Inside an art deco gem in London’s Fulham

Martin Waller, the creative force behind the esteemed interior design firm Andrew Martin, resides in a captivating flat in London’s Holland Park neighborhood. His home is a testament to a philosophy that eschews design in isolation, instead embracing a global tapestry of aesthetic influences. The flat acts as a curatorial space where African mudcloth, Andean blankets, and Asian ikat textiles coexist, framed by a vibrant and unconventional color palette of electric blue and marigold yellow. Waller posits that color is the ultimate luxury of the modern age, a stark contrast to its historical expense, and advocates for its bold integration into living spaces. Waller's approach to interior design is characterized by an eclectic mix of old and new, creating a unique and personal narrative within his home. His living room, for instance, features antique art displayed against a backdrop of grass cloth walls, unexpectedly paired with a stark white sofa. This deliberate juxtaposition challenges conventional design norms, much like an ancient Indian carving serving as a headboard in a bedroom. He emphasizes that a home should reflect the homeowner's life story, and every artifact, no matter how disparate, holds a place and defines a moment in that narrative. Despite the seemingly random assortment of items, Waller insists there is an underlying logic to his curation, even if his children perceive it as haphazard. This 'just-the-right-amount-of-wrong' methodology, combined with a museum-like display of objets, yields a fascinating and highly personalized environment. Waller openly discusses his inspiration, highlighting textiles as a profound source that narrates the history of civilizations. His collection includes Naga embroideries, African mudcloth, Andean blankets, and Asian ikats, each contributing to the flat's rich textile story. The apartment also incorporates family legacies, with paintings on the walls that represent his forebears. Waller observes that as one ages, the value of these historical connections intensifies. The space further reveals charming personal details, such as the unexpected presence of his daughter's rabbit, which, even after she left for university, maintains a free run of the apartment and serves as an unusual alarm clock. Another notable feature is the Chinese calligraphy fabric on the walls, a design from the 1990s Andrew Martin collection that significantly influenced the market for such products. Waller's personal interests are broad and varied, spanning Egyptian antiquities, tribal textiles, vintage toys, and a collection of elephants, all of which find a place within his home. His dwelling is not merely a collection of beautiful objects but a dynamic space that continuously evolves, showcasing a life rich in travel, history, and a bold embrace of diverse cultures and colors. It serves as a living testament to his philosophy that a home should be a deeply personal and ever-changing reflection of its inhabitant's journey. #InteriorDesign #LondonFlat #EclecticDecor #AntiqueCollectibles #ColorInDesign #GlobalAesthetics #AndrewMartin #TextileArt #HomeCuration

The property in Crescent Grove, London, is a notable example of 1960s architecture, offering a blend of period-specific design elements and modern living potential. This home, available for £2.2 million, stands as a testament to an architectural era characterized by clean lines, functional spaces, and an integration with natural surroundings. Its design likely reflects the optimistic spirit of post-war reconstruction, emphasizing light, air, and open-plan living, which were progressive concepts at the time. Key features of the residence include its distinctive dog-legged staircase, a common yet elegant design choice in mid-century homes. The staircase, with its rounded hardwood rail, serves as a central architectural element, connecting different levels of the house while adding a touch of sophisticated craftsmanship. This design not only optimizes space but also contributes to the visual flow and aesthetic appeal of the interior, leading residents from the ground floor's communal areas upwards. The proximity of this staircase to the kitchen and dining area suggests a thoughtful layout designed for ease of movement and interaction within the home's primary living spaces. While the article specifically highlights the staircase, it implies that other aspects of the home likely adhere to the 1960s architectural ethos. This would typically include large windows to maximize natural light, a connection between indoor and outdoor living spaces, and potentially a focus on built-in furniture or clever storage solutions. Materials would have been chosen for their durability and aesthetic appeal, possibly incorporating wood, glass, and perhaps exposed brick or concrete, which were popular during that period. The mention of a 'heritage home' further suggests that the property has retained many of its original features, offering a unique opportunity for buyers interested in preserving and living within a piece of architectural history. For potential buyers, the £2.2 million price tag reflects not only the prime London location but also the architectural significance and the potential for a discerning homeowner to acquire a well-preserved example of 1960s design. Such a property would appeal to those who appreciate mid-century modern aesthetics, offering a canvas for contemporary updates while respecting its original character. The blend of historical integrity with the potential for modern amenities makes this home a distinctive offering in the current real estate market, standing out from more conventional or newly constructed properties. Its design principles emphasize comfort, functionality, and a timeless style that continues to influence contemporary architecture. #LondonRealEstate #1960sArchitecture #HeritageHome #MidCenturyModern #PropertyForSale #ArchitecturalDesign #HomeInterior #StaircaseDesign

