On a sycamore-lined street in York, England, illustrator Emily Sutton has transformed her Victorian terrace house into a colorful, imaginative home that mirrors the playful style of her artwork. The three-story property features a winding layout with numerous small rooms that Sutton affectionately describes as a "rabbit warren." While she acknowledges this unique configuration isn't for everyone, Sutton has always been drawn to houses with lots of little rooms that create an intimate, cozy atmosphere.
When Sutton first moved into the property, it was in good condition but lacked the character and personality she desired. "It was lovely, but I did change the decoration quite quickly," Sutton explains. Working with advice from her interior designer sister, Lydia Lavelle, she immediately began transforming the space by peeling back beige carpets to restore the original wooden floorboards and painting each wall in vibrant new colors that reflect her artistic sensibilities.
Sutton spends most of her time in her attic studio, where canvases stand beneath shelves filled with collected trinkets and inspiration. From this elevated workspace, she enjoys a unique perspective of the city. "From here, I'm at the exact height of the city walls, so I see the changing trees, listen to birdsong and can look at passersby when I'm drawing characters," she describes. Her illustrations have gained commercial success, appearing on Charlie Bigham's food packaging and creating designs for prestigious brands like Bettys and Fortnum & Mason.
The home's color scheme takes inspiration directly from Sutton's artistic work, which draws heavily from vintage toys and old picture books. Upon entering the house, visitors are immediately greeted by an uplifting yellow hallway that sets the tone for the entire home. "My work is inspired by vintage toys and old picture books, and that's where the palette of the house comes from," Sutton explains. The original floor tiles in the hallway, painted in Farrow & Ball's Sudbury Yellow, demonstrate her commitment to preserving historical features while adding her own creative touch.
The sitting room showcases Sutton's eye for combining colors and textures, featuring walls painted in Farrow & Ball's Pink Ground that warmly contrast with a Persian rug placed over oil-stained floorboards. An antique cabinet, discovered at York's Fully Furnished emporium, houses treasures collected from childhood to the present day. Patterned textiles introduce additional layers of color throughout the room, with Josef Frank's Gröna Fåglar linen used to create curtains, an armchair cover, and several cushions. "I've always loved his designs and was pleased to find the fabric at a good price," Sutton notes.
The dining room takes on a completely different character with walls painted in Farrow & Ball's distinctive Stiffkey Blue. The centerpiece of this space is an oak dining table handmade by Sutton's father, Bill Sutton, who is an accomplished woodworker. "He's an amazing woodworker, and it's just the perfect shape and size for the space," she says with pride. The table often features natural centerpieces, such as a collection of miniature pumpkins that eventually make their way into seasonal recipes.
The kitchen has evolved into something of an indoor garden, where houseplants thrive in the light and airy environment. Sutton takes particular pride in her plant care, noting, "I've been tending to most of the same houseplants since I arrived, which I'm proud of." This green sanctuary provides a natural contrast to the more boldly colored rooms throughout the house.
Upstairs, Sutton's bedroom is enveloped in Breakfast Room Green by Farrow & Ball, creating a calming retreat. "The light sometimes makes it look teal, which I find calming," she observes. The bed is dressed with a throw from India, while an antique silk scarf picked up at a market in nearby Hovingham is framed and displayed above the bed. A vintage lamp featuring a horse shade designed by textile artist Christopher Brown adds a jaunty flourish to the space.
The spare bedroom presents a successful example of eclectic decorating, featuring cushions made from fabric from Sutton's collaboration with St Judes alongside furniture collected over the years. "I was worried about this room looking coherent, but it came together naturally," she admits. Mark Hearld's lithograph "Owl Flight" takes pride of place on the wall, complemented by cushion covers designed by Sutton herself for St Judes.
Throughout every room in the house, cherished objects tell different stories through their artful arrangement on shelves, tables, mantelpieces, and windowsills. The collection includes vintage tins, Staffordshire dogs, and even feathers picked up during dog walks with her pet Mouse. "I've accumulated a lot from auctions and junk shops," Sutton explains, "and the way I've grouped them tells different stories. But I like to think there's a common thread of joy."
The home also features personal touches that reflect Sutton's professional work, including a small downstairs shower room decorated with her own Dog Park wallpaper, inspired by the places where she walks Mouse. Her studio features white walls that serve as a perfect backdrop for her collections and works in progress, with Mouse often found resting on an antique French blanket placed on the studio daybed. Through her thoughtful approach to decorating and her commitment to preserving historical features while adding personal flair, Sutton has created a living space that truly embodies her philosophy: "I love being somewhere joyful and creative."
