Tiny apartment in Islington boasts luxurious de Gournay decor
In the heart of London, Harald Donoghue, the 38-year-old director of special projects at a renowned family-run fabrics and wallpaper firm, has crafted a unique living space that mirrors a visual collage, telling the story of a well-considered life.
Donoghue's small first-floor Victorian flat is adorned with de Gournay's hand-painted wall coverings, a testament to the firm's rich heritage. The company, founded by Claud Cecil Gurney in 1986, has origins in some of England's most majestic houses, including Houghton Hall and Belvoir Castle. Over the years, de Gournay has collaborated with esteemed designers such as Erdem Moralıoglu, Atelier Vime, and Beata Heuman.
The front room, a spacious 4.5m by 5m, required 23 panels to fill its expansive walls. The wall coverings depict a profusion of pheasants, pigeons, warblers, butterflies, and heavy-headed peonies, creating a vibrant and whimsical atmosphere. Initially, Donoghue's bedroom was planned to have de Gournay's lining paper as a canvas for hand-drawn doodles, but he opted for the cascading white blossoms of Alba flowers instead.
The sitting room's kitchen counter tops are covered with Atelier Vime's Vallabrègues fabric, adding a touch of modern elegance to the space. The terracotta horses in Donoghue's den, a balance of thrift and splendour, were found in Berlin, while the pair of tin sconces, with a Florentine feel, were purchased for £20 at an antiques stall on Lisson Grove.
Evie Coley, de Gournay's in-house London head artist and senior designer, added embellishments to the wall coverings, giving each panel a unique touch. The découpage box in Donoghue's den belonged to his parents, and the chinoiserie cupboard was inherited from his grandmother.
Harald Donoghue's den and bedroom are filled with art, antiques, and mementoes, and feature design books, furniture, and objects from various sources. Each piece has a unique story, adding to the eclectic charm of the flat.
In his den, Donoghue often scrapbooks at his family's Georgian mahogany table, a hobby he started when he was about 10 years old. The wall coverings extend behind custom bookshelves flanking the fireplace, which are topped with decorative, bow-embellished mouldings made by Decora.
The bedroom features pictures and paintings by artist friends, creating an impression of a delicate snowstorm of petals. The de Gournay wall coverings in Donoghue's flat are 20-year-old panels from the company's collections, adding a touch of timeless beauty to the space.
Harald Donoghue's home, in its entirety, is a testament to his love for art, antiques, and design, and a reflection of a life well-lived and well-considered.
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