London interior designer Phoebe Hollond got her start working under Beata Heuman and it shows. Like her Swedish mentor, Hollond embraces color and pattern, loves cozy vintage elements, isn’t allergic to shiny surfaces, and aims to delight.
Since striking out on her own, Hollond designs interiors that also celebrate classic British comforts, like deep tubs and towel warmers. Hollond describes herself as a “serial bather” and is particularly good at creating settings for steeping. “There is something to be said for a bathroom that it is a place of sanctuary,” she says. “I love the challenge of making a space that needs to be extremely practical feel like a room that one wants to spend a lot of time in.” Here, five Studio Hollond standouts, each with an element or two of surprise.
Photography courtesy of Studio Hollond (@studiohollond).
The Case for Unexpected Red
Above: Hollond advocates spending on finishes—here in a Sussex house, nuanced tadelatk walls and Mosaic Factory Moroccan zellige combined with Italian banded red tiles. And saving by buying elegant antique fixtures, such as this double sink. Her go-to for vintage sanitary ware is Frome Reclamation in Somerset, England (to find a source near you, search for architectural salvage centers and watch Facebook Marketplace and Craig’s List).
The custom mirrors are medicine cabinets—for Hollond, bathroom storage is best when discreet. The shell-shaped Holt sconces are from Felix Lighting: “you need good lighting to see what you’re doing, but you also need golden and sexy lighting in a bathroom.”
Above: The same room has an antique claw-footed bath with a view. Hollond says she re-enamels old tubs but that most old sinks only require a very good scrub. The palette of whites and creams paired with red elements, Hollond tells us, was inspired by Wallis Simpson’s inner sanctum: “there is strength in the simplicity of these two contrasting colors.” For more see The Unexpected Red Theory.
On a similar note – A lovely idea for the season — perfect timing. So cozy.