How does a fashion designer style their living space?
ORLA KIELY The fashion, textile and homeware designer lives in an open-plan apartment in London
‘The kitchen flows into our sunken downstairs lounge room,’ Orla says. The floor and wall tiles, featuring Orla’s signature designs, were custom made by a tile maker in Morocco
How would you describe your personal style? Colour and pattern are at the heart of everything.
Does your home consciously echo that look? It’s the style I love, so yes, it’s very similar. I am also passionate about mid-century design from the 1950s to the 70s.
This light by Memphis is one of Orla’s favourite pieces
Which came first for you – fashion or interiors? As a teenager, I bought Vogue every month and loved making clothes. Then, with my first flat, I started to look at interiors, discovering vintage wallpapers and sticky-back drawer liners inside old furniture. I would prioritise my student budget on house over fashion and vice versa.
How do you think fashion influences your home? It opens your aesthetic mind. Style and taste evolves, but fashion starts that process. By contrasting elements with unexpected accents from alternative periods, you are creating something individual.
Any favourite pieces? A light by Memphis, a design group with a big influence in the 80s. I love the fact that they’re enjoying a resurgence.
Colour always? Yes – and print. They can lift your spirits like nothing else.
The kitchen is at the heart of the house for Orla. The dining table was custom made; the Ernest Race Antelope chairs and black dining chairs are Ebay finds
Corkboard is one of Orla’s favourite materials for interiors so she used it on her bedroom wall. The wooden bed is from Made (made.com) and the lights and side tables are vintage Habitat. The bedding, cushions and blanket are all Orla Kiely
Head-to-toe designer, or a designer/high street mash-up? Personal style is built over time; it can’t be bought in a season. I love to add a vintage piece or new find.
How would you describe your home in three words? Colourful, fearless, considered.
Design advice? Build on your own personal style.
ORLA’S WISH LIST
Visit orlakiely.com; Instagram @orlakiely
ERICA DAVIES The fashion editor turned style, interiors and lifestyle influencer lives in a mock-georgian house in Sussex
Erica’s hallway is a vibrant mix of colour, pattern and typography. The patterned tiles are Loredo by Bert & May (bertandmay.com)
The open-plan kitchen and dining area blends striking colours and patterns. The Aztec rugs are from La Redoute (laredoute.co.uk) and the antique farmhouse table is painted in Charlotte’s Locks by Farrow & Ball (farrow-ball.com)
How would you describe your personal style? Very defined. For summer: colour, print and bohemian touches. Winter is more uniformed: men’s cashmere crew necks, wide-leg trousers and a statement coat.
How does it influence the way you design your home? Working as a fashion editor for almost 20 years, I am used to styling. For me, decorating at home is not that different. It is a way of expressing yourself and having fun.
Which love came first: interiors or fashion? Fashion first – interiors a very close second. I pursued a fashion career, but interior design was my passion project. Instagram has given me the virtual space to show that.
Do you follow trends or your heart? My heart. I am decisive so I will choose a colour and not veer from that. Trends are great, but they don’t always allow your personality to shine through – that’s what I love to see in a home.
Head-to-toe designer, or a designer/high street mash-up? I mix pieces from the high street, vintage stores, charity shops and independent designers. It’s not about finding it all in one place.
Are there any favourite looks creeping into your home? Leopard print – its appeal never wanes for me!
In the sitting room, the gold lamp and green cupboard cut an elegant – and quirky – pose against the cloud artwork. For similar, try Rockett St George (rockettstgeorge.com). The green cupboard was from Ebay (ebay.co.uk)
The family hang out on the bright green sofa – from Habitat (habitat.co.uk) – in the open-plan kitchen area. The ‘Boulangerie’ sign and rug are from Edit 58 (edit58.com)
Colour always? I have a maximalist eye so there is always space for more colour or print.
How would you describe your home in three words? Colourful, botanical, comfortable.
Favourite space? Our kitchen. It’s where we come together as a family.
Favourite piece at home? I love the ‘Boulangerie’ sign, which was sourced for me by the online interiors shop Edit 58. The house was a bland, beige box when I first moved in – this added a welcome pop of colour.
ERICA’S WISH LIST
Follow Erica @erica_davies on Instagram or visit her blog, the-edited.com
HENRY HOLLAND The fashion designer and founder of House of Holland lives in a Victorian terraced house in East London
Henry’s home is full of cool artwork by people he has collaborated with. The antique pieces were sourced by his mother from various French fairs. The chair and cushions are part of a range by Henry and Habitat (habitat.co.uk)
How would you describe your personal style? I use clothes to express who I am. What I wear reflects my personality: bold, colourful and playful.
Does your home consciously echo that look? Even more so, but my partner’s style is also much embedded.
What’s your style advice? Always dress for yourself.
Which love came first: fashion or interiors? Fashion, but having bought my home four years ago, I now get just as excited about that. Decorating your home is like getting dressed in the morning – you just do it less regularly!
How do you think fashion influences your home? I love to buy art from people I’ve worked with – it builds a picture of my personal history on the walls.
Do you follow trends or your heart? Definitely my heart.
The haberdashery cupboard in the dining room was sourced from a vintage store in London. For similar, try Elemental (elemental.uk.com)
Head-to-toe designer, or a designer/high street mash-up? It’s a mix. You can splurge on a designer jacket and wear it with a high-street tee. Not everything needs to be a statement piece.
How would you describe your home in three words? Compact, comfortable, eclectic.
Favourite space? The living room. I love the energy.
Any new projects? I recently launched a personalised stationery collection with Papier. It encompasses prints from my archive, as well as some rather naughty slogans!
HENRY’S WISH LIST
Visit houseofholland.co.uk or follow Henry on Instagram @henryholland