Camilla and Stefan Ericsson had been hunting for a new family members property close to London for what felt like ages. With a few small children and two canines beneath a single roof, they necessary a lot more space to live and entertain. So when they happened on a residence from the late ’90s that had unbelievable square footage (more than 11,000) but small character (generic finishes were being used in the course of), they struggled to take the plunge.
“The place was almost nothing unique, though it experienced super good light-weight and actually great bones,” designer Susie Atkinson says. “With a large amount of the designers we spoke with we considered we’d close up with a Hilton hotel, and that wouldn’t truly be the Ericssons at all. Then we satisfied Susie, and we realized promptly it was heading to get the job done,” Camilla claims.
Atkinson is regarded for creating spaces that are inviting, timeless, and indulgent of sensory overloads. “When I went to see the property, I experienced spoken to Camilla a little little bit, and there was a ton of indecision about whether or not to get this house due to the fact it wasn’t particularly what they were being hunting for,” Atkinson reveals. “There was a good deal of glass and incredibly handful of finishes. A large amount of repetition of dim flooring, stainless metal finishes, and that a little bit industrial advancement come to feel.” But, as all parties note, their collective personalities meshed properly. So the sale was created, and the get the job done commenced.
Nestled on a aspect road in Hampstead Heath, the residence had the reward of currently being positioned in a lush portion of the town. “It’s such a substantial inexperienced area in the center of London,” Camilla claims. “Everything is so leafy—it’s like residing in the countryside.” Her partner adds, “When you sit in the backyard, you listen to birdsong. It has an oasis experience, both of those within and out.” They beloved the strategy of strolling their dogs on the tranquil road although even now staying so close to the middle of London.
“To be a spouse and children property, with the extremely fashionable architecture, we spent a lot of time doing the job out how to soften it and make the acoustics function incorporating loads of levels of materials, upholstered partitions, bleaching again the flooring exposing the grain, and including levels of runners and carpets,” Atkinson says. “We needed to create distinctive moods. With an award-winning garden, the key was to deliver the exterior in. The backyard garden hugs and wraps about the property, so this was completely vital.”
Due to the fact the Ericssons are Swedish, they also wished to carry their Scandinavian heritage to the property though imbuing it with neat London essence. The good news is, Atkinson has usually liked Swedish model, so it was simple to integrate those people wishes into the house. “We went for a neutral backdrop with pops of shade in the artwork and the fabulous Josef Frank couch,” the designer suggests. On a journey to Stockholm several years earlier, Atkinson went to the Svenskt Tenn showroom, where she turned enamored with the massive daybed-like couch. She understood she needed to incorporate the piece into a dwelling one working day, but, right up until this project, she experienced never ever experienced the area for it. “When I saw 1 of the rooms in this residence, I considered, Sure! And they’re Swedish, so even superior.” Camilla adds, “I imagine all Swedes that appear into the house—and there are a few—say, ‘Oh! Svenskt Tenn!’ It’s a perception of national pride somehow.”
Atkinson centered on creating the kitchen area the heart of the property. She labored to make what she calls “the most superb room in the house”—everyone agrees—as cozy as achievable. “You can not seriously connect with it a kitchen area,” she adds. “It’s like a loved ones space. It’s exactly where you want to normally be.” From a incredible eating desk to beloved breakfast stools, the multipurpose place is one particular that everyone enjoys. But the adoration continues during the London residence. From a floral wallpapered examine to a pink sitting place, and just about every corner in-among, the transformations change the formerly unfriendly household into one particular that is very inviting.
“Working with Susie is this kind of a two-way discussion,” Stefan suggests. “We jumped some hoops we didn’t feel we’d jump—especially with the colors—but it is seriously thrilling to see how it functions. We landed on definitely excellent remedies. The space shows off high-quality, heaps of thought, bespokeness, harmony, and a lot of creativity.”
