TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED

A magnificent mix of pattern, texture and characterful pieces means that nothing about this traditional terrace is run-of-the-mill

- EMMA J PAGE

SITTING ROOM

A fringed chaise lounge and a dramatic pendant combine to form a natural pause point. A scheme designed by Michelle Hagemeier. Chaise in Patchwork fabric, Dedar. Coco pendant; walnut framed mercury glass mirror, both Ochre

SITTING ROOM

Multiple textures, from velvet to silk, lend richness and depth. Sofa in Romeo & Giulietta silk velvet in Bordeaux; footstool in embroidered silk, both Dedar. Chair from Paul Bert Serpette market in Paris. Photographic montage (on the wall), B. Ingrid Olson

Country florals paired with nubby grasscloth wallcoverings; inky tones and plush textiles with design-led prints. The home of Kentucky-born Michelle Hagemeier and her German husband Jan reveals the eclectic imprint of a well-traveled family, yet every element co-exists easily, resulting in spaces that are tactile, cocooning, and adventurous.

The couple’s Victorian villa in west London may share the same slim, multi-story configuration as so many other terraces, but behind its door lies a host of confident design choices. Interiors fuse contemporary detailing, mid-century elements, and an American preference for colour and pattern – with a sprinkling of English country style for good measure.

Michelle, a seasoned renovator, and Jan, who works in financial services, lived in this house for a year with their daughter Lilli, now 12, before undertaking a renovation. ‘It was a good opportunity to see how its bones settled around us,’ says Michelle, whose first restoration 25 years ago was a modest maker’s bungalow in Portland, Oregon.