Interior Design in Hampstead
Interior Design in Hampstead: Where Bohemian London Meets Village Life and Grand Architecture
Hampstead is one of those parts of London where sometimes it is possible to forget you are in the capital.
With its winding streets, quirky buildings, independent shops and the large green expanse of the Heath, it earns its village title very well. But don’t be fooled: quaint it may be, but the metropolitan spirit runs right through it like a stick of rock.
What Makes Hampstead Homes So Interesting?
Hampstead has everything to offer when it comes to residential architecture. Within its boundaries you can find sweetly proportioned cottages, grand mansion blocks and the best modernism has to offer. Ernő Goldfinger’s 2 Willow Road is a masterpiece of this period.
Hampstead is all about eclecticism, where bohemia and grandeur come together in a wonderful mélange. The people are stylish and so are their homes.
As with all successful interiors, a designer should respond to the individual property, its architecture, proportions, light and history, and most importantly the people who live there and call it home.
Inside Hampstead
Hampstead by nature leans towards a more relaxed vibe for residents and visitors alike. It is steeped in history and the arts and has creativity at its core. Visiting Keats House on the eponymous Keats Grove is a must.
Hampstead has collected many great residents over the years, some famous to the world, some famous within its own boundaries, and this is how I like to approach a Hampstead interior: a collected space rather than somewhere that is merely “decorated”. With so much inspiration in the area to pull from, the Heath, the art, the history, it’s a joyful task.
Hampstead interiors aren’t all purchased from the same showroom. There is depth and individuality running throughout.
Mixing Old and New
Hampstead homes are perfect for letting the old sit with the new. It’s the very nature of the area.
A layered scheme of contemporary, vintage and antique really lends itself here. Think a large Edwardian fireplace, a modernist sofa and historical wallpaper.
The aim here isn’t to recreate the past, rather to make the history of the house part of a contemporary home.
Making Grand Hampstead Rooms Feel Comfortable
Some of Hampstead’s larger houses have superb proportions, perfect for zoning into more intimate areas.
Take a large sitting room with high ceilings: create a central conversation area, a reading chair near a window and a smaller occasional seating area. To establish those zones, bring in large rugs and floor-to-ceiling curtains to emphasise the architecture. A substantial piece of artwork can give a large wall enough visual weight. A room can be generous and cosy at the same time. Grand doesn’t have to mean grandiose.
Some of My Favourite Local Places to Look for Inspiration
There are so many interesting places in Hampstead to source furniture, browse and gather ideas.
Objective Lifestyle Shop on Flask Walk is great for homewares and beautifully considered objects.
Keith Fawkes on Flask Walk is another interesting resource for antiques and objects with lots of history.
A&M Restoration & Conservation on Fleet Road can be useful when working with existing antique furniture or looking for pieces with beautiful patina.
And of course, there is Farrow & Ball on Rosslyn Hill, a heady mix of historical paint colours and papers. Dead Salmon, anyone?
It’s just these kinds of places that make an interior feel collected rather than showroom perfection.
Designing a Hampstead Home
For me, good interior design is about finding the right balance whilst respecting what is already there, making the home work beautifully for modern life.
The best Hampstead interiors aren’t overly designed. They are layered, characterful, slightly unexpected and completely at home in their surroundings.
If you’re considering updating a Hampstead property, whether it is one room or a whole house, I offer interior design consultations, colour advice and full residential interior design across North London.
I also design homes in Muswell Hill, Highgate and Islington, and across North London.
Written by Lucy Kelvie, founder of Lucy Kelvie Creative and interior designer working across North London.
Create a home that feels unmistakably Hampstead, but completely and wonderfully yours.
Image: 2 Willow Road, Hampstead. Julian Osley / Geograph Britain and Ireland, CC BY-SA 2.0