Show Home Room by Room: Skeel Library, Hampstead Manor
Classic style and ultimate opulence colour Suna Interior Design’s latest project, Skeel Library at Mount Anvil’s Hampstead Manor development.
Built in 1903 as the library for Westfield College, the Grade II Edwardian Baroque-style residence has been immaculately restored and converted into a glorious four-bedroom home. Creating depth and drama, the interior has been beautifully styled to reflect the heritage of the building.
Designer Alysha Davies explains: “We were mindful of the fact we were working with a key part of London’s educational history. We wanted to honour its past and at the same time breathe new life into the building. Our overall vision was to create a journey of discovery, with hidden surprises and plenty of wow factor.”
Complementing the listed Edwardian architecture and embracing the property’s heritage, the dedicated design team introduced a cohesive theme of classic greens and berry tones throughout the home. To enhance the vast main library space, Suna created separate living areas with large feature pieces including a statement ten-seater table and luxurious velvet seating placed in front of the book shelves which have been styled with striking accessories and cleverly utilised as an ideal place for a television.
This opulent yet practical living space is surrounded by Crittall windows which usher in light, set around the library’s original mezzanine first floor. Here there are book shelves which are new joinery. Created by Bowler James Brindley they have been made to look like the original shelves on the mezzanine level.
Marking the separation between the living and dining areas, a striking rug provides a wonderful visual, akin to a piece of art, when observed from the mezzanine.
A grand piano has been placed in the bay window of this room, providing an added element of surprise as well as creating the perfect entertaining space and a beautiful focus point for the room. Alysha adds: “Working on this library was a dream for us. As well as celebrating the heritage of this exceptional residence, we’ve harnessed the familiar warmth and splendour a library exudes. This sense of comfort sets the scene for a home beautifully.”
In contrast to this main living area which screams entertaining, a small narrow room on this level called The Reading Room has been carefully considered and incorporated into the home as a space to relax in peace. Alysha explains: “We envisage this space being the calm from the storm. Perhaps somewhere the grandparents might retreat to during large gatherings.” Inspired by The Secret Garden, this space features beautiful wallpaper framed by panel details on one side and a natural alcove on one wall with a bespoke shelving unit within it. Orange tones were introduced here to lighten the space.
The master bedroom presented Suna with its biggest challenge. Originally a vast area and situated on the ground floor, the design team re-modelled the space with a dividing wall, featuring an encased mirror, which acts as a privacy buffer, keeping the sleeping space away from the view of the doors and separating the reading and resting area to create a fabulous master suite. With the bed facing the stunning original window in the room and a bespoke panelled wall reflecting the original Library’s style, this ground floor space has been designed to deliver a presidential style area with its own adjoining office, media and dressing room.
A moss green sofa in the media room complements the berry tones in the other spaces and beautiful beading and panelling details pair the rooms together seamlessly.
With a mix of rich green and neutral fabrics, which provide a contrast from the red tones of the master bedroom, the second bedroom, which is situated on the lower ground floor, has been styled as an impressive guest suite. Alysha comments: “We envisaged this space as being part of the home that guests can enjoy all to themselves. With its own seating area, we’ve created a hotel-style feel for maximum comfort.”
The third and fourth bedrooms are situated on the top floor and mirror each other. Suna designed one as a child’s room based on Wind in the Willows, with a huge doll’s house reminiscent of Toad Hall. Helen Fewster, director at Suna Interior Design explains: “We wanted to ensure that at every turn there is a new discovery in this exceptional home. The child’s room surprise is a bespoke reading nook. The mix of dark wooden furniture for warmth combined with classic greens and burgundies continue in these rooms, with the fourth bedroom styled for an au pair or nanny.” Here, classical botanical wallpaper adds interest and a sense of luxury.
Carla Baird, senior interior design manager at Mount Anvil, adds: “The words ‘joyful’ and ‘considered’ spring to mind when I think about the FF&E design of Skeel Library by Suna Interior Design. From the outset, Alysha’s passion for literature was evident in the drive of the design aesthetic with nods to classics like ‘The Secret Garden’ and ‘Wind in the Willows’ making an appearance. With such a beautiful intertwining of this concept into the original restored library features, the final result is stunning. No stone has been left unturned in the design and detail of this project, from the master suite grand bedhead wall to the curtain tie backs in the reading room. One of the great successes of the design is the seamless incorporation of art…every piece has been carefully selected and forms an integral part of the overall aesthetic.”
She concludes: “Working with the Suna Team on this project was an absolute pleasure. It was another collaborative effort with workshops at their studio to finalise fabrics and close communication throughout the design and installation process. I know we are in safe hands when we work with Suna and I think the end result with Skeel Library speaks volumes about what a delight this project was for everyone involved.”