The Process:
This couple had accumulated a motley collection of antique and vintage pieces in their combined living/dining room. We started by picking through the assortment, selecting those items that would be the starting point for our design. Among them, a huge secretary, a leather lounge chair that looks like it came from the British Raj, a massive plank trestle table, a gilt mirror, a set of vintage wrought iron chairs, and a pair of medieval-looking leather dining chairs made the cut. The room itself needed to be "beefed up" to stand up to these heavy furnishings, so we layered on architectural detail by installing chunky panel mouldings. A vivid green was chosen for the new wall colour, softening the edges of the large pieces and balancing their dark wood tones.

In the living area, the extra-tall secretary is the real focal point of the room, but it was crying out for a pair of chairs to flank it. The couple owned a pair of low contemporary clubchairs that didn't quite "fit". Rather than getting rid of them, we reupholstered them in a simplified navy and cream Chinoiserie pattern: in their new incarnation, they suddenly seem just right. To bridge the gap in height, we placed a pair of blue-and-white urns on wrought iron wall sconces mounted above the chairs. Complementing the chairs and adding another contemporary note is a tailored navy sofa. The chair on the right also pulls into a small seating area in an odd window bay. Here it sits opposite the afore-mentioned leather lounge chair at a new Jacobean-style games table.

A wood and wrought iron coffee table brought in from elsewhere in the home completes the living room arrangement. Beneath it, anchoring the seating area, is a bold semi-antique Heriz rug. Whereas we normally bring in a selection of rugs for consideration, in this case it was our only choice. It is the perfect statement piece -- the very embodiment of our vision of an English gentlemen's club.

The dining area, with the huge table centrally positioned, lacked functionality for entertaining. We purchased a wrought iron and gold leaf console table, tying in with the wrought iron chairs and gilt mirror. Positioned against a long wall to act as a server, the console pushes the table towards the window wall, where a new creamy leather settee makes efficient use of the narrower seating space. Piled with pillows, and embraced by drapery, it draws the eye away from the uninspiring view beyond.

The clients set out on a purposeful hunt for accessories and small furnishings to finish the space. When we suggested framed mounted butterflies for one wall, a pair was found in storage -- inherited from a grandfather. Need a small bench? They located one just as described at their favorite antique shop. But the most interesting item was not as described. Shopping at Kensington Market, they came across a street artist, fell in love with one of his paintings executed on wood scraps, and purchased it for a song. We gave it pride of place above the sofa, where it speaks volumes of the clients' personality.