Some homes seem perfectly suited to celebration. This London townhouse, belonging to a British–South African couple and their toddler son is a case in point.
On a chilly winter’s day, when dusk falls, the warm glow of table lamps adds depth to the sitting room’s toffee-colored walls and the glint of the Christmas tree’s bronze baubles brings out the room’s oyster pink and terracotta tones. A wide-ranging palette of fabrics and colors – coupled with eclectic art and a largely original layout – lends these schemes a relaxed, evolved feel, but in fact, not so long ago, they featured nothing but white walls and gray carpet.
Entryway: Walls in Green Blue; woodwork in Pointing, Farrow & Ball. Wreath, flowers and garlands, Atelier Emmanuel. Wrapping and ribbon, The Kensington Paperie. Throw on bench, Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. Stocking in Standen Stripe in Amber, Sarah Vanrenen.
'I’ve been in a warm and cozy color phase for the past few years,' says Brandon Schubert, the American-born interior designer who helped bring these rooms to life. 'I’m drawn to caramels, oranges, reds, and greens, so the house naturally embodies those hues.' According to him, the building’s original bones were just waiting to be brought back to life, demanding 'only a light touch refurbishment, yet a full-scale interior redesign.'
Initially, the owners considered a full structural renovation before deciding to scale back in favor of a phased approach as and when budget allowed. But when Brandon came on board, he advised them to make one essential alteration: move the kitchen from the basement to the ground floor for a more intuitive configuration.
Dining room: Walls in Golden Honey, Sanderson. Table by Brandon Schubert. Bespoke chairs, Non-Standard Studio. Oak Branch chandelier, Richard Taylor Designs. Painting by Jacques Martin-Ferrières. Flowers and garlands, Atelier Emmanuel. Tableware, Bonadea.
The good news was that the floor plan was, for the most part, just as it should be, with well-proportioned spaces across the ground and first floors and bedrooms at the top. 'From there, the interior decoration could take shape,' says Brandon. 'It meant we could gently modernize the house while also bringing out the heritage features that were already present, replacing those that had been lost. Ultimately, we wanted to create an authentic-feeling interpretation of the building’s original style without knocking it around too much.'
Brandon designed the kitchen, whose buttercream finish is offset by rich orange walls and wide plank pine flooring, making it a natural partner to the adjoining dining room, a mirror of the kitchen’s architectural details. He also designed the dining table, the sitting room’s blue sofa, and bookcases for the library upstairs.
Kitchen (left): Kitchen designed by Brandon Schubert; made by Peter Lord Joinery. Walls in Golden Honey, Sanderson. Delft tiles, Douglas Watson Studio. Betty bar stools, &Tradition. Lucia pendant light, Hector Finch. Crackers, The Kensington Paperie. Study (right): Walls in Oxney Olive, Sanderson. Bookcases in Masai, Paint & Paper Library. Blind in Kalamkari, Les Indiennes. Freud armchair, Howe; covered in Buray Shardang silk, Namay Samay. Antique footstool in Cornelis, Le Manach. Easton desk chair, And Objects.
Relaxed and colorful, this is a home that reflects the personality of its owners. 'Initially, it was difficult to agree on a balance between pared back and maximalist, modern and antique,' says one of them. 'The challenge was knowing what to update and how.'
Brandon solved that by introducing painted rather than papered walls. 'Then it was about incorporating pattern without letting the house tilt into country cottage,' he says. 'So I chose smaller, geometric patterns for curtains and plain colors for upholstery. I kept colors zingy and interesting so that the rooms have intensity and energy without relying too much on pattern.'
Sitting room: Walls in Hares Coat, Morris & Co. Curtains in Naboika, Décors Barbares. Marble fire surround, Westland London. Sofa, designed by Brandon Schubert; covered in mohair velvet, George Spencer Designs. Chairs, Howard & Sons; covered in Roussillon. Ottoman, Max Rollitt; covered in Sibton, Claremont. Accessories on ottoman, Bonadea and Paolo Moschino. Club fender, Acres Farm. Artworks (left) by Stanhope Alexander Forbes and (right) by Frank Beanland. Garlands, Atelier Emmanuel. Tree bows, gift wrap, ribbon, all The Kensington Paperie. Candle lights, Lights4fun.
Much of the success of these schemes relies on casting the couple’s existing pieces in a new light. In the study, a writing desk had its worn red leather inset top replaced with smart black; the mirror–cum–TV above the fireplace in the sitting room had its gilt frame painted over in a faux bird’s eye maple timber effect, while a pair of mahogany Georgian pot cupboards were softened by gently patterned purple drapes and gray-green walls. 'We also both love art,' says the owner. 'So we spent time choosing new pieces as well as including a couple of South African favorites.'
Main bedroom (left): Walls in Farrow & Ball’s French Gray. Curtains in Quantock, Fermoie. Durham quilt, Beata Heuman. Cushion in an antique textile, Penny Worrall. Preston swing arm wall light, Vaughan. Bathroom (right): Walls in Sang de Boeuf, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. Bespoke shower curtain in Red Lotus, Aleta. Wall lights, Howe. Compton Trefoil vase, Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. Glass tumbler, Bonadea.
One day, the basement, with its conservatory extension, will be tackled so that the family has more generous access to the garden. But for now, the house works just as it should. This season, the family will be cooking in the run-up as well as hosting friends and family. 'We always go for a walk along the river before lunch,' says Brandon’s client. 'Returning to our home is extra special. It’s just perfect for cozy winter nights.'
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