My Houzz: Artistry and Personality Color a London Flat
When photographer Cara Connell of Lumitrix purchased her first home, she faced designing it with the same trepidation that most new homeowners feel when approaching the process. However, with the recent loss of her mother, she felt especially lost.
“She was renowned for her style and taste,” says Connell. “This was meant to be our perfect project that we did together.”
Fortunately, her mother’s friends stepped in and helped steer Connell through many of the burdensome tasks that can accompany purchasing a flat in London, such as obtaining freeholder permissions and licenses for alterations. “I was so lucky her friends were so loyal and supportive,” she says. “I didn’t even know what type of pots and pans to buy, let alone how to choose stuff like work surfaces and large appliances.”
Ultimately, she created a space that is welcoming to guests and an indulgent hideaway for herself. “Even on a miserable London day, there is always optimal light flying through the property, which is very uplifting,” she says. “I love everything I see, sit on and use.”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Cara Connell
Where: Holland Park, West London
Size: 800 square feet (74 square meters); 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Natural light floods the entrance space, creating a bright place in which to live and work. That’s Connell on her computer at the table.
The custom dining table was crafted from a fallen oak tree at Connell’s father’s house in Scotland.
The wood had to be air dried, transported to a local kiln, ferried to London, then carried into Connell’s flat. She says the process was “a labor of love, but a love affair that is still going on.”
Connell’s home is infused with influences from her work and travels.
Cushions: Korla Home
Although she originally wanted the entire kitchen to be in her favorite shade of hot pink, the builder suggested she try a little bit first to see how she liked it.
“Within 20 minutes I felt like I was going to vomit, it was so overpowering,” Connell says, laughing.
As a compromise, she went with a neutral palette for the kitchen and painted the cabinet edges hot pink for an occasional pop of color when the drawers are opened. Framed photos of friends and family are displayed on an L-shaped open shelf.
Connell wanted a special finish for her kitchen walls. With the help of a decorative artist and four days of devoted layering of paint and plaster, they finally got the look she wanted. Silver leaf was added on top for a special finishing touch.
Connell’s love of bold hues is evident throughout the flat. Her colorful bedspread was a souvenir from a trip to Rajasthan, India.
As the owner of photography company Lumitrix, Connell harbors a passion for artwork that is evident in the works adorning the flat’s walls.
Rug: Scholten & Baijings; lamps: Molly Mahon; neon Indian illustrations: Christopher Corr, from Rowley Gallery; wooden planks for bench: Retrouvius; bed: Habitat
Connell scoured a music shop in Soho to find sheet music in a particular shade of cream. She then spent days plastering the pages to a portion of her bedroom wall. “There is nothing more wonderful than looking at a wall of music,” she says, adding, “I definitely had way too much time on my hands at that point in life.”
The guest bedroom overlooks the Holland Park neighborhood. The design theme is serene simplicity, as seen in the color palette and small decorative items. Connell had the headboard custom made for the room.
Rug: The Rug Company; black, white and mirrored stool: Graham and Green
The bathroom walls are a chocolate-colored base topped with a decorative marmarino plaster finish, which is similar to Venetian plaster.
Spoon bath: Alternative Plans; tiles: Emerie & Cie
Connell poses in the natural light of the bay window.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
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