This article highlights the renovation of a grand 19th-century residence on the banks of the River Thames by London designer Veere Grenney, in collaboration with paint expert David Oliver. Despite the loss of much of its original Arts and Crafts heritage, Grenney recognized the property's potential to create a modern aesthetic that subtly nods to an earlier era. The renovation aimed to blend historical charm with contemporary sophistication, drawing inspiration from a refined 1930s style. Key design elements in the home include custom-designed furniture that complements antique pieces, such as a dining table paired with Viennese chairs. The living and dining rooms feature stunning travertine fireplace surrounds and tall, antiqued mirrored panels, which evoke the period's grandeur, alongside soaring fifteen-foot ceilings. The master bedroom showcases precision tailoring and upholstering, creating a crisp sense of order amidst a diverse collection of objects, including Indian, Islamic, and Egyptian art. David Oliver's expertise in color is evident throughout the apartment, particularly in the use of a gray-white palette influenced by the light reflecting off the River Thames. Oliver, known for his innovative approach to coordinating neutrals, utilized a system of nuanced gradations to create schemes that are both cohesive and distinct. He emphasizes the importance of considering all painted surfaces, not just walls, for a harmonious look. Each room, despite appearing monochromatic at first glance, possesses its own unique personality through variations in painted finishes, fabric coverings, and patterns. The apartment features an eclectic mix of furnishings that harmoniously span centuries. Examples include 18th-century Viennese palace chairs alongside a modern Jansen chandelier, and an English chair from 1760 paired with a contemporary marble-top table by Florence Knoll. Art plays a crucial role in Grenney's design, with a focus on English postwar painters and Alexander Calder's works. The master bathroom serves as the design's culmination, with antiqued mirrors on the tub and vanity reflecting the river's silvery light, inspired by 1930s decorator Syrie Maugham. Overall, the design prioritizes comfort while maintaining an air of supreme elegance, achieved through the use of unfussy linen fabrics for walls, curtains, and furniture. #InteriorDesign #LondonApartment #HomeRenovation #VeereGrenney #DavidOliver #LuxuryInteriors #19thCenturyArchitecture #ModernAesthetic #ColorPalette

The Designer Show House, a biennial event sponsored by the Village Improvement Association in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, showcases diverse interior and exterior design inspirations across its 6,000 square feet of space and nearly an acre of outdoor areas. This event serves as a platform for regional designers to present their expertise and offers visitors a wealth of ideas for their own homes. One featured space is a sunken living room, designed by Kate FitzGerald-Wilks of Timeless Design in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. This room embodies a West Indies aesthetic, characterized by bold lines, soft sandy hues, and rich textures. Key elements include vintage stick bamboo chairs painted black, adorned with Kuba cloth and Ralph Lauren zebra-stripe pillows on a slipcovered camel-backed sofa. A mid-century hutch is repurposed as a cocktail bar, complemented by sculptural metal and glass console tables flanking the fireplace. Wood mirrors with faux tortoise shell lean against textured wallpaper, while modern sculptures and art blend with antique books and global treasures. FitzGerald-Wilks also designed the dining room, aiming for a dramatic effect with a backdrop of 200 wine bottles and a striking Dolcetti chandelier crafted from shells and crystals, evoking sea glass. An 8-foot-long reclaimed wine rack sits atop a buffet. The room's color palette consists of soft creams and tans, punctuated by emerald green accents in the chandelier and wine bottles. Windows are framed with woven ikat print panels. An airy sunroom, conceived by Alfred Wolf Home (a new venture from Design Center of Rehoboth or DCOR), was designed to create a light-filled, contemporary transition between the house and garden. This involved removing existing French doors and window grills, painting the room in various shades of white and French gray-green, and incorporating textural elements of white canvas, iron, and marble. The family room, also by DCOR, maintained the warmth of its original paneling and fireplace stone, setting the foundation for a soft khaki and cream palette. The room is furnished with herringbone, tweed, and leather fabrics, offset by tortoise shell wood finishes and local tidal scene artwork. Mary Stewart of M. Stewart Interiors in Bear designed the upstairs hobby room, named "Just Us," intended as a shared family space for various pastimes like painting, photography, reading, chess, and Lego building. The room features updated cherished family heirlooms and is painted simply white to highlight paintings by Nadia Zychal. Nile Johnson of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, designed the second-floor paneled library, drawing inspiration from Rehoboth's laid-back yet cosmopolitan atmosphere. This space offers an updated interpretation of a classic library, decorated in layers of sandy tans. Cyndi and Ron Oronzio and Cathie Sheetz of Dreamweaver Interiors of Rehoboth Beach decorated a bedroom and bath, inspired by vibrantly patterned fabrics. They utilized Robert Allen fabrics as wallpaper for an accent wall, building the room's design around this print. The team selected fabrics for their depth, crisp patterns, contrasting textures, and detailed embroidery, incorporating a bright coral pink accent color and rhinestone embellishments for a feminine touch. Brenda Carder of blcINTERIORS of Rehoboth Beach designed a small guest bedroom, combining natural cotton and linen fabrics with metal and reclaimed wood. Crown moldings add formality. To compensate for limited sunlight, the room was kept light and bright, with a deep navy blue accent wall and touches of bright yellow for warmth. The second floor features art by Libby Zando of Zando Designs and Art Affects in Milton, alongside works by award-winning regional artists. Boardwalk Builders of Rehoboth transformed a hallway into a gallery space by adding wainscot paneling, creating an updated cottage aesthetic that visually broadened the hallway. Mark A. Polo of The Urban Dweller in Boonton, New Jersey, designed the master suite, aiming for comfort with soft textural colors ranging from taupe to blue. The furniture is upholstered to enhance the room's softness, featuring taupe draperies of embroidered sheer linen and silk edged in leather and freshwater pearls. Blonde floors are softened by a long-fiber rug. Outdoors, Erin Walls and Justin Bartels of Bella Terra Landscaping in Lincoln repurposed existing flagstone patios and walkways, adding new stones to create a Celtic-inspired design. The layout divides the space into a grand area for social gatherings and secluded nooks for quiet retreats. Creative Concepts Furniture of Lewes and Ocean View furnished the patios as outdoor rooms with bright coastal colors, including a sectional, loveseat, dining area for six, and lounge chairs, inviting visitors to envision themselves in the setting. #DesignerShowHouse #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #RehobothBeach #DelawareDesign #LuxuryInteriors #OutdoorLiving #DesignInspiration

