Interior designer Russell has beautifully restored his Georgian home in Deal, Kent. He tells us about his sympathetic house renovation and love for antiques.
How would you describe your interior style?
Eclectic minimalism. I’ve lived in many well-worn period properties and try to be sympathetic to the era and let the house I’m in and its past speak for itself. I think this in turn lends itself to the use of vintage, second-hand pieces and antiques. I have a background in art and textiles so I’m not afraid of colour, texture or pattern. I use these to make bold statements throughout, so spaces feel contemporary and up-to-date, but also cosy and intimate.
How do you use vintage in your home?
Looking around me everything in this house apart from the mattresses, bed linen and the odd object is vintage. I don’t want to live in a museum, so I’ve mixed old pieces of furniture with modern paintings and soft furnishings, or I display pieces in unique ways to give each room personality and depth of space.
What do you love most about buying vintage?
There are lots of reasons to buy vintage – it’s sustainable, it’s budget-friendly (mostly!), and you’re also buying individual pieces of quality craftsmanship, pieces of history that collect character and charm through wear and tear as they age. There’s also the thrill of finding something unique that no one else has.
What does your home mean to you?
I work from home a lot so I try to make sure I use the whole house. I converted one of the smaller rooms at the top of the house into my office/ studio space, which meant that I used all the floors in the house. There’s something about the colours, the light and the building itself that is really inspiring. My home is the space where I feel most calm and creative.
