Urban Glamour #28
This home looks ordinary from the exterior, but the interior – part boho with a side order of rock ’n’ roll – is much more inventive.
Get the look: The Balsam Hill garland is twined with artificial eucalyptus from MiaFleur. The baubles are from The Contemporary Home. This is a John Lewis stocking. The eucalyptus and winterberry wreath is from The White Company. The bubble wreath is by Habitat.
THE PROPERTY
An Edwardian semi in north London. On the ground floor are two living rooms, a kitchen-diner and study. The children’s bedrooms and two bathrooms are on the first floor, with the master bedroom, bathroom and games room on the second floor.
HALLWAY
The ivy, eucalyptus and pine garland (pictured top) is fake, but looks amazing. At Christmas, the baubles can just be weaved in and changed up depending on the theme.
FRONT LIVING ROOM
There are certain themes in this Edwardian house: the greenery, the palms, round or convex mirrors in virtually every room, faux birds, dark colours, an eclectic mix, a touch of Morocco here and there. And dream catchers.
The moody colours make the house cosy, cocooning and just a little bit sexy.
Get the look: The Balsam Hill tree is topped with a crown from Hobbycraft. The coffee table, cushions, illuminated letter and some of the Christmas decorations are from Rockett St George. The sofas are vintage Ikea. This is Tom Dixon’s Mirror Ball pendant. The Ikat Bamboo rug is from The Rug Company. The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue estate emulsion.
Many of the decorative elements in this space are in fact permanent features, that then get further jazzed up in the winter. At Christmas, the cherub statue gets a crown and some fairy lights.
Get the look: The coffee table, cushions, illuminated letter and some of the Christmas decorations are from Rockett St George. This is Tom Dixon’s Mirror Ball pendant. The Ikat Bamboo rug is from The Rug Company. The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue estate emulsion.
REAR LIVING ROOM
There are hits of glam in every room. Glitter, sequins and metallic flashes add a frisson of rock ’n’ roll sauciness to what could have been a traditional family home.
There is a subtle sparkle in every room, including decorations that stay up all year round.
Get the look: The Habitat sofa was bought on eBay and the pouffe was found in Morocco. The faux cactus is by Abigail Ahern. The print of Slim Aarons’ Poolside Gossip and the vintage wall lights are from Rockett St George.
The sequined cushions, large star and fairy lights are here all year, giving the room flashes of light.
Fake birds? Baubles? Fairy lights all year round? But of course!
Get the look: The vintage wall lights are from Rockett St George.
KITCHEN
The kitchen has a more industrial look. The brick wall at the back was painted in the same colour as the sliding patio doors to create a uniform look.
Get the look: These are Crystal Bulb pendants by Lee Broom. The light above the sink unit is vintage Jieldé. The large star is from The White Company. The bar stools are from Rockett St George.
The kitchen cabinetry is über-functional – because not every space has to be sultry. Sometimes you need to be practical too.
Cabinetry and fittings were made by the home owners, transforming a standard kitchen into something that looks bespoke.
Get the look: The cockatoo ornament, Fabulous wall light, mounted in the shelving, Eames House Bird for Vitra and Anatomical Heart vase are all from Rockett St George.
DINING AREA
The dining table was found on eBay, and despite not being very big is still able to fit 12 or 14 around it for dinner parties.
On the wall behind is a vintage train-reversing mirror, bought from an antiques dealer when covered in rust.
Get the look: These are Eames DSW and DAR chairs for Vitra. The sheepskin throw and cowhide rug are from Rockett St George.
The lush greenery (a mix of real and faux) all add a sense of Seventies exotic.
Get the look: The vintage sweet shop cabinet is from Eras of Style. Find a faux zebra head on eBay. The faux cacti are by Abigail Ahern. The Warhol print is from the Art Car Boot Fair; the others are from Rockett St George.
BOYS’ ROOM
Choosing a look for this room was a team effort between mother and son.
Get the look: The skateboard wallpaper is from Rockett St George.
MASTER BEDROOM
The bedside table was found in India. Originally, it was a different colour so the manufacturer was asked to make the same table again in black.
Get the look: The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Pitch Black estate emulsion. The bed linen is from The Linen Works. The bedside table, Pineapple table lamp and Moroccan wedding blanket are all from Rockett St George.
The darkness of the room only helps highlight the view outside.
Get the look: The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Pitch Black estate emulsion. The bed linen is from The Linen Works. The Moroccan wedding blanket is from Rockett St George.
Photography ⁄ Alexander James
