Big ideas, small spaces
A challenge faced by many Londoners: small spaces, big ideas. Indeed, it takes some added creativity to make the most of the precious space in our homes.
Below is a small apartment I designed, tucked under the eaves of a Townhouse in Chelsea. The apartment has plenty of natural daylight, but there’s a lot to be put into a small space cleverly.
The apartment feels spacey but full of character. In the Drawing Room towards the fireplace, we placed antique mirrors at either side of a new Adam fireplace, to create the illusion of depth and space. Old looking mirrors are a great way to make a room feel bigger.
The windows have swing arm curtains embroidered in my new Ashenwood fabric for Chelsea Textiles on one side and a decorative ticking on the other. On the window seat are my ‘Heart of Oak’ hand embroidered cushions, designed for Fine Cell Work. Even a window sill with an added cushion can create another space and seat to watch the world go by.
The classic shape of a Chesterfield sofa is given a playful twist with a Vaughan fabric, and is facing another sofa in Robert Kime stripe. The carpet in the Drawing Room echoes my One Way stripe on the walls in the Hallway, pulling the spaces together.
At the opposite end of the Drawing Room is an open dining space. Small details such as the different coloured leather detail on our Handle Chairs, add a sense of fun to the space. A pottery lamp hangs from heavy rope.
In the entrance, we have used the dramatic print One Way by Christopher Farr. This is a large print in a difficult space which unites the rooms. We tucked the kitchen between the Drawing Room and Bedroom. Once again, the mirrored splashback, this time behind the sink, creates the illusion of space.
In the bedroom, you can never have too many pictures. The more interesting the frames, the better the collection. The frames have stature and strength in themselves. By framing the bed with a collection of pictures, it gives the illusion that you can fit more within the room. The lamps are by Porta Romana.
The perfect hideaway in town.
Purchase your own Heart of Oak cushions from the Firmdale shop.