Mediterranean Interior Design

Summer is fast approaching – even if it’s still a little chilly here in London. But while scorching summer days are feeling ever elusive, it’s super easy to bring a sense of Southern European coastal elegance into your home. Laid-back and timeless, Mediterranean-inspired interior design can create a touch of elegance and charm in any home. It’s been a popular interior design style for decades, and for good reason.  

By embracing a few key elements, such as classic neutral colour schemes and natural materials, you can easily bring a light and airy ambience straight from the coast of the Mediterranean Sea into your home. The goal is to create a warm and inviting atmosphere with your interior design that embodies the relaxed and easy-going Mediterranean way of life. 

Mediterranean vibes at Palm Residence

So, how can you bring a Mediterranean influence into your interior design? 

1. A neutral colour palette.

The Mediterranean design style typically features a neutral colour scheme, with light and earthy tones that reflect the landscapes of the region. White walls and sandy neutrals are great for emulating those coastal villa vibes. Not only this, but a neutral wall also creates a base that’s great for adding accent colours – like the sunny yellows, sea-hued blue-greens and terracotta reds seen in our lovely shoot location, Roma. 

2. Natural materials.

­Wood and wicker, cotton and cement, stone and ceramics – all great examples of natural materials you can use. This adds some texture, personality, and visual interest to the space. Mediterranean design might be a little minimal, but it’s not stark – instead, it’s cosy and relaxed. Natural materials bring the outside into your home, creating an inviting and warm environment. 

3. Lots of light.

Mediterranean interiors prioritise a connection between the inside and outside and therefore make use of open-plan living areas with large windows or doors to let the light shine on in. This creates a bright and airy living space – and on a nice summer day, you might just be able to mistake your home for a Mediterranean paradise. 

There is a distinct air of Southern Mediterranean at Casa

In need of some inspiration?

Casa, one of our gorgeous East London shoot locations, has a rustic and tranquil Mediterranean-styled open-plan kitchen and living area. With a warm neutral colour scheme, arched entryway and sculptural staircase, it almost feels as if you’ve stepped out of London and straight into a coastal villa. Despite the minimalist styling, interesting textures add a sense of cosiness to the space. Rattan, wicker, and fluted wooden elements are used all throughout the space, as well as pops of warm-toned colours. Plants dotted around the room also add a freshness, once again emphasising the connection to nature and natural materials within this design style. Sliding doors lead you to a seating area perfect for outdoor dining. With multiple areas to gather and sit inside and out, Casa truly captures the essence of Mediterranean interior design. 

Terrazzo perfectly highlights the principle of bringing the outside in

Another wonderful Mediterranean-inspired shoot location is the new and exclusive Terrazzo, named for the location’s use of terrazzo throughout the property. The composite material originated in Italy, and only adds to the beautiful Mediterranean feel of the property. With floor-to-ceiling windows, an array of greenery, and multiple outdoor seating areas, it’s clear there’s an emphasis on the indoor-outdoor living embraced by those living along the Mediterranean coast. The combination of neutral and earth-toned hues throughout the property creates a warm and welcoming environment, with a good balance between neutrals and accent colours. One particularly striking spot is the terracotta red arched doorway, contrasting brilliantly against the white walls and terrazzo flooring. 

Is staying in the new going out?

With the cost of living crisis firmly taking hold and many people looking to economise as a result, it seems that more and more of us are thinking outside the box when it comes to entertainment and creating our own ‘pub’ experiences at home. On many levels this actually makes sense – when we go out it’s usually to socialise with our friends, so why not invite them round instead and enjoy their company for a fraction of the cost of a big night out?

There are all kinds of different ways to create bars in your home, from the simple classic ‘boat bar’ that sits happily in the corner of a room, to a full-on pub re-creation complete with a proper bar, bar stools, neon signs, beer on tap and spirit dispensers. Ultimately, what you will probably be guided by most is available space, as not everyone will have a spare end of room, basement or garden building to utilise. Most home bars are at least 6 ft long, so it’s a good idea to consider this when planning which area to use and having electrical sockets and plumbing nearby is also a consideration.

If you’re thinking of taking the plunge, a few other things to consider will be finding space to store your supplies, buying a good selection of the various glass styles, a beer or wine fridge, bottle openers and cork screws, ice makers and buckets, cutting boards and peelers for your fruit additives, having a sink close by and choosing the types of drinks you’d like to have on offer. A good book on how to make inspiring cocktails could also be quite handy!

Once you decide to go ahead with building your very own bar, you’ll probably want to have a good think about design, i.e. do you want it to blend seamlessly into the look of the rest of your house, do you want it to remind you of your favourite haunt or do you want to go completely over the top and make a real statement? 

Luckily, at 1st Option we’re fortunate enough to represent a good selection of houses that have gone ahead and installed their own bars, so why not have a look at a selection of our favourites below for some brilliant inspiration…

The modern basement bar at Curious

Our first home bar can be found in Curious, which is a beautifully modernised shoot location in South West London. This is a great example of utilising basement space that might otherwise just end up as storage. The style of this room perfectly blends with the décor throughout the rest of the house and great care has been taken to make it modern and functional. The polished concrete floor works well in an area where there might be the occasional spillage plus the addition of subtle lighting and wall planting helps to give the space character. Note the fridge and wine rack at the back and the sink on the end to the right, plus plenty of electrical sockets on the wall.

The impressive back-lit bar at Rooke

Next on our list is Rooke, which is an ultra-modern shoot location on the River Thames in Oxfordshire. Off the main living area, the owners have created a striking home bar, with mirror-backed shelving, housing a truly impressive selection of drinks and back-lit in neon blue. Ultra-modern seating complements this area perfectly and the design style is an extension of the adjoining living area. Nearby, as an added extra, there is a circular glass opening in the floor which leads down spiral stairs to the liberally stocked wine cellar below, which probably comes in very handy when having your own bar!

The basement bar / nightclub at Havana

Havana is a large 4 bedroom house in Beckenham, Kent, which has many quirky features, not least of which is its bar / nightclub in the basement! For this example, the owners have chosen to use bright and bold colours, giving it a Cuban tropical feel, hence the name. This dedicated bar area is well-stocked and has a distinctly playful feel, making it the perfect place to entertain friends. As if this wasn’t already enough, the bar leads to an outdoor hot tub, making it the ultimate place to hang out and have fun.

