THE UNDERSTATED LUXURY OF BRITISH DESIGNER ROSE UNIACKE
Photo by Lord Snowdon courtesy of The Sunday Times
When it comes to design inspiration, I truly feel some of the best things come out of England. The Brits have a lot of history that works to their advantage- from the classical architecture to deep interior design heritage, proving them with the ability to embrace their design past while re-interpreting it for today. Someone that understand and appreciates this is interior designer Rose Uniacke. Her brand of understated luxury is about interiors juxtaposed against beautiful classical architecture. Her interior work, which grew from her career as a furniture restorer, became known when she designed the Jo Malone London flagship at the height of the brand. She created a serene space that paired warm modern pieces with select antiques, which included a standout black tole chandelier. Comfortable and formal, her interiors combine the grand with the subdued, resulting in an interesting mix and a quiet elegance. Designing products, she creates pieces she cannot find, and sells them alongside her antiques in her sprawling Pimlico Road shop. I admire her refined sensibility, and the relaxed state her work seems to induce. Ahead, a look at some of her most memorable interiors.
Photos courtesy of Rose Uniacke
A sweeping grand staircase and arched doorways become less formal with reclaimed wood floors
A spoon back chair and three legged wrought iron standing lamp of her own design add old and new elements with personality outside an office with white metal doors
A modern living room in a London family home, with a soft oatmeal and cream palette and soft-edged contemporary pieces
A restful all-white bedroom has a romanticism to it
A pretty metal four poster bed anchors this softly colored London bedroom with textural variety
A charming arched space envelops a modern bathtub which is at home next to a unique antique church chair. This little escape reads serenity now.
Turned and chiseled by hand, this plaster piece, The Stupa Table, designed by Freshwest is inspired by Buddhist monuments. The ridges really stand out in the crisp white plaster, and a series of ten was produced.
The high back and sides of The Classic Sofa, a re-design of a piece originally done in 1866 by Howard and Sons, is sheltering and comfortable with its overstuffed cushions
The piece de resistance, brass bamboo hangers! Too much is never enough when it comes to your closet, so why not treat your dresses to the most beautiful hanger? Designed to resemble the real thing, each piece is made from cast unlacquered brass.