Vision In Grey

THE LONDON…

design studio House of Grey is aptly named for its founder, Louisa Grey, known for the holistic design philosophy underlying the soothing, Zen-like interiors the studio creates.

HOUSE OF GREY…

is also a perfect descriptor for this renovated Victorian townhouse in Highgate, a residential project whose décor is a study in gorgeous shades along the neutral grey palette.

ITS ROOMS…

have evolved, with stunning new baths, wall treatments and considered furnishings, all based on principles of salutogenic design, which aims to use zero-waste, carbon-neutral construction and environmentally sustainable materials to both help heal the planet and improve the emotional and physical health of the humans within.

HOUSE OF GREY…

worked with eco-friendly suppliers, commissioned bespoke pieces from local artisans like Somerset-based Atelier Cabinet Makers, and joined forces with manufacturers, as in the case of Visual Silence, House of Grey’s new toxin-free wall color collection produced in collaboration with the German paint company Bauwerk.

AGAINST…

the neutral palette, the nubby textures of hand-woven rugs and patterns like the highly figured marble on the kitchen wall have such impact that no color is needed. Furnishings such as the Julep Sofa in the main room, an echo of mid-20th century design, alongside an ottoman of stacked disks, stand out for their intriguing shapes.

PARED-DOWN…

contemporary lighting includes a bronze surface sconce from Henry Wilson, handmade in Australia. Grey sourced many items from the fertile North London maker scene, including the black oak chopping boards by Edward Collinson silhouetted against the kitchen’s marble backsplash.

THE BED…

wardrobe and other pieces in the master bedroom were co-designed with Sebastian Cox, a fine handmade furniture maker based in Greenwich, using ebonized oak and blackened ash to moderate humidity and thus improve breathing.

THE AIR…

is redolent with Koto (“voice of the woods”), an organic purifying mist derived from ancient woods and botanical essences to naturally cleanse and scent the air. Developed by House of Grey in conjunction with olfactory design studio AOIRO, the aromatic component completes the holistic scheme.