The wonderfully unique style at Martini

Martini really is a shoot location like no other! This 1930’s detached house is close to Willesden Green and is decorated in a completely unique way. As part of the huge kitchen / dining space, the owners have created a superb bar area that wouldn’t look out of place in a chic drinking establishment. Using dark red walls, dark wooden flooring, subtle lighting and touches of gold, the overall effect is a complete success. The shelving behind the bar is back-lit and well stocked and it’s easy to imagine that spending time hanging out here would be much more appealing than taking a trip to the local pub!

Another basement bar / nightclub triumph at Phoenix

Next, we go south to Brighton where we find Phoenix, a detached 5 bedroom Victorian house close to the seafront. This home bar / nightclub is another basement addition and again has been designed with entertaining in mind. With a vintage feel, the furnishings are fun and quirky and even boast a disco ball and a dart board! The lighting is playful and colourful and the textured walls add warmth. This is another one of those spaces where you could easily imagine spending lots of time with friends.

It’s the perfect place to party party at Minton House

Minton House is a delightful three storey Victorian end of terrace townhouse just outside Birmingham city centre. The house itself is full of surprises, colour and character but for this home bar the owners have chosen to use a building outside, that connects to the beautiful terrace and courtyard. This whole area is full of tropical plants and pops of colour and leads into the multi-coloured interior of the entertaining space. The bar itself has a distinct ‘beach bar’ feel and in conjunction with the rest of the outdoor space makes the perfect place for hanging out with friends, especially in the summer months.

The calming eclectic style of Lace Apartment

Lace Apartment, in the East of London, is the epitome of the word ‘eclectic’, showcasing an array of quirky furniture and décor. This space has been set up to be a calm and relaxing dwelling and to that end the owner has pulled it off perfectly. This home bar is a great example of working to a budget yet still managing to create an area full of character. Although quite a simple set up compared to most that we’ve already seen, it’s still very effective and certainly does the job. Evenings around this drinks dispenser would probably be a more chilled-out affair, but for some people that would be the perfect choice.

Have your home bar anywhere you want at Tulum

Last, but not least, is the afore-mentioned boat bar! When you approach the beautiful location property that we call Tulum, although being a Victorian property, thanks to the blue shutters on the outside windows which are original to the house you’ll find a distinct ‘Colonial’ feel. Inside, although staying true to its Victorian heritage, the owners demonstrate a unique design style, with brightly coloured furniture, vivid wallpaper and an abundance of plant life. Their home bar choice is the boat bar and these pictures show that one of the benefits of this is that you can move it around and place it in whichever room you’d like to entertain.

So there’s a lot of inspiration here if you’re thinking you might like to set up your own entertainment space. The only limitations are finding a suitable space, budget and of course your imagination. We hope seeing examples of what others have done will help to inspire you, and if you do decide to take the plunge we’d love to see the end results!

It’s a jungle out there…

In recent years it’s become more and more recognised that being surrounded by plants in your living and working environments can have real health benefits, two of the main ones being improved psychological well-being and improved human health.

It’s widely thought that bringing more plants into your life can help to improve your mood, reduce stress levels and improve your productivity. There is also some evidence that they can improve air quality too.

There’s no doubt that being around plants can often make us feel happier and calmer, especially with people spending more time at home these days with flexible working. If you live in a city, where green open spaces may not be on everyone’s doorsteps, it’s a great way to feel more in-touch with nature. So what’s not to love?

Aside from all of these benefits, plants are also a great way to add depth and character to your home. Introducing plants to various rooms can transform them from ordinary to spectacular with great ease, making your home feel more ‘complete’.

If you’re thinking of adding some biophilia to your own space and are in need of some inspiration, we’ve hand-picked a selection of our favourite location properties that have done just that, to great effect. Have a look at our selection below to get an idea of what you could achieve…

Using plants in the bedroom at Tulum

Tulum is a beautiful Victorian period property in Hampshire that has used plants to great effect throughout. People used to be wary of having plants in a bedroom space because there was a school of thought that they might monopolise the available oxygen. These days though, it’s thought of more as a benefit in aiding peaceful and restful sleep. There’s no doubt that sleeping in a room like this would certainly put you in the right frame of mind to drift off and wake completely refreshed in the morning!

Sitting with nature in the lovely Optical

Optical is a 4 storey Victorian townhouse in East London, which again has made good use of introducing plant life to add character to the unique decor. Most of the house is decorated with pastel colours, which sets off the greenery perfectly! This sitting room has the biggest collection of mix & match greenery and the different species complement each other well. Elsewhere in the house the plants are more used for adding accents to the stylish mid-century furniture, which also works very well.

The kitchen space at Casa, with plants helping to bring the outside in

Casa’s kitchen area is an impressive space with a Japandi-meets-Moroccan styled open-plan layout. This part of this East London house is neutral and warm in tone and is brought to life with the subtle use of plants along its edges. Having the full-width floor-to-ceiling glass doors looking onto the garden, the plants help to give the effect of the garden being an extension of the living space, allowing you to feel as though you are living outside when you’re in!

The Cube‘s outside living space really makes you feel at one with nature

The Cube, in South London, has taken a completely different approach to bringing plants into the living space by actually putting the living space right in the middle of them! This tropical garden features a beautiful and tranquil glass cube that houses the ultimate chill-out living room. It’s easy to imagine how relaxing it would feel to spend time in this space, with its rich backdrop colours and unique furnishings, and you have to wonder how it would ever be possible to leave!

Does Bromley House have the ultimate garden living space with its plant-filled summerhouse?

Owned by a photographer, Bromley House is a lovely eclectic shabby chic style shoot location in South London. As well as strategic use of plants inside the house, the jewel in this property’s crown is the lovely summerhouse/conservatory which can be found in the garden. This wonderful creative space is infused with greenery, providing the perfect place to be surrounded by the calming effects of nature while being protected from the perils of the UK’s weather quirks.

The wonderfully absorbing sitting room at Green

Green truly is what you would call a ‘unique’ location! Situated in Woodford, North East London, this is a house unlike any other we have in our library. Stepping inside you’ll find a carefully curated explosion of colour that continues through every room. The whole essence of this house is augmented by the addition of plants throughout. Without them the house would still be spectacular but the plants are hugely instrumental in taking it to a whole other level!

The biophilia-filled living space at Clapton Tram Shed

If you want to get an idea of just how far you can take adding plants to your living space, then take a look at the fabulously biophilia-filled Clapton Tram Shed! Since moving in to an empty East London warehouse shell a few years ago, owner and interior designer, John, has gradually been adding more and more plants to his beautiful home. While there’s no doubt that the overall effect of so much greenery is awe-inspiring, it’s probably worth bearing in mind that your charges will need regular watering, so it’s a good idea to consider the amount of time you’ll be able to set aside for this before going too crazy!

