Material GAINS

Favourite fabrics from the past and present deliver classic country elegance to Janie Denham’s urban abode

- KAREN JENSEN-JONES

Step into the home of interior designer Janie Denham, owner of La Colomba London, and you are immediately transported into what feels like an idyllic country house.

‘We knew the area well and we absolutely loved the position of the house on Wimbledon Common,’ explains Janie, who lives here with husband Justin and daughters Jemima, 21, and Gabriella, 17, plus their dog Burma. ‘Being able to see woodland from every window, even though we are just a few miles from central London, is a pretty unique combination.

After renovating the house 11 years ago, Janie has used her professional expertise to update the interior on a regular basis. Her priority was to maintain its contemporary look while creating the tranquil and warm feel of a country home. ‘A house is a work in progress and is never actually finished,’ says Janie, ‘but you can keep refreshing things without having to renovate your entire home. Just by reframing a picture, re-covering a chair or changing a lampshade, you can quickly bring your home up to date and generate a whole new look.’