Several years ago I wrote a piece about Guy and Penny Morrison’s charming house in Wales, below.
Since then, I have come to know Penny’s beautiful line of fabrics, and her chic collaboration with Carolina Irving, Irving & Morrison, below.
So I was delighted to see the marvelous cover feature on her home in the April ELLE DECOR beautifully captured by Miguel Flores-Vianna. The house has been updated since I last wrote about it with a marvelous sense of color and pattern. While it certainly has at its roots an English country sensibility, it is made personal and unique with bold hues and a stylish international mix of textiles, accessories and art.
The oversized and eclectic mix of artwork helps bring a dramatic sense of scale to the already generous spaces, from the traditional 19th century Robert Brough portrait in the drawing room above to contemporary Scottish artist Robert Byrne’s piece in the dining room below. I love the exaggerated scallops hanging from the gilded pelmet – a dramatic and more unexpected version of a traditional treatment.
Penny makes good use of her fabrics as in the library, below, where her Arabella linen hangs in bold yet harmonious contrast against walls of Farrow and Ball’s Arsenic. The charming lampshades and Pink Spot cushion are typical finds from the covetable stash at Irving & Morrison.
The outdoors is equally as alluring, “bordered by rolling lawns, a stream, a walled garden, and – further on – a forest.” Who wouldn’t want to luxuriate amidst the bucolic countryside in this enchanting garden terrace, looking especially appealing to those of us currently buried under feet of snow.
Four ELLE DECOR photos by Miguel Flores-Vianna
Penny has, in my mind, achieved the decorating trifecta – a home that is at once chic, comfortable and supremely personal. Grounded with a strong sense of place in the British countryside, yet not limited by its heritage, it is, most importantly, a statement of her own story. Brava! And congrats to ELLE DECOR on a fabulous issue. From a charmingly eccentric cottage in the Hamptons to a splendid centuries-old family castle in northern Italy, to an adventurous modern townhouse in Toronto, to a glam Beverly Hills makeover and stately Spanish Revival house in Santa Monica, it’s an issue chock-full of inspiration.
I just love the way the English use their pillows!
Just lovely. Bon Dimanche, Stacey!
It’s is gorgeous. I love English upholstery–well-filled, “fat” down and feather cushions in timeless fabrics. Every detail is considered, but not static. Can’t wait for this Elle Decor. Hope you guys get a break from this intense winter soon. Mary
Thank you for sharing these lovely photos of the Morrison’s wonderful home. If I lived in a perfect world and could choose any designer from around the world, the Irving/Morrison’s would represent my dream team. Their take on colour, fabric, comfort, approachable elegance with a touch of humour is sophisticated yet fresh. More, please!
Comfortable, functional, beautiful: WONDERFUL design!
Stacey, the “Decorating Trifecta” indeed. I adore this home and everything about it!!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
I love a house like this – very personal, nothing formulaic -and I agree it was an exceptional issue of the magazine. Hope you’ve had a good weekend!
You are always in the vanguard of not only uncovering great style, but articulating why it works. Thank you for sharing then and now.
Excellent! And I also love her name! When I was a “debutante” (omigod) the orchestra leader took it upon himself to play “Pennies from heaven” instead of the song I had selected! I was mortified! (Now I think it is funny!)
This house is heaven! I adored it the second I saw the Elle Decor!