Jo Sullivan’s passion for colour and pattern has given her new-build home a heart that reflects both her creative career and family life
WordsJANE CRITTENDENStylingANG JACKSONPhotographyJAMIE THOMSON & ANG JACKSON
With a flair for the eclectic and a love of classic design, interior designer Jo Sullivan finds that her work and home life can often overlap. ‘I might have a mirror in my own house that I know is perfect for a client’s project, or come across a new lamp while out sourcing and decide it’s actually ideal for me,’ explains Jo. ‘Textiles are my true passion though. My house is filled with colour and pattern – I have no rules and I’m not much of a planner, so my taste is always instinctive.’
Jo and husband Stephen fell in love with the original house that was to become the site of their new home for its large plot, location and established garden, rather than the actual property. Reaching out to Tom Kirby from Drøme Architects, it soon became clear that extending the house wasn’t going to give the couple the home they really wanted. ‘It’s an awkward sloping site, and we wanted to make the most of the garden views as we have some beautiful trees and plants,’ recalls Jo.
So Jo and Stephen found themselves embarking on a self-build project. ‘We ended up digging down to make a basement and putting the main kitchen-living space on the first floor. I’m a real foodie, so a sociable, open-plan layout was important to me,’ says Jo.
As a nod to the original 1960s property, the exterior of the new house was designed with a modern-retro look. ‘I like a minimal palette with a blank-canvas backdrop, so the walls are mostly white, with wood flooring and neutral furniture,’ explains Jo. ‘I bring personality through with textiles, art and ceramics. I love clashing patterns and prints, but I’m also drawn to the calmness of blues and teals, with a shot of hot pink or orange.’
It was also important to Jo to have a home that wouldn’t date, so over the years she’s invested in classic pieces of furniture that can be passed on, which she advises her clients to do, too. ‘My view is that if you’re going to spend a lot of money on something, then you should avoid the trends and choose designs that will last,’ she says.
One of Jo’s first finds was an antique chair that she rescued from a skip over 20 years ago when she was a fashion and textiles student. ‘My home has always meant a lot to me – even as a student I cared about living in a
