Dive into the world of design excellence as we take you on a journey through the creative vision of Camilla Clarke, the Creative Director at Albion Nord. We discover the inspiration and meticulous craftsmanship that have brough the interiors of 2 Mulberry Square to life, a design testament to the rich heritage of Chelsea Barracks and the surrounding areas.
For Camilla, the inspiration for the interiors of 2 Mulberry Square came from a profound appreciation for heritage. She explains, "The inspiration for the interiors of 2 Mulberry Square were born from an appreciation of legacy and British craftsmanship. We aimed to create a home that feels timeless and modern while still subtly inherited. To bring our vision to life, we embarked on a journey, collecting and curating objects, antiques, and artworks from various corners of the UK”.
As we delve into Camilla's design philosophy, we're introduced to The Chelsea Barracks Collection designed by Albion Nord, specifically for Chelsea Barracks. A testament to "Best of British" design, each piece in the collection carries within it the echoes of Georgian design and British craftsmanship. The design inspiration also takes queues from the surrounding area; as with all of Albion Nord’s design, context is crucial. “We used pieces from The Chelsea Barracks Collection throughout the house, each piece holds a unique connection to the site's rich history, and they are all exquisitely crafted and made here in the UK by talented makers” Camilla says.
“Drawing on heritage, materiality and craftsmanship, each piece is uniquely bespoke, from concept to the master craftsman’s hand that made it. Made to order, no two pieces are the same and are truly one of a kind.” You can order any of the pieces from the collection through the Chelsea Barracks website.
The Wellington Desk
Beautifully crafted and formed of three parts, the Wellington Desk, featured in the study of 2 Mulberry Square, retains the portability and simplicity of the original campaign desk. Hand-made from British hardwood with stunning lion paw feet and Chelsea Barracks rose mark key cast in bronze. Set here against a beautiful backdrop painted in Farrow and Ball Salon Drab.
The Radnor Tableware
The collection contains a suite of porcelain, seen here in the dining room of 2 Mulberry Square. Chelsea has long been synonymous with pottery and inspired the creation of the Radnor Tableware collection. Comprising a dinner plate, side plate, soup bowl, cereal bowl and mug, each piece is hand-made from porcelain and suitable for any and all dining occasions.
Curated Elegance: From the Past to the Present
In the pursuit of bringing this vision to life, Camilla and her team at Albion Nord embarked on a journey that wove together objects old and new; "When sourcing for the Townhouse, we collected and curated objects, antiques and artworks throughout the UK, visiting dealers and antique shops and fairs on occasion to. The UK is brilliant for antiques. Additionally, we incorporated new pieces from The Chelsea Barracks Collection that have a heritage feel and link directly back to the Chelsea Barracks site and its history," Camilla reveals, taking us behind the scenes of meticulous curation.
Colour Palette: Heritage and Naturalism
Every brushstroke and hue were meticulously chosen to echo the essence of Chelsea Barracks. Camilla shares her creative process, "Drawing from Chelsea Barracks' British heritage, the nature of Georgian houses, and the nearby Chelsea Flower Show, we used traditional British heritage colours throughout the interiors, including rich greens, porcelain creams and whites, earthy browns, and pale blues. The use of natural materials, such as oak, wools, linens, grass cloths, and silks, adds to the sense of richness and texture."
“In the formal reception, we chose a vibrant and fresh green and white palette inspired by the Mulberry Gardens outside. We wrapped the walls in green fabric panels from George Spencer Design and used light neutrals and whites in the upholstery to pop out against the green. The fabric’s beautiful green colour is inspired by 18th Century examples of the colour in Georgian Britain.”
Garden-Inspired Reception
The formal reception exudes vibrancy and freshness, a tribute to the Mulberry Gardens, Camilla explains. We chose a green and white palette, green fabric walls with a subtle white fabric trim and white sofas.
Architectural Inspirations
Camilla shares a closer look at the collection's details: "The lamp in the collection takes inspiration from the orders of classical architecture, echoing the architectural grace of Chelsea Barracks and the streets of Belgravia. Inspired by the orders of classical architecture and proportions prominent in the buildings of surrounding the development, the Belgravia Lamp pays homage to these traditional design values with its perfectly symmetrical lamp base. Hand-made from natural Mocha Creme Limestone.”
Just as a painting tells a story, Camilla Clarke's design journey weaves a tale of heritage and modernity. It's a narrative that embodies the essence of Chelsea Barracks – where the past and present come together seamlessly.
