debtFrom quiet reading nooks to open-plan spaces for socializing, London's modern family home needs to be flexible in creative ways more than ever before. Young families have different needs to couples or parent-child pairs, especially in the early years when there's a greater focus on safety and products and finishes that are durable enough to withstand lots of bumps and spills. That said, it's also important to think beyond this stage and build flexibility into the layout from the start.
Most interior designers agree that the key to solving these challenges starts with thoughtful planning. “I think about incorporating everyone's existing love interests and passions into the space, from art and knickknacks to pets and hobbies,” explains interior designer Naomi Astley Clark. “From the beginning of the project, I ask lots of questions to find out as much as I can about their lifestyle and how they want their home to function and feel, now and for years to come.”
Andrew Cussins knows a thing or two about upholstering furniture to make it last. The co-founder of Sofas & Stuff says his love of furniture and craftsmanship runs in his blood. Starting out with one shop in Hull, his father, Manny Cussins, bought furniture giant Waring & Gillow and owned 120 shops at the peak of the business. After that was sold, Andrew and his wife Julia founded Sofa Workshop in 1984, before launching Sofas & Stuff in 2009. Their two sons now also work for the company, continuing the family tradition.
The V&A Threads of India sofa from Sofas & Stuff makes a striking central accent piece that will stand the test of time.
credit: V&A Threads of India
“One of our main guiding principles is to make sofas that last,” explains Andrew. “We have always believed that cheap furniture should not fill up landfills. Buy something that is well made and it will grow with you and your family.” A well-loved piece of furniture that is carefully made in a traditional way also becomes part of the family, adds Julia. “We have four children and they grew up with the sofa. We've had it reupholstered several times. The sofa is central to our family history. We remember all the Christmases we would sit on and enjoy together.”
Another message from the Cussins for those starting their first family home is to focus on buying timeless pieces when making any major furniture purchases. “Don't get carried away with trends. What's fashionable in 2024 will probably seem outdated in 2027,” warns Andrew. “I would also say,
I encourage my children, and any other young people who will listen, to look for antiques when looking for chests or tables for their homes. Antiques are generally very well made and fit a timeless style.”
Timeless doesn't have to be boring, as this dining area from Roundhouse Design shows.
credit: Roundhouse Design
Building a place where you can retreat from your family, even if only for a few minutes, is a key consideration when planning a family home. Architect Gregory Phillips founded his London-based interior design and architecture firm in 1991 and specializes in period renovations, extensions and contemporary homes in and around London. “What families are looking for today is a central location for the kitchen, dining and family life,” he explains. In this scenario, it's also a good idea to add a small but functional backup room, such as a study or snuggly room where older children can watch TV, do their homework quietly or listen to music. “Outdoor space has become a higher priority in the last few years, so I always recommend that the main living space is connected to the garden. I try to have a lot of glass to let in natural light and views,” he adds.
Gregory Phillips Architects delivers stunning homes and has invaluable insight into what families want from a property.
creditBy: Darren Chan
Samantha Bartlett, an interior designer who specializes in high-end residential projects in London and Surrey, believes that multi-functional, bespoke fittings can really add value. A client recently asked her to install a gift-wrapping station. “Make the home work for you – one size does not fit all, and that is the beauty of bespoke design,” says Bartlett. If the adage that you can never have too much storage applies to any home, so does the importance of a large dining table that can accommodate the whole family. Dining tables are prized as craft spaces, homework areas and gathering places. “We believe the dining table is the heart of any home, a place where family and friends come together to share meals and memories,” says interior and furniture designer Nicola Harding, who leads a team of 30 with her husband Andy at their Queen's Park studio.
Take inspiration from interior designer Samantha Bartlett and make storage a priority in this bedroom.
credit: Samantha Bartlett
A child's room is the perfect canvas to incorporate colours and patterns that might not suit the rest of your scheme. They can easily be repainted if needed. Thorp Design is a Knightsbridge-based multidisciplinary design studio headed by Philippa Thorp. Her daughter Leticia is the interior designer on the team and has plenty of experience designing family homes in London and around the world. She recommends incorporating elements that can adapt to your child's changing interests as they get older. “Invest in high-quality, durable furniture and choose a soft, neutral colour palette as a base, so you can easily update with accessories and furniture.” Samantha Bartlett recommends wiring a child's room for a single bed and including provisions for a double bed later.
Andrew Martin's vibrant fabrics are perfect for adding a pop of colour to an otherwise neutral room.
creditBy Andrew Martin
A mini-industry has sprung up in the capital city dedicated to the interior design of children's rooms and play areas. Queen's Park-based interior design firm Born & Bred is known for its fun, quirky nursery designs. Their website (bornandbredstudio.com) has a section dedicated to “Little People”, showcasing colourful and imaginative schemes for children from newborn to 13 years old. Anna Barber is co-founder of House of Kin, a leading British family-run design studio made up of a team of architects, artists and designers specialising in playroom design. Her best advice is to bring the outdoors inside when conceiving a play space. “We recently designed a nursery in Eaton Square, where we explored ideas of scale and took the children into a walled garden within a country mansion,” she explains. “When the children step into the towering trees, they find themselves immersed in an experience that feels like they are opening a storybook in their mind.”
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