BOUTIQUE CHIC

Being brave with colour and introducing quirky vintage pieces means the owners of this west London flat have a home with flair

Jason Rowlands and his partner Craig Morley took their design cues from a favourite haunt when they moved into their two-bedroom garden flat in London. ‘We normally like socialising in small groups, somewhere cosy, rather than going to big, glitzy places,’ says Jason. ‘Soho House captures a warm, personal feel with its mix of eras and styles – without being overstylised – and we wanted to bring that feeling to our home.’ Buying the garden flat was an easy move for Jason and Craig, as they’d been living in the top-floor flat of the converted property. However, they were in the middle of buying a four-bed Victorian terrace when they heard their neighbour wanted to sell. ‘The terrace was tall and narrow with a small garden, whereas the flat had gardens at the front, side and back,’ explains Jason. ‘There was the same amount of floor space, but the proportion of living to sleeping space in the flat was more in line with our lifestyle.’ The neutral decoration and high-quality bathroom and kitchen offered them a good blank canvas so they were able to put all their energy into transforming the decor. Straightaway they decided to reinstate all the missing period features and spent time collating ideas for the interiors with Pinterest boards. The couple then called on the expertise of interior designer Brooke Copp-barton, who had been highly recommended by neighbours. ‘We had the main visual

elements in mind – blues and greens, dark wood parquet floors and outbreaks of soft fabrics – but we didn’t want to be too safe,’ says Jason. ‘We needed Brooke to push us with the details and to balance colour, furniture and lighting. She did a brilliant job.’

Moving away from the Scandi look of their previous home, the couple started again with their furniture, following Brooke’s suggestions for a comfortable mix of vintage, bespoke and new. An olive-green sofa in the sitting room sits with mid-century East German lounge chairs that have been newly upholstered, while modern table lamps stand on vintage furniture. ‘I like the feel of individuality, and having pieces that are a little unusual or quirky, such as the vintage rattan coffee table in the sitting room,’ says Jason.

Colour was high on the brief to Brooke, while avoiding the garish. Strong blue walls feature in the bathroom and master bedroom, for example, where an emerald green velvet headboard and deep-pile patterned rug emphasise the soothing tones with added tactile softness. ‘A friend stayed over recently and said she didn’t want to leave,’ says Jason. ‘That tells us we’ve achieved our aim of creating a warm and inviting home; in fact, we’ve had more friends visit us here than we ever did when we were living upstairs. Brooke built on our vision and opened our eyes to ideas we wouldn’t have considered – we’re overjoyed with the result.’

decorating tip ‘Quirky vintage pieces will give a home a sense of individuality’

SITTING ROOM ‘Green was a strong theme in our mood boards. It’s so calming and connects with the garden,’ says Jason. Mid-century lounge chairs, £764 for the pair; mid-century rattan Franco Albini coffee table, £395; mid-century sideboard, £595, all Mustard Vintage. Chartreuse Kashmiri Crewel cushions, £80 each, Samarkand Design. Cooper mirror, £395; Allis chandelier, £565, both Soho Home. Spring/black/autumn Cherry Tree prints, £130 each, Rachel Busch

BATHROOM A tiled bath panel is a unique touch. Walls in Dix Blue estate emulsion, £47.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Blue Santona floor tiles, £5 each, Bert & May. Gelato Azura tiles, £47.47sq m, Mandarin Stone

HALLWAY This space may be compact but it’s still packed with stylish touches. Four-hook coat racks, £36 each, Ines Cole. Antique brass round mirror, £125, Cox & Cox. Vintage kilim runner, £625, Vinterior

STUDY The floating desk is a great space-saver. Lolita table lamp in Emerald glaze, £116, Pooky. Titica rug, £1,085, A Rum Fellow. Blind in Papyrus in Malachite, £98m, Lewis & Wood

MASTER BEDROOM ‘We like greens, blues and touches of mustard,’ says Jason. They are fresh and give a mid-century modern feel. Balmoral headboard in Varese Velvet Emerald, £1,249, Heal’s. Zapora rug, £3,440, A Rum Fellow. Nellie lamp, £105; Cream Tipu Tiger lampshade, £58, both Pooky. Walls in Oval Room Blue estate emulsion, £47.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball