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HOUSE OF…
Kate Moss
When a historic house met our iconic prints, the result was pure poetry.
In a Grade II-listed house on the top of a hill, a rear window commands a glorious view of uninterrupted woodland and wild, bucolic beauty as far as the eye can see. But all is not what it seems: this isn’t the countryside, this is London, and the rolling greenery is in fact Hampstead Heath.
It was in this rear-facing room that the renowned Romantic poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, spent his last days, looking out over the kind of endless landscape that coloured the prose of his youth. Today, the magnificent property is owned by another English icon, Kate Moss – the supermodel who has defined a generation. At House of Hackney, we have always felt a certain synergy with Kate Moss; a shared sense of rebellion and an inherent rock and roll spirit. So, when the opportunity arose to deck out her historic house in some of our House’s most iconic prints, we leapt at the chance – quite literally, kicking off our shoes and jumping onto the bed with Miss Moss herself.
The Inspiration
On a Friday afternoon over a casual cup of tea (as casual as you can be in the presence of one of the world’s most beautiful women), our Design Consultant Steve Corcoran shared mood boards and samples with Kate as they bounced ideas around for Coleridge’s former bedroom – now Kate’s guest room. Despite the atmospheric character of the space, with its built-in writing desk and creaky, naturally slanting floorboards, the existing décor was more subdued than subversive. Of the eight different schemes that Steve carefully put together, Kate felt most drawn to the ‘Eden’ mood board, filled with slithers of snakeskin, rosettes of leopard spots and flourishes of bamboo. The idea wasn’t to impose a light and airy feel on the room, but to instead embrace its dramatic, romantic grandeur.
And so, with the concept in place, installation could begin. Up went the luxuriously bohemian OPIA curtains, cloaking the antique four-poster bed with midnight-blue poppies on a backdrop of bronze velvet. On the inside of the curtains, facing the bed, was the SERPENTIS jacquard, an alluring snakeskin print that also wound its way onto the ceiling. The walls were lined with BAMBUSA in ‘Midnight’, a tropical storm of a motif complemented by streaks of darkest blue paint on the fireplace, beams and bookshelves. The verdant beauty of BAMBUSA also proved a natural choice for the curtains, which framed that spectacular view of the Heath. Amidst this riot of colour and pattern, crisp white bedsheets were a rather unexpected addition, serving as a perfect blank canvas for the dark palette and eclectic combination of nature-inspired designs.
The result is one of unadulterated decadence, designed to create an unforgettable experience for guests staying in the room. We think anyone – Mr Coleridge included – wouldn’t mind being cooped up in there for an extended period of time. A remarkably unique space, it breaks all the rules and looks good doing it, just like Kate herself.
Statement finishing touches came in the form of ‘Ananas’ lampstands and sumptuous plumps of cushions, from the exotic, intricate ZANJAN in ‘Juniper-Green’ with fringes of gold, to our signature House feline, SABER the tiger, who stretched out on the bed (and crouched in the corner) on a backdrop of British velvet. Then, of course, there were Kate’s own possessions: from the ancient leather-bound scriptures that lined the bookshelves to the vase of bright tulips, plucked from her own garden, that continued the theme of bringing the outdoors in. And, that’s not to mention the famed Marc Quinn sculpture of Kate, immortalised in 18-carat gold.
INSPIRATION
Casting a spell:
The Supernaturally Beautiful Blooms of Majorelle
In our House, we also can’t get enough of plants. From clusters of geraniums to giant leafy ferns.
In our House, we also can’t get enough of plants. From clusters of geraniums to giant leafy ferns, botanicals have the unique power to infuse a room with colour, vitality and life. But amidst all this, the loveliest addition might just be to carve out your own quiet little nook.
We unwind here on evenings and weekends. We entertain here, whether it’s our guests or ourselves – breathing in all the films, music and books that inspire us. We may even work from home or play with the kids here. It’s a lot to ask, and yet the lounge plays these parts seamlessly, shapeshifting to fit our varying moods and needs throughout the day. And that’s without mentioning that as the most social, visible space in our home, we also want our living rooms to look jaw-droppingly cool to anyone who might pop round unannounced.
The trick? To not pitch that seemingly obvious focal point, the television, as the centre of attention. Instead, draw the eye towards something infinitely more beautiful, whether that’s a feature fireplace, a magnificent mirror or an enlivening view out the window. This is one room where exquisite wallpaper can actually play second fiddle for a change, serving as the perfect backdrop to an astonishing piece of art or a gallery of framed photographs.
When it comes to furniture (which can also be a scene stealer in its own right), your choice will likely be dictated by the number of family members and friends who will regularly be hanging out here: will a cosy two-seater sofa be enough, or will you also need a chaise longue and a few ‘bottomans’ for your visitors to park their, um, bottoms on? If your existing seats are well-loved, but perhaps a little too well-worn, recovering them in a new fabric – be it a sumptuous printed velvet or a smooth cotton-linen – can be enough to make you want to snuggle up on them all over again.
