A stunning Victorian house near London's Clissold Park has been transformed into a vibrant, art-inspired living space through the creative vision of Nicola Crawford, founder of Finch Interior Design. The bold renovation project was undertaken for a young lawyer client who wanted their home to reflect their dynamic personality and passion for contemporary art.
The Victorian property already possessed excellent architectural bones, as is typical of period homes from that era. Crawford's challenge was to blend these historic period details with a modern aesthetic that would suit her client's contemporary lifestyle. The designer focused on creating a cohesive flow between the living spaces while maintaining each room's distinct character.
One of the most significant structural changes involved creating a large opening between the lounge and kitchen to improve connectivity between the spaces. This modification was essential to the client's vision of having more integrated living areas. Crawford explained that they also created an important sight line from the front door to the back of the property by building a wall and adding a half-height screen from the hallway, which allows visitors to see directly into the garden upon entering.
The screen served a dual purpose, also helping to zone a large banquette seating area behind it in the kitchen, specifically designed for entertaining friends and family. This clever design solution maximized both the visual flow and functional use of the space.
A central element of the design brief was showcasing the client's impressive collection of contemporary and vintage artwork. Many of the pieces were sourced through McCully & Crane, alongside other works from galleries such as The Dot Project. The artwork has been layered throughout the space, effectively transforming the lounge into a functioning gallery.
Rather than placing artwork in predictable locations, Crawford introduced pieces in unexpected areas to add a sense of playfulness to the overall scheme. One painting perches above the room's doorway, while another has been strategically placed above a pair of wall lights. This unconventional positioning creates visual interest and keeps guests discovering new details throughout the space.
To maintain balance and harmony, artwork has also been carefully positioned on the opposite side of the room, nestled within the bookcases that flank the room's tiled fireplace. This thoughtful distribution ensures that the eye moves naturally around the space without any area feeling overlooked.
Crawford made the strategic decision to paint the walls in a neutral cream shade to avoid competing with the vibrant artwork collection. Instead, color is introduced through carefully selected soft furnishings, including a moss green sofa from Fred Rigby, a pair of cube stools from Studio Ashby, and rich taupe curtains that add warmth to the space.
Texture plays a crucial role in the room's sophisticated appeal. Heavier textures, such as shearling used on the chairs and velvet on the sofa, are carefully balanced against more reflective surfaces. The bespoke red gloss coffee table and matching red tiles on the fireplace serve as striking focal points while adding additional light reflection to the room.
Lighting design was given special attention to ensure the space functions beautifully both day and night. Henry Holland's Brown & White Marble "TALL" Floor Lamp is tucked into one corner, providing perfect task lighting for reading. Overhead illumination comes from a glass pendant light in an olive shade that complements the ceiling color, creating a cohesive lighting scheme throughout the space.
The final result is a living room that successfully balances bold artistic elements with comfortable, functional design. The space demonstrates how contemporary art can be seamlessly integrated into a period home without losing the property's historic character, creating a room full of personality and sophisticated style.
