Jane’s Patterned Family Pad in London

Name: Jane and Alex Bonsor, and children Cosmo, Hope and Albert
Location: Notting Hill, London, United Kingdom
Size: 2,600 square feet
Years lived in: 2 years; Owned

A black-and-white-tiled entrance is typical of many houses in London, and a charming design signature of this city. In the case of Jane Bonsor’s Notting Hill home, however, it also gives a clue as to what you’ll find inside: a whole lot of bold pattern.

You might remember Jane’s home from her recent House Call. It bowled us all over then, so when I stopped by to see more of it on a recent Saturday morning, my expectations were high. Particularly in light of Jane’s own career — she’s the founder of Korla Home, a contemporary textile brand whose bold, geometric designs grace window coverings, lampshades and upholstery fabric. The brand was born when Jane and husband Alex were living overseas in Singapore for Alex’s work. Jane, a textile designer for the fashion industry, began printing some of her bespoke designs onto upholstery fabrics, and before long a business, as well as a love of decorating, was born.

That love is apparent as soon as you step into this family home. Though imposing at first glance, this is definitely a family home, with lighthearted touches everywhere you look. Case in point: the traditional fold-away wooden shutters in the kitchen have been given a silvery, chevron-patterned makeover, which works surprisingly well with the chic white and Carrara marble kitchen. The playroom, just off the kitchen but separated by bespoke wooden pocket doors (designed by Jane and inspired by those she’d seen in Asia), is also a clue that this is a kid-friendly zone.

Upstairs the fun continues, with fabrics by Korla everywhere you look, joined by a globally-sourced mix of modern and vintage furniture. In the upstairs living room art also plays a major role, with bright pieces punctuating nearly every wall. I was struck by just how much color and pattern Jane manages to use in a single room, without the space feeling overwhelming in the slightest.

Speaking of overwhelming, I think my favorite room in this place is the older kids’ bedroom. A jungle gym bunk bed sits in a space so bright and happy it almost had me throwing down the camera and taking a turn on that slide… proof that in the right hands, color and pattern can make kids of us all.

My Style: Heritage Contemporary.

Inspiration: David Hicks to Kelly Wearstler: I like design with a strong graphic confidence. Old mixed with new, and nothing too perfect.

Favorite Element: The sofa at the end of our bed — it was my husband’s grandmother’s, and I think her mother’s before that. It is a beautiful shape with carved wooden legs, and the new upholstery in Korla Blue Black has given it a chic new lease on life. Classic design never ages.

Biggest Challenge: Working from home. We created our first floor sitting room and office as a no-kids zone and it seems to have worked, so far!

What Friends Say: They love the playroom, which we designed alongside the kitchen but separated with Japanese-inspired sliding doors. I like to see the kids but I don’t want toys under my feet when I’m cooking! This way we can invite friends around, shut the playroom doors, and the kids can enjoy themselves while the adults tuck into a long Sunday lunch.

Biggest Embarrassment: Setting off the smoke alarm by cooking bacon sandwiches for the builders and none of us knowing how to turn it off.

Proudest DIY: Hanging the Anish Kapoor series as an exact grid in the sitting room. Hours and hours with a spirit level, ruler and pencil. Precision!

Biggest Indulgence: Underfloor heating in our bathroom… February morning showers are a delight!

Best Advice: Sonos!

Dream Sources: Golbourne and Chamberlayne roads, London W10, for antiques and vintage.

• Entry: James White by Farrow & Ball
• Living Room: Lamp Room Grey by Farrow & Ball
• Kid’s Bathroom: Brighton by Little Greene Paint Co.
• Baby’s Bedroom: Borrowed Light by Farrow & Ball
• Kid’s Bedroom: Cook’s Blue by Farrow & Ball.
• Master Bedroom: Railings by Farrow & Ball (wall behind bed)
• Master Bathroom: James White by Farrow & Ball; wallpaper is Fans by Cole and Son (hung upside-down to echo the blinds in the bedroom)

• Stair runner by Roger Oates
• Green chair by Carnivale Studio

• Design by Gluckman Smith, with white gloss cupboards and carrera marble splashback
• Quooker tap
• Bertoia wire chairs, with seatpads covered in Kyoto Koi Celery by Korla
• Stokke children’s chairs
• Artichoke lights from Fred Lives Here

LIVING ROOM / OFFICE

• Sofa is a re-hashed old Ikea job!
• Cushions all by Korla
• Red etchings by Anish Kapoor
• Lampshades are covered in Cubes by Korla
• Rug is Madeleine Weinrib
• Chairs are from Sofa.com
• Green chairs I designed and covered in Grand Kyoto Koi in Grass by Korla
• Desk lights by Jielde

KID’S BATHROOM

• Blind in Wings Turquoise by Korla
• White classic subway non-bevelled shower tiles with charcoal grey grouting
• Night Owl from Philips lights

• Cot from Mothercare
• Curtains are in Grand Zig Zag in Miami & Mer Blue by Korla
• Blind is in Bhutan Lattice Eau by Korla

KID’S BEDROOM

• Bunk Bed by Woodlands
• Beanbags in Chinese Zodiac by Korla
• Blinds in Cubes by Korla
  

MASTER BEDROOM

• Headboard from Sofa.com covered in Grand Alhambra Stars in Mushroom by Korla
• End of bed sofa is vintage, covered in Korla Blue Black print by Korla
• Bedside tables are from Oka
• Original BTC Chrome bedside lights
• Blinds in Grand Kyoto Koi in Mushroom by Korla, with 1” black border
• Chests of drawers are sourced from Rajasthan
• Lights are from Graham and Green, with Korla Blue Black lampshades

MASTER BATHROOM

• Blind is in Grand Bhutan Lattice in Angel Blue by Korla

Thanks, Jane!

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