In London, a city renowned for its diverse architectural styles, a renewed interest in traditional coving is gaining traction among homeowners. This decorative ceiling moulding, once considered old-fashioned, is now experiencing a resurgence, driven by several factors that highlight its timeless appeal and practical benefits. Many London properties, ranging from Georgian terraces to Victorian townhouses, were originally designed with intricate plasterwork, including coving. Over time, modern renovations often removed these historical details. Today, homeowners are actively seeking to restore or reintroduce coving, recognizing its role in honoring architectural heritage, enhancing property value, and maintaining a cohesive design narrative. This trend not only preserves historical identity but also adds character to homes. The aesthetic versatility of coving is a key reason for its comeback. Whether it features the elegant curves of Georgian designs or the detailed patterns of Edwardian styles, traditional coving brings a sense of sophistication to any room. It effectively softens the transition between walls and ceilings, creating a refined and finished appearance. Coving adapts well to various room sizes and ceiling heights, adding drama in larger living spaces and subtle elegance in smaller bedrooms. Even in contemporary settings or new builds, traditional coving can provide a striking contrast, infusing warmth into minimalist interiors without overpowering them. This adaptability allows coving to blend seamlessly with both period-style and modern decor. The growing interest in home restoration and period-style renovations also contributes significantly to coving's revival. Influenced by various media, homeowners are increasingly embracing the charm of combining old and new elements. For many, reinstating coving is not about strict historical replication but about harmoniously integrating different eras. Traditional coving can be paired with contemporary lighting, neutral color schemes, and sleek furniture, resulting in eclectic and balanced spaces that respect the building’s origins while accommodating modern living. From a financial perspective, traditional coving represents a smart investment in London’s competitive property market. Period features, including original or replica coving, are highly desirable to potential buyers and are often highlighted by real estate agents. These features help properties stand out, convey uniqueness, and suggest a high standard of care and quality in renovations. For homeowners considering future sales, adding or restoring traditional coving can be a relatively low-cost upgrade with significant visual impact, subtly increasing a property’s perceived value. Technological advancements have also made coving more accessible. While historically crafted from heavy, hand-moulded plaster, modern options include high-quality polyurethane and lightweight plaster alternatives. These materials accurately replicate intricate historical details while being easier to install and maintain. They can be cut, handled, and painted with ease, facilitating DIY projects and quicker professional installations. Suppliers now offer a wide array of traditional coving styles suitable for various architectural periods, from Georgian to Art Deco. The return to traditional coving signifies a broader appreciation for detailed, character-rich interiors that connect the past with the present and enhance a home's atmosphere in ways modern finishes often cannot match. #LondonCoving #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalHeritage #PeriodFeatures #PropertyValue #HomeDecor #TraditionalStyle