Interiors Inspiration: A ‘70s-Style London Home

When the team at WOOLF Interior was asked to redesign a handsome Victorian villa in London, they quickly settled on the idea of a retro revival theme – and the result is a pattern-filled, utterly glamorous home. We asked the firm’s founder, Verity Woolf, how to nail ’70s interiors.

Inside A Victorian Home With ’70s-Inspired Interiors

WOOLF Interior (c) Ingrid Rasmussen

What’s the background and story of the project? 

WOOLF was invited to upgrade a five-storey villa in London. Over the course of the project, we redesigned and decorated the principal suite along with the remaining bedrooms and bathrooms. We also worked on a number of living spaces, an attic office area, and a snug. 

Talk to us about your early inspiration for the project. How did the ‘70s glam focus come about?

Our clients are incredible creative visionaries, and we wanted the house to be a genuine reflection of their personalities while still functioning perfectly for family life. Our role was to align with their sophisticated aesthetic, which has been shaped by their passion for art collecting and their appreciation for distinctive, authentic furniture pieces. 

Along with the ’70s interiors theme, the villa still needed to retain its original character – so we crafted each space with a refined elegance using unique investment pieces. We also focused on elevating the family’s collection of art and furniture by incorporating vintage treasures and designing custom pieces. 

WOOLF (c) Ingrid Rasmussen

What was your vision for the master bathroom?

We drew some of our inspiration for the master bathroom from the eclectic interiors seen in Gestalten’s The House of Glam. The client was keen to embrace colour and pattern, leading us to create a lively and dynamic space: we chose warm toned micro-cement walls combined with terrazzo floor tiles and sky-blue marble tiles for the shower enclosure, with very modern Vola fittings. This vibrant look was further enhanced by a blue Jupiter chandelier and a sky-blue volcanic lava stone for the vanity top. The cabinetry we designed in collaboration with Rupert Bevan.

What about the living spaces?

We decorated these spacious period rooms with subtle contemporary materials and investment art pieces, along with furniture from the likes of Willy Rizzo, Aldo Tura and Rose Uniacke. This sophisticated aesthetic paved the way for the introduction of textures and colour through various soft furnishings.

WOOLF (c) Ingrid Rasmussen

What materials did you work with and why?

In this project we had the opportunity to create a rich material dialogue between old and new, using both mass-produced and artisanal elements. The loft study showcases this approach particularly well – we integrated an expansive palette of materials including marble, acrylic, brass, laminate, glass, engineered wood, and specialized paint finishes. 

Juxtaposing textures and surfaces creates a dynamic visual and tactile experience: the marble brings natural veining and timeless luxury, while acrylic elements add contemporary clarity. Brass introduces warmth and sophistication, complemented by the practical durability of laminate, while glass enhances spatial flow and light and the engineered wood grounds the space with organic texture. 

The harmony achieved between these materials exemplifies our design philosophy of balancing differences to create spaces that feel both curated and cohesive. The result is an office space that’s intellectually stimulating yet comfortable, reflecting both heritage and innovation.

Were there any challenges on the project? How did you work around these?

The primary hurdle was working within the constraints of a period building structure while creating a modern, functional space. We always address these challenges through creative problem-solving and close collaboration. For example, the lava stone got lost in transit, but the clients were incredibly patient and we cracked on with the rest of the scheme whilst we waited for a replacement. Coordinating the various craftspeople and specialists required for the bespoke elements also demanded precise scheduling and clear communication.

WOOLF (c) Ingrid Rasmussen

Were there any sustainability considerations in the project?

We focused largely on upscaling vintage items, and we sourced most of the materials we used from the UK to lower the overall carbon output. We really wanted an artful curation of antique, custom, and expertly-crafted pieces. 

When it came to bespoke elements, however, we selected artisans who would create pieces with the same durability and quality as vintage items that have endured over time. These items include a coffee table from the Willy Rizzo studio in Rome, and a plexiglass and lacquer record cabinet crafted by British furniture-maker Rupert Bevan. Vintage finds include a 1960s Italian bar cabinet by Aldo Tura in the living room, and a 1950s desk by Kai Kristiansen in the office, accompanied by a white leather chair by Charlotte Perriand. We sourced these pieces from online marketplaces like Vinterior and 1st Dibs.

What’s your favorite part of the end result?

What we love most of all is that the transformed space has become a chic and cherished family home that finally aligns with its owners’ personalities. Designed through the lens of their own aesthetic, it boasts inherent character and unique charm.