The monochromatic interiors of this light-filled loft apartment belonging to designer Francois Irvine are a true reflection of his creative collector’s eye.
Climb the three flights of stairs up to his loft at the top of a small industrial building and you’re enveloped by an interior that layers multiple shades of cream and white.
Punctuating the scheme are a few darker elements, which provide subtle elements of contrast. The immediate effect is calming, tranquil and refreshing. “I’ve always loved these tonal off-whites,” says Francois. “At work, I’m bombarded with colour, so it’s great to have a more restrained, disciplined space here at home.”
The main sitting area in Francois’s loft, features a pair of French-style armchairs bought by him in Egypt and re-upholstered locally in cream linen. The cast-iron wood-burning stove is a vintage collector’s piece sourced by Francois (and no longer in working use because “it smokes too much”). Natural texture is added to the mix in the form of plain linen upholstery and animal hides.
The original old cast-iron windows enable light to stream into the space. The vintage wooden table and café-style chairs here are ideal for everyday dinners. Francois made the white cotton lampshades himself.
Ideal for enjoying breakfast in front of the tall wooden doors are this wooden-topped café table and vintage chairs.
The extra-long dining table is perfect for parties and special gatherings; the vintage café chairs along the one side were bought from a scrap collector and the bench was made from a solid wooden beam and two tree stumps. The ornately carved wingback chairs are two of Francois’ favourite possessions, and were discovered years ago in a market in Egypt.
Various textures and shades of cream and white add interest to this corner of the loft, as do the weathered old wooden church bench, the white-painted metal trunk – which Francois found in London – and the stacks of old wooden storage boxes and vintage filing containers.
The spacious main bedroom has a set of west-facing clerestory windows through which the afternoon sun streams in.
In the main bathroom, an old wooden cabinet contains a collection of vintage and contemporary fragrance bottles.
London-based artist William Martin created this teapot and milk jug. Cast metal figurines, cups and other quirky items form another of Francois’ curated clusters of collectibles.
One of many collector’s vignettes in the apartment includes a collection of old hardback books and a framed zoological drawing of civet cats. Francois found the old leather and canvas bags in London.
The petite guest bedroom is situated at the rear of the space, right up against the eaves of the building. This is a home in which its owner’s creative hand and eye are evident absolutely everywhere.
