Old architecture, historic surroundings and the buzz of a large city combined with a villagey feel are just some of the things that make so many people fall in love with London. One of these people is Heather Kane, who has called the city her home for the last two and a half years.
Heather, the Managing Director of a software company, grew up in California and lived all over the US before moving across the pond. London has quickly topped her list of favorite places, partly thanks to the vibrant city life and the easily accessible countryside — in essence, London offers her the best of both worlds. When Heather first arrived in London, she moved into a converted warehouse loft in Clerkenwell, one of the city’s centrally located neighborhoods. Although the apartment was a great find, the area eventually started feeling too quiet on the weekends. Heather wanted to live in an area with lots of energy, where she could also embrace the cozy village feel that is so characteristic of London. She set her heart on Notting Hill, the charming neighborhood in West London that captivates visitors with its beautiful architecture, quirky backstreets and pretty neighborhood gardens. She soon found the ideal rental — a classic Victorian terrace home that immediately felt like the perfect fit. The apartment’s old-time charm, abundance of natural light and amazing view of a medieval church across the street were too good to pass.
Heather’s three bedroom apartment was built in the 1840s and stretches over three floors, which is not uncommon in these types of period homes. “It’s a lot of stairs!” Heather says, “but it’s been opened up and made very functional for the way we live today.” The kitchen, dining and living areas are all located on one floor, while the bedroom suites can be found on the upper floors.
When Heather moved to Notting Hill from her Clerkenwell home, she faced the challenge of making her old furniture work in a new space. Having bought most of the furniture to decorate an industrial style loft, finding the right place for each piece was definitely a challenge and took its time. For Heather, it’s all about finding those special must-have pieces, and coming up with creative ways to make them all work together in any space. “I love interior design and it’s always fun to decorate new places. I’ve also done a few more professional jobs, but I mostly work for myself — and I’m the worst client,” Heather shares.
Now that Heather is all settled in, things couldn’t look or feel more welcoming. Heather’s style can’t be defined with just one word — collected, comfortable, elegant and eclectic are just a few adjectives that describe her inviting home. The beautiful mix of styles has developed thanks to Heather’s constantly evolving taste. Each new home looks a bit different than the one before, while always reflecting her personality and eye for detail.
Heather leads a busy life and loves to travel, which means that she is sometimes away from home for long periods of time. Returning to a personal sanctuary is one of the things she appreciates the most. “My flat is one of my favourite places to be and getting to come home to that feeling every night is special. I think that’s the most important thing about a home,” she says. “It’s about having a space that feels like you and a space that everyone feels good being in.” These pictures by Kjrsten Madsen, captured on classic film, show a beautiful glimpse into Heather’s London home, a sanctuary for both the eye and the mind. — Sofia
Photography by Kjrsten Madsen
Image above: “That sofa and the wall it sits on has given me more frustration than any spot in the last ten years! But we’ve made our peace,” Heather shares. Despite wrestling with the living area for months, Heather has created a space that is serene, beautifully layered and a tasteful mix of old and new. The green sofa was custom-made with Designers Guild velvet fabric.
from Design*Sponge http://www.designsponge.com/2017/08/a-collected-sanctuary-in-notting-hill-thats-all-about-comfort.html
from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/163680036044
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