An English Arts and Crafts Home Becomes Delightfully Modernized
When interior designers, and founders of 2LG Studio, Russell Whitehead and Jordan Cluroe were first discussing renovation strategies for the 1,700-square-foot abode, they couldn't help but think of the famous textile designer William Morris, who was also a key figure in the British Arts and Crafts movement. "We asked ourselves, if William Morris were alive today, who might he have worked with, and what patterns might he have created to bring this home to life," states Whitehead.
Set within the idyllic Farnham countryside, the five-bedroom residence was built sometime between 1880 and 1920, during the Arts and Crafts movement. When Whitehead and Cluroe were contemplating ways to thoughtfully remodel the home, they decided on an interior concept that would be a modern take on the aesthetics of that period.
On the ground floor, the two designers collaborated with London–based studio Custhom to create a handprinted, floral wallpaper.
Much of the original oak paneling, doors, and pillars were left exposed, and a neutral background palette was selected to allow the William Morris-inspired textiles, artwork, and antiques shine. Here, the Dedar armchair is in pistachio wool.
The dining area is comprised of plush banquet seating set along the walls of a spacious, window-wrapped alcove, as well as a bespoke brass-and-oak dining table designed by the duo and manufactured by British design brand Novocastrian. The contemporary chairs are by Ercol.
The crisp, white walls contrasts beautifully with the warm, dark wood throughout the house. Here, the hallway lighting is by Areti.
Bespoke, encaustic tiles sit beautifully with the original deep-green, glazed tiles of the fireplace in the music room, and continue throughout the home into the family and master bathroom.
The leaf motif on the brass, metal lights used in the hallways and throughout the home also pays homage to Morris’s botanical prints, yet in a more minimalist and modern way.
In the sitting room and music room, lighting by London brand Pinch stays true to the ethos of the Arts and Crafts movement, as well as Farnham’s long tradition of craftsmanship.
Shop the Look
"The house maintains the strong heritage of its original Arts and Crafts architecture, but is brought up to date with contemporary details," says Cluroe.
Project Credits:
Interior design: 2LG Studio / @2LGstudio
Photography: Megan Taylor
Collaborators: Custhom
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