The Sultanate of Style

I wasn't the first photographer to shoot Interior Designer, Francis Sultana's grand Mayfair apartment, and I'm sure I won't be the last. Arranged on 2 storeys, it's an impressive showcase for his exuberant style. On the main floor, two large Georgian reception rooms connected by double doors evoke an era of grand entertaining. It's no surprise therefore, that on the upper floor there is a discreet door that once lead to the butler's rooms. However, Francis's forebears would probably have been shocked by some of the large contemporary artworks adorning the walls. No matter, they looked wonderful across the pages of last Saturday's Times magazine.

Francis Sultana

Although the Times feature generously ran to 5 pages, there was sadly no space for my favourite bits of the flat; the bathroom and dressing room, so here they are.

Dolly Mixtures

Before Barbie, there was Lilli. Lilli started life in 1950s Germany, as the heroine of a comic strip in the tabloid newspaper, Bild. So popular was she, that they eventually produced a doll which no doubt influenced Ruth Handler from Mattel, who went on to create Barbie. Today, while Barbie is recognised the world over, Lilli is all but forgotten. Down in Ramsgate however, Julian Kalinowski never forgot her, in fact he has been busy reproducing one-off replicas, which are eagerly snapped up by collectors. Among them, my partner, Jochen, who, one day last year, got the opportunity to visit Julian, and his extensive collection of Lillis, Barbies and other dolls. He was equally impressed however, by his gorgeous Georgian home, and insisted on the spot that I should be allowed to come and photograph it.

Be warned, this is not your typical sobre Georgian home...

Julian at work

Julian and his partner, Shayne

 Julian and his house are featured in the August issue of Homes & Antiques magazine.

House of Collection

For me it's a relief that minimalism has long since fallen from favour in interior design. As a photographer, there just wasn't enough to get your teeth into. I want colour, texture, pattern and detail, and here is a house that has them all in spades. As soon as I first walked through the door to recce the place, I knew the magazines would just love it. It helped that owners, Shaun Clarkson & Paul Brewster are successful designers, but maybe more importantly, they are avid collectors. Wedgewood, Denby and Poole pottery are particular favourites, but the house as a whole is a collection of  individual pieces picked up over the years, and just works as a wonderful ensemble.

The house itself is a straightforward Georgian terrace in North London, which has over the years accommodated different uses. The large shopfront window in place of a domestically scaled sash denotes one previous use. The reeded glass was presumably added during its days as a solicitor's office. Sadly much of the original interior detail was ripped out at that time, which has given Shaun & Paul the opportunity to create anything but straightforward interiors.

Upstairs, this 4 bedroom townhouse has unconventionally been converted into a 1 bedroom townhouse. Bedrooms 2, 3 & 4 being converted into study/sitting room, bathroom and dressing room respectively.

The splendid bathroom must be a tonic in the morning.

Clearly the collecting 'gene' extends to the dressing room.

Heading back down the stairs, lined with a growing collection of prints, a little green bathroom almost escapes attention.

In the basement, more visual treats await. What had been a gloomy sunless garden, has been enclosed with a glass roof to create a temperate palm house, while the space with virtually no natural light has made a perfect home cinema snug.

Fortunately for those of you who love this house as much as I do, Shaun & Paul have opened a fabulous homewares emporium in Hoxton, called Pitfield. Go collect!