Houzz Tour: Tactile Furnishings Bring a New-build to Life
Cleverly layered fabric, furniture and travel finds inject warmth and personality into a modern, all-white home
Delighted with their home, but faced with a resounding blank canvas, the owners of this new-build property lost no time in calling in designer Louise McGarry of Pineapple Interiors to convert their many décor ideas into a stylish reality.
Light-filled with a midcentury modern feel, the interior had fantastic bones and was crying out for some shapely fittings and an injection of colour and texture. Glass, steel and oak joinery highlight the property’s elegant proportions and, together with areas of exposed brickwork, set the scene for a tactile palette and mix of timeworn pieces.
Light-filled with a midcentury modern feel, the interior had fantastic bones and was crying out for some shapely fittings and an injection of colour and texture. Glass, steel and oak joinery highlight the property’s elegant proportions and, together with areas of exposed brickwork, set the scene for a tactile palette and mix of timeworn pieces.
The fitted oak joinery is a standout feature of this home. Created by the architects and used to form room dividers as well as striking display areas, the shelves make good practical use of the space – something the couple loved.
“It was important to inject colour, texture and form into each room, and using the shelves was a great way to do that,” Louise says. “It was also an ideal opportunity to add unique character to each space.”
Find interior designers in your area and read reviews from previous clients.
“It was important to inject colour, texture and form into each room, and using the shelves was a great way to do that,” Louise says. “It was also an ideal opportunity to add unique character to each space.”
Find interior designers in your area and read reviews from previous clients.
The kitchen fittings were already in place when the couple bought the house. High gloss and distinctly contemporary, they echoed the light and airy feel of the property and provided plenty of storage, but Louise knew the room could be enriched further.
“The key to bringing this gorgeous home to life for my clients was the careful addition of layers,” she says. “Textured wallcoverings, embroidered and woven fabrics, shapely furniture and thoughtful lighting all play a part.”
Exposed brick and oak bring rich tones into the kitchen, while an oval dining table and curvy chairs add softness. “The large rectangular table that was in place originally felt too solid and heavy, limiting the flow of the space,” Louise says. “This table paired with the dining chairs is much more elegant and inviting.”
Replica Tulip table; replica Wishbone dining chairs, all Swivel UK.
You might also enjoy How to Add Character to Your Contemporary Kitchen.
“The key to bringing this gorgeous home to life for my clients was the careful addition of layers,” she says. “Textured wallcoverings, embroidered and woven fabrics, shapely furniture and thoughtful lighting all play a part.”
Exposed brick and oak bring rich tones into the kitchen, while an oval dining table and curvy chairs add softness. “The large rectangular table that was in place originally felt too solid and heavy, limiting the flow of the space,” Louise says. “This table paired with the dining chairs is much more elegant and inviting.”
Replica Tulip table; replica Wishbone dining chairs, all Swivel UK.
You might also enjoy How to Add Character to Your Contemporary Kitchen.
There’s a cloakroom off the hall. “This space really did feel plain and boxy, and was crying out for some personality,” Louise says. The room is fitted with a concealed cistern toilet, mirror and countertop basin neatly set into handcrafted oak shelving.
The walls were the obvious place to introduce pattern and Louise chose this monochrome wallpaper. The design is reflected in the inset mirrors to double the impact.
Additional pattern can be seen in the same mirror. “The back of the living area’s wooden shelving was rather solid and dominated the entrance hall,” Louise says. “To soften the effect, we covered it with an exquisite panel of silk embroidered fabric in the owner’s favourite shade of orange.”
Wallpaper, Cole & Son.
The walls were the obvious place to introduce pattern and Louise chose this monochrome wallpaper. The design is reflected in the inset mirrors to double the impact.
Additional pattern can be seen in the same mirror. “The back of the living area’s wooden shelving was rather solid and dominated the entrance hall,” Louise says. “To soften the effect, we covered it with an exquisite panel of silk embroidered fabric in the owner’s favourite shade of orange.”
Wallpaper, Cole & Son.
The living room is on the first floor, and the couple love to use the room for entertaining. A generous sofa, armchairs and a vast buttoned footstool are perfectly positioned for good conversation and quality time. “It was important to our clients that the space felt relaxed and cosseting,” Louise says.
Sofa, Maker&Son. Footstool, Swivel UK. Curtains, Romo.
Sofa, Maker&Son. Footstool, Swivel UK. Curtains, Romo.
One key addition in the living room was uplighters in the floor, installed to highlight the tones and textures in the exposed brick walls at either end of the space.
Stump table, Sellingantiques.co.uk
Stump table, Sellingantiques.co.uk
Earthy tones give a cosy feel to the main bedroom. “Burnt orange is the owner’s favourite colour, so we were keen to introduce it wherever possible,” Louise says.
A subtle Japanese printed wallpaper is complemented by a knotted rope kimono artwork that the couple picked up on their travels.
Bedspread, Mulberry. Cushions, Cole & Son. Wallpaper, Romo.
A subtle Japanese printed wallpaper is complemented by a knotted rope kimono artwork that the couple picked up on their travels.
Bedspread, Mulberry. Cushions, Cole & Son. Wallpaper, Romo.
The guest bedroom is at the front of the house. A contemporary four-poster bed fills the room and neatly balances the linear style of the windows.
Four-poster bed, Gallery Direct. Rug, Alternative Flooring. Cushions, Andrew Martin.
Four-poster bed, Gallery Direct. Rug, Alternative Flooring. Cushions, Andrew Martin.
An adjacent living room is handy for when guests stay for a while. At other times, the owners use this space for their yoga practise.
A neat pocket door divides the two rooms without encroaching on either. Louise chose a pale green metallic wallpaper for the living area to make the most of the waterfall effect created by the recessed LED lighting.
Wallpaper, Romo.
Tell us…
Which is your favourite area in this new-build home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
A neat pocket door divides the two rooms without encroaching on either. Louise chose a pale green metallic wallpaper for the living area to make the most of the waterfall effect created by the recessed LED lighting.
Wallpaper, Romo.
Tell us…
Which is your favourite area in this new-build home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? A professional couple and their two chocolate Labradors
Location Camberwell, south London
Property A detached new-build house
Size Five bedrooms and three bathrooms
Designer Louise McGarry of Pineapple Interiors
Photos by Tony Murray
A light-filled hallway leads to the central stairwell of the house. A generous skylight (out of shot) and glass side panels on the staircase give the home a spacious, bright and welcoming feel.
Throughout the property, groups of small ceramic pendant lights are hung at subtly different angles. These were designed and installed by the architects and the owners weren’t sure whether they’d keep them at first. “Beautifully made and in a subtle range of neutral tones, they rather dominated the space initially,” Louise recalls, “but they gradually became less obvious once the layers of furnishings and furniture appeared.”