Houzz Tour: A Live/Work Space With a Heavenly Heritage
A blank canvas gave interior designer Gianna Camilotti the chance to put her stamp on a Grade II listed church conversion in Essex
When Gianna Camilotti set eyes on this converted church in Chingford, Essex, it was love at first sight. It had undergone a sympathetic conversion in 2005, leaving the designer with a gleaming white space in which she could create a spacious home and office for her interiors business.
‘The architecture is so beautiful, I loved everything about it,’ says Gianna. ‘High ceilings were a must and this building has those and everything else – lots of character and history.’
Gianna’s main challenge was to fill the space without her furniture getting lost amid the generous proportions. ‘It was such an amazing project, I had no limitations,’ she says. ‘I never thought I would move to Chingford, but I would follow this house absolutely anywhere.’
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Gianna Camilotti, an interior designer
Location Chingford, Essex
Designer Gianna Camilotti Interiors
Size 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
‘The architecture is so beautiful, I loved everything about it,’ says Gianna. ‘High ceilings were a must and this building has those and everything else – lots of character and history.’
Gianna’s main challenge was to fill the space without her furniture getting lost amid the generous proportions. ‘It was such an amazing project, I had no limitations,’ she says. ‘I never thought I would move to Chingford, but I would follow this house absolutely anywhere.’
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Gianna Camilotti, an interior designer
Location Chingford, Essex
Designer Gianna Camilotti Interiors
Size 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
The Grade II listed conversion, dating back to 1890, seduced Gianna with its arching ceilings and timber beams. ‘When it came to a base colour, I decided to keep it neutral in order to accentuate the original beams,’ she explains.
‘I needed lots courage when it came to decorating,’ says Gianna. ‘The living area is a huge, open space and a normal-sized sofa would have disappeared, so I supersized!’ Gianna has always had a passion for oversized furniture and the generous proportions of her new home allowed her to indulge her whim for extravagance. ‘The upholsterer thought I was crazy when I gave him the measurements for the sofa,’ she laughs.
Tour a barn conversion in Somerset
Tour a barn conversion in Somerset
Gianna was naturally drawn to a monochrome palette and is happy the colours work to the building’s advantage. ‘I just couldn’t imagine this place in another palette – I think it works perfectly,’ she says. The glossy white Koishi coffee table is a beautiful and useful addition next to the sofa, its gleaming surface reflecting light from the large windows.
A self-playing piano tucked under the incredible staircase is a decadent touch and keeps Gianna and her staff entertained during working hours. ‘I always wanted to integrate the office and living areas and I think it works very well. This whole house is very me and reflects my style and personality perfectly,’ she says.
An elegant Nur pendant from Artemide pools light on the kitchen island to highlight the black granite surface. Rather neatly, the extractor fan is integrated into the ceiling, folding down only when it’s needed. The bar stools introduce a touch of brown, linking with the wooden beams. ‘The stools are my own design and made in Milan from cowhide and chrome,’ Gianna says.
With so much space at her disposal, Gianna was able to zone off different areas. This comfortable corner is next to the entrance and Gianna’s work station, so acts as a waiting area for visitors. The chrome and walnut table is a vintage find.
During the day, the grand dining table is filled with brochures and pattern books, but in the evening, it’s transformed into a glamorous dining area for up to 12 people. ‘I designed the table myself,’ says Gianna. ‘It’s a sheet of glass resting on two enormous wooden blocks.’
Get designer advice for decorating an elegant dining area
Get designer advice for decorating an elegant dining area
Gianna’s home is filled with expressions of her personality, such as these lily print cushions and the Gherkin canvas, both of which she designed herself. ‘The Gherkin is my creation,’ she says. ‘My degree is in fine art and I love playing around on Photoshop. It was difficult to find something that fitted this space, so I just created an artwork myself.’
The large master bedroom has an accompanying dressing room, negating the need for bulky wardrobes that would inhibit the view of the arched ceiling. ‘I decided to put mirrors in the niche here to reflect the beams, which I love,’ says Gianna.
Gianna chose a palette of gold and earthy tones for the guest bedroom, which has a slightly baroque flavour. ‘I took some baroque images of angels and put them on a black background for the decor in this room,’ she explains. ‘It’s glamorous, but with the white floorboards it still feels very contemporary, which I love.’
‘The window here is so beautiful I didn’t want anything to block it,’ says Gianna. ‘It has wonderful colours and shapes, and is such a gorgeous composition. It’s lovely to gaze on this from the living room below.’
The master en suite is relatively compact compared to the rest of the house, so Gianna wanted to open up the space as much as possible. A rustic brick floor is light, and the addition of a mirrored panel around the walls makes the room appear larger.
‘I absolutely love the garden,’ says Gianna. The scent from the lemon trees evokes memories of holidays in Sorrento. Though fairly small, it’s set up for dining and relaxing. ‘It’s a wonderful space in which to spend time,’ she says. ‘This and the piano are my favourite parts of the house.’
Do you like this home? Tell us why in the Comments below.
Do you like this home? Tell us why in the Comments below.