Poptastic Meets Trad - Feature Home

This fabulously quirky take on a traditional decorating scheme is full of lavish theatrical humour – a real testament to the characters who inhabit this wonderful home.



The bright formal drawing room has two floor- to-ceiling original sash windows which flood the room with light and the dress curtains are a humorous take on the traditional swag and tail.  Deep relief Lincrusta panels have been set into the ceiling recess and the lower walls have received a fairly convincing fake wood panel treatment.   The polished original oak parquet floor forms a sober backdrop for lavish contemporary works of art and some fabulous curvy purple and silver Belle Epoch sofas.  Stylish art nouveau lighting and a solid granite coffee table complete this characterful tableau.

The kitchen is a very compact galley style with floor to ceiling original painted wood pantries and a recessed meat locker.  A deep charcoal paint treatment in such a confined space isn’t an obvious choice but the wall colour – together with a vast French art nouveau style chandelier – creates a real sense of expectation and drama.  Hand -built painted Georgian style units compliment the original fittings and iridescent turquoise subway-style ceramic tiles add an unexpectedly vibrant splash of colour.   An above-door shelf makes great use of all available space and provides the perfect spot for a collection of wonderful Royal Doulton china.

A spectacularly spare painted metal framed four poster and a vast murano glass chandelier (rescued from a grand hotel) compete for centre stage in the dramatic-yet-tranquil master bedroom.  Quirky works of art arranged in a studiedly haphazard manner create a real sense of movement in the room and upholstery and bedding in Kath Kidston style patterns of chintz invite sprawling of a Sunday morning with the papers.  Painted white floorboards and Louise style bedside tables lend a real French air and a re-upholstered painted Lloyd Loom ottoman is the perfect repository for bedroom clutter.

A lavish family bathroom has been created out of what was once a small bedroom.  Tongue and groove panelling helps create the feeling of a traditional original bathroom and reclaimed Victorian and Edwardian fittings – including a wonderful free-standing claw foot bath – create a real sense of period.  An oversized,  ornate gilded Venetian style mirror serves as a focal point and reflects plenty of light and a dramatically unexpected cow skin rug reunites the bathroom with the rest of this most bohemian of homes.