Tour Principal Ballerina Francesca Hayward's London Sanctuary – It's A Serene Study in Texture, Calming Color, and Timeless Furnishing
When she's not on stage, Francesca Hayward, principal dancer in London's Royal Ballet, relaxes at her gorgeous, sumptuously outfitted flat
The life of a principal dancer in the Royal Ballet is full of hard work and discipline – so when Francesca Hayward steps off the stage, she needs a serene spot to nest.
As opposed to the gilded grandeur of her workplace in Covent Garden, the principal ballerina's London home is a cozy ode to texture, warmth, and lively but relaxing color pairings. Each gorgeously curved piece of mid-century modern style furniture was hand-selected to make her home a sanctuary. She partnered with Westwing to bring this vision to life, updating the flat into its current elegant form.
From the blue-and-red geometric rug to the leather dining chairs from Westwing, every piece in the bijou flat feels intentional and inviting. Let's step inside. You'll find photos of the flat, quotes from Francesca, and an edit of hand-picked products to help you recreate her look at home.
Francesca's flat is a masterclass in adding character to a home elegantly. Though no aspect of the house is 'ballet-themed,' the decor subtly reflects her love of dance and connection to the art.
She states: 'Home is where I come back to myself, but even here I am still a dancer, ballet is at my core, and the small moments of my life definitely reflect that. Ballet is woven into everything. And I think that's what I love the most: that these two worlds are both just places where I feel completely alive.'
Recreate Francesca's Look at Home
For a true statement piece that grounds the entire living room, there is no better option than the gorgeous sculptural sofa Francesca uses in her living room. The sumptuous boucle texture is soft enough to sink into.
Francesca uses a red Cartier book to add style and a pop of red to her coffee table, and this one is ideal for bringing a touch of personality into any living room. It's a reminder that books are a valuable way to bring character into our design.
Nothing adds height and shape to a coffee table like a gorgeous candle holder. This one is the exact same as seen in Francesca's living room and helps create a beautiful contrast to the light blue rug.
Sleek and sculptural, this black glass vase adds a modern edge to any dining table, just like Francesca's. Its distinctive shape makes it a striking accent, even when displayed alone, while the 4'' mouth is ideal for a few statement stems or simple greenery.
Featuring a stylish, arched silhouette, the curvaceous, bestselling Hadden chair has been beautifully crafted from ight oak and rattan, bring organic texture and shape to any sized dining room.
I love the idea of using this dark brick red pillow to add red to a scheme in a subtle and liveable way. It would be gorgeous paired with a light blue rug like we see in Francesca's living room.
The richly colored living room sets the tone for the home's cozy aesthetic. Layered with warm lighting, textured cushions, and just the right amount of on-trend cherry red, looking at it is instantly relaxing.
Anchoring the whole room is Francesca's modular teddy boucle living room sofa. She explains: 'The standout piece for me is the sofa. It feels perfectly suited to the room, both effortless and timeless. I especially love the color, it feels slightly unexpected, yet looks so classic. I’m so happy with how the whole living space has come together.'
The open plan dining area is another standout feature of the space, combining open shelving with playfully mismatched seating.
Though many of the pieces in Francesca's home fall into the 'mid-century modern' category, she doesn't define herself by one singular aesthetic. Instead, she collaborated with her partner to design a home that they would both feel comfortable in.
She tells Homes & Gardens: 'I think I'm still discovering my own interior style. But what I am learning is that when you're in a relationship, you do have to compromise. That's why I feel so happy with everything in my flat. They are all things that we both like and adore. So that works really well.'
Francesca told the Westwing team that she wanted her bedroom to feel 'like a little nest,' and they certainly delivered. The minimalist room centers on a corduroy upholstered bed and features gorgeous natural textures woven throughout. Yet again, sculptural interplay show that calming and serene spaces can still be full of design interest.
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