It may be cold outside (and they may have two kids and a dog), but Laylah and Matt still have a home that is the epitome of welcoming warmth and laid-back luxury
The download
Having pivoted into interiors from fashion (Ralph Lauren), Laylah Holmes founded Holmes Bespoke in 2017, creating bespoke handmade rugs and interior accessories. Laylah lives here with husband, Matt, and daughters, Savannah, six, and India, three, as well as their miniature dachshund Benny.
This double-fronted Victorian house in leafy west London has a family living room-cum-playroom, as well as a more grown-up lounge where Laylah sometimes meets clients. At the back of the house there’s a kitchen-dining space and WC, while upstairs there are the two girls bedrooms, a family bathroom, Laylah’s dressing room and the couple’s bedroom suite.
LOUNGE
‘I was inspired by the tones in the original fire surround tiles to create a warming colour scheme of red, orange and gold in this sophisticated living space,’ says Laylah. Her own-design tapestry, hanging over the fireplace, brings together all the colours in the room to create a considered effect.
HALLWAY
Period-style floor tiles in graphic black and white make a striking first impression, which is echoed in the black of the stairs. ‘I designed the bespoke stair runner with a pink trim to pick out the colours in a painting hanging nearby,’ says Laylah.
In this house, all is calm and cosy. There’s an emphasis on soft, hazy colours and tactile textures; think curvy bouclé sofas and deep-pile bamboo silk rugs. It’s easy to forget that this is a family home with two young children – and a dog.
For owner Laylah, the key to balancing a beautiful home with a busy family lifestyle is to create what she calls ‘livable luxury’. ‘The house hadn’t been touched in 50 years. As well as featuring lots of bespoke, natural and sustainable materials, I wanted the place to feel luxurious, but to also be comfortable and practical for everyday life. That means being able to tidy up quickly and easily.’
Hence, storage is at the heart of the design, with plenty of bespoke cabinetry close at hand wherever it’s needed, such as a huge built-in toy cupboard in the family living room. Just off the kitchen, a good-sized utility-laundry houses ‘all the messy stuff, as well as big coat cupboards.’
Stepping away from the open-plan idea, each space in this house can be closed off with sleek pocket doors, ‘so that we can
