This Victorian house in the heart of London is often buzzing with laughter and conversation. Whether it be the friends of their two young daughters, or family gathering for dinner parties, the owners love entertaining, so when it came to renovating the house, each room needed to reflect this desire to host. Sometimes, though, you must take a step back and think of the practicalities first before diving into decoration. In the case of this property, that meant stripping it back to its bones and then reinstating the traditional architectural features alongside adding modern ones. With the counsel of the architectural designers and contractors at Pascal Huser Design, this process was efficient, decisive and, crucially, gave the client and interior design studio Orbel Ursula Interiors the perfect canvas on which to create their layered schemes.
The sitting room is always a much-used space in a house, but especially when hosting. This one is north-facing, so the team at Orbel Ursula Interiors had to work carefully with the natural light to maximise its effect. Rather than shutters for privacy, they decided to add sheer panels made from a linen from Rose Uniake. This design decision helped to achieve a sophisticated feel whilst also letting as much natural light in as possible; an important consideration in the winter months, when north-facing rooms can feel especially gloomy. To further maximise the room's brightness, two round mirrors in beaten bronze, created in collaboration with Patrick Ireland Bespoke Frames & Mirrors, have been added in the alcoves on either side of the fireplace.
Along with reflecting light, these mirrors also complement the clients’ beautiful, inherited antique furniture. ‘We often get asked by clients with a sense of trepidation about inherited “brown furniture” and whether there might be space for this in the finished scheme,’ explains Orbel Ursula Interiors' lead designer Amy Chance. ‘Little brings us more joy than having an old piece of furniture, or paintings or collections of ornaments to include in a scheme; it is the story and history and connection to the client behind these pieces that work alongside our design to give a room its personality.’
A few of the family's special heirlooms have been used as centrepieces in the sitting room, such as the mahogany children’s rocking chair, a chest of drawers and a desk. All of these pieces serve as both functional furniture and conversation starters for guests as they enjoy their cocktails.
Veere Grenney’s Folly fabric on the curtains is a favourite of Amy's. Here it works alongside the simple lath and fascia board, which has been discreetly fitted against the cornicing. The fabric choice and design of the window treatment were carefully considered to emphasise the detail of the cornicing and the ceiling moulding, which were beautifully restored and play an important part in the room's decoration.
As this is a family home, the formal sitting room still needed to be sticky-finger-proof, and so the client opted for Fermoie fabrics on the chairs and cylindrical stools. As she explains, ‘the Fermoie collection never fails us.’ The reds and greens bring a more whimsical and contemporary feel to the sophisticated space.
Amy and her clients share a love of travel to Morocco and Moroccan interiors, so they were keen to incorporate something from the country in the sitting room. Shortly after they moved into the house, the family returned from a trip to Marrakesh with a beautiful rug that they bought from an artisanal maker in the souks. The piece, with its subtle pattern, was a perfect addition to the sitting room's scheme.
In the end, Orbel Ursula Interiors' final design speaks to both the client's personal style and unique story, as well as having the practical necessities required for family living and entertaining.
