I am so incredibly jealous of that couch.

How can one possibly sew with the machine sitting on a dresser? Where do you put your legs?

It's always nice to another London grace the pages of AT.

I love the kitchen. Everything is so cozy! Can we get before and after photos? I'd love to see the original kitchen.

Very nice - the spare, beautiful art is so nicely displayed, not overdone. Love hanging a plant from the curtain rods. Lovely space.

I am seriously in lust with that couch!

I so want to make the leap and go all white on my walls!So clean,so calming.Lovely place,if a tad sparse for my taste.I do love a knic knac or ten!

Major cushion envy. MAJOR. Looks like I need to learn how to sew. (And take a trip to Myanmar.)

However long it took you to source those glossy, grassy green kitchen splashback tiles - it was worth it.

i really like the living room rug and the green kitchen tile. this is my kinda place.

precariously balanced plates, books and bottles of wine together on kitchen shelves, a disproportionately wide dress hanging on the door, sewing machine on a dresser - this apartment is SO contrived.

Love this little place. The textures and colours of the textiles, the plants, and the home itself. Good job.

I'm surprised at the comment saying this flat is "so contrived", I think it looks thoughtful but lived in and I love it. The only thing I personally would change is to move the (beautifully dressed) sofa out from the wall and put a side table and lamp between it and the wall. But that's a personal preference to not be sitting pressed up against a wall on one side. Otherwise I think this place is light and airy and warm and personal and beautiful (and I suspect the sewing machine is stored on the dresser and moved somewhere more convenient when it's being used).

Lovely. Looks like actual people live here. Refreshing.

"Contrived?" I was just thinking to myself that this is the first apartment therapy home tour that really spoke to me. I look at the pictures and feel like I actually understand why each piece is where it is. Yes, I'm sure there was a bit of staging before the big photo shoot, but if that is what makes them feel comfortable with guests (or alone) at home, let it be. Then again, I'm not a design student or a seasoned professional, just a college student in an apartment trying to feel things out.

i love the tiny little kitchen. so many americans small apartments try to squeeze in a full size kitchen with a huge loss of living space. This one seems perfect.

i love the tiny little kitchen. so many americans small apartments try to squeeze in a full size kitchen with a huge loss of living space. This one seems perfect.

Contrived? I didn't find it contrived at all, I think it's lovely. I adore all the plants and the green tiles in the kitchen. I could live here easily.

"Contrived?" Get over yourself. People live in this home. Everyone is entitled to their respective opinions, but the anonymity of the internet is not a green light to be outright rude.

Beautiful. Lovely use of textiles and color in bits, so it feels rich but not overdone. I wanted to know how large this is. And what a lovely collection of indoor plants.

I love this! It's great to see some British/European tours on here. British houses are always so awkwardly designed and usually horribly decorated (sorry if I'm jumping to stereotypes but I've lived here 5 years and constantly look for new places to live and they're never nicely designed).

I especially like how the heater on the wall has been 'hidden' a little - those heaters are always in the worst places.

Odd, I've had a completely different experience after living in London for five years. I've seen a lot of gorgeous homes, from Georgian and Victorian homes that still have original features, to ex-council flats and 30s/50s houses that have been lovingly designed and/or modernised. British people in a lot of ways aren't afraid to be a bit mad/fearless, and the result are some lovely, cozy, inviting homes with a range of influences. And with the range of markets, design and furniture shops (in all price points), there's no excuse not to make your home the way you want it. I'm afraid that your stereotypes are just based on unfortunate experiences. And if you've had such poor experiences, why not just fix it up yourself! I've spent the past year fixing up my old Victorian and I'm proud of the results (and there's nothing more British than making your home into your castle).

I loved my house in the West Midlands. Late Victorian terrace with the River Trent at the bottom of the garden. Those were the days (sigh). Anyway, my first reaction was wuh??? Then, as I am prone to do, I looked again...five times. Then, I liked it. I am a fan of use what you love/have. It doesn't matter if anyone else likes it. It doesn't matter if it doesn't match and it certainly is more interesting than a professionally decorated roomI. I don't know why I didn't recognize immediately that Isabelle and Claire were kindred to my way of thinking. You GO girls!!!

To reiterate some of the posts above I'd also agree this is far from contrived. It's a great space, interesting and considered. I too have an urge to move the sofa out from the wall, although I wonder if there is the space too?. The textiles are fabulous, and I am incredibly envious of those green tiles in the kitchen.!!.

Thanks for all your comments. Very kind. Our sewing machine is sitting in a state of ill repair, once its fixed it will be on the kitchen table; running off more cushions no doubt! It's nice to put the textiles bought from overseas to use back home; they have so many memories attached. We have also been very lucky with inherited furniture - that couch is amazing! It's well over 50 years old - they don't make them like they used to.

The space is 65m sq, which is quite spacious for a London flat. Local authority housing was really well planned post war, so a 50s build is a good period to buy. As for the staging... well... Claire works as an interiors stylist sometimes so she just cant help herself; but its nice to see all the random stuff we collect on display. Thanks again everyone! Nice to read so many sweet comments about our place xx

Lovey home! I adore your kitchen and of course the fab sofa and cushions in the living room.

LOVE IT.

I have that exact same brass table! Found it in the bottom of a heap of broken furniture at a consignment warehouse. Interesting to know where it may have come from!

I agree with other posters--I think this house is lovely, welcoming, and not overly-construed. And even if it were contrived--who cares? If the homeowner loves it (which they obviously do--their home practically exudes love), who are we AT commenters to say otherwise? After all, we don't have to live there...

I have not posted in a while, but this place moved me to do so. Well done! This place provides a balanced atmosphere with interesting (yet not overwhelming) details.

love the collection of mixed things that make this space whole

Hi Isabel and Claire,

I was wondering where you purchased the paper lantern you have in your living room.

Thanks!