LET THERE BE LIGHT
For the uncompromising owners of this elegant London home, considered design meets discerning decoration inspired by a life well-travelled
An elegant London townhouse
SITTING ROOM
Light floods into this room from the original doors, which, when painted in darker tones, “partially disappear,” says Taryn, “as the outside is more noticeable and your eye looks past them into the garden.” In summer, the doors open fully and create an indoor/outdoor space. The walls, ceiling and joinery in the room are all painted in various shades of Slate by Paint & Paper Library. The sofas come from Loaf, where a similar coffee table can also be found, and the cushions were bought on a recent trip to Soho Farmhouse. The standing lamp comes from Julian Chichester, and the table lamp was upcycled from a vintage demijohn that Taryn carried across London, “almost breaking it several times on the Tube!” Above the sofa is a piece by artist Caroline Gibello, which was bought by the couple on one of their many trips to Cape Town. The shelving was designed and commissioned by Taryn herself, who has added storage for “home paperwork, board games and the dog’s toys” and a miniature workspace for working and sending emails (pictured overleaf). Trinkets and ornamental ceramics line the shelves, and the artwork around the room has been collected as memorabilia from trips— “they all remind me of home,” says South African-born Taryn.
HALLWAY
The walls and woodwork are painted in different shades of the same Stone colour by Paint & Paper Library, which creates a flowing, calming palette.
The console is from Chelsea Textiles on Walton Street, the handwoven baskets are from a trip to South Africa.
KITCHEN
“Having a place for everything is very important in the home, and especially so in a space where function and practicality is key,” explains Taryn, who worked with Devol Kitchens to design and install the cabinetry.
“We chose brush-painted cabinets as opposed to lacquered or sprayed, so we could have the option of repainting them.” The Carrara marble tops keep the space calmly neutral, and the window shutters give flexibility between lightness and privacy.
DINING AREA
“We spend most of our time here, and the space is great for entertaining,” says Taryn. The table and chairs came from I&JL Brown on Chelsea’s King’s Road, but similar can be found at Ercol. The hand-painted tablecloth was bought from a wine farm in South Africa. You’ll find a similar vibe at Zara Home.”
DRAWING ROOM
“We call this our winter living room,” says Taryn, “because of its fireplace.” Paint & Paper Library’s Stone III warms the space up, and reflects the natural light from the large windows. The curtains were custom made with fabric from Soane on Pimlico Road and the neutral sofas were designed to order at a store on Chelsea Harbour, but you can find similar at Oka. The footstool was made with a flat surface, to double-up as a coffee table. The room’s mix of pattern is subtle, but conscious – accessories change seasonally. Taryn says they can change the colour scheme by “changing the traditional rug and scatter cushions.”
GUEST BEDROOM
“As the room is on the smaller side, I added wardrobes on either side of the bed, with panelling along the back wall to create a nook,” explains Taryn. The idea for this room came from the Protea prints above the bed (find similar at Oka), and these inspired the strong green stripes on the blanket, which was bought on a trip to Cornwall. “I felt the room needed some strong pattern,” Taryn says. You can find a similar mirror at Graham & Green.
FAMILY BATHROOM
Using floor-to-ceiling tiles creates a visual impact while also being practical, and although expensive, “you can’t go wrong with natural stone,” Taryn explains, as “it has longevity.” Custom-built mirrors double-up as storage.