Houzz Tour: Tactile Furnishings Inject Warmth Into a New Home
Cleverly layered fabric, furniture and travel finds add character & personality to an all-white home
Delighted with their UK home, but faced with a resounding blank canvas, the owners of this new-build property in Camberwell, south London, lost no time calling on designer Louise McGarry of Pineapple Interiors to convert their many decor ideas into a stylish reality.
Light-filled with a mid-century modern feel, the interior had fantastic bones and was crying out for some shapely fittings and an injection of colour and texture. Glass, steel and oak joinery highlight the property’s elegant proportions and, together with areas of exposed brickwork, set the scene for a tactile palette and mix of timeworn pieces.
Light-filled with a mid-century modern feel, the interior had fantastic bones and was crying out for some shapely fittings and an injection of colour and texture. Glass, steel and oak joinery highlight the property’s elegant proportions and, together with areas of exposed brickwork, set the scene for a tactile palette and mix of timeworn pieces.
The oak joinery is a standout feature of this home. Created by the architects and used to form room dividers as well as striking display areas, the shelves make good practical use of the space – something the couple loved.
“It was important to inject colour, texture and form into each room, and using the shelves was a great way to do that,” says McGarry. “It was also an ideal opportunity to add unique character to each space.”
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“It was important to inject colour, texture and form into each room, and using the shelves was a great way to do that,” says McGarry. “It was also an ideal opportunity to add unique character to each space.”
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The kitchen fittings and fixtures were already in place when the couple bought the house. High-gloss and distinctly contemporary, they echoed the light and airy feel of the property and provided plenty of storage, but McGarry knew the room could be enriched further.
“The key to bringing this gorgeous home to life for my clients was the careful addition of layers,” she says. “Textured wall coverings, embroidered and woven fabrics, shapely furniture and thoughtful lighting all play a part.”
Exposed brick and oak bring rich tones into the kitchen, while an oval dining table and classic, curvy chairs add softness. “The large rectangular table that was in place originally felt too solid and heavy, limiting the flow of the space,” says McGarry. “This table paired with the dining chairs is much more elegant and inviting.”
“The key to bringing this gorgeous home to life for my clients was the careful addition of layers,” she says. “Textured wall coverings, embroidered and woven fabrics, shapely furniture and thoughtful lighting all play a part.”
Exposed brick and oak bring rich tones into the kitchen, while an oval dining table and classic, curvy chairs add softness. “The large rectangular table that was in place originally felt too solid and heavy, limiting the flow of the space,” says McGarry. “This table paired with the dining chairs is much more elegant and inviting.”
Off the hall is a powder room. “This space really did feel plain and boxy, and was crying out for some personality,” says McGarry. The room is fitted with a concealed-cistern toilet, mirror and vanity-top basin neatly set into handcrafted oak shelving.
The walls were the obvious place to introduce pattern and McGarry chose this monochrome wallpaper from Cole & Son. The design is reflected in the inset mirrors to double the impact.
Additional pattern can be seen in the same mirror. “The back of the living area’s wooden shelving was rather solid and dominated the entrance hall,” says McGarry. “To soften the effect, we covered it with an exquisite panel of silk-embroidered fabric in the owner’s favourite shade of orange.”
The walls were the obvious place to introduce pattern and McGarry chose this monochrome wallpaper from Cole & Son. The design is reflected in the inset mirrors to double the impact.
Additional pattern can be seen in the same mirror. “The back of the living area’s wooden shelving was rather solid and dominated the entrance hall,” says McGarry. “To soften the effect, we covered it with an exquisite panel of silk-embroidered fabric in the owner’s favourite shade of orange.”
The living room is on the first floor, and the couple love to use the room for entertaining. A generous sofa, armchairs and a vast buttoned footstool/ottoman are perfectly positioned for good conversation and quality time. “It was important to our clients that the space felt relaxed and cosseting,” says McGarry.
One key addition in the living room was uplighters in the floor, installed to highlight the tones and textures in the exposed brick walls at either end of the space.
Earthy tones give a cosy feel to the main bedroom. “Burnt orange is the owner’s favourite colour, so we were keen to introduce it wherever possible,” says McGarry.
A subtle Japanese printed wallpaper is complemented by a knotted rope-kimono artwork that the couple picked up on their travels.
A subtle Japanese printed wallpaper is complemented by a knotted rope-kimono artwork that the couple picked up on their travels.
The guest bedroom is at the front of the house. A contemporary four-poster bed fills the room and neatly balances the linear style of the windows.
An adjacent living room is handy for when guests stay for a while. At other times, the owners use this space for their yoga practise.
A neat pocket door divides the two rooms without encroaching on either. McGarry chose a pale green metallic Romo wallpaper for the living area to make the most of the waterfall effect created by the recessed LED lighting.
Tell us:
Which is your favourite area in this new build? Share your thoughts in the Comments below. And remember to save the images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
A neat pocket door divides the two rooms without encroaching on either. McGarry chose a pale green metallic Romo wallpaper for the living area to make the most of the waterfall effect created by the recessed LED lighting.
Tell us:
Which is your favourite area in this new build? Share your thoughts in the Comments below. And remember to save the images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two chocolate labradors
Location: London, UK
Property: A detached newly built house
Size: Five bedrooms and three bathrooms
Designer: Louise McGarry of Pineapple Interiors
A well-lit hallway leads to the central stairwell of the house. A generous skylight (out of shot) and glass side panels on the staircase give the home a spacious, bright and welcoming feel.
Throughout the property, groups of small ceramic pendant lights are hung at subtly different angles. These were designed and installed by the architects and the owners weren’t sure whether they’d keep them at first. “Beautifully made and in a subtle range of neutral tones, they rather dominated the space initially,” says McGarry, “but they gradually became less obvious once the layers of furnishings and furniture appeared.”