As one half of the brilliantly irreverent interiors emporium, Lucy St George has been instrumental in encouraging us to embrace the unique in our homes. She talks to us about life with her two children in their fun-filled North London home
LUCY ST GEORGE’S FAVOURITE ROOM IN HER HOME – HER STUDY, COMPLETE WITH GOLD ACCENTS AND A PLAYFUL DISCO BALL. IMAGE: CATHERINE GRATWICKE
Where do you live and why?
I live in Crouch End. I like to be central to the action and have always chosen to live on the main roads with a bus stop outside. I like to feel connected to the world and that I can just jump on the bus and go anywhere – that’s one of the many benefits of living in London! I live with my two children: Ella, 21 and 16-year-old Grace and Roxy the cat.
What’s the first thing you did to your home when you moved in?
I moved in two days after Christmas; as Christmas is super busy for us at Rockett St George HQ, it was the only time that I could take off. The first thing I did was to get the living room sorted so we could still enjoy the festivities and spend some time on the sofa – Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a turkey sandwich and a movie! Unpacking and getting organised takes months so we just needed one room that we could feel comfortable and homely in. From there, I embarked on doing one room at a time.
THE GALLERY WALL IN LUCY ST GEORGE’S STUDY FEATURES ECLECTIC MONOCHROME PRINTS, WHICH REFLECTS HER PERSONAL STYLE. IMAGE: CATHERINE GRATWICKE
Describe your front door…
I have quite a grand Victorian front door with beautiful stained glass in a multitude of colours. It’s painted black and is bit dark and ominous, which I love! I believe the front door has been moved from the front of the house to the side at some point, so the door itself is very grand but the side aspect if the house is not its best angle – its all chimney stacks and pipes!
If the objects in your home could talk, which would have the best story to tell?
I have a coffee table that I bought from Camden market when I was 19 – it’s an old farmhouse four-seater dining table and I chopped the legs off to lower it to coffee table height. It’s been well-loved and well used over the years and if it could talk it would definitely have a tale or two to tell! From the people that have sat around it drinking tea (or wine) and the parties where friends have danced on it to the kids that have used it as a stage, and the outfits it’s seen (we all stand on it to look in the mirror over the mantlepiece), it’s seen it all. It has glimmers of pen, paint and nail varnish all over it and is battered and worn out – to be honest it’s not even the nicest of tables (and I have a warehouse full of lovely coffee tables) but it has history and I cannot bring myself to change it.
LEFT: LUCY ST GEORGE; RIGHT: LUCY WITH HER BUSINESS PARTNER AND CO-FOUNDER OF ROCKETT ST GEORGE, JANE ROCKET. IMAGE: CATHERINE GRATWICKE
What are some of the most memorable things which have happened in your home?
Spending time with friends and family, we have had some great food, wine and laughs in my home.
What was your childhood home like?
I grew up in London and the street where we lived was very sociable with street parties, events and a load of kids playing – there was always something going on down the street or at my house! The house itself was a lovely, creative inspiration space. My parents owned an antique lighting shop in West Hampstead so we often had lovely decorative items coming in and out of the house. They have great style and it was a great house for kids as we had a vintage pinball machine, a swing in the middle of the room and music playing constantly, from Pink Floyd to Fleetwood Mac and the Beatles. I have two brothers so the house was always filled with family and friends.
LUCY’S LIVING ROOM IS PAINTED IN A WARM CHOCOLATE BROWN, BRIGHTENED WITH SAFFRON AND MUSTARD HUES IN THE CUSHIONS. IMAGE: CATHERINE GRATWICKE
What’s on your bedside table?
A little dish for my jewellery – I always take it off at the last minute before going to bed, my glasses, remote control and a lovely Rockett St George table reading lamp. I would like to read more but by the time I get into bed, it’s time to catch up on sleep or a indulge in a good box set.
What’s your domestic guilty secret or pet hate?
My domestic guilty secret is that I love clothes washing, hanging it out to dry, the whole process. My domestic secret is that I HATE putting it away. Sometimes I just get dressed out of the fresh pile so I don’t have to put it away. A pet hate for me is fitted carpet – to me, it feels so outdated and old fashioned. I love rugs and runners but dislike the permanence of carpet.
LUCY’S BEDROOM IS PAINTED IN A RICH BLACK WITH WARM UNDERTONES. IMAGE: CATHERINE GRATWICKE
Which room in your home makes you happiest and why?
My study – it gets amazing natural light and is filled with lovely personal art prints and furniture. When the sunlight hits my large disco ball it’s magical and combines two of my favourite things: sunshine and disco!
What makes your house a home?
The people, we have friends and family from all generations congregating at our house. The kettle is always on!
Rockett St George: Extraordinary Interiors in Colour by Jane Rockett and Lucy St George, photography by Catherine Gratwicke, published by Ryland Peters & Small RRP £19.99
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