The last few pieces of the puzzle are the myriad layers and textures that make a space so inviting. Think a coffee table stacked with books and tactile cushions in an intriguing mix of shapes, sizes and patterns – all things which are easy to move around until you find a combination that appeals to you. A mantelpiece, if you’re lucky enough to have one, is even more swoon-worthy with the addition of eye-catching candelabras, hand-painted porcelain candle pots and treasured keepsakes you’ll have picked up on your travels.
If your existing seats are well-loved, but perhaps a little too well-worn, be it a sumptuous printed velvet or a smooth cotton-linen – can be enough to make you want to snuggle up on them all over again.
When it comes to furniture (which can also be a scene stealer in its own right), your choice will likely be dictated by the number of family members and friends who will regularly be hanging out here: will a cosy two-seater sofa be enough, or will you also need a chaise longue and a few ‘bottomans’ for your visitors to park their, um, bottoms on? If your existing seats are well-loved, but perhaps a little too well-worn, recovering them in a new fabric – be it a sumptuous printed velvet or a smooth cotton-linen – can be enough to make you want to snuggle up on them all over again.
A mantelpiece, if you’re lucky enough to have one, is even more worthy.
The last few pieces of the puzzle are the myriad layers and textures that make a space so inviting. Think a coffee table stacked with books and tactile cushions in an intriguing mix of shapes, sizes and patterns – all things which are easy to move around until you find a combination that appeals to you. A mantelpiece, if you’re lucky enough to have one, is even more swoon-worthy with the addition of eye-catching candelabras, hand-painted porcelain candle pots and treasured keepsakes you’ll have picked up on your travels.
If your existing seats are well-loved, but perhaps a little too well-worn, be it a sumptuous printed velvet or a smooth cotton-linen – can be enough to make you want to snuggle up on them all over again.
When it comes to furniture (which can also be a scene stealer in its own right), your choice will likely be dictated by the number of family members and friends who will regularly be hanging out here: will a cosy two-seater sofa be enough, or will you also need a chaise longue and a few ‘bottomans’ for your visitors to park their, um, bottoms on? If your existing seats are well-loved, but perhaps a little too well-worn, recovering them in a new fabric – be it a sumptuous printed velvet or a smooth cotton-linen – can be enough to make you want to snuggle up on them all over again.
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When it comes to furniture, your choice will likely be dictated
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When it comes to furniture, your choice will likely be dictated by the number of family members and friends who will regularly be hanging out here
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When it comes to furniture, your choice will likely be dictated by the number of family members and friends who will regularly be hanging out here
A mantelpiece, if you’re lucky enough to have one, is even more worthy.
The last few pieces of the puzzle are the myriad layers and textures that make a space so inviting. Think a coffee table stacked with books and tactile cushions in an intriguing mix of shapes, sizes and patterns – all things which are easy to move around until you find a combination that appeals to you. A mantelpiece, if you’re lucky enough to have one, is even more swoon-worthy with the addition of eye-catching candelabras, hand-painted porcelain candle pots and treasured keepsakes you’ll have picked up on your travels.
The last few pieces of the puzzle are the myriad layers and textures that make a space so inviting. Think a coffee table stacked with books and tactile cushions in an intriguing mix of shapes, sizes and patterns – all things which are easy to move around until you find a combination that appeals to you. A mantelpiece, if you’re lucky enough to have one, is even more swoon-worthy with the addition of eye-catching candelabras.
A mantelpiece, if you’re lucky enough to have one, is even more worthy.
The last few pieces of the puzzle are the myriad layers and textures that make a space so inviting. Think a coffee table stacked with books and tactile cushions in an intriguing mix of shapes, sizes and patterns – all things which are easy to move around until you find a combination that appeals to you. A mantelpiece, if you’re lucky enough to have one, is even more swoon-worthy with the addition of eye-catching candelabras.
“We will never stop fighting for this planet, for ourselves, our future and for the future of our children and grandchildren.”
- Greta Thunberg, Environmental Activist
Is living in a white-painted box driving you up the wall?
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Is living in a white-painted box driving you up the wall?
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Is living in a white-painted box driving you up the wall?
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Is living in a white-painted box driving you up the wall?
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If your existing seats are well-loved, but perhaps a little too well-worn, be it a sumptuous printed velvet or a smooth cotton-linen – can be enough to make you want to snuggle up on them all over again.
When it comes to furniture (which can also be a scene stealer in its own right), your choice will likely be dictated by the number of family members and friends who will regularly be hanging out here: will a cosy two-seater sofa be enough, or will you also need a chaise longue and a few ‘bottomans’ for your visitors to park their, um, bottoms on? If your existing seats are well-loved, but perhaps a little too well-worn, recovering them in a new fabric – be it a sumptuous printed velvet or a smooth cotton-linen – can be enough to make you want to snuggle up on them all over again.
A mantelpiece, if you’re lucky enough to have one, is even more worthy.
When it comes to furniture (which can also be a scene stealer in its own right), your choice will likely be dictated by the number of family members and friends who will regularly be hanging out here: will a cosy two-seater sofa be enough, or will you also need a chaise longue and a few ‘bottomans’ for your visitors to park their, um, bottoms on? If your existing seats are well-loved, but perhaps a little too well-worn, recovering them in a new fabric – be it a sumptuous printed velvet or a smooth cotton-linen – can be enough to make you want to snuggle up on them all over again.
