Living room

A nature inspired living room with a welcoming earthy palette
The interior architecture was very pared-back and calm, so designer Studio Ashby brought in character and richness with layering and a mix of bespoke designs, antiques and contemporary off-the-shelf pieces.

The palette was inspired by nearby Holland Park and features natural, earthy colours: greens, blues, russets, oranges and yellows. The rug, was designed as an ode to the park, incorporating peacock feathers as well as leaf motifs.

Bespoke sofas and coffee tables, all Studio Ashby. Sofas in Ombra in Lichene, £103m, Rubelli. Ottoman in Bark in Tobacco, 01342-008, £418m, Donghia. Dicentra daybed by Søren Lund, from £2,575, Another Country. Yellow cushions in cotton velvet in Soft Gold, around €100m, MM Design. Green and brown patterned cushions in 2819/11226, £180m, Gainsborough. Blue cushions in Berber Linen 1021239-594, £115m, Hodsoll McKenzie at Zimmer + Rohde. Wave table lamps in Ice Blue, £510 each, Tyson London. Painting, bespoke commission by Philip Maltman. Photographs, Samuel Zeller. Bespoke rug by Studio Ashby, Christopher Farr.

Photography/Philip Durrant
Spring living room with a riot of floral decoration and pattern
Evoke the spirit of an English summer garden with the latest blooms springing up on wallpapers fabrics, rugs and ceramics. Bold florals underfoot make a striking first impression in an entrance hall. For maximum impact, combine with a drop of large-scale blooms alongside more graphic details, such as a contemporary chair or table.

Photography/ Polly Wreford

Elegant living room which balances classic with a contemporary look
To reflect the age of the property, interior design company Sigmar used traditional grey for the walls, providing a contemporary note with pale-green doors and woodwork. A stronger colour was added with green Kaare Klint Safari chairs and cushions in sea blue tones to create a calm but edgy look.

Safari chairs by Kaare Klint; Bonddot tray table by Carl Auböck; stoneware bowl (on table) by Aage & Kasper Würtz, all Sigmar. Daya striped cushions, £65 each, Caravane. Plafonnier Pivotants ceiling light, Serge Mouille. Walls in Cornforth White estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Woodwork in Dusted Moss 1 eggshell, £16.42 for 0.5ltr, Dulux

Photography/ Petr Krejci
Fiery living room with vivid red sofa and wallpaper
The SS20 forecast is in and it’s full of fantastical fabrics and papers inspired by sunny days and stormy nights. The intensity and vibrancy of sunset hues bring drama to the current trend for texture and curves.

Photography/ Jake Curtis

Tonal living room with olive green walls and curated artwork
A daybed arranged with curated cushions becomes artwork in its own right  and complements the trio of paintings that form a pleasing focal point above.

Languid Knows daybed, £3,900, The Sit Still Studio. Hikira rug, £2,240, A Rum Fellow. Woodpecker  floor lamp, £299, Heal’s. Paintings (from left) Casting Round for Solid Ground, £2,400; Untitled, £550; Duality, £1,500, all Caroline Popham at Maison Artefact. Cushion in Bell Dusk, £98m, Mimi Pickard.

Photography/ Polly Wreford
Moody grey living room with bold, bright furniture
Elegant statement pieces with a handmade, considered feel are key to a design-led interior. Here, showstopping sculptural lighting  is accompanied by an inviting sofa based  on the classic campaign design.

Campaign sofa in Flagstone, £3,000,  Harp Cottage. Hand-tufted cushions,  from £85 each, all Kate Cullum. 000 Layered Light unglazed porcelain pendant, from £4,000, Unit 89. Dante side table in Dark Bronze, £1,803, Julian Chichester.

Photography/ Polly Wreford

Relaxed living room with striking wooden furniture and contemporary art
The simple yet striking wooden slatted divider sets the tone for this relaxed sitting area, where contemporary and antique pieces in different woods sit harmoniously together.

Photography/ Jan Baldwin
Classic living room scheme with jewel-toned ottoman and Christmas garland
A teal ottoman adds sumptuous colour, while mirrored inserts either side of the fireplace amplify the sense of light and space. A large circular mirror above the fireplace adds a modern element in this other traditional space.

Photography/ Mark Bolton

Classic living room with fir Christmas tree and foliage
A traditional space is the perfect setting for a classic fir Christmas tree that has been decorated in a minimal colour palette of blue and white.

Photography/ Jon Day
Glamorous fireplace wood panelled walls and tile surround
Black or very dark hues can be cosy and enveloping. When going for this look, be sure to include interesting accents as a foil. Choose an elaborate tile for the surround and add sharpness with a graphic floor rug. Then use candles and fairy lights to inject spark and chandelier.

Photography/ Chris Everard

A classic period sitting room in all its festive finery
The sitting room of this Victorian property has been been given a very sympathetic and elegant period treatment. A grand marble fireplace topped with a gilded mirror anchors the room. As well as framing the fine Victorian windows, the silk curtains with swags and tails lend a lovely touch of opulence.
Classic fireplace with delicate foliage and garland
The sharp seed heads of teasels are softened with sprays of delicate foliage, creating a beautifully unusual garland and wreath. Grosgain ribbon adds a colourful flourish.

Photography/ Simon Bevan

Traditional Christmas living room with natural foliage and classic furniture
The gentle glow of candlelight, frosted silver and natural foliage combine for an atmospheric Scandinavian-inspired feel. The unusual array of garlands gives this formal room an air of whimsy.

Photography/ Simon Bevan
Classic living room with elegant furniture and upholstered sofa
Upholster a compact sofa with an oversized print to create a strong, elegant statement piece set against a calm backdrop. A bold linear design rug offers a contrasting but complementary sense of scale and drama.

Photography/ Simon Bevan

Contemporary living room with a pastel palette
Reminiscent of a late-summer garden, this hand-painted watercolour mural in shades of warm peach and spice creates a relaxed and expressive backdrop for pared-back modern pieces.

Photography/ Damian Russell
Living room with tactile textures, rich colour and glamour
Celebrate raw materials, organic textures, natural scenes and crafts such as mark making and weaving. Sweeping lines, tactile surfaces and deep tones of copper and red combine to create a deliciously warm and cocooning interior, with contrasting textures and a touch of glamour.

Photography/ Damian Russell

Vibrant pink living room scheme with paisley patterns
Celebrate the heat and colour of the subcontinent with vibrant patterns and textural accessories. Shades of rose bloom in this flamboyant  scheme, with touches of burnt orange  to give a nod to tropical heat.

Photography/ Jan Baldwin
Living room with vibrant colour and pattern
Celebrate the heat and colour of the subcontinent with vibrant patterns and textural accessories. Fabrics in shades of sapphire and emerald create a space that both soothes and energises.

Photography/ Jan Baldwin

French Modernist living room with mixed materials
A new wave of geometric designs, inspired by the work of abstract artist Sonia Delaunay, combines graphic shapes with exciting colour combinations to create a smart mid-century feel. Mixing a range of fabric designs featuring diamonds, circles and hexagons brings instant vitality, especially when directional light gives it a stripped appearance.

Photography/ Paul Raeside
Tropical-style living room with printed fabric and bamboo
Vintage-syle tropical prints, teamed with bamboo and cane, evoke the faded grandeur of colonial Cuba. Découpage is an impressive way of creating a bespoke piece of furniture that can be tailored to suit your room scheme.

Photography/ Adrian Briscoe