LONDON VILLA
Diana and James Potts’ five-storey Victorian home is a masterclass in mid-century design and daring colour choices
Diana and James’ home is full of pattern and colour – just more so during the festive season
“I love colour. It’s in my soul. I would never go for a muted look”
with Christmas just a few misty cold breaths away, there is a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. The sky, metal grey, hovers above London, casting a muted lens over the scene. But on a quiet street in the north of the city, there sits a house that radiates like no other. Inspired by the warmth and colour of faraway lands, it is a beacon of dazzling design.
The owners of this home, Diana and James Potts, moved in eight years ago when their third child had just started toddling around and they realised they needed more space. The interior had been recently done up, so their was no need to renovate. ‘We knew that one day we would stamp our own personality on it, but we had time,’ says Diana.
Life carried on and as the children grew up, the upheaval of a renovation seemed more of an option. So, with ‘a little tweaking in mind’, they approached an architect to ‘neaten things up and create some extra storage’. Diana laughs at the memory. ‘Of course, once we started, it snowballed,’ she says. ‘The kitchen was our first project and that had a complete new layout. It looked so incredible we got excited about doing more. Then the architect introduced us to our interior designers, Angela Simpson and Laura Voyle. When we sat down to have a chat with them both, I remember feeling so inspired by some of the possibilities they suggested. It’s taken us a while to get to this end point because we had to press the pause button a few times and do things in stages but now the entire house has finally been done.’
One of the most striking aspects of this home is its rapport with colour. Diana is originally from Colombia and colour is in her DNA. ‘I love mixing it up,’ she laughs. ‘But while I’m very confident when it comes to choosing my clothes, with the house I needed a little guidance. When we first painted the hallway in that dark inky blue, I was like, “oh my goodness!” but now I love it!’
The choices made here have been a carefully curated and considered process. It takes daring to mingle acid brights, pattern and textures, and there are innovative touches with vintage lamps, statement furniture and bespoke additions, like the copper facing on the kitchen island. Diana, often on the look out for a one-off bargain, is a self-confessed ebay addict and she is proud of the beauties she has discovered in her local skip. ‘If I see a skip I have to look inside. I have found some of my best pieces on the street. I recently picked up a gorgeous Fifties sofa that I had upholstered.’
Yet while the interior feels original and unusual, above all it oozes an enticing appeal. Diana is adamant about this. ‘One of the first things I said to Angela and Laura at the planning stage was that I didn’t want the house to feel like a museum. Above all else, it had to be a home. I come from a huge family. My mum is one of 20 and my dad is one of 15. It’s so important to me that my kids feel relaxed here. I entertain loads and my Colombian family visit regularly and the house is always full of flowers, if not quite as grand as these amazing arrangements by Rebel Rebel. Often at Christmas there is a stream of people coming through the door.’
This year the celebrations will arrive early. There is a trip planned to Australia, and so a London gathering for friends and family will happen before they set off. ‘I’m always desperate to get the tree up as soon as possible anyway,’ says Diana. ‘In South America, the tree gets decorated on the 1 November, so by mid November I’m begging to do it.’
Diana is obviously a passionate advocate of the festivities, so how does she feel about having a celebration in the sun? ‘I’ll appreciate the heat,’ she laughs. ‘And as long as we’re all together I will be happy. W hen I’m at home for Christmas, it’s a more traditional approach, but saying that James never lets me do the lunch. I’m a good cook but I’m also a free spirit and it’s always mañana, mañana. If it was left up to me we’d be eating at midnight.’ See Diana’s interior designers at simpson andvoyle.com and the architects at mitzmanarchitects.com