INSPIRATION
LOUISE BRADLEY'S LONDON HOME IS THE LAST WORD IN UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE
Marrying natural materials with an earthy colour palette, the designers remodelled Chelsea townhouse is an oasis of calm
“It took me nearly three years to find the property which would become my home,” says London-based interior designer Louise Bradley. “It was an elegant Chelsea townhouse that stole my heart with its location – the house sits at the end of two parallel terraced streets, but rather than being back-to-back with another property, it looks out over neighbouring gardens. It was one of my key requirements for the property to be surrounded by greenery, even when living at the heart of London.”
A self-taught designer, Louise Bradley has been able to shape her practice into the unrivalled luxury brand it is today. Growing up inspired by her father’s creativity, the owner of a Hampstead interiors boutique, and his circle of design industry friends, she began her career in fashion before realising her passion for interiors, and opened her first showroom on Walton Street in 1991.
“I wanted to create a safe haven, a warm, relaxing and comfortable space to which I could retreat at the end of the day,” Bradley says. “I also wanted a space which is both contemporary and timeless, where I can spend time with my family and friends.”
Once she found the property, it took Bradley another two years to completely redesign its interior architecture to create a space which suited her lifestyle. “All of the interior spaces were reconfigured, with only the facade remaining from the original building as it is situated within a conservation area,” she explains.
A light well on the basement floor creates a snug, which has been kitted out with natural woods, leathers and wool; it is one of Bradley’s favourite spaces in the house. “Nature is my constant source of inspiration with its ever-changing hues and textures and play of light. I like using natural colour palettes and organic materials in my interiors,” she says.
When it comes to soft furnishings, Bradley has an obsessive attention to detail: she spent over a year trying to find the perfect cashmere throw which would fit a king-size bed. “As soon as I found it, I had to bring it back to London for our clients too,” she recalls. “There’s so much joy in finding a unique accessory or antique pieces of furniture and being able to share them with people who’ll appreciate them as much as I do.”
Beautiful artworks can be found throughout the house, including a Gino Hollander painting in the living room – a gift from Bradley’s father – and several works by Deborah Tarr. Porcelain sculptures, pieces of crystallised volcanic rock and earthy, organic ceramics add further visual interest.
“My home wouldn’t be complete without decorative accessories – in the same way in which an outfit is not complete without jewellery,” she says. “Every year I curate new collections of accessories from across the globe, and we find ourselves shipping them internationally too.”
The most challenging, and also the most rewarding aspect of designing her home, according to Bradley, was to work with the building’s original façade while reimagining everything else. The property’s new interior layout creates beautiful vistas on each floor and means it is flooded with light. It’s the perfect demonstration of her skill as an interior designer.
“I designed the space to suit my lifestyle – as everybody should do with their homes,” she says, “And I couldn’t be happier with the result.”