Imagine a London townhouse, radiating with a fresh, youthful energy thanks to the vision of designer Stella Weatherall. It's a testament to how a keen eye and a collaborative spirit can transform a space. In the sitting room, imagine sinking into sofas adorned with Claremont's 'Nuages' and zinnia 'Arcadia' from Schuyler Samperton Textiles. Armchairs in Guy Goodfellow Collection’s campari 'Langton Silk' and a footstool in natural 'Barlow' cotton from Schumacher complete the picture. But how did this stunning transformation come to be? Let's dive in.
For any creative individual, a crucial turning point can be the discovery by a patron who believes in their talent. Think of Alexander McQueen and Isabella Blow, Kate Moss and Sarah Doukas, or The Beatles and Brian Epstein. For Stella Weatherall, this pivotal moment arrived during a casual dinner party. A friend, recognizing her potential, asked Stella to help with their home. And so, the journey began.
Stella's first visit to the property revealed a grand townhouse in West London, boasting impressive dimensions. The project, it turned out, would be far more extensive than initially anticipated. The house, encompassing five floors and five bedrooms, presented a significant challenge. Stella recalls with a laugh, "At the time, I thought, Oh, I’ll be fine! But looking back, I realize just how naive that was."
With experience gained at Firmdale Hotels and Flora Soames, Stella had a solid foundation. However, this project marked her most significant solo endeavor to date. Interestingly, her client specifically sought a designer who wasn't overly established. This collaborative approach, as Stella points out, "took the pressure off a bit." The client's active involvement ensured there were no unwelcome surprises.
Initially, the focus was on expanding the kitchen and adding the large French windows leading to the garden. The stairs needed relocation, and the ceiling height on the ground floor had to be evened out. The basement required a complete overhaul. To bring her vision to life, Stella collaborated with Studio Jo Cowen. She admits, "I told the architectural lead Michael Jardine that I knew what I liked, but that I was not up to speed with every process. I couldn’t have done it without them."
Beyond the structural challenges, the house's primary issues stemmed from its scale. Last renovated in the 1980s, the cornicing in the principal rooms was undersized for the house's grand proportions. Stella explains that the doorways were narrow, the wooden flooring wasn't ideal, and the house felt constricted. "It was not celebrating its scale, and we needed to change that," she says. The solution? Stella remembered the cornicing in her parents' flat and replicated it.
Once the structural changes were complete, the decorating phase began. The goal was to honor the house's heritage while incorporating youthful touches to reflect the owners' lifestyle. Stella aimed to strike a balance, embracing the house's history without making it feel overly formal. She chose a playful palette, combining fresh pinks with rich yellows and sophisticated fabrics. She says, "The owner told me she loved pink, but that she often went too far with it. So we were very careful not to veer into bubble-gum territory."
While Stella guided the owner on color choices, the dynamic shifted when it came to art and antiques. The owner, who had collected art for years, had a storage unit filled with items. Stella carefully documented each piece, integrating them into the design. The owner's contemporary art collection became a starting point for many of the schemes, such as in the drawing room, where works by Peggy Kuiper and Emma Gale inspired the soft pink walls. "In this house, art was always a part of the conversation, and the whole process was an education for me," Stella says.
Ultimately, the owner's decision to collaborate with an up-and-coming designer proved to be a resounding success. The owner states that "Stella has created my perfect home, while leaving room for me to layer life on top." For Stella, this project launched her design studio: "This was a dream project to have at this stage in my career. Sometimes you just have to jump in feet first."
What do you think of the final result? Do you agree with the balance of honoring the home's heritage while incorporating modern touches? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
