Like any good designer, Sarah Richardson pays close attention to the dictates of a home's architecture – and then coaxes it in subtly unexpected directions. Not surprisingly, it didn't take long for this house to speak. Its strong architectural features and lovingly restored woodwork all demanded a certain respect, as did some of the homeowners' existing furnishings.
So when she was asked to decorate this handsomely proportioned family room, Richardson had a pretty clear sense of direction. Minimalism was out, English Country – Richardson-style – was in. For the designer, it all started with a single fabric: a blue, cream and beige paisley that laid the groundwork for a contemporary reinterpretation of English Country, one that confirms the home's innately traditional soul while giving it a fresh new face. The resulting colour scheme, with its crisp emphasis on white trims and soft neutrals, established a distinctly modern tone.
Comfort came next in the form of twin sofas that Richardson based on the classic William Birch design, an English Country staple with its gently curved arms and show-wood legs with casters. The updated complement, a pair of clean-lined chairs she designed to complete the conversation area, are named after the owners' youngest daughter, Sophie. A range of wood tones, from the built-in elements to the antique marble-topped tables to the French armoire, really warms the room and underlines its relaxed sensibility. Indeed, few English interiors would be complete without a French accent or two.
Throughout the room, Richardson's designs are mixed with cherished family collections of antique wooden boxes and weighted clubs, the English precursors to modern barbells that must surely have factored into some English soldier's exercise routine. Given pride of place on the mantel and sideboard, these idiosyncratic pieces lend the room an air of authenticity. It's English Country, all right, but without a shred of chintz in sight.
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