As co-founder and design director of one of Britain's favourite clothing brands, Orlagh McCloskey is undoubtedly a person of good taste and her west London house – which was a three year labour of love – is the proof (particularly impressive when you consider the hiatus Orlagh took in decorating it mid-project to focus on the design and opening of Rixo's new flagship store in London). Perhaps her greatest skill is her ability to layer seemingly unrelated prints and patterns, clash colours and mix periods to harmonious effect, as her house generously demonstrates. We've prised open her sourcebook to pick out some of the key pieces that make this house such a wonderful home.
In the kitchen
The kitchen is a textural space, from the bespoke Murano glass lights designed by Orlagh's interior designer sister Gemma, to the rattan fruit bowl, cane cupboards and reeded cabinet. The bar stools are a modern take on Hans J Wegner's classic ‘Wishbone’ chair and pair wonderfully with the colours in the space. Of course, no kitchen, even the most stylish, is complete without a stellar coffee machine to get things going in the morning.
Cupla Studio Murano glass globes are available from hello@cuplastudio.co.uk, €1,390.
Under the stairs
The awkward space under stairs can be so often forgotten and unloved, but not so in Orlagh's house, where a Soho Home striped chair (sadly no longer available) covered with a Colours of Arley fabric grabs the attention and is layered with so many beautiful pieces. It's a charming reading nook, with everything you need to get comfortable. The textiles contrast with the modern nature of the house and bring so much colour and light to this space.
In the sitting room
There is something to see wherever you look in the sitting room and it all brings colour to the space in a clever, muted way that keeps it feeling calm and cocooning. Custom stained glass windows and Orlagh's own art work dominate the back wall, with a squashy leather sofa and vivid cushions against it. Opposite that is a modern, curvaceous sofa with three different striped fabrics on it that all works together so well by being broken up by the curves of the coffee table and neutral rug to ground the scheme.
In the dining nook
In a corner of the open plan kitchen/living room, Orlagh has created a dining nook. Much of the furniture here has been created by her husband Brook, who built the banquette, or her sister Gemma, who designed and commissioned the travertine table. The chairs are 1970s tubular chairs, which juxtapose the pared-back table nicely. To close off the space, Orlagh has hung linen curtains across the room dividing doors.
In the guest bedroom
The guest bedroom has been rendered in an autumnal colour palette. The large bed from Soho Home provides a hit of colour, and Orlagh has paired it with green linen and patterned bedding. The bedside lights are vintage Portuguese, and the artwork was painted by Orlagh herself.
In the primary bedroom
The primary bedroom has taken on a more muted, feminine palette. Above the rattan bed, again from Soho Home, Orlagh has painted a large scale artwork to fill the vast expanse. Her husband Brook then created a bespoke frame to hang it in. Beyond the bedroom sits a smart en suite.
In the soon-to-be nursery
Just next door to the primary bedroom, a perfectly sized nursery lies. This is the only space in the house in which the walls are papered. She has opted for a sunny wallpaper from Salvesen Graham, and paired it with fabric from the same studio. Above the sofa, Orlagh has hung a pretty vintage tapestry.