The planting at Clapton Tram Shed continues out to the beautiful secluded courtyard garden

So, all in all, you’ll probably agree that life is better with plants in it! If you’re thinking of adding more to your own space, have a look online for some of the best bargains or seek out your local garden centres where your likely to find lots of knowledgable people who will be happy to give you plenty of free advice on the best ones to buy and how to take care of them. Happy hunting!

Pastel de Nata

Yes, we’re big fans of the traditional Portuguese egg custard tarts in the office! However, with the onslaught of Spring it’s also got us thinking about pastel shades, who makes the best ones and where we might like to paint them… So, we did a straw poll with everyone here and asked them to pick their favourites and tell us why they like them! 

Melisa – Digital Content & Admin : Brand: LICK – Colour: Soft Creamy Yellow 01

Why do you like it? I love this shade because it’s bright and has a nostalgic feel – when I was a kid my aunt’s bedroom was painted in a similar colour, contrasted with deep blue decor and it was always my favourite room.

Why does it suit your personality? Well, (I like to think) I’m quite a cheerful person and I like to keep things light and fun – I feel that this shade reflects that! 

Where would it go in your house? This has to be a kitchen or bedroom shade for me.

Soft Creamy Yellow at Clayhill

Nina – Bookings Agent : Brand: Farrow & Ball – Colour: Calamine No.230

Why do you like it? It’s such a beautiful shade of pink – when it comes to pink, that particular shade feels timeless. It can be put in a young child’s bedroom or someone in their 20s, 30s, or even 60s’ bedroom for example.

Why does it suit your personality? I’d say because it’s fun and can inject some life & warmth into a bland space

Where it would go in your house? Bathroom

Beautiful pastel pinks at High View and Donyland

Abi – General Manager : Brand: Little Greene – Colour: Pearl Colour

Why do you like it? I like this colour because it’s bright and fresh, whilst still being soft and neutral.

Why does it suit your personality? Being a plant-parent I can definitely resonate with the colour green, but this cheerful shade I think suits my outlook. Perhaps the calming effect of this colour is more along the lines of what I need rather than how I am naturally!

Where would it go in your house?  This colour would look gorgeous literally anywhere – it would add a sense of relaxation if featured in a lounge or bedroom, it would brighten up a bathroom space or add a touch of elegance to a kitchen.

Brilliant use of Pearl Colour in on the kitchen units at Homestead

Luis – Accounts : Brand: Crown Paints – Colour: Sunrise 

Why do you like it? I feel that one can’t get too much sunlight at home – but it’s easy to get too little. So having this at home does the trick, sometimes. It is luminous, without being too jarring with the rest of my furniture.

Why does it suit your personality? The colour is subtle and warm while not very demanding, similarly to the way I want to be.

Where would it go in your house? I would be tempted to use it in my hall and corridor, to provide a welcoming feeling, or in my bedroom if out of my window is gloomy.

Sunrise in action at two of our properties, Elder and Claude

Sophia – Bookings Agent : Brand: Benjamin Moore – Colour: Apple Blossom

Why do you like it? I’m a big fan of green in general, I like how this shade is soft and elegant and think it would work well with wooden furniture. 

Why does it suit your personality? I find the colour calming and I’d say I’m quite a laid-back person. 

Where would it go in your house? I like it for a bedroom or living room. I’ve actually just painted my bedroom in a similar shade!

Lovely examples of Apple Blossom in use at Isabella and Bobbin

Naomi – Bookings Agent : Brand: COAT – Colour: Lie-in

Why do you like it? It reminds me of the sky, of staring out the window and watching the clouds pass by. It’s a peaceful colour, it’s serene. It reminds me of the water on an overcast day, and trips to the seaside. This shade of blue was always my favourite growing up

Why does it suit your personality? I’m not sure if it suits my personality, but I wish I could be as calm and as tranquil as this paint colour!

Where would it go in your house? It would be perfect for the bathroom, I think :)) 

Lie-in used effectively at Cotton Studio and Donyland

Robin – Canine Supervisor : Brand: Dulux – Colour: Misty Aqua

Why do you like it? Because it reminds me of the sea and being on holiday, which apparently is something people do…

Why does it suit your personality? It’s the kind of colour that makes calming spaces, where people can relax, create and feel regenerated!

Where would it go in your house? The walls of my spare bedroom at home are painted in this colour and when the sun (?) streams through the window it gives the room a feeling that’s both vibrant and tranquil at the same time.

Misty Aqua in full effect at Sovereign and Flute

Top 5 for January / February ’23

After a bit of a sabbatical our Top 5 series is back, taking a look at five of the best new locations that we’ve taken on since the start of the year. We’ve been incredibly blessed to have been inundated with a great selection of properties over the last coupe of months and choosing just five hasn’t been easy! Scroll down to see our selection of favourites so far in 2023…

Victoria

This 4 bedroom East London town house has been refurbished and repurposed in such an incredible way that we can’t stop looking at it. We try really hard not to use the word ‘stunning’ when describing our properties but there seems no better word to sum up the double height atrium kitchen.

The beautiful double-height atrium kitchen at Victoria

Light floods in through the arched window, the crittal doors and the full-length skylights, showcasing the marble kitchen island, marble work tops, decorative chandeliers and beautiful parquet flooring. The doors at the end perfectly frame the garden beyond and the tasteful use of dark wooden period furniture perfectly complements the overtly modern style.

The panelled lounge area featuring pink velvet seating

Leading on from the kitchen, the main living room area is another visual delight, with more expanse of parquet flooring, panelled walls, pink velvet furniture and fabulous artistic touches. This is open plan to the hallway with a beautifully restored staircase which leads to the next level.

Here you will find a wonderful selection of exquisitely styled bedrooms and a bathroom that you could spend an eternity in. The central roll-top bath is surrounded by dark floral wallpaper, a lamp with matching shade and an ornate double pedestal sink. There is also a marble shower, encased in glass and views from the bath onto the gardens. 

The exquisite bathroom with views over the garden

On the upper level there is another wonderful bedroom with yet another roll-top bath at one end and full-height glass doors opening on to a terrace which has views of the City. 

