A rambling former vicarage in South London brought to life by Tamsin Saunders

Interior designer Tamsin Saunders was tasked with transforming the neutral interiors of a Victorian house in South London into vibrant, harmonious spaces that reflect the artistic spirit of its owner, Rosie Copeland.

Rosie Copeland, an artist known for her use of color in landscapes and still lifes, initially played it safe with neutrals when she moved into her Victorian former vicarage. Despite her expertise with pigments, she found the idea of committing to colors in her home daunting and opted for a neutral palette that she now finds uninspiring.

After twenty years, Rosie decided it was time for a change. She enlisted Tamsin Saunders, a designer with a keen eye for color and composition, to refresh her home’s interior and create a new studio space in the garden.

Tamsin and Rosie share a taste for artisanal textiles, antiques, and art, which informed their collaborative approach. They began by drawing inspiration from Rosie’s own artwork. Tamsin encouraged Rosie to embrace the bold colors she loves in her paintings, suggesting they use these hues to invigorate her home’s interior.

One of Rosie’s favorite paintings, a portrait by Arthur Neal, inspired the color scheme for a new snug. Tamsin chose a pink tweed for a bespoke sofa and paired it with a vintage Swedish rug in soft blues and greens. Upstairs, a spare bedroom was transformed into a study with a lagoon blue sofa bed against dark plum walls and a warm red desk, creating a vibrant yet cohesive space.

Tamsin believes that color should guide the eye and enhance a room’s character. She prefers warm lamplight to overhead lighting, finding unique vintage lamps to add personality and charm. Her approach reflects her design practice, Home & Found, which emphasizes unique, handcrafted pieces over trendy showroom finds.

In Rosie’s kitchen, Tamsin repainted the grey joinery in earthy tones and added a panel of 18th-century Delft tiles to contrast with the granite worktops. The conservatory features leaf-green woodwork that brings the outdoors in.

For Rosie’s new studio, Tamsin drew inspiration from Barbara Hepworth’s St Ives studio, designing the space to blend with its natural surroundings. The studio features reclaimed Spanish tiles, bespoke shelving, and an open, airy feel with Crittall windows.

Throughout the house, Tamsin skillfully combined Rosie’s existing furniture with new finds, maintaining a balance of old and new. She updated the ground floor snug with colors from a vintage Indian textile and created a cozy space with a new sofa and 1930s chair. In the bathrooms, she replaced grey tones with warmer, chalkier hues and added vintage elements like Murano glass and antique brass planters.

The transformations extend to Rosie’s children’s bedrooms, where Tamsin incorporated vibrant colors and vintage fabrics to create unique, personalized spaces. The result is a home that reflects Rosie’s artistic sensibilities while offering a renewed sense of warmth and harmony.