'I grew up in a small market town in west Yorkshire and I've noticed that I seek out that same village feel in London,' says Louis A W Sheridan, artist, cofounder of Discover & Escape, and head of creative at Mr & Mrs Smith.
'I travel a lot for work, so when I'm a bit of a hermit when at home. I like that within five minutes, I can walk to markets, shops, eateries, and a place to sit and write.'
Sheridan has lived in west London for nearly five years, and has become entwined with the local characters, businesses and day-in-day-out rhythm of the streets around his home. 'It sounds twee to say that I'm friends with my local grocer and barista, but myself and my girlfriend really have built up these relationships.'
An Electric House regular, Sheridan says that the club's 'low-key' nature is what continuously appeals to him: 'It's not somewhere to pose; it's a place where the same people come every morning to read the paper,' he says. 'There are plenty of Notting Hill families who spend their weekends there. I like going in, grabbing the same table, and soaking up the familiarity.'
Sheridan's period home is a light, airy canvas for the many collected items and furnishings he's salvaged at vintage fairs or brought home from his travels. He says that, much like what attracts him to the neighbourhood, he seeks out interiors that tell a story to create an eclectic feel.
'Yes, there are the pastel-coloured houses that tourists take pictures of, but this place is a melting pot of interesting people and cultures coexisting together. From the Spanish and Moroccan communities who hang out at Turkish bakers on Golborne Road to this amazing guy who rocks long, grey hair and a vintage band T-shirt while chatting to everyone, I just love these characters. Looking at my home, my love for eclecticism is obvious.'
Highlights of Sheridan's decor include ceramics from Kyoto and the Balearic Islands - some bought from artisans and others made by himself and his partner in workshops. 'Pieces in our home have revealed themselves to us,' he explains. 'It could be a gift from a family member, a chair found on the street, or the deity mask given to us at a monastery in Bhutan.'
His take on interior style is simple: buy what you truly like and try not to be swayed by what others have. For Sheridan, this means rich colours, dark woods and pieces that look lived in. Inspired by antiques shops and vintage fairs, he seeks a treasure trove aesthetic.
This emphasis on having a personal, authentic connection to home - both his flat and the surrounding streets - chimes with how he uses his space, letting it become an extension of his life.
'It's a chameleon-like space for me, because work and life aren't a particularly distinct split. A day at home could mean back-to-back meetings and editing; on other days, it may feel like a sanctuary for reading and listening to music. The mood in the house doesn't change - there's always candles burning and music playing.'