Green

Green truly is what you would call a ‘unique’ location! Located in Woodford, North East London, this is a house unlike any other we have in our library. Step inside to find a carefully curated explosion of colour that continues through every room and every level. There’s no holding back in the first lounge, with bold panelled walls, bright velvet furniture, a tiled fireplace and striped rug. Clever use of plants and props further adds to the sensory experience.

An explosion of colour greets you at every turn when entering Green

The second living area, which adjoins the kitchen, again uses a mix of colour, complemented with quirky artwork, more plants, a striped tiled floor and crittal windows looking out onto the garden, giving a distinct feeling of bringing the outside in. The kitchen itself is fitted with dark wooden and metallic units and a central island that houses the hob. To the side of this is the dining area which again is full of quirky props and artwork.

The second living area which is next to the kitchen and features more great use of colour

The staircase in the hallway is fitted with a rainbow carpet, which ties in the array of colours surrounding it and along the walls you’ll find even more fascinating arty pieces. Once upstairs you’ll find more visual delights in the bedrooms, with a lovely selection of different wallpapers, and the bathrooms which further explore the use of unusual floor tiles.

Another colour selection in the hallway that plays with your senses

The lovely courtyard garden at the rear is also awash with colour and features palm trees and decking, giving it a positively tropical feel.

Casa

Based in East London, Casa features traditional Victorian interiors, boasting 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and beautiful, restored period features. 

Casa’s most impressive space is its Japandi-meets-Moroccan styled open-plan kitchen and living area, formed as part of an extension to the rear of the house. This space, neutral and warm in tone, is accessible via a small raised arch and a set of raw wooden steps. The kitchen area is fitted with an incredible central island and hob, doubling up as a breakfast bar and fronted with wooden panelling. 

The Japandi-style kitchen space at Casa

Adjacent to the kitchen is the living space, fitted with a low, souk-style sofa and scatter cushions around a rustic rug and potted plants. Further down the space clients will find a funky, retro-styled bookshelf and bright art, surrounded by more plants, touching the room tastefully with biophilic design. 

The seating area with souk-style sofa and cushions

Towards the rear you’ll find the dining space and chill-out area, directly opposite the wall of glass which provides a direct view of the garden. This already-light space is brightened by its tall, wood-panelled ceilings and a huge central skylight. 

Stepping out into the garden via sliding doors, clients will find themselves upon a smooth concrete patio, featuring a hand-made shelter and bench to the left-hand side, perfect for outside dining. To the back of the garden, a shed can be discovered, along with a huge trampoline. 

Back inside and towards the front of the property, you’ll find Casa’s cosy, wood-panelled reception room, set across a polished parquet floor. This space is painted in a dark midnight blue, brought to life with pops of warm colour through art, photos and ornaments. A grey sofa sits in between two tall sash windows, which are fitted with wooden bi-folding panels. One wall is filled with an abundance of books, as well as a neat stack of drinks and glasses, acting as a mini bar. An original fireplace can also be found here.

Casa’s panelled reception room with parquet flooring

The main bedroom features a large four-poster bed, pleasantly facing a beautiful, refurbished mantlepiece. A built-in, rattan wardrobe takes up the entirety of one wall, maximising storage potential and even providing a textural backdrop in this modest space.

Back inside and towards the front of the property, you’ll find Casa’s cosy, wood-panelled reception room, set across a polished parquet floor. This space is painted in a dark midnight blue, brought to life with pops of warm colour through art, photos and ornaments. A grey sofa sits in between two tall sash windows, which are fitted with wooden bi-folding panels. One wall is filled with an abundance of books, as well as a neat stack of drinks and glasses, acting as a mini bar. An original fireplace can also be found here.

The main bedroom features a large four-poster bed, pleasantly facing a beautiful, refurbished mantlepiece. A built-in, rattan wardrobe takes up the entirety of one wall, maximising storage potential and even providing a textural backdrop in this modest space.

Meadows

Meadows is a hyper-modern spacious home in Essex. The ground floor is open plan, with a white and bright interior that has a distinct feeling of space due to the double-height ceiling in the kitchen area. Although interconnecting to the kitchen, the different areas are cleverly zoned and encompass the living room and dining space, which are tiled throughout.

The double-height living space at Meadows

Off to the side, you’ll find a second living room area with a slate tiled fireplace, which is ideal for a breakout or prep area for crews shooting at the house. Here again there are full-width sliding glass doors, which only add to the wonderful feeling of space.

The second living area leading off from the kitchen

On the landing upstairs there is yet another seating area which looks over the balcony to the kitchen area below. This leads to the bedrooms, which are also painted white and carry on the modern theme. The bathrooms are also sleek and modern, with walk in showers and stylish baths, these also feature tiling on both the floors and the walls.

The manicured garden space, ideal for outside dining

Outside the master bedroom is a lovely balcony terrace area which looks out over the garden, which is vast and is home to many mature trees. The garden also features outdoor seating and eating areas plus a swimming pool.

Tunbridge

The last of our top 5 is the spectacular Tunbridge. A detached Georgian country house and former rectory dating from 1803, the property is a grand home and consists of the main house, which is sprawling and vast with 5 bedrooms, plus a coach house, where you’ll find two more.

The large formal dining room with sash windows and shutters

The ground floor of the main house features a large formal dining room with an open fire, large sash windows complete with shutters and a grand fireplace. Next to this is a large drawing room, decorated with pastel colours, a library & TV room and a family room.

The large kitchen has a real country feel and is complete with a central kitchen island, a separate eating area, white walls, an aga and units finished in subtle green tones. 

The sleek kitchen manages to maintain a ‘country’ feel

Considering the quality of the finishes throughout, it’s not surprising to know that this house has been lovingly restored over a period of three years, with help of House and Garden’s Interior Designer of the Year, Maddux

In the grounds outside you’ll find the coach house, which also houses traditional old stables that have been transformed into an event space with an adjoining professional chef’s kitchen with large steel and glass doors. On the floor above as well as the two extra bedrooms there is a living room, a kitchenette and a bathroom. 

Tunbridge looking resplendent from the outside

The grounds outside are huge and span approximately 27 acres, including fields with sheep and alpacas, a fruit orchard and mature woodlands. The large garden area immediately surrounding the house is formal and adjoins a tennis court, a courtyard, a greenhouse, a swimming pool with pool house, a gym and a kid’s playground, chickens, cut flower gardens and much more.

We’re sure you’ll agree that as country houses go, this one has just about everything you could possibly need!

In Conversation with Elisabeth Ciarrocchi from Spratts Factory

Rob – “Today I have the fabulous Elisabeth Ciarrocchi from Spratts Factory and Encore Reclamation with me. How are you today?”

