It’s home-tour time again, and today we’re taking a peek inside the West London abode of interior stylist Hannah Lines of The Last Detail.
Hannah’s beautiful house dates from the 1900s and has been given a thorough makeover to turn it into a soothing, clutter-free sanctuary that’s awash with natural light. The results are elegant yet wonderfully relaxed, and just looking at the photos makes me feel calmer! I particularly love the way Hannah and her partner have showcased the many period features while opening up the internal space to suit their lifestyle, and the way they’ve used texture to add warmth and interest to the neutral colour scheme. I was also intrigued to hear that the decor was partly inspired by a five-year stint living in Sydney, and that the couple has future plans to bring a bit of indoor-outdoor Australian living to their little corner of London.
Over to Hannah herself for more…
Hi Hannah! Please can you start by telling us a bit about yourself?
“I was born in London and have lived here for most of my life. I love the outdoors and nature (especially the sea and beach), but the city, its diverse cultures and the access to constant inspiration makes me feel alive. I have always considered myself as creative and I have a passion for visual beauty, style and art. After a career in marketing, I was drawn back to design, studying interior styling at UCL Central St Martins and embarking on a new path as a stylist.”
Where’s home, and how long have you lived there?
“I currently live with my partner and my little boy in a four-bedroom 1900s house in West London and have done for two years. We previously lived in Sydney for five years, and that really inspired our way of living. When we returned to London we were drawn to our home because it’s a period property and a nod to its location, but it’s also open and drenched in natural sunlight. Coming from Australia, light and open living space were everything.”
Have you made many changes since moving in?
“When we bought the house, it was decorated in an eclectic mix of styles and colours, and some period aspects had been hidden away or blocked off. The first thing we did was strip back all the spaces to show their true potential and redecorate to make them even lighter, paring things back and enabling the beautiful features to shine in their own right. The ceilings felt like they went on forever. We haven’t made any structural changes yet, as I believe in living in a space for a while to get a feel for how it works and how you interact with it, but we’re looking to do some alterations in the coming months.”
Hannah and her partner stripped back the interiors and used neutral colours to let the house’s beautiful period features – including corniced ceilings and stone fireplaces – take centre stage.
How would you describe your interiors style?
“I’m passionate about making spaces that are calm, considered and conscious – allowing the pieces within your home to breathe and make the statement they were intended to (I grew up with a mother who loved to collect things and clutter!). My style does evolve, but I’m always drawn to neutral, clean palettes and I use natural materials to add texture and interest. It’s imperative that the spaces I create will last the length of time. I classify my style as a fusion of femininity and masculinity, combined with a modern and minimalist approach, but without being cold or sparse. I’m a true Libra at heart: beauty and balance are everything in my interior style!”
Where do you find inspiration?
“For me inspiration can come from everywhere, from travel to walking around my own city. Museums, galleries and retail spaces are always amazingly designed and take their surroundings into consideration. Take Aesop for example – there’s a consistency and cohesiveness across all its stores, but what you see in the Tokyo one versus the Amsterdam one is really different and exciting. Travel, fashion, films, Pinterest, Instagram and of course nature all inspire me, too. I also love specialist interiors magazines like Design Anthology (both the UK and Asia versions) and Residence.”
What does home mean to you, and has that changed over the course of this strange year?
“Home to me has always been a place that moulds to where you are in life. With a hectic life in London, it was always a refuge – a place of tranquillity where we could relax and unwind. Even when I lived in a shared house in my early 20s, my interior style was neutral, calm and clutter-free. That said, the last year has highlighted that we also love having a house that’s full of our friends and family. We bought a 10-seater dining table in December 2019 and it has felt a little empty with just three of us around it this last year!”
With its mix of soothing beiges and dark wood, the living room exemplifies Hannah’s minimalist yet inviting style. The multifunctional side table / magazine rack is by Kristina Dam, while the round table is Mater Design’s ‘Bowl’ model. A vintage chest, Tracy Dixon ceramics and New Works’ ‘Aura’ table mirror complete the look.
What’s your favourite part of your home and why?
“The living room. It has tall ceilings and beautiful nods to the period of the property, but it’s light and airy. It’s the first place where we as a family relax and unwind, and also where we always end up to play games or listen to music after entertaining in the dining room. It’s a multifunctional space that evolves with the moment.”
And your favourite piece of furniture or home accessory…?
“Such a hard question! Louise Roe is one of my favourite designers and I started collecting her pieces many years ago. But I’d have to say our vintage Grundig radiogram – it’s unique and a bit of family history. It also highlights our love of music and is always a talking point – it’s one of the first things people ask about when they visit our home.”
Hannah’s favourite piece is her vintage radiogram. She’s also a big fan of Copenhagen-based Louise Roe and has been collecting her designs – including this gorgeous glass ‘Balloon’ vase – for many years.
Where do you like to source items for your home – any favourite brands or shops?
“I focus on buying less but buying better, and I like to go for investment pieces that will stand the test of time. You’ll often find me strolling around The Conran Shop in Marylebone and vintage market stalls. I love brands like Kristina Dam, Menu, Flos and Gubi – timeless, quality design at its best. And I also like to discover new independent artists.”
Do you have any future plans for your home?
“We want to do some structural work to our kitchen and conservatory / sunroom to make the back of the house even more open. With our love of indoor-outdoor Australian living, we’re forever drawing up plans to bring some of Sydney to London, if that’s achievable! We also live in a conservation area, so we have to be mindful of that and the restrictions that come with it.”
Hannah has added warmth and interest with snuggly textures and considered objects. She also uses plinths to display ceramics and other pieces, such as the Flos ‘IC’ table lamp and Cooee Design ‘Drift’ vase shown above.
Finally, what’s your top interior-design tip?
“Consider every purchase you make. Trends come and go, so always ask yourself: do I love it? Is this piece reflective of me and my personality? And will it last the test of time? Even as an interior stylist, I still ask myself these very questions. Living in a ‘heavy-consumption’ world, it’s very easy to get carried away.”
Thanks Hannah!
See more of Hannah’s beautiful home on Instagram, and find out more about her styling services here.
All photography by Hannah Lines
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