Monday, September 16, 2013

Southern Charm in London



I'm anxiously awaiting my copy House Beautiful's October issue, which is the annual "Guide to Global Style" edition.  Guest edited by Chesie Breen (the first of the magazine's series of "pop up" guest editors,) the magazine profiles stylish homes from England and Ireland to Morocco and India, just to name a few of the featured foreign locales.

One article of special interest to me is that which profiles this Rob Southern- designed townhouse in London's South Kensington neighborhood.  Built in 1860, the house is architecturally formal in style, and yet, the interiors convey a "21st century American sensibility", one which reflects the home's 21st century American owners. The home has great flair and style, and yet, it appears to be downright comfortable, too. 

Take a look below at just a few of the article's photos, but be sure to pick up a copy of the magazine to read the article in its entirety.  Oh, and by the way, I couldn't resist including a photo of the home's dining room.  The walls are covered in raspberry-colored flame stitch velvet. 


The dining room wall's are upholstered in Lee Jofa's Holland flame stitch velvet.





The living room features ample seating, including sofas covered in Ginger fabric by Donghia.





Also in the living room is this fabulous vintage Asian scroll table.




The conservatory is used for informal dining. The tablecloth is Sanderson's China Blue.





A vignette includes a Jane Austen reader.





Designer Rob Southern standing on the living room terrace.


All photos used with express permission of House Beautiful.  James Merrell, photographer.

5 comments:

  1. I love this house. The rooms are a perfect balance of traditional and contemporary, I think. The red dining room is glamorous, indeed! Reggie

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  2. Great design....love the "conservatory".
    Have a wonderful week.
    Mary

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  3. Beautiful rooms that are fluid in their style. Timeless!

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  4. Nice enough, until one considers what Roger Banks Pye did at Valentino's house in the same street ( Egerton Gardens) where
    the detailing of the woodwork is in fact precisely the same and the proportions of the rooms quite similar. Those rooms were magical,
    complex, the work of a brilliant decorator. After which, this example simply pales by comparison, I am sorry to say.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:01 AM

      Valentino Garavani's house was on Egerton Terrace, opposite the Egerton House Hotel. The address was 57 Egerton Crescent - though the crescent is in fact around the corner. (Confusing, right?)

      The buildings on Egerton Gardens are of red brick, not covered in painted white stucco and most are divided into flats/apartments.

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