@JESSHUNDLEY
Dreamers & Schemers ft Jessica Hundley
A Mid-Century-Modern study in green with The Library of Esoterica’s arbiter for the arcane.
Meet Jessica Hundley, writer, creative director and curator of magick. Jessica is the woman behind the seminal Taschen series, The Library of Esoterica. After a career in journalism and being at the helm of Dazed and Confused and Fader magazine, Jessica found herself in the “Other World”, writing, curating talks, workshops and experiences around the ongoing book series, celebrating the art, history and practices of the esoteric.
For Jessica, Nature is everything. Throughout her work, her home and her life it’s a common thread. She tells stories of the natural world, of histories and cultures, practitioners and people, and Nature connects them all.
“Nature has always been magick to me as well as our symbiotic relationship with it. As I wrote in the introduction to Plant Magick - we never left the Garden of Eden, we are still in it and OF it”.
Taraxa
Cotton Linen - Noir
£130.00
/ Per Meter
THE SPACE
THE SPACE
Home for Jessica is a classic Modernist Post and Beam house in Los Angeles, California. The timber beams, high ceilings and open floor plan are distinctive of the architectural style of LA. Filled with oversized windows and bright, unfiltered light, the space traverses inside and out, making it the perfect home for our Nature lover.
Characteristic of Mid-Century houses, the space is a balance of two extremes, with modernist metal framed glass windows juxtapose the natural aesthetic of oaken beams, pine floors and Danish wood, somehow coming together to create something so evocative of the time.
THE DREAM
As a couple of creatives who love to entertain, for Jessica and her husband, musician Jed, creating a space that could work for both was integral. The room needed to be somewhere friends could gather, and also a place of introspection and creativity; to read, write and listen to their extensive collection of vinyl.
And, of course, bringing Nature into the home was the most important part of the brief.
For this project, we focused on the lounge, as a communal, reflective sanctuary. The transformation of Jessica’s living area was centered around the fourth volume of The Library of Esoterica, Plant Magick, and the collaboration with House of Hackney. Mellow, organic and with a touch of psychedelia, Jessica wanted to conure up the aura of the tome.
Rather than opting for new furniture, Jessica wanted to revamp her existing sofa and armchair by reupholstering the modernist style set with natural fabrics.
Working with our in-House Design Consultant Maggie, they came up with a scheme to bring the pages of Plant Magick to life using verdant tones, earthy textures and pops of botanical motifs, or as Jessica called it, “A green dream!”.
THE SCHEME
THE SCHEME
The result? A space charged with Plant Magick. The walls were painted in the willowy tones of CELADON. A tranquil shade of jade green with warming undertones, this created the perfect complement to the soft umbers and golden oaks of the woodwork and furniture.
Playing into the natural aesthetic Jessica wanted to evoke, the sofa was upholstered in the forest-green HEAVENLY HEMP, ‘Nephrite’. Crafted from 100% hemp fibres, this fabric draws upon thousands of years of plant-lore and heritage, making it perfect for the Plant Magick author. Another layer of texture was introduced with the addition of velvet pillows, in William Morris inspired oak leaf print QUERCUS and CAMELOT STRIPE. The geometric leaves of TARAXA, cloak the armchair, in black and green cotton-linen. Said to promote healing and carry wishes on the wind, the dandelion print serves as a physical representation of the alchemy and enchantment Jessica so fondly writes of in her books.
Art from friends fills the walls and surfaces, including paintings by Annie Costello Brown and DabsMyla, illustrations by Jess Rotter, wild sculptures by Lucien Shapiro and ceramics by Jess Damuck and Candice Romanelli.
The large windows framing the natural landscape outside are perhaps the most striking feature; an ever-changing painting of the very thing that started it all.
“The result is a really stunning marriage between our loose Cali vibe with the elevated, very British beauty of House of Hackney.”
GET THE LOOK
OUR FREE INTERIOR SERVICES
OUR FREE INTERIOR SERVICES
If you’re dreaming of decorating and would like advice on how to weave the magic of our House through your interior, we’re here for you. During our free consultations, our experts will help guide you every step of the way. Whether you want to revamp some pre-loved furniture and would like help with reupholstery, or are looking at redecorating your entire space, our team will help bring your interior dreams to life.
Learn more about our services and book your virtual or in-person consultation.
