to embark on the redecoration. 'Offensive for being so harmless' are the slightly stronger words used by its interior designer, Christopher Leach. It had recently been "done" by a developer, so it was all white on white, with beige bathrooms and predictable finishes. However, the joy for the owner and designer was that it was rewired and re-plumbed and the foundations reinforced, so they could focus their efforts entirely on the look.
There is nothing insipid in this house now; filled with antiques and layers of patterns, colors and objects, it offers plenty to occupy the eye. In fact, one might imagine that it would be anathema to any developer; the walls are deep coloured, the baseboards and architraves are gloss painted - Christopher loves the 'a little old fashioned look' - and the doors are a faux wood.
Nor does it reveal the nationality of its owner, a young Texan who has lived in London for 15 years. 'When in Rome...' he says by way of explanation. “It could only be an English countryside,” he continues; 'had to be sympathetic to his surroundings.' Also, he travels a lot and needed to be a place he could spend the weekend, rather than owning something in the countryside. Hence, his instruction to Christopher was about 'the feel of a country house in London - English without cheetah'.
Christopher and his client did a lot of shopping together - on Pimlico Road, in salons, at the Fine Arts and Antiques Fair in Olympia. In the last one, they found two of the armchairs now around the living room table – 'they were in the first bleachers we came in, Max Rollitt's, and they were perfect. We just looked at each other and nodded,' said Christopher, who was also delighted that the owner was happy to mix serious antiques with less-than-decorative pieces. Christopher refers to one corner of the living room as a 'fake corner' - the mirror and table are reproductions, bought for their scale, but when paired with a large Felicity Irons running basket they make a very nice composition and a nice backdrop for the drinks tray.
The house has a pretty standard townhouse layout, but Christopher has weathered anything too predictable; - I'm afraid of London houses where you can say exactly what you'll get before you open the door. So when you walk in, there's a thick curtain, which not only provides insulation but also 'creates a little room that's much nicer than a coat closet'. Beyond that is the hallway, which is hung from floor to ceiling with 18th-century engravings. Christopher sought help from antique printing specialists Isaac and Ede, whom he now trusts. “It was like setting up a library; David Isaac planned exactly what would fit. It's a complete mix of things, from some good Hogarths to others worth just over £5.'
Upstairs is relatively small. There is only one room with a canopy and Gournay wallpaper - 'I love that Christopher has put such an absurdly large bed in such a small room', says the owner. Your bathroom is tiny but full of charm, with painted paneling, wooden floors, an antique rug and a mahogany chest. What were two small bedrooms are now an office and dressing room, in which hanging space is hidden by elegant ticking curtains.
While the design process might seem ad hoc to some, it worked. Not only does Christopher have a strong sense of what he likes and what he doesn't, what will look good and what won't, he also has a knack for creating a grown-up but not quite perfect look, full of interest, charm and comfort. More importantly, it doesn't look like anyone has tried too hard - which many of us like to think of as a peculiarly English trait.