3 BOLD DECORATORS AND THEIR LONDON HOMES
I love to see inside other people’s houses. I think I’m just nosy but it’s also a brilliant way to get decorating ideas. The London homes of these three talented women are incredible.
ABIGAIL AHERN
When I began to fall for the dark side, it was Abigail Ahern who fed my addiction through her amazing blog, books and social media. But it was her brilliant design masterclass held at her home that was a big turning point for me. If you ever get the chance to attend the class, it’s well worth it. Seeing her house first hand made me realise that I could actually live with dark interiors, not just admire them in photographs. Honestly, I could have stayed there forever. She has created a majorly stylish home - the super cool bookcase above is from her study. Check out her blog for daily styling tips and instagram for pics of her house and stores.
MARIANNE COTTERILL
Marianne Cotterill is a stylist for several top interiors magazines and brands. Her home is like nothing I’ve ever seen before with a magical mix of styles, eras and colours. It sounds like it could be a bit mad but it’s absolutely charming.
Each and every room is intriguing and individual, with objects bought from travels around the world or found in junkshops and even skips. As with Abigail Ahern, her home is a lesson that style builds over time and can’t be bought in one store.
Marianne leases the house as a location for photoshoots, television and film, so handily you can have a look here. And here's a peek at Marianne's striking living room from Swoonworthy.
Image from Swoonworthy
NEISHA CROSSLAND
Neisha Crossland’s home is a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of Clapham Junction and was on the 2016 Livingetc House Tours event. It has an unusual horseshoe design with the rooms all facing a beautiful central courtyard. It is so tranquil and majorly envy inducing.
For me, Neisha's dramatic dining room was the most inspiring in the house. She has totally challenged the idea of having just one focal point in a room – almost everything in her dining room catches the eye: a huge table, intricate chandeliers, heavily textured lamp shades, statement mirrors and striking art. Pow!
Neisha has used Farrow & Ball’s London Clay for the walls, a bold colour which creates a lovely cocooning atmosphere so the room is wow and relaxing at the same time.
I wasn’t able to take pictures so check out photograph 7 in this Evening Standard feature. It doesn’t do the room justice at all, but it gives a bit of an idea. Look out for glimpses of the courtyard in some of the other pics. And swoon….
I hope these homes give you inspiration for your decorating projects.
Victoria x