Elisabeth – “I’m very well thank you, had a really great day filming with you guys.”

Rob – “Thanks so much, as did we, you have such an incredible space here! Speaking on that, what exactly inspired you to buy a disused warehouse/ factory?” 

Elisabeth – “So, we had previously lived in a flat about a mile away from here; I was pregnant with our second daughter, so we needed a bigger space. We went around looking at all these other properties in the area, but couldn’t find anything that we really loved. This was actually on the market the entire time, so we after a while, we were like ‘oh, well it’s still for sale, we may as well go and check it out’. We came to see it and fell in love immediately.”

“Not just for this huge indoor space, but it also has the massive space at the back and we just thought this is great for kids; we thought we were so lucky to be able to have such a huge space inside and this big rear space as well, it was kind of love at first sight. It really was definitely just a purchase from the heart. There was a lot of work that needed to be done, but we saw it and just had to go for it.”

Rob – “That’s amazing! So, can you talk to me a little bit about the challenges you faced in creating the space that we now have, from where it was when you bought it?”

Elisabeth – “We actually lived here for six years before we renovated. So, by the time it came to demolition and renovation, we kind of knew exactly how we wanted the space to look. We worked with our architect to reimagine it as close to its original form as we could. An industrial, utilitarian and practical space that was also brought into proportion with the original parts of the building – the windows and the double height ceilings etc.” 

“It wasn’t actually that difficult to figure out how we wanted to use the space – like I said on the video walkthrough, once we had torn everything out, we were just looking at this shell of building, essentially just four walls. You might think that would be daunting, but you actually end up getting more creative and coming up with more ideas. It’s far less scary and gives you more inspiration than would think.”

Rob – “Awesome, so would you say that utilitarian is your design style?”

Elisabeth – “I think so. I would definitely say I’m a minimalist – I don’t like things that are over fussy, I much prefer things that can be easily cleaned and organised. I like to know where things are. Even though it sounds really morbid, I really like the idea of Swedish Death Cleaning. It’s basically about only having things around you that (if you were to die) your loved ones would either be able to use or would find valuable. So, it’s kind of like a form of decluttering, but with a thought for your loved ones, rather than just being neat and tidy. You have to think, if something were to happen to me, would my family want to keep that? Just keeping those really special things around you.” 

“I’m also really obsessed with Ricardo Bofill’s cement factory, La Fábrica – a former cement factory in Spain that he turned into a home and a centre of architecture, Taller de Arquitectura (RBTA). It’s this vast brutal space with huge windows that he’s turned into this amazing home. He brought all of this greenery inside, and even though it’s very brutal, he blurred the lines between nature and construction. Anyone who lives in a warehouse or loft space purposely would reference the cement factory as an inspiration and an aspiration. It’s such an incredible space. We’re nothing like it, but I just love looking at pictures of it and thinking how I can incorporate ideas from there into here.”

Rob – “My next question was going to ask about your inspirations in design. Would you say you have any others?”

Elisabeth – “I wouldn’t say that that I have many specific influences – Ricardo Bofill and his cement factory is one for sure that I would reference, but I love looking at home magazines; I am totally obsessed with Architectural Digest and their YouTube home tours of Celebrity homes – ‘Open Door’. It’s like fancy cribs to me. Whenever we have interior shoots here, I also pay close attention to what the stylist has done with the space. A lot of the things you see in front of you is in fact actually just the way a stylist has set the space up and I’ve just left it that way. But I don’t really have anything specific.”

“When you are a location home, you have to be organised; you can’t have things stuffed into one cupboard and other things stuffed into another. You have to know where your stuff is because clients can move things around – the aim after a shoot is to, without even thinking, click things back into place. I don’t have much stuff, so it’s definitely, definitely minimalism.”

Rob – “Minimalism definitely works for being a shoot location. And most of your pieces here are reclaimed aren’t they.”

Elisabeth – “For sure, everything here is either from eBay or from our own line of work.”

Rob – “Amazing! So, what’s your favourite area or element within your home? Does that translate to a shoot or is it just for relaxing with your family?”

Elisabeth – “I guess it would have to be the room we’re sat in right now, the family room; it’s comfortable, it’s upstairs, so in winter it’s warm, it’s relaxed and it just has all the stuff that we as a family enjoy. So, there’s games, there’s toys and there’s a tv – just all the stuff a modern family needs. It’s much more of a personal room, with family photos and stuff, whereas downstairs, although we do have personal items there, I don’t keep pictures of my family there. It’s mostly a space for clients to do with as they please and the family room is ours.”

Rob – “Love that. So, why did you become a shoot location owner in the first place?”

Elisabeth – “We kind of fell into it. So, when we bought this place, we got ourselves registered with a few location agencies, but the place did not look like this at all. We still got shoots as the space was big and it had brick walls, big windows etc. It still had some attractive elements to it, so it did get booked. We really liked doing it, thought it was fun, so at the start, we didn’t turn anything down. Over time we started whittling down the kind of shoots that weren’t appropriate for us. We had to think about neighbours and how some larger shoots impacted the outside area of our property. We actually have the most fun with the larger shoots, but we don’t do so much of them anymore. Nevertheless, overall we really enjoyed it; we got along with the crews, we weren’t precious about our possessions and we just let the crews make the space their own. My kids loved it, we loved it, and over time we just started developing relationships with location agencies. We still always just want people to feel as comfortable here as possible.”

“When we renovated in 2016, we just went from there – we had already built these great relationships with the agencies, so then we had this completely redone and renovated space to offer and that’s when we got really popular. From there it became a real business and not just a hobby.”

Rob – “How did you find out about 1st Option?”

Elisabeth – “It would have been just reaching out to the larger agencies when we first started, way back in 2011. I’ve been working with you guys for a long time now.”

Rob – “Great, so last two questions and I’ll be out of your hair. Why do you think Spratts Factory makes such a great shoot location?”

Elisabeth – “We’re on the ground floor, we have double wide entrances and we’re really nice.”

Rob – “Perfect! And finally, what’s you craziest or best shoot story to date?

Elisabeth – “Ooo great question, I actually don’t know – I mean we’ve probably had over 1000 shoots here. But looking back, there’s probably a couple of standout stories that I think are interesting in terms of the people who have been inside my house. So, we’ve had Samuel L. Jackson, Ryan Reynolds, Willem Defoe, Idris Elba, Lily Allen, Marcus Rashford, Tom Daley, Sean Bean, loads of celebrities. It’s seeing these people in person that is really cool, you know? And everybody has been really nice as well, they have their own personalities, but they’ve all been so respectful. I wouldn’t say I’ve gotten to know any of them, because we’re not really here for shoots, but we help them get settled, show them where stuff is and then leave.”

