Against Her Painter’s Advice, Louise Roe Chose This “Ugly” Color for Her TV Room

Louise Roe, a television presenter, fashion journalist, and author, relocated from Los Angeles to Oxfordshire, England, with her husband, Mackenzie Hunkin, and their daughter, Honor. They settled into an 1819 Georgian farmhouse, which Roe felt an immediate connection to. Having envisioned her ideal home design for years, Roe embarked on a six-month renovation project after securing a highly-regarded contractor. The initial 12 weeks of renovation focused on essential tasks before the family moved in, including gutting the kitchen, relocating plumbing fixtures, and replacing floors. A significant discovery during this phase was the uncovering of original Victorian tiles beneath the flagstones in the entryway, which delighted Roe and required minimal restoration. Roe deliberately maintained the original layout of the farmhouse, with the exception of raising a doorway. She appreciated the distinct zones created by the existing structure, each serving a unique purpose and possessing its own character. For the kitchen, she prioritized specific finishes, opting for British Standard cabinets painted in a sage green to integrate with the natural surroundings. Other key elements included an extra-deep Irish farmhouse sink beneath a window and an AGA stove, which Roe had always desired and learned to cook on. Despite objections from family and tradesmen regarding the room's narrowness, Roe insisted on an island, commissioning a custom high table made from the same wood as the floors, providing valuable workspace. Counter stools from their Los Angeles home were upholstered in water-resistant Peter Dunham fabric. An adjacent breakfast nook was transformed into a playroom for Honor, featuring a vibrant curry yellow, a color Roe had long admired. Edward Bulmer, a paint expert, provided guidance on historical color choices for various rooms. The drawing room, the grandest space, was painted in a brick hue that shifts appearance with the light. Roe also undertook the project of commissioning a new ceiling rose to replicate the original, which had been removed. She intentionally designed this room without a television, focusing seating around the fireplace and adding floor lamps with ground-level electrical sockets. A bureau desk, her most significant indulgence, now serves as her workspace in this room. The television was placed in a compact snug, a British term for a media room, featuring built-in cabinets for electronics and book display. Roe, an avid reader, designed this room with floor-to-ceiling shelves. The joinery in the snug was painted in a high-gloss muddy brown, a color her painter initially disliked but later appreciated as it transformed into a rich dark green, complementing her collection of old Penguin Classics. This same custom cabinetry was extended to her dressing room, where a dusty rose paint matched a fringed ottoman. A small powder room showcases blue Nina Campbell wallpaper, artwork, and mirrors, creating a nostalgic feel reminiscent of their California life. Matching roman shades integrate with the traditional English farmhouse style, while an oversized Slim Aarons photograph adds a playful touch. A guest bathroom features floral Cole & Son wallpaper, with a bright cherry red from the pattern used for the window covering and sconce shades. Roe intentionally retained the hardwood floor to ground the vibrant colors. Another guest room in blush tones incorporates a green and white fabric from Soane for curtains and a scalloped headboard, coordinating with the adjacent teal bathroom, which was updated with a historically accurate claw-foot tub. Roe's favorite bedroom, destined for her daughter, is nestled in the eaves and adorned with Pierre Frey wallpaper and a matching headboard pattern, a design she had admired for years. She also shared her go-to vintage shop, local home stores, plant and gardening supplier, and online home store, emphasizing her love for books and her Oka sofas, and her desire to experience the house's first Christmas centuries ago. #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #GeorgianFarmhouse #ColorPalette #CustomCabinetry #VintageFinds #BritishInteriors #HomeDecor #FamilyHome #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #GeorgianFarmhouse #ColorPalette #CustomCabinetry #VintageFinds #BritishInteriors #HomeDecor #FamilyHome