Alice Temperley MBE, Founder and Creative Director of British independent fashion brand Temperley London, opens up with her teenage son Fox to the World War II building, built in 1811 and located in the rolling hills of Somerset. lives in this grade-listed Regency manor; Dog Guinness; three cats; Tiny English shire horse; and three alpacas – This and That, Geronimo and Hercules.
Alice launches its first interior fabric collection with Romo Fabrics. ‘When I first met Emily Mould, Director of Design and Excellence at Romo Group, we immediately clicked on our vision for the Temperley homewares collection,’ she says. ‘I’ve always dreamed of creating a homeware collection that feels like an obvious extension of my brand. The conversations continued so I invited Emily and her team to my design studios in Illminster, Somerset and showed them around my archive; We could spend days examining all the designs…’
The house once belonged to Lord Beaverbrook and was frequented by Winston Churchill. ‘I found this in 2010 when a friend’s daughter sent me to see her,’ says Alice. ‘I fell in love with the house instantly; its architecture, its proportions, its magic. I had never seen a house like it before, and still haven’t; It’s like something out of a fairy tale.’
A perfect example of British eccentricity, the manor house features fantastic inverted wedding cake architecture inspired by the work of Sir John Soane. Original features include a domed library, hand-painted murals, large windows and original plaster roses. The house is very close to Alice’s parents’ cider farm, where Alice and her siblings grew up.
Sitting room
This room is inspired by the 1970s Art Deco, Palm Springs vibe. ‘I knew I wanted the sofas from Italian Solutions to be upholstered in Mimi velvet, so that was the starting point for this room,’ explains Alice. ‘Leopard print goes with absolutely everything. For the curtains, Euphoria velvet was a must, and the gold palm and screen add a luxurious, decadent feel to the room. The walls are painted in Kelp from Colourman Paint, while the coffee table is covered in pink plain Frieda velvet from the collection.
‘I love the dazzling atmosphere created by the color palette; especially when the fire is lit and the candles are burning. French windows open onto the terrace that surrounds the house and is where I entertain in the summer; This is an extension of the house.
‘I use this room a lot when I have guests in the house and people head there… for cocktails at golden hour, after-dinner drinks or reading the newspaper in front of the fire on a Sunday morning. The piano is played frequently. I love hanging vintage jackets and headboards on the walls. I also have an unhealthy amount of mirrors because I like light reflections when playing games, which is why I like the disco ball…’
morning room
The morning room connects the kitchen to the entrance hall and has an alcove leading to the stairs. ‘This room is so versatile we sometimes use it as an office,’ says Alice, ‘Sometimes it’s a breakfast room or a games room. It has grand proportions, so it fits perfectly with this bold, repeating wallpaper and long, romantic flowing velvet curtains. The theme is the wild west, and the print is heroic, consisting of hand-painted key mandalas, intricately mosaiced with new motifs like antique scissors and rodeo figurines.
‘The Roxanne wall covering matches very well with the green Frieda velvet curtains. The window seat cushion in romantic Mimi leopard velvet always brings a smile to my face, while the ceiling is completely curved and the gold paint makes it a warm, inviting, slightly decadent entryway. Although the wallpaper keys are painted, they are quite thin as they give a lace or filigree effect from a distance. ‘I have a round Art Deco mirrored table that reflects all the patterns and ceiling details, and a huge stag head wearing a vintage clay crown that I bought at an antiques market a long time ago.’
Dining room
Architectural details throughout the house are generously proportioned, and the huge windows in this room are the perfect home for curtains made with Lavinia embroidery. ‘The French doors are big enough for my shire horse to come in and spend time with us,’ says Alice. ‘This room is for fun and entertainment; I usually have 25 people come to Sunday lunch, so a large dining table and fireplace are a must.
‘The dining table, originally from Wells Cathedral, was found in a reclamation yard. Used when the house is full; for long, lazy lunches or dinners with old candlesticks and late-night table dancing… With or without Tiny my shire horse.
‘My figured bronze lady lamps were a wedding gift from my parents. I also have a big drawing board in there and I like to lock myself in that room to work. My great friend Frederick Winsett painted the mural inspired by Chinese art on the walls painted Chinese blue.’
Library
The library on the first floor is one of Alice’s favorite spaces to spend time. The proportions and color palette of the room allow for masculine furniture. ‘I covered my vintage sofas in Fantasia velvet; “The color palette fits perfectly with the rich tobacco-coloured walls,” he says. ‘The velvet is based on our crystal print and so what this represents has such lovely meaning in this incredibly powerful room.’
The 70’s checkered coffee table lights up. ‘I found this in Les Couilles Des Chien on the Golborne Road, where my friend Jerome, the owner, has the most eclectic collection of antiques and curios. The lampshades in the collection are ready – now I want to make every shade in the house! I love the proportions, dome and view of this room; bathed in the most magical golden light at sunset.
‘It used to be where my son Fox played video games but I took it back because we included Romo x Temperley fabrics and trims! The colors make this a very stunning, atmospheric room; a place to read a book, listen to records, or stay up until the early hours of the morning with friends. ‘It’s also where Fox and I keep our crystals and rocks that we collect from all over the world.’
master bedroom
The master bedroom is all about the 9ft wide bed that Alice loves. ‘We covered my bed in Mimi velvet and the full-length curtains are embroidered with Lavinia. This fabric is unmistakably feminine and decadent, and the leopard sole is an unexpected touch that I love. I also love the pink paint for the room, handmade by Colourman Paints, because it’s the perfect pink with the natural light and proportions of the windows. I found my ER II shield on the wall above the bed at Alice’s house on Portobello Road.’
Guest room
‘The guest room is used by my friends most weekends as I like to live in a full house,’ says Alice. ‘I wanted it to be a calm and quiet space. I love the dark masculine base of the wall covering juxtaposed with the female leopard. We chose Delilah wallcovering for this room; both fun and bohemian; The black base with metallic print provides richness and decadence, especially with the pink jacquard curtains and the rich brown Frieda flat velvet canopy over the bed.’
main bathroom
This bathroom is Alice’s private sanctuary. ‘This is where I go to relax and recharge,’ she says. ‘After a busy day, I like to go to the bathroom and relax, usually twice a day! My inspiration for this room is French boudoir style with a bohemian twist.
‘About 12 years ago a friend Jade Parfitt and I decided to cover my freestanding bathroom with broken mirror – it took a lot longer than we thought but it was worth it… when the light illuminates the bathroom it fills the room, which is very important. just magical.
‘I love the light hitting the disco ball bathroom in the afternoon. The walls are covered in flocked leopard Mimi wallpaper and the curtains are simple pink Frieda velvet; The vintage rugs and mirrors are leftovers from Alice’s travels. ‘I collect pairs of vintage chairs that I have reupholstered and will be selling similar chairs in my shop soon.’
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