Take A Look Around This Elegant Family Home
Photography: Alexander J Collins
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Take A Look Around This Elegant Family Home

When a couple bought this property in north London, they realised it was in serious need of modernisation. So, they tapped interior designer Lauren Gilberthorpe to create a warm yet stylish family home that balanced a sense of fun with high-quality finishes. Here’s how she did it…
By Georgina Blaskey /
Photography: Alexander J Collins

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The Property

In the serene neighbourhood of Primrose Hill, this Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse is both a historic gem and a lively family home. The house had been untouched by its former owners, retaining its original structure, but needing it a complete overhaul to make it suitable for modern life. The new owners envisioned a vibrant, playful space for their three children, filled with life, colour and textures that celebrate both elegance and lived-in warmth.

The Brief

I worked collaboratively with the clients to reconfigure the layout, gutting the kitchen, repositioning the main en-suite, and pushing out the dormer on the top floor to add a bathroom and two larger bedrooms for the children. In terms of the design, the clients wanted bold, personality-filled interiors that didn’t shy away from quality, even with little hands in the mix. We were encouraged to push the boundaries in both colour and design. The interior combines rich hues, sumptuous textures and quality craftsmanship without turning the home into a ‘relic’ or ‘showpiece’. The couple’s open-minded approach allowed us to create a space that celebrates wear, scratches and the natural patina of life, making the home feel like it has been loved for generations. We introduced a mix of natural materials – wood, linen, marble – to add layers and softness, allowing each room to feel luxurious yet approachable. A curated selection of bespoke and vintage furniture grounds the design, while artwork and accessories lend each space a personal touch. 


TAKE THE TOUR

The Living Room

Our clients wanted a grown-up space for evening gatherings, but with a fun twist. The centrepiece is a curved statement sofa in luxe fabric, paired with fringing and bold upholstery for a playful touch.

SOFA: Bespoke by Lauren Gilberthorpe Interiors
FABRIC:  Lost & Found, Christopher Farr
SIMILAR SOFA: Larkbury 
ARMCHAIR: antique, similar, 1st Dibs
PAINT: Setting Plaster, Farrow & Ball
SIDE TABLE: Dante, Large in Dark Bronze, Julian Chichester 
TABLE LAMP: Cep lamp, Collier Webb
PENDANT: Lollipop Globe Pendant, Hector Finch
FLOOR LAMP: Marnie, Soho Home
ANTIQUE CLOCK: Family heirloom
RUG: similar, Coral & Hive
MAP: similar, Unique Maps 

The Kitchen/Dining/Sitting Area

We went for a kitchen that moved away from traditional shaker cabinetry for a sleek, timeless look. Designed by Jack Trench, the space features herringbone brick flooring that extends into the garden, enhancing the indoor-outdoor flow. A modern extension was added by architect Russell Everton of Nagan Johnson, using repurposed Georgian timber beams.

FLOORING: similar, Marlborough by Ca’Pietra
BANQUETTE SEATING: bespoke by Lauren Gilberthorpe 
FABRIC: Christopher Farr Cloth
ARMCHAIR: antique, similar, 1st Dibs 
SOFA: Moreau Sofa, Pinch 
FABRIC: Drysdale, Designers Guild 
ANTIQUE MARTINI SIDE TABLE: similar, 1st Dibs 
RUG: bespoke, using wool and sisal from Crucial Trading 
PENDANT LIGHT: Floren, CTO Lighting 
DINING CHAIR: similar, Wishbone by Heals  
DINING TABLE: similar Lorfords Antiques 

The Main Bedroom

This retreat is away from the home’s busier spaces and decorated in a balanced colour palette.

HEADBOARD & BED: bespoke by Lauren Gilberthorpe Interiors 
FABRIC: Fermoie 
ANTIQUE STONE LAMPS: similar, Retrouvius 
SIDE TABLE: Occasional Table, Rose Uniacke 
FOOTSTOOL: bespoke by Lauren Gilberthorpe Interiors 
FABRIC: Urbane Velvet, Mark Alexander 

The Children’s Bedroom

For the children, we wanted a bright, joyful space that allows for creativity and fun, echoing the family’s playful spirit.

WALLPAPER: Madame Ziggle, Ottoline Devries 
BED: bespoke by Lauren Gilberthorpe Interiors 
PAINT: Strong White, Farrow & Ball 
WALL LAMP: Hector, Original BTC 
CHEST OF DRAWERS: similar, Marius, Made In Design 

The Bathroom

A true sanctuary, which is luxurious yet understated, with an emphasis on warmth and continuity with the adjacent rooms.

WALL LIGHTS: Flume by J Adams 
SINK: bespoke
MIRROR: antique, similar, Rough Old Glass 
BLIND FABRIC: Lost & Found, Christopher Farr 

The Snug

Small spaces can lend themselves well to making design statements. We used wallpaper on the ceiling to emphasise that this is a fun, cosy room for chilling in.

CEILING WALLPAPER: Christopher Farr Cloth
SOFA: similar, Squisharoo, Loaf 
FABRIC: Urbane, Mark Alexander 
FLOOR LAMP: similar, Pooky

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