From the outside, this late 18th-century five-storey London townhouse in the city's Marylebone area radiates classic charm – elegant proportions, original cornices and the timeless appeal of period brickwork. However, up until recently, the inside was much less compelling. When the property was purchased two years ago, the new owner – a father and his young family – was faced with interiors stripped of any discernible character alongside dull developer finishes that spoke more to resale value than personal style.
“It was bland and cold,” recalls James Kandutsch, CEO of London-based Studio Indigo, which was enlisted to bring the decor to life. “But the house had great bones so we had a platform to build an interior that really reflected the personality of the client and his family.”The client was clear about two things: he wanted the house to be comfortable and also loved colour, particularly shades of blue and green. With that brief, Studio Indigo set out to transform the London townhouse into a vibrant lived-in home that mixes modern eclecticism with English charm.
In the entrance hall, original details such as the period staircase were preserved and celebrated, while a classic black and white marble checkerboard floor was introduced to add a sense of drama. But rather than leaving the space too formal, the designers layered in a playful stair runner from Peter Page that carries the eye upward. “It sets the tone the moment you step inside,” says Lyne Arbid, Studio Indigo’s director of interiors. “You know straightaway that this isn’t a grey, minimalistic house – it’s going to be fun, eclectic and bold.”The reconfiguration of rooms, to align with how the family lives, plays a key role to how the home now feels. The former dining room on the entrance floor was converted into a welcoming family room with a generous L-shaped sofa from Maker & Sons and paprika-hued chairs.
“We have picked a lot of mid-century pieces because of their classic design,” adds Arbid. Although most of the furniture was sourced or designed specifically for the house, the result feels far from staged. “This was important to the client,” says Arbid. “He wanted it to feel lived-in and layered.” As a result, bespoke pieces such as the burl wood dining table designed by the studio, sit with ease next to carefully chosen vintage pieces including sculptural lighting.The family room connects to a breakfast room, with its walls wrapped in raffia grass cloth from Phillip Jeffries, and leads onto the kitchen, creating a fluid series of spaces where the family naturally gather. The team were resourceful whenever possible – instead of replacing a perfectly functional kitchen for instance, it was warmed up in appearance. “By changing the ceiling light and painting the underside of the island a nice sage green, it transformed the atmosphere of the space and helped the room blend naturally with the rest of the house,” explains Arbid.
Upstairs, the first floor houses the formal reception and dining rooms. The latter is clad in a bespoke, hand-painted mural by Fromental, depicting tropical scenes from Jaipur that reflects the client’s travels. “Historically, these townhouses were designed so that the main floor was for entertaining,” notes Kandutsch. “By moving the dining room back up there, it restored it to the way it was intended.”
If there is a single unifying thread, it is colour – and in particular blue. “Every room features it, but each in a different tone, depending on the mood we wanted,” says Arbid. In the family room, a pale shade is energised with punchier hues, signalling the house’s playful spirit. In the formal living room, the blues are softened with warm tobacco tones, creating a more sophisticated feel and showcasing the owner’s extensive art and sculpture collection. In the bedrooms, the palette becomes gentler still with soft aquas that bring calm and serenity.
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- 国家：美国
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