“But as I said, they’ve all been super nice. It’s really funny when you go onto their Instagram accounts and you see them posting things from around your house – I find that really cool.” But one of the coolest things we ever had here was this BT advert, where they cut out a part of the banister and put in a tubular slide that was here for a whole week. The thing we were more excited about than anything, however, was that we had Asim Chaudhry from ‘People Just Do Nothing’ here, along with Willem Defoe. It’s my favourite show ever, so we cared more about him being here than the great Willem Defoe – Chubuddy G was in my house! We were so excited. Anyway, the slide was for him, he was supposed to be working in an ad agency, pitching ads. His ad was to make this great entrance and come flying down this slide before starting his speech.”

“So, we had that filmed here – Oscar winner, Willem Defoe, with the Mayor of Hounslow, Chubuddy G. And then it never aired. When you think about the amount of money that went into it; they had a trailer here for Willem Defoe and between prep, strike and shoot days, it was probably a week-long shoot, this huge production, that we never saw aired.”

“What I will say though is, they were shooting all day and left in the evenings. For insurance purposes, they told us not to use any of the props they had set up. They even said, we don’t know what you guys get up to at night, but just be careful with everything. Every single night, my kids were flying down it. It wasn’t your regulation slanted slide, it was built to fit it into this space, so it basically went straight down and my kids were on it every single night – it was very cool and fun for them.”

“It’s actually so funny, because around two years ago, my husband and I were at this pub/ restaurant down the road and Asim was randomly there too. My husband always has thing where he’ll say hello to a celebrity when they come into the house, but if the crew asks if he wants to properly meet them, he politely declines, as he’d rather wait till he ever runs into them in the street, as he has the inroad – he can then be like ‘ah, you shot in my house that time’.  So, we were in this restaurant and we spotted him with his mum and his sister. I was so excited to see him as I’m such a huge fan of ‘People Just Do Nothing’. My husband told me that we were going to do it there and then. So, he went over to the table told him that he shot in our house for an advert for BT. He completely remembered it, and spoke about how it never got aired. He was really funny because he was going on about how gutting it was that he’s not able to put on his CV that he worked with Willem Defoe.”

“For me it’s just funny because you have these huge names in your house and then suddenly you may see them out and about in the real world and you can be like ‘oh, you shot The Hitman’s Bodyguard’ in my house. So, for me it’s the people, the celebrities who come and shoot here. It’s so fun to say to my friends that Idris Elba for example is in my house; it’s cool, it’s fun.”

Rob – “It’s very cool, I completely get it. I’d be absolutely the same! Okay, that’s everything from me, thank you so much for your time today, Elisabeth, has been a thoroughly enjoyable day. We’ll see you all in the next one.”  

Top 5 trendiest shoot locations in South London

First, we took a trip around East London, looking at the best properties it had to offer, then we analysed North London, deciding on our top 5 locations in that distinct pocket of London. While both areas will claim they have the trendiest homes in the capital, boasting properties such as Spratts Factory and Nash, South and West London will certainly have something to say about who deserves the crown. South London is one of the most up-and-coming parts of the city, and is where we will lay our hat today – with locations ranging from bachelor pad-style homes in Brixton, to architect-designed new builds in Wimbledon, our top 5 trendiest shoot locations in South London will definitely give you something to think about. 

Celeste

Situated atop a hill in affluent Wimbledon, our first location to make the list is Celeste, an incredibly unique architect-designed new build with a contemporary exterior and timeless interior. From the moment you lay eyes on Celeste’s exterior, you know it’s going to be a showstopper, and the interior leaves nothing to be desired either – a contemporary masterpiece with fantastic design features. Uniquely designed, all three floors are linked through connecting voids, double and triple height ceilings, a one-of-a-kind central staircase and floor-to-ceiling windows that immerse the space with natural light. Premium features are a running theme at Celeste, with the ground floor offering an incredible kitchen/ diner with marble island, wooden flooring, wood panelling, bi-fold doors and views up through the house. Moving through the property, design features that set it apart are still on show, with living spaces on the first and second floor, finished with heaps of natural light, earth tones, more simple wood panelling, and a mixture of antique and modern furniture. There’s also a bang-on-trend wood burner, crittal doors and outstanding views, adding to the personality and drama of the space. 

Celeste showing its interior matches the spectacle of its exterior

Lotus 

Moving from Wimbledon, we remain in South West London and take a short trip to Tooting Bec and Lotus, an exceptional recently-renovated Victorian house, with a gorgeous juxtaposition of modern and classic finishes. The property benefits from a truly superb rear glass extension, boasting astonishing 5m tall sliding glass doors, that break up the space and flood it with natural light. It is to the rear where you’ll find the kitchen/ dining room, finished with wooden flooring, a huge kitchen island and an abundance of natural light that floods in not only through the glass wall, but also the skylights above. Neighbouring the kitchen on the ground floor, where the majority of the creative shooting opportunities are, is the elegantly designed broken-plan living space, separated by a bioethanol fire. Expect to find parquet flooring, a crittal screen divider, designer furniture and a wealth of eye-catching artwork. With premium detailing, a wine cellar, designer furniture, an abundance of natural light and more space than you can shake a stick at, you won’t run out of ideas at Lotus and that’s why it makes this list.

Gorgeous broken and open-plan spaces at Lotus

Onyx

You can’t have a top 5 trendiest shoot locations in South London without including one of the most prestigious bachelor pad-style properties in the industry. Onyx is an outstanding end of terrace Victorian house with a unique side wing. Built in 1893, this Brixton-based property has been recently refurbished and is now approx. 3,700 sq. ft, set over four floors. With a largely open-plan ground floor, including a drawing room, library, dining room and large, modern kitchen/ diner, you aren’t short of interesting backdrops for shots here. The decor is largely dark in appearance with an incredible industrial-chic aesthetic, featuring dark stained parquet flooring, crittal doors, dark patterned kitchen units, a marble kitchen island and burnt orange breakfast stools that add visual weight and personality. There’s also a walk-in-wardrobe and a luxe cinema room that really help to rubber stamp Onyx’s place as one of the trendiest locations in South London. 

