MAKING A MARK

This eclectic abode in London celebrates its period features while bravely embracing colour, texture and a sense of adventure

- Kissa Castañeda

For a profession built on expressing other people’s tastes, it can be slightly confounding when the tables turn and the client is yourself. That was the situation that Richard Angel, CEO and co-founder of design firm Angel O’Donnell, found himself in when he embarked on a major renovation of his family home.

Located in the leafy suburb of Streatham in south London, the handsome house was a real find when Angel discovered it 10 years ago. “My wife and I were looking for a home we could grow into and raise a family in. We were already living south of the river in a place called Balham, but property is pricey so we cast our net a little wider. That’s when we found Copley Park, a large and rather grand Edwardian house.”

Even then, the house had plenty going for it including decorative mouldings, stained glass windows and ornately carved gables, not to mention a Grade II-listed garden with ancient cedars, cascading ponds and wild flower beds, deemed worthy of preservation. After living in it for a decade, Angel decided it was time to prepare it for a new chapter. “After raising children here and amassing a treasure trove of memories, it felt like the right time to refurbish it for another family to enjoy.”

PERSONAL TAKE

Knowing the ins and outs of the house was a plus, but Angel’s intimate connection with the space sometimes posed a challenge. “When you’re working for a client, your ability to step back and see the bigger picture makes you an asset. But when the shoe is on the other foot— and you represent both client and studio—it’s harder to be objective. I really had to lean into my team for advice and take note whenever they thought I was overthinking the designs, which was quite often,” he shares.