This London Townhouse Proves Embracing ‘Wonky’ Quirks is the Secret to a Home Full of Character
Authenticity was at the forefront of the renovation of this period property in London, with antiques and pieces with patina mingling to ensure an aesthetic that honors the past
The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely,’ declared Louisa May Alcott, and that dictum could certainly apply to the owner of this Victorian terraced house design in London, with its interior that nods to the Japanese art of wabi-sabi.
Interior designer Anna Haines was tasked with reimagining the three-story property, undertaking a considered renovation that focused on honoring the home’s historic character, while at the same time injecting modern functionality.
Home Office: An antique desk draws focus here, while pattern was introduced with the linen blind and the rug. Paneling in Banyan Blue, Atelier Ellis. Blind in Persian Poppy, Volga Linen. Writing table, Thakeham Furniture. Antique cane webbed chair, Vinterior. Globe pendant in vintage French linen, Eloise Scotland. Afghan rug, Tate & Darby
‘The client really embraced the quirks of the house – he didn’t mind the wonky floors,’ explains Anna. ‘He was all for retaining those and preserving the inherent character.’
The layout was reconfigured with an eye to creating a design that felt sympathetic to the building. The living room on the first floor, for instance, remained in its original position, but glazed paneled doors were installed to inject a sense of gravitas.
The room was also opened up so that it leads into the home office, where partitioned pocket glazed doors allow light to circulate and provide privacy when the owner works from home. Paneling was added in the dining room and some of the first-floor rooms to enhance the period feel and bring texture.
Main Bedroom: An oak bed takes center stage, and Anna offsets its bold aesthetic with soft pink walls. Bespoke bed, Titchmarsh & Goodwin. Walls in Desert Rose, Paint & Paper Library. Antique textile quilt, Guinevere Antiques
On the second floor, meanwhile, the space was reconfigured with a bedroom removed to allow for a generous space that encompasses an inviting main bedroom, a solid walnut walk-in wardrobe, and a spa-like en-suite bathroom.
Weaving in thoughtful pieces was key to the design. ‘We wanted the interior not to feel new. All the furniture was either made or antique,’ explains Anna.
‘We were really reluctant to bring in new items, adhering to our ethos of making the home feel very lived in.’
Entry: Buttery yellow walls form a cheerful backdrop to a gallery wall of photos. Walls in 40% Trumpington, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. Colossos sisal runner with Chocolate linen border, Robert Clements. Antique 1900 Turkish kilim runner, Rare Rugs. Opaline glass pendant light, Drew Pritchard. Calyx wall light, Charlotte Packe
From the off, the scene is set for individuality, with the joyful yellow and chocolate brown entryway.
‘We wanted to create something that felt warm and exciting as soon as you walked in,’ explains Anna. ‘We opted for 40% of the full paint color as we didn’t want it to be too deep. It’s a lovely buttery yellow and, as the space receives light from the first landing, it really glows. We teamed it with a lovely chocolate trim on the baseboards, architrave, and the staircase.’
Powder Room: We chose lovely antique brass fixtures, which feel quite aged,’ says Anna. Hand-printed rice sheets, Le Monde Sauvage, Design Concrete. Pietra grey marble wall-hung basin, Lusso. Taps, Studio Ore
Possibly the most eclectic space in the house, and undoubtedly Anna’s favorite room, is the guest powder room on the half landing.
The walls are wrapped in a charming artisan rice paper that Anna spotted at a design fair and knew the client would love. ‘It’s a nightmare to wallpaper with because they’re not particularly big sheets – each one is printed by hand by the batik method, and one of the joys is that no two sheets are the same,’ she says.
‘The client wanted the imperfections to be celebrated – you can see the joins, and that’s part of how it’s supposed to look.’
Paneling was installed to half height, as well as a statement gray marble basin, which is beautiful as well as practical. ‘We’ve evoked a little jewel box in this tiny space.’
Living Room: A swathe of zellige tiles delights. ‘They’re all one color, but because they’re handmade, you get this slight color differentiation which is really beautiful,’ says interior designer Anna. Zellige tiles in Burgundy, Habibi Interiors. Armchair, Dean Antiques; upholstered in vintage Indian quilts. Cushion, Robert Kime. Blind trim, GP & J Baker
The jewel-box aesthetic is continued in the living room, with its arresting tiled hearth wall.
‘The client wanted the space to feel quite dramatic, with a wood-burning stove at its heart, so we created a hearth wall with gorgeous burgundy zellige tiles.’
The wall paint has been kept pared back so the look isn’t too overwhelming, and Anna upholstered an antique barrel-back wing chair in blue vintage quilt fabrics, which contrasts with the tiles and lifts the space.
Dining Room: Anna added paneling appropriate to the home’s age. ‘It feels as if it’s always been there,’ she says. Walls in Whiting, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. The Plenty table, Matthew Cox. Marcel Breuer Cesca chairs, Vinterior. Artwork, client’s own. Rushton pendant, Lyngard. 1890 pine drawers, Adam Lloyd Interiors
The design narrative of the house embraces classical style with a contemporary twist and Anna has infused it with layers of color and texture.
‘There’s a very nice flow, but also it feels quite different,’ she says.
‘It really answers what the client wanted, which is to embrace every quirk while respecting the period and character, and it’s quite individual and unique.’
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