Award for Best Interior Design
COLOURFUL YET COOL
House No 3, River Lane, Petersham, Surrey TW10 7AG
When Tara Bernerd of Target Living was commissioned by Berkeley Homes to undertake the interior design of the award-winning show house at Petersham designed by Sir Terry Farrell (see pages 77-80), she was faced with a modern masterpiece of white walls, glass and existing fixtures and fittings, to which she could only add carpets, curtains, furniture and works of art.
She did so through the use of strong colours and bold design, to create interiors of warmth and character, and she appointed Tim Jefferies, owner of Hamiltons Gallery in Mayfair, as art consultant to work alongside her, injecting strong works of art that would enhance her design choices. "It is not often an art dealer is given a completely empty and superbly designed house to fill with art," he said.He chose mostly contemporary paintings and photographs that would reflect the modernity, light and space of the house.
Tara's style of punchy colours ranges from a bold use of burgundy on the kitchen wall to softer pastel colours elsewhere. She also combined a mix of stylish modern furniture from companies such as B&B Italia and Capellini with classic antiques such as old trunks, Murano vases and unusual ashtrays. She also decided to use curtains instead of minimalist blinds in most of the bedrooms.
The biggest challenge was the double-height drawing room, which she described as "a large, cool and potentially overwhelming room." She started with a classic Aubusson rug, added mink-coloured sofas and two plaid armchairs from B&B Italia, and a red crocodile ottoman. She stuck to tradition in terms of the layout of the room, but utilised the corners to introduce a second seating area on one side and on the opposite side a quiet space to sit and read. Her choice of furnishings include an Arco lamp, an antique Lucite console table and various old and new leather items.
The large empty white wall above the fireplace was the catalyst for approaching Tim Jefferies, and he responded by choosing "Night City" by Garry Fabian Miller, an installation of nine framed works nearly 6ft high and more than 15ft wide, described as "light, water, dye destruction prints." Elsewhere in the same room are two more prints by the same artist.
The dining area has a spectacular multicoloured Swirl rug with a B&B Italia Athos table in dark brown oak and contrasting white-leather dining chairs. The family room also has a Swirl rug and an oversized brown B&B Italia sofa.
Each of the five bedrooms has been designed with an individual feel, but all have luxurious thick cream wool carpet and off-white Satin Touch paint by Farrow & Ball. The master bedroom has an Oriental theme, with delicate silk kimono flowered curtains contrasting with the Poliform bed and its dark leather headboard, and Velour trunks used as bedside tables.
The guest bedroom has a modern masculine feel with a black leather box ottoman, olive-green bedspread and blinds, and a modern Perspex console table. The third bedroom has a fresh young feel, blending creams with tan leather and splashes of colour. The fourth bedroom is simple and neutral with taupe linen curtains and a taupe chair, livened up with shocking-pink bedside tables. Tara chose to make the fifth bedroom a gym with a mirror wall, running machines, TV/VCR monitor and a pair of boxing gloves - her way to keep in shape.
HomeBuilder: Berkeley Homes (Southern)
Broadlands Business Campus, Langhurstwood Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 4QP
T
el 01403 211240
Fax 01403 211753
Website www.berkeleyhomes.co.uk
Contact: Sam Pullen, Marketing Manager.
Email sam.pullen@berkeleygroup.co.uk
Architects: Terry Farrell & Partners
The Old Aeroworks, 17 Hatton Street, London NW8 8PL
Tel 020 7258 3433
Fax 020 7723 7059
Website: www.terryfarrell.co.uk
Contact: Mike Stowell, Project Director.
Email m.stowell@terryfarrell.co.uk
Interior Design: Target Living
6 Pont Street, London SW1X 9EL
Tel 020 7823 2316
Fax 020 7823 2317
Website: www.targetliving.com
Contact: Tara Bernerd, Managing Director.
Email tara@targetliving.com