tank chairs, rug and mirror salvaged from a train station in the Czech Republic are from Pure White Lines.
FAMILY ROOM
It takes a moment to realise the wall colour, paintwork and flooring are identical throughout, yet each room has a distinct character.
Get the look: The sofa is by Loaf. The cushions are by Timorous Beasties. The cobbler’s unit is from Pure White Lines. The side tables are from HM Jones. The rug was bought in Marrakech.
This house gets dressed with a few tips from fashion – a go-anywhere base of grey is jzuzhed up with designer buys and colourful pieces.
The house’s palette of grey walls and black woodwork is revved up with colourful cushions, bold artwork and knick knacks.
Get the look: The sofa is by Loaf. The cushions are by Timorous Beasties.
There’s no shortage of fun factor. The house doesn’t take itself too seriously. Surfboards, graffiti and quirky artwork subvert the Gothic overtones.
Get the look: The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Manor House Gray estate emulsion and woodwork in Black Blue estate eggshell. The vases on the fireplace are by Jonathan Adler.
Dalmatian, zebra, cowhide and graphic patterns take monochrome black and white to the next level.
Get the look: The Girard dolls are by Vitra. The cabinet is from After Noah.
KITCHEN
The splashback tiles in the kitchen were made by Suzanne Sullivan, a ceramicist living in New York. Her work is so sought after in Brooklyn, shops don’t even display it. You have to go in and ask if they have any of her pieces – it’s usually hidden under the counter.
The cool concrete worktop is one of many raw textures that flow through the house.
Get the look: The cabinets are by Howdens. The handles and lights are by Buster + Punch. The worktops are by Concreations. The range cooker and appliances are by Smeg.
DINING AREA
The amazing brickwork was spotted during the building work and asked to be left on show. It adds a rawness to this dining space.
Get the look: The Tulip dining table is by Eero Saarinen. The Eames chairs are from The Conran Shop. The candles are by Normann Copenhagen. The pink cupboard is painted in Cinder Rose estate emulsion by Farrow & Ball.
BOYS’ ROOM
A graffiti print fabric from Timorous Beasties was chosen for the blind, as a way for this kids’ room to easily transform to teens’ room.
For the same reason, the furniture in this boy’s room could be used in any room in the house, not just a child’s bedroom.
Get the look: The bed is from the Land of Nod in New York. The rug is by Suzanne Sharp at The Rug Company. The tent and octopus are from Molly Meg. The chest of drawers is from Pure White Lines.
The grey base gives the house unity, while allowing children to add their own style.
Get the look: The H light is by JunkArtGypsyz at Etsy. The shark print is by BygonePress at Etsy.
EN-SUITE BATHROOM
A sliver of space in the hallway was converted to create an en suite for the master bedroom.
Get the look: The floor tiles are by Mosaic del Sur. The wall tiles are by Topps Tiles. The shelf is by String at Tea and Kate. The mirror is by Hay.
MASTER BEDROOM
A monochrome palette, teamed with pattern and textured throws, rugs and cushions creates an enticing bedroom space.
Get the look: The bed is by West Elm. The pendant light is by Folklore. The wall lights and silver wardrobe are by Abigail Ahern. The rug and bed cover are from The Curious Cockney. The bedside cabinet is by Kartell. The glass table is from Aria. The dream catcher was bought in Mexico. The You Blow My Mind print is by Lauren Baker. The Good Lovin’ and Turtle Dovin’ print is by Charley Harper.
GIRLS’ ROOM
The grey walls let the children add personality to their rooms.
Get the look: The Birds 2012 print is by Tracey Emin for the London Paralympics. The rabbit lamp and cupboard are by Abigail Ahern. The bedspread is from The Curious Cockney. The Narwhal Celestial Bodies print is by Kozyndan from Nelly Duff. The rug is from The Rug Company.
HALLWAY
Hallways, stairs, landings – no area was left behind when it comes to detail.
Get the look: The zebra stair runner is by Alternative Flooring Company at Sultan Carpets. The lights are by Normann Copenhagen at Nest. The floor tiles are from London Mosaic.
See more of this home at Reveretheresidence.com
Photography ⁄ Paul Raeside
