Page 62 - Homes amp Gardens UK February 2021

LIFESTYLE

O F F T H E S H E L F

In her new book , Jen ny R ose-In nes v isit s the homes

of i n f luent ia l Br it ish desig ners a nd t a l k s to them about

l
thei r creat ive process a nd how hey ive a nd work
t

The deep terracotta
colour of the dining
room walls contrasts
with the pale blue
used elsewhere in
Robert’s flat

FEATURE JO BAILEY PHOTOGRAPHS SIMON GRIFFITHS
ROBERT KIME

For Robert Kime, every room starts with a rug. ‘You have to start with something,’ he says, ‘and I always

think a carpet is the easiest thing.’ It doesn’t need to be expensive. A rug can define a space, break up a
large room or highlight a particular area – it can play a number of roles. With a background in antiques
and a passion for history, it is unsurprising that Robert’s London flat is full of interesting things, from a
rare screen covered in chinoiserie paper that he picked up at an auction for just a few pounds to William

Wordsworth’s own leather chair, which sits behind the desk in his study. He cleverly reconfigured the
layout of the property, knocking out walls, creating arches, installing fireplaces and changing the

functions of various rooms, to create a richly layered environment. →

H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 61