Living ROOM
A rich palette of colours and warming patterns create an inviting winter scheme
Rich, jewel-like shades conjure an inviting space to escape the winter.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROJECT? This was part of a major two-year restoration of Battel Hall, a 14th-century hall house at Leeds Castle in Kent. My brief was to renovate the property back to its original glory days of the Thirties, when it was owned by American heiress and socialite Lady Baillie. I wanted the library to be comfortable and homely. I kept original features, such as the curved windows, panelling and fireplace, which were key details, and then designed the bookcases and alcoves to give the sense of an established space that had been here for years. What was the effect you wanted to create? I was after a gentlemen’s club atmosphere – a relaxing place to sit by the fire, enjoy a drink and read a book. It is very much a social space in what is essentially a formal house. Ultimately, I wanted it to feel like an ante-room or chill-out area where people can gather and spend time in a convivial space. What were your main influences? The original library at Leeds Castle inspired the design of this room and I chose Eating Room Red by Farrow & Ball to give an aged feel. The mulberry and turquoise Suzani-style curtains also reflect the colour scheme in the castle and I love the bold print of this fabric from Lewis & Wood, so I just ran with that, mixing it with linen cushions, velvets and other pops of colour. COLOUR IS KEY – HOW DID YOU MAKE YOUR DECISIONS? The dark red wall colour was a leap in the dark, but I felt that it would complement the parquet flooring and the choice of graphite grey and petrol blue fabrics for the furniture would offer a contrast. With my theatrical past (Francesca was an actress before becoming an interior designer), I like to inject drama into a room and design my own stage set. How did you choose the furniture and accessories? I am something of a magpie and pick up some of my best finds at antiques fairs in Sussex near where I live. As soon as I saw the inlaid coffee table I knew it fitted my mantra, being both suitable and beautiful. The Persian rug was an antique find and worked with the room’s colour scheme. To give a degree of opulence, the sofas and chairs were upholstered in velvet. The paintings were random discoveries which lend a stately home status and the painting of the gentleman over the fireplace I left unframed to give a relaxed, unstuffy and pared-back look.
To book a stay, visit battelhall.leeds-castle.com.