DREAM SITTING ROOM Ben Jones pairs classical influences with modern art
INTERIOR DESIGNER BEN JONES OF CHESTER JONES ON JUXTAPOSING CLASSICAL INFLUENCES WITH MODERN ART AND ARTEFACTS
1. THIS QUEEN ANNE HOUSE in Hampstead is Grade I-listed. It meant we could touch very little internally, so instead we set about creating a room that sympathetically reflected the building’s historic values while at the same time was a comfortable space to enjoy the owner’s collection of art. 2. Preserving the integrity of the panelling was vital so Chester introduced baffles and panels, creating a room within a room. This allowed us to expose the finest elements of the original detailing while occluding those that made the room difficult to use or impractical.
3. ART PLAYS a protagonist role in the room. Both the client and Chester share an appreciation of the English modern period and together they found the large colourful painting by the Scottish artist Alan Davie. 4. Alongside the painting, artefacts play another important part. On the baroque 18th-century console table is a Pre-dogon Djennenke male figure. Beside this is a 19th-century Japanese bronze evoking an archaic Yayoi ritual food vessel and a Ying scholar’s stone.
5. THE 18TH-CENTURY wing chair was upholstered in contrasting panels to emphasise the elegant scroll of the arm and shape of the back – when this scheme was done, it was seen as an eccentric approach, but has now become part of a standard shabby chic vernacular. 6. Colours in a room are often determined by the carpet. In this rug by Chester’s wife, Sandy Jones, they were chosen to deliberately sit back and provide the perfect backdrop to the wonderful art.