Elegant London home filled with natural light

Free, easy, glamorous and family-orientated is how interior designer and architect Alison Henry sums up her style. ‘I’m a New Zealander and always go for open, informal, chic and light,’ she explains. The extensive renovation of her own Chelsea Square home in London is, of course, no exception.

The ambitious project on her home took two years, demanding exacting planning approval. ‘It was important to maintain the look and feel of Chelsea Square,’ says Alison, referring to the elegant enclave that boasts the largest private garden for residents in London.

Her aim was to create a layout that allowed a much greater sense of space – a reminder of her New Zealand roots. ‘English houses tend to have lots of little rooms,’ she says. ‘I wanted to create a largely open space.’

Realising the dream

Alison was keen to add what was missing – namely a place where the whole family could relax – and a checklist of essentials including a study and library, ‘grown-up’ suite on the entire first floor, and a charming suite for each of her four daughters in the attic rooms above, was meticulously drawn up.

A massive excavation created an enormous basement for what is now primarily a family room that flows through to a kitchen, and then out to an elegant courtyard. This newly established space also houses a cinema and playroom, office, gym and guest suite, and, not least, serves a more practical purpose too, with a separate ‘plant room’ for technology such as air conditioning, coordinated lighting, and an audio-visual system.

‘My main priority was to make the house feel bright,’ Alison explains. ‘I added large roof lanterns in the kitchen, family room and above the main staircase that allow natural daylight to flood into the basement. I also opened the walls up with large glass doors and mirrors to reflect the greenery outside. The floors are white oiled oak, the walls are finished in a chalky white, and most of the furnishings are white or neutral in tone as well.’

The result is a calm, airy home that, at the same time, feels comfortable and welcoming.

The owner Alison Henry is an interior architect based in London whose clients include Jemima Khan and Bernie Ecclestone. She shares her home with her four daughters: Anna Cristina, five, Olivia, 15, and 18-year-old twins, Sophie and Jessica.