purple reigns

Mia Karlsson and Philip Matthews used a palette of vibrant shades to breathe new life into their traditional townhouse

When Mia Karlsson and her husband, Philip, decided to move, a change of lifestyle was on the agenda. ‘Our two children were nearly grown up,’ says Mia, ‘so we took the opportunity to downsize and move closer into London.’

Unusually, the property the couple chose was the first one they viewed. The tall townhouse, tucked away in a warren of narrow roads, was part of a row of cottages and shops originally built for local artisans. At first, however, the pair were unsure how to make it work. ‘We were daunted by the prospect of significantly reducing our possessions,’ recalls Mia, ‘ but the second viewing changed our mind. We were seduced by the view of London from the top floor.’

Mia, an interior designer, relished the challenge of making the property work for them. ‘My aim was to squeeze every inch out of the space, without

compromising the open feel,’ she says. As Philip works from home, the first task was to create an office on the first floor, with an airy sitting room next door. The third floor is devoted to two bedrooms and a bathroom, and the top floor, with its sweeping vista, houses the master bedroom with a sitting area to make the most of the view. ‘ We still pinch ourselves when we sit here,’ says Mia.

Lastly came a structural redesign of the ground floor. The wall between the kitchen and dining room and two dated arches were all removed. ‘It transformed the space, giving us two separate areas which flow into an open-plan kitchen and informal dining area,’ says Mia.

Choosing colours and furniture was an organic process for Mia. ‘I’m typically Swedish, so I like simplicity, utility and elegance,’ she says. ‘I’m drawn to neutral colour palettes with bursts of colour.’

‘Having everything spread over four floors works so well for us, because the house feels just as cosy whether there are two of us or more,’ says Mia. ‘But most of all, we love the city skyline, which changes with the seasons and is transformed at night when all the buildings are lit up.’

f in a l wo r d ‘Being so close to the shops, restaurants and green spaces we love has proved utterly invigorating’

Drawing ROOM Sumptuous shades of purple and green create a striking scheme. Febo sofa, £5,352; armchair, £2,461, both b&b Italia. shoreditch pear rug, £1,125, designers Guild

HALL Colourful wallpaper makes a bold statement. Fornasetti peonie wallpaper, £85 per roll, Cole & son. sunrise stair runner, £157m, Crucial trading

Dining Area Dark wood makes a warm contrast to the painted cabinets. bespoke wall vinyl , £1,500, Walldeco. Iroko topped table, £2,250, retrouvius

Snug Philip decided to frame his coveted collection of iconic magazine covers. Noguchi black ash coffee table, £1,390, the Conran shop. Curl armchairs, from £1,790 each, roche bobois

KITCHEN The built-in cabinets along one wall help to keep the space tidy. Kitchen (with appliances), from £30,000, mia Karlsson Interiors

FAMILY room The hand-knotted rug and 1800s leather chair are family heirlooms. Duck feet lamp, £1,104, porta romana. Howard armchair in Vintage tan, £990, Old boot, is similar