Layering textures in a residence is an art as well as a science. How does one commit to a palette? What ties motifs and colours across multiple rooms?
It’s a challenge that evolves with the addition of textures – print and fabrics that take a master like Natalia Miyar to pull off with elegance and effortless ease.
For a young family in London, the designer and her team created a lush and luxurious abode, replete with classical details, jewel-toned palettes, and a fearless yet restrained use of pattern.
“The commission came from a client we had designed a home for before, who wanted a new family home in a leafy part of London,” says Natalia, who ceded to her love for architecture and interior design after an education in art and architecture history at Brown University. After pursuing a master’s degree in architecture at the University of Miami, Natalia eventually set up her namesake practice out of London and Miami.
“The house was newly built, and is a fresh interpretation of classical London architecture. The interiors were inspired by the grand architectural proportions of the space.”
From the entrance, one enters a formal sitting room, both areas that set the tone for the rest of the home – furnished with one-of-a-kind and vintage furniture, alongside bespoke pieces designed by Natalia herself. In the sitting room, for instance, a mirror from Cox London features pieces of Murano glass individually hand-pinned to the frame, while fabric from Dedar, acquired by the Cooper Hewitt museum in New York, were used for the curtains.
For the living room, Natalia designed a bespoke brass and glass chandelier as a statement piece; for the dining room, she came up with a walnut and oak joinery as a display case for the television, books, and some of the family’s personal objects.
“We ensured that there was provision for both formal and relaxed entertaining. The glamorous dining room is perfect for intimate dinner parties, while the open-plan kitchen with a large table and seating area is perfect for more relaxed socialising, especially in the summer, as the doors open up onto the garden.”
Housed upstairs, accessible through a spiral staircase, the bedrooms are no less impressive. The master bedroom is anchored by a beautiful four-poster bed, inspired by interior decorator Maison Jansen and also custom-designed by Natalia.
“I designed it as an elegant twist on the four-poster bed with tailored linen drapery, creating a scene and stylish bedroom,” she says. "We presented the concept to the client, who loved the romance of the design. It was wonderful seeing this idea come to life and become the centrepiece of the master bedroom.”
Another bedroom is dressed in layers of fabrics by Le Manach, House of Hackney, and Fortuny, and also lay backdrop to a selection of Cuban art – some among the homeowners’ large art collection.
“The client’s wonderful art collection ties everything together in the rooms, and brings the space to life in a vibrant way,” says Natalia. “It was important that we kept the artwork in mind when choosing the fabrics, patterns and colour palettes so that they complemented each other and worked together to enhance the spaces throughout the house.”
The convening of fabrics continues down to the basement, which serves as the family cinema room. “We also designed a cosy and fun cinema room in the basement, as well as a hidden pool, which both make for a great juxtaposition to the grand, understated classical architecture of the rest of the house,” says Natalia.
“We had to keep in mind the needs of all generations using the space.”
See more: This Home is a Study in Balancing Glamour and Cosiness
