Monochrome masterclass

Take a pared-back palette and layer with textures and natural materials for a supercomfy, stylish home

TABLE TALK

The dining room is openplan to the living room and is a minimalist space in black and white. Wood is used to soften the mood, as well as tie the look into the rest of the house. For similar chairs see cultfurniture.com. The photos on the walls are by Karine ( karinecandicekong.com).

TAKE A SHELFIE

Against the white wall in the kitchen is this vintage metal shelving unit which softens the contemporary feel of the space. The objects – all different shapes and materials – add an understated decorative touch. The unit was found in a secondhand shop. The large glass jar on top is from baileyshome.com. 

COUNTER INTUITIVE

The long wooden breakfast counter injects an organic feel to the coolness of the all-white space and the rustic bench (from a French car-boot sale) is also a foil to the modern look. The glass-roofed side extension allows maximum light in. The stools are from cultfurniture.com; the House Doctor industrial wall lights from nunido.co.uk. Below, a picture window frames the view of the garden perfectly.

THE FAMILY THE PROPERTY

A three- storey house with five bedrooms and an office in West London. The couple bought the house in 2009, completely renovating it five years later and re- doing the kitchen earlier this year. To create an airy feel, walls were demolished to make an open-plan space and large picture windows were installed. The palette is monochrome warmed with lots of natural materials, along with French and Scandi design classics. ‘I wanted the house to be simple and uncomplicated – but feel like a light-filled, airy, spacious loft with the occasional nod to French and Nordic style,’ says Karine.

SOFT TOUCH

The living room’s pale palette creates a relaxed vibe but doesn’t feel cold thanks to the many different fabrics and wood introducing a warming texture to the room. The Ghost sofa ( conranshop.co.uk) in linen is layered with plenty of cushions and a woollen throw. On the floor is a tufty Moroccan rug ( larusi. com), the black of the simple graphic pattern is picked up in the Turning coffee table ( madeindesign.co.uk) and black leather Spanish chair ( twentytwentyone.com). A pair of classic LCW Plywood chairs in ash ( nest.co.uk) add a lovely wooden touch, which is echoed tonally in the baskets on the floor. The Koushi pendant light is by Mark Eden Schooley ( differentlikeazoo.com).

FADE TO GREY

The main bedroom combines soft greys with wood set against white walls and white-painted floorboards. Danish-designed Indskud side tables ( skandium. com) make great bedside tables. The stonewashed linen and throw are from cultiver.com. Karine made the string of chunky wooden beads hanging on the door handle.

HEAD OFFICE

The home’s main themes continue in Karine’s office which is a tranquil place, with family portraits and quirky objects adding character. The table ( anthropologie.com), is teamed with a Charles & Ray Eames leather chair. Find a similar ‘paper bag’ at notonthehighstreet.com.

PLASTER WORKS

A blue 1980s bathroom was transformed with a resin floor and plaster walls for an interesting textured look. ‘I fulfilled a life-long dream having the bathroom walls decorated with tadelakt, a traditional Moroccan finish I’ve always admired,’ says Karine. Against this are a white tub and basin from boffi.com and taps by en.vola.com. The mirror cabinet is from ikea. co.uk and the towels from thewhitecompany.com.