Onyx with its moody industrial-chic aesthetic

Marmora Road

If you’re talking about trendy shoot locations in South London, Marmora Road has to make your list. This beautiful Victorian family home, based in East Dulwich, has recently undergone a sumptuous rear renovation, leaving you with a gorgeous period property that blends traditional features with contemporary touches. Enter through the front of the property to discover all of its period features, including the distressed walls in the hallway, original cornicing, ornate ceiling roses, original fireplaces, bay windows and wooden floorboards. It’s this juxtaposition of contemporary and traditional, however, that makes Marmora Road so exciting and creative. One shot and you feel like you’re in a purpose built, run-down dilapidated home, thanks to the distressed walls, and the next you’re in a modern extension with crittal doors, concrete flooring, steel beams, a fabulous green central island and skylights that brighten the space up immeasurably. If this wasn’t enough, there’s also a rear garden with a pallet shed and a roof terrace with unparalleled views of The City. Marmora Road is the perfect unorthodox shoot location with endless creative shooting opportunities. 

Delapidated and contemporary stylings at Marmora Road

Terracotta

When you think of trendy properties, your brain will most likely go to Pinterest, so it makes sense to include one of the most Pinterest-ready locations you’re likely to see this year. Terracotta is a fabulously designed period house, hailing from Clapham South. While we have many period homes on our books that could have made the list, Terracotta makes it for three distinct areas, – the hallway, front room and the exceptional kitchen/ dining room. Enter through the hallway to find a superb geometric green tiled hallway that perfectly complements the black painted bannister and door frames. Neighbouring the hallway is the living room, a striking space finished with another shade of green – in here you can expect to find washed parquet flooring, bay windows, designer lighting, an original fireplace and a wealth of biophilia that adds visual weight and depth. The jewel in Terracotta’s crown, however, is the rear extension that houses the kitchen/ dining room. The first thing that catches your eye will undoubtedly be the incredibly unique herringbone brick flooring, however, the whole room is elegantly designed and perfectly tied together. Notable elements that make this a perfect shoot location include the pastel pink kitchen units, complemented effortlessly by gold fittings, the wooden ceiling beams, the crittal doors, the marble countertops and the well-placed houseplants that bring a sense of character to the otherwise exquisitely styled room. 

You find many better kitchens than at Terracotta

In Conversation with Celine Da Silva of Celine

Rob – “Today I have with me, the lovely Celine Da Silva from Da Silva Design and our aptly named shoot location Celine.”  

“How are you today?”  

Celine – “I’m very well thank you, had a lovely day filming with you guys.”  

Rob – “Amazing, as did we! Okay, can you tell us a little bit about your design style?” 

Celine – “So, I think my design style is influenced a lot by my family’s background. My dad’s side of the family grew up in Uganda, while my mum’s side grew up in Singapore, so there’s an African and Asian fusion, along with pattern and a love for natural materials.” 

Areas that nod to the African and Asian infusion within Celine

Rob – “Awesome, and how did you get into design?”  

Celine – “So I’ve been a graphic designer first and foremost for the past 13 years, before I moved to Singapore for a bit to work for a small start-up, where there was a graphic design and interior design department; I spent a lot of time working with the interior designer. Before long I was being asked by graphic design clients if I could help them with their interiors, so it kind of organically flowed from there. When I moved back to London, I decided to do an interior design qualification and went from there really.” 

Rob – “So, were you born in London?” 

Celine – “Yes, born in London, born in Tooting”  

Rob – “Ah, I love Tooting! So, born here and then you went to work in Singapore?” 

Celine – “Yeah, so I’ve lived in a few places – I’ve lived in Barcelona, Helsinki and Singapore in my 30’s, so that was the most recent place I’ve lived in. But London is my home.” 

The iconic Gardens by the Bay in Singapore and the Senate Square in Helsinki

Rob – “Wow, you’re so well-travelled!”  

“Can you tell us a little bit about your biggest influences in design?”  

Celine – “So I’d say my biggest influences probably come from staying in lots of different places and experiencing their cultures. You’ve got staying in wooden huts, to boutique hotels; I really love boutique hotels and I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from the calmness in the atmospheres there, as well as the functional, beautiful designs.”  

Rob – “Amazing, so I guess you’ve already touched on it, but why did you decide on certain styles and elements within the house?”  

Celine – “I think a few elements are places I’ve travelled to, in enjoying the warmth. In the UK we have to consider how we want to feel in all types of weather, so wanting to feel cosy and warm when it’s raining, but also wanting to feel quite spacious, tropical and inspiring when the weather’s warm as well. So, I think I’ve tried to consider all of these things.”  

“As you can probably see, wood is also a big feature for me. It makes me feel connected to nature, and offsetting it with the black and the darker features just kind of grounds everything and reminds me a bit of Scandinavian design. There’s that kind of hint of Scandi/ Japandi design – there’s just a lot of inspiration taken from different places.  

Wood is a big feature in the slight Japandi design at Celine

Rob – “So you’d say there’s quite an eclectic mix of styles from around the world?”  

Celine – “Yeah, i’d say so!”  

Rob – “Where’s your favourite place you’ve travelled?”  

Celine – Ooh, good question – I would have to say probably Borneo. There was this really unexpected rainforest there, with loads of really cute gorilla babies and a music festival. It was just this mishmash of nature, fun and great food. And it was only an hour flight from Singapore, so it was really cheap and decided on a whim. It was a really unexpected trip and combination of everything I love.”  

Rob – “Love that! What’s your favourite area within the house?” 

Celine – “Ooh, my favourite area is the step that connects between the living room and the kitchen. It’s probably a weird thing to say, but because of the different heights all over the house, we weren’t actually sure how that would turn out – I was worried it might be too big, but actually it doubles up as a seat. So, I think it’s that connection between the two spaces that’s my favourite.” 

Rob – “Amazing! And what’s your favourite room?”  

Celine – “My favourite room is the bedroom in the loft because it’s the room that feels the calmest. It’s the quietest and has the best views that make you feel like you’re not in London.”  

Celine’s favourite spots in her home

Rob – “So, what made you decide to become a shoot location owner?”  

Celine – “Well, when I was doing my interior design training, I learned about it through someone I was training with on the course. And because I used to Airbnb my old house, I really enjoyed the hosting side of that. I enjoyed meeting new people and now it’s nice to meet people that are working on creative projects, because I’m a creative myself.” 

“So, I get to hear about lots of cool things that are happening, you get to meet nice people, make contacts as well, and because I’m self-employed, it actually makes me feel like I’m part of a permanent set up in a way.” 

