ART AND SOUL
A collection of mid-century abstract paintings sparked the stunning decoration of Peter Stromberg’s family home
A native New Yorker’s love for abstract art served as the muse for his London family home
Native New Yorker Peter Stromberg is no stranger to life’s challenges and is used to adapting to changing circumstances. ‘I came to the UK to open the London office for my firm in 2001. I thought it was for a couple of years but, 17 years later, I’m still here,’ he says. Then, after a long marriage, he and his wife decided to part, leaving him to start over and set up home for himself and his three children, who stay with him part-time.
Peter had been living in Hampstead for the previous 10 years, so he decided to stay in the area. ‘It made sense, plus I love it here,’ says Peter. ‘It’s like being in the country, except that it’s in London. This house appealed to me, thanks to its glorious period features and generoussized rooms, especially on the ground floor. It’s similar to an old New York brownstone, except that it’s less cramped and there are more green spaces around.’ He was also drawn to a full-height glass extension overlooking the garden.
Another bonus was that the house needed very little renovation, as the previous owners had installed new bathrooms and a new kitchen. Having purchased the property, Peter then decided to enlist expert help to undertake the interior decoration. ‘Given my work commitments, and the fact that I travel back and forth between the UK and US for business, I needed someone to take care of the interior design,’ he says, ‘especially since all I brought with me
was a rug, one painting, my library and my wardrobe.’ A friend recommended interior designer Marion Lichtig, so Peter got in touch to see if she would be interested in the project. ‘We got along instantly, seeing eye to eye on taste,’ says Peter. ‘I wanted to achieve the casual elegance the space requires, but I wanted the children to feel at home, too.’
Having found common ground in taste and style, Peter gave Marion a free hand in the decoration. ‘He was incredibly generous with his trust in me,’ says Marion. ‘I got to pick everything – which, for an interior designer is a wonderful situation. But I took my time, so that the style looks like it was furnished gradually, rather than being “done”.’
When it came to reworking the interior, a major focus for Marion was Peter’s art collection. Art is one of Peter’s passions and he is constantly adding pieces. ‘When I first moved to London, I went to various fairs, such as Frieze and the Affordable Art Fair,’ he says. ‘I’m drawn to early- to mid-century abstract representation, and I feel the house still needs more paintings. I would like to add more to the master bedroom and I’m also planning to upgrade some of the others.’
Above and beyond the period features, Peter’s new home has a distinctly minimalist aesthetic. Initially this was not to his taste, but as time has gone by, he has come to find its simplicity quite refreshing. ‘Marion has combined my love of Danish furniture, mid-century abstract paintings and Persian rugs to create a family home that feels like it evolved over time,’ he says.
The decoration is now essentially finished, with just a little fine-tuning and finessing still required. ‘I have a very busy life, but I love coming back here, as it has a real sense of calm,’ says Peter. ‘I like being out in the garden on warm nights and hosting barbecues for friends on Sundays. It’s a fun house to live in, too – it’s the family home that I was looking for.’
FAVOURITE ROOM ‘I particularly like my study in early mornings when the winter light falls on the wonderful glass panels’