House Style with Corinna Dean
After showing us around her renovated mid-century townhouse in Camberwell, south London, architectural curator and lecturer Corinna Dean shares her house style.
You’re happiest at home when…
When I have the windows open and I can hear the sounds of woodpeckers and other wildlife, combined with the occasional sound of Kings College Hospital’s helicopters. It reminds me of the great location and my proximity to central London, but also that I am surrounded by green space.
How would you describe the interiors of your house?
Sympathetic to the 1960s architecture of Peter Moiret, and calm. The houses main open tread staircase is supported by a single column of Douglas Fir, and for the refurbishment of the ground floor we introduced Douglas Fir ply for all the cabinets, to complement the solid wood.
If you could only save one thing, what would it be?
This is the ‘do I dare’ question! It would probably be the textiles, tapestries and kilims. All those hours of handiwork and hand-dyed wools!
What was the last thing you bought for the house?
Picture frames.
I’m very lazy about getting things framed but have eventually sent out a whole lot of prints to be done.
Top three coffee table books?
I am going to blatantly plug the book I produced most recently, Slacklands 2. My friend’s book about her father’s, JB Blunk’s, work, and a book on the artist Cornelia Parker – I love her highly original work.
If money was no object, what changes would you make?
These these houses were built when oil and energy were dirt cheap so the hot air system pumped in heat through floor grates, but none of the heat was retained. With sustainability being key, it would be proper insulation everywhere.
You’re having people over for dinner: what do you cook?
My favourite lentils, salsa and cod’s cheeks, followed by cardamom chocolate cake.
I have opened up the whole ground floor and removed the integrated garage so now have a large kitchen/dining space which opens onto the garden – it’s great for entertaining.
What does a Sunday here look like?
In the summer it’s spilling out on to the garden and our shared green amongst The Hamlet residents where I might set up a table and invite some friends over, or it’s a dip in the Brockwell lido – no matter the season.
What are the best things about the neighbourhood?
Neighbours, community and diversity of neighbourhoods.
Being on an estate, I have lots of neighbours and some of them are the original residents from when the houses were built in 1966. We all share the gardening so it’s gardening as a group, with lots of visits to Lyndon Osborn’s Leahurst nursery.
How long will you be here for?
Who knows, I have been here for almost 20 years so am beginning to get restless for another project!
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