The Interplay and Dynamic of Objects & Spaces

No other person has had precisely the same set of experiences meaning that each one of us is a unique product of our singular DNA, our history, our relationships, and our dreams. Similarly, the home that inspires, protects and nourishes you—and only you—will be distinctive and one-of-a-kind, reflecting not just your interests and aesthetics, but also your personality and unique idiosyncrasies. Like you, it will be thoroughly, charmingly, undefinable.

In my twenties, I lived in a large Georgian terrace house near Hampstead Heath. It belonged to artist Arthur Boyd and I lived in the basement flat with my then boyfriend. Our neighbours were a well-known author and her girlfriend who became my surrogate family. They rejected the twentieth century by cooking on a wood-fired stove and removing their ceiling lights. They lived largely by candle-light, and my lifelong memory of their house will be of champagne-fuelled discussions and laughter, as we lounged on large cushions by one of their many open fires. The walls were filled with art, fireplaces with objects and shelves laden with books, notes and letters, each object imbued with personal meaning. In some ways it reminded me of my grandparents’ house: every object had a story, whether it be about where it was purchased or who made it or how or from whom they acquired it.

All great interiors are like interesting people: multilayered, complex, even contradictory. Fascinating spaces have stories to tell. They arouse curiosity and invite interaction. They have their own innate histories and rich, multi-faceted humanity.

A space that is cautiously cultivated and aesthetically monochromatic feels uptight and restrictive, which is not several costly pieces of furniture will not transform a space. While furniture is a fundamental design component, it only goes a small part of the way toward creating the multilayered, interesting kind of space that speaks of who you are.

Thoughtful interplay—crafted with the layering of colour, light, scale, materials and design aura—creates atmosphere, intrigue and complexity. This is why interiors filled only with brand new ‘it’ pieces from expensive designer emporiums may still feel empty and shallow. Spaces like these tell the story of a design trend, not of a human being. They need the context of other items, or something unexpected such as the fabric or colour, to create something unique.

Some spaces, such as old houses are already textured with their own histories. The intricate architectural details of historical houses provide an existing ‘personality’ that a designer can use as a spark to play off. A sleek, contemporary interior, on the other hand, requires an interplay of colour, material, patina, light- play and unique pieces that will add a living texture and history to its sharp and clean edges.

Antique or vintage objects add to the uniqueness of a space. It takes time to find the right pieces, but when you do, they add magic and character, especially when adding such objects to beautifully made contemporary pieces, giving them new context and making them feel fresh—which rarely happens in a room filled with antiques or with a room just filled with contemporary pieces. The thoughtful placement of meaningful books, interesting art, and historical objects—be those candlesticks, vases, pictures or curiosities— will make for a multilayered, indescribable space, with a ton of personality.

However, great design is more than the sum-total of its parts. A designer has the power to transform a room from a slew of objects into something of uplifting beauty and joy that expresses who you really are. It is not about individual objects, but rather how, why, and where they are placed in relationship to each other. This interplay is where the magic begins.

Kate Challis