“When I used to work at Selfridges, it was just one campaign after another, very seasonally focused and I feel like that’s kind of been brought back into my life a little bit.”  

“Having the Hilliarys shoot here that was Christmas focused, just reminded me of working in Selfridges when we would open our Christmas shop in July. With Hilliarys, it was August I think and there just this massive Christmas tree in here and it was really hot.” 

The gorgeous desing within the living room and dining room at Celine

Rob – “Yeah, it’s always a bit weird when you realise brands shoot Christmas in July.” 

“How did you find out about 1st Option?”  

Celine – “So, I found out about you guys actually through the girl who used to live in Streatham, I think she’s called Nikki at Tierney Terrace? I saw her post something on her account and she mentioned 1st Option on it, so went from there.” 

Rob – “We love to hear about word of mouth and people finding us through social media. What’s your favourite shoot you’ve had to date and why?”  

Celine – “That’s a good question, I think my favourite shoot has to be the one we had with a company called Makers Cabinet, who were shooting a new luxury pen. It sounds quite niche, but actually they really utilised the space; it seemed to suit their aesthetic and it was really nice to see how they used a lot of the props we already have, in their shoot. It just made me feel fulfilled that the styling elements we already have are helpful for shoots.  

Scandi design and Poodle and Blonde curtains in the master bedroom

Rob – “Yeah, I love that! Last question, why do you think your home works so well as a shoot location?” 

Celine – “Well, the ground floor seems to be the most popular, I think cause of the open-plan space that’s multifunctional, with the concept that you can open and close off the two spaces. There’s also lots of breakout areas for people to chill in, check their emails, send shots off etc. But equally, there’s a clear heart of the space, which is why the kitchen is in the middle of the house. I had all sorts of ideas about where the kitchen should be, because it was in a completely way; when we bought it, it was in a run along the side of the property. So, now having two kind of living spaces either side of it, means that there are options for what kind of living set up you want.”

“Even the banquette seating can double up as a seating lounge area and I think having lots of options for those things is really helpful. Then having the central area, which everything kind of falls around, I guess is what makes it effective as a shoot location. I think also the amount of props we have and the way things can be swapped out and brought back in, people can bring their own things quite easily and make it work.”  

Rob – “Amazing, that’s everything from me, thank you so much for having us round today and we will see you all in the next one.” 

Design elements within the open-plan ground floor at Celine

In the Spotlight: The Return of Retro

The return of retro is upon us; following years of ‘greige’ and ‘fast fashion’ design trends leading the race, ‘retro’ is currently having a massive revival. All you have to do is take a short scroll through your explore feeds and timelines across social media to find copious amounts of vintage furniture, bright colours and funky designs dictating the content. Offering a great alternative to the fast homeware trend, people are now appreciating original, retro and vintage pieces for their classic design and durability – they are timeless pieces that still look great in contemporary homes. Stick with us as we deep dive into the trend, its origins, key characteristics, why it’s currently so popular and how to get it right in your own home.  

Unicorn and Palm Springs showcasing colour and bold designs

What is retro?

Retro design refers to any style that has had notoriety since the war. The majority of people think it refers to the 70’s, however, in reality it’s anything from the 60’s onwards. Following the war, mid-century era designers started creating bright and bold designs that were brought to the fore to inspire hope and optimism for the future. Retro designs have a fun and lively appeal to them, something which people are trying to recreate today. The aesthetic is characterised by timeless silhouettes that evoke feelings of joy, with a pertinent lived-in feel. It plays with heritage looks that are lively and impactful and forever pieces that ooze personality – much like the way shabby-chic plays with decorating using vintage furnishings. 

Timeless design and bright furnishings on show at Palm Springs and Marilyn

Key characteristics

Key characteristics of the return of retro include mid-century furniture, curved and angled pieces with bold hues or bold materials such as metals and chrome. These are often complemented by specific colours like avocado green, brown, mustard yellow, burnt orange, cherry red and bold psychedelia. Pattern and texture are at the heart of the style with eye-catching wallpaper, funky lighting and wood, often adding visual weight and depth to largely open plan spaces. A special mention should also go to the palm beach style that is often associated with the trend.  

Unicorn boasts burnt orange and bold prints while Deerhurst Road showcases browns and mustard yellow

Why it’s so popular now 

In recent years, we have seen a move away from the picture-perfect home, filled with modern, fast fashion homeware, where there is an exact place for everything. People are now looking for a home that feels lived-in, with pieces that tell a story – another reason that maximalism and shabby-chic trends are so popular right now. The move away from fast fashion and homeware is largely because of our changing ideologies towards the environment, which is why retro is appealing to more and more people with its eco-friendly and recycling allure, as well as timeless design. Furthermore, there’s also a cultural element to this trend shift – these pieces and designs were so popular in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s because of the post war optimism; we have just been through a life changing moment in history, and people are now looking for joy and fun in their homes. Some lean towards the trend due to nostalgia, while others want well-made pieces of furniture that they can repurpose, nevertheless, if you want to get it right in your home, check out our guide below.   

Eye-catching 70’s seating at Palm Springs and Lichfield

How to do it in your own home

There are a few things that separate the return of retro from other styles from the past like mid-century modern; as mentioned previously, retro styles love warm, saturated colours, with fluent lines, layered textures, and vintage accents, as opposed to more traditional muted tones, with occasional pops of boldness, minimal ornamentation, and clean lines. The key to getting it right, however, is to not go over the top and create a to-the-tee movie set that looks like it’s been teleported straight from the 70’s. Keep your space tasteful and in touch with modern life; you’re creating your own space centred around a notion from the past, not a garish space that hurts the eyes. Don’t think your retro space has to pay homage to one era either, play around with colour schemes from the 70’s, mid-century seating and perhaps even throw in an 18th century table to add your personal character. Have a starting point and work your way out from there, for example, a bold piece of furniture, a feature wall or maybe a striking colour scheme. While bright and bold colours may be your first point of thought, to achieve it and make it look good in your own home, it’s best to go for something more neutral and supplement with compelling, vivid hues. A great way to create your base is to consider earth tones and blend with rich warm colours – from there you can bring in your quirkier more abstract pieces of furniture that were extremely popular in the 60’s and 70’s. Make sure texture is implemented to add your visual weight and depth with materials like crushed velvet and boucle, both of which curate a sense of casual comfort. Play around with textures and materials from different eras to create an eclectic vision that tells your story – it’s all about balance when creating a retro space in your own image. 

Tasteful modern interpretations of retro design at Fournier Street and Perry