A cool and calm London house with interiors by Susie Atkinson
Camilla and Stefan Ericsson had been looking for a new family home around London for what felt like ages. With three children and two dogs under one roof, they needed more space to live and entertain. So when they happened upon a residence from the late ’90s that had incredible square footage (more than 11,000) but little character (generic finishes were used throughout), they struggled to take the plunge.
“The space was nothing special, though it had super nice light and really good bones,” designer Susie Atkinson says. “With a lot of the designers we spoke with we thought we’d end up with a Hilton hotel, and that wouldn’t really be the Ericssons at all. Then we met Susie, and we knew instantly it was going to work,” Camilla says.
Atkinson is known for creating spaces that are inviting, timeless, and indulgent of sensory overloads. “When I went to see the house, I had spoken to Camilla a little bit, and there was a lot of indecision about whether or not to take this house because it wasn’t exactly what they were looking for,” Atkinson reveals. “There was a lot of glass and very few finishes. A lot of repetition of dark floors, stainless steel finishes, and that slightly commercial development feel.” But, as all parties note, their collective personalities meshed well. So the sale was made, and the work began.
Nestled on a side street in Hampstead Heath, the home had the benefit of being situated in a lush part of the city. “It’s such a massive green space in the middle of London,” Camilla says. “Everything is so leafy—it’s like living in the countryside.” Her husband adds, “When you sit in the garden, you hear birdsong. It has an oasis feel, both inside and out.” They loved the idea of walking their dogs on the quiet street while still being so close to the centre of London.
“To be a family home, with the very modern architecture, we spent a lot of time working out how to soften it and make the acoustics work adding lots of layers of fabrics, upholstered walls, bleaching back the floors exposing the grain, and adding layers of runners and carpets,” Atkinson says. “We wanted to create different moods. With an award-winning garden, the key was to bring the outside in. The garden hugs and wraps around the home, so this was absolutely key.”
Since the Ericssons are Swedish, they also wanted to bring their Scandinavian heritage to the home while imbuing it with cool London essence. Luckily, Atkinson has always loved Swedish style, so it was easy to incorporate those desires into the space. “We went for a neutral backdrop with pops of colour in the art and the fabulous Josef Frank sofa,” the designer says. On a trip to Stockholm years earlier, Atkinson went to the Svenskt Tenn showroom, where she became enamoured with the massive daybed-like sofa. She knew she wanted to incorporate the piece into a home one day, but, until this project, she had never had the space for it. “When I saw one of the rooms in this home, I thought, Yes! And they’re Swedish, so even better.” Camilla adds, “I think all Swedes that come into the house—and there are a few—say, ‘Oh! Svenskt Tenn!’ It’s a sense of national pride somehow.”
Atkinson focused on making the kitchen the heart of the home. She worked to make what she calls “the most fantastic room in the house”—everyone agrees—as cozy as possible. “You can’t really call it a kitchen,” she adds. “It’s like a family room. It’s where you want to always be.” From a fabulous dining table to beloved breakfast stools, the multipurpose room is one that everyone loves. But the adoration continues throughout the London home. From a floral wallpapered study to a pink sitting room, and every corner in-between, the transformations turn the formerly unfriendly house into one that is very inviting.
“Working with Susie is such a two-way conversation,” Stefan says. “We jumped some hoops we didn’t think we’d jump—especially with the colours—but it’s really exciting to see how it works. We landed on really great solutions. The space shows off quality, lots of thought, bespoke-ness, harmony, and a lot of creativity.”
1/10Blues, grays, and whites are a comforting nod to the Ericsson’s Swedish heritage. The ladder and shelves in the pantry were painted in Farrow & Ball’s Berrington Blue.
2/10In the dining area of the grand kitchen, the Max Rollitt Tumnus table takes center stage with painted legs in Farrow & Ball’s Terre D’Egypte. Camembert dining chairs with Natural Maroc RAF leather surround the table, and a tubular steel chandelier with bespoke shades sits above—both by Howe London.
Art: Of Truth Profound, Michael Vaughan Courtesy Jenna Burlingham Gallery.3/10The pièces de résistance in the sitting area are the massive Svenskt Tenn sofa upholstered in Schumacher’s Citrus Garden fabric and a chair upholstered in fabric by Métaphores. With coffee tables by McCollin Bryan and the George Smith lounge chair, the room is full of cozy moments and an incredible view of the garden.
Art Center: Tilting Squares, Daisy Cook Courtesy Jenna Burlingham Gallery. Art Left: Lars Lerin.4/10Camilla was unsure about having a pink room in her house, but she confesses she loves it. The Daisy Cook painting above the fireplace has the cool Scandinavian colored touch, as well as the plush sofas upholstered in Larsen’s Aspen fabric. The yellow armchair and Holly Hunt Madagascar cocktail table add pops of color and texture.
5/10At the marble island, the Elizabeth Eakins upholstered bench seats by Studio Atkinson are a popular seat in the kitchen.
Art Top: Nikoleta Sekulovic, Pythagoras of Samos, 2020, courtesy of Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery. Art Bottom: Blue Shore II, Pamela Burns Courtesy Jenna Burlingham Gallery.6/10The stairs feature a runner by Sinclair Till in the checkered Greenwich pattern. The sculptural shell wall sconces are by Hannah Woodhouse.
Art: Jane Skingley Courtesy of Josie Eastwood Fine Art.7/10In the primary bedroom, a textured Dedar Oceano upholstered sofa sits in front of the four-poster bed, which features a headboard in Penny Morrison fabric. The large Alabaster bowl pendant hangs above the room.
Art: Goose, Kate Boxer Courtesy of Cricket Fine Art.8/10Camilla’s study feels like an extension of the garden with its walls covered in Raoul Textiles Secret Garden fabric. The Studio Atkinson Weekender sofa and ottoman add coziness to the space. The Fountain lamps are by Porta Romana, and the artwork is by Kate Boxer.
9/10Even though the original state of the home was cold and lacking personality, the current state—with details like this Brook Perdigon Akan grasscloth paneled wardrobe, Collier Webb scalloped mirror, and Hector Finch pillar lights—add much-needed character.
10/10The large indoor swimming pool is a surprising element in the London home.
