A WARM WELCOME

Niamh Browne’s love of rich jewel shades has brought personality to her family home in south London

A family gem

WHO LIVES HERE

Interior designer

Niamh Browne lives in this double-fronted Victorian house in south London with her husband Robert, a business consultant, and their children, Michael, 12, Lara, 10, and Anna, nine. The family lived abroad for several years then rented in Ireland and London before finding this home. Niamh loved the period features, but reworked the downstairs layout by extending their kitchen-diner. Then she set about adding her own style throughout, using interesting surfaces and bold colours (niamhbrownedesign.com).

VELVET BLUES

The family room is a cosy, comfortable space, which leads into the more contemporary kitchen. Niamh chose a velvet sectional sofa from Habitat for a luxe feel that also softens the effect of the parquet flooring. Art includes photographs, reminding the couple of places they have visited or lived in, alongside more traditional, restful paintings.

ZEAL FOR TEAL

In this corner of the living room, a teal sofa picks up the blue undertones in the paint shade, Grey Teal by Little Greene, and the orange seen in a quirky artwork by Ibride is echoed in the pouffe, which was made by Niamh’s mother. ‘Everything in our home has personal meaning or a memory attached,’ says Niamh.

JEWEL CONTROL

Niamh resolved not to be a slave to trends, so jewel colours were added in the form of accessories, so they can be updated. ‘My priority was creating a versatile base with key pieces of furniture that will endure,’ she says. In the living room, the grey walls provide a soft backdrop for hits of orange, taking a cue from the John Lipsham painting. A Graham & Green coffee table adds warm tones. Cushions and a Beni Ourain rug soften the scheme (La Redoute sells similar). ‘I use upholstery, cushions and throws as my fabric elements, as I prefer shutters to curtains,’ says Niamh.

CONCRETE IDEA

The dining area of the extension is a family-friendly space with plenty of natural light, thanks to floor-to-ceiling glazing and rooflights. The bright painting is a canvas that Niamh bought on holiday in Morocco and rolled up to bring home. Poured concrete flooring is practical for life with three children, while adding a contemporary edge. The chairs are Eames DSW, available at Heal’s.

MATERIAL WORLD

Niamh chose copper as a key material in her kitchen, using it for the island worktop. Crittall glazing gives a view of the playroom, which was particularly useful when her children were younger. The kitchen is by In-toto, while the worktop is from The Copper & Zinc Bar Co.

SHINE ON

This extension replaced a narrow galley kitchen that looked out on to a side wall, whereas this glazed space links well with the garden. Niamh often looks to restaurants for inspiration and spotted the trend for copper early on. She used it as the surface on the island, where the material flows into the inset basin, and for the tap. The deep-blue handleless cabinetry contrasts with the rougher character of poured concrete and bare brick, all illuminated by generous rooflights.

ARTISTIC INSPIRATION

Niamh had shutters fitted in the main bedroom. ‘I love having a clear view from this window, without any curtain folds getting in the way,’ she says. Emerald green cushions echo the shades in a painting by John Lipsham. ‘I often use a favourite painting as a starting point for a scheme,’ adds Niamh. The bed is from Heal’s and the table lamps are from Graham & Green.

COOL CONTRAST

In the main bedroom, accessories make a coordinated mini display on top of a vintage chest of drawers.

KEEP IT CLEAN

Shades of grey and stone make for a neutral yet practical family bathroom. ‘Grey is a go-to colour to keep things neutral and simple,’ says Niamh.

FRUITY PASTELS

‘Our girls are best friends, so they love sharing a bedroom,’ says Niamh. ‘Every night is like a sleepover for them!’ Niamh found the beds at Chic Shack and bought cool posters at This Modern Life.

OLD FAVOURITE

Niamh bought this chest in Cork when she was 21, and it has been in every home she’s lived in since. ‘I love being able to look around and see things from different chapters in our life,’ she says.