In the BOH series What I Love, we’re asking designers to build us a mood board of what’s inspiring them right now.
Henriette von Stockhausen has a keen eye for antiques. The London-based founder and creative director of VSP Interiors gravitates toward heirloom pieces imbued with character and patina. “I’m drawn to objects that tell a story about the lives and histories of the people who inhabit the space,” she tells Business of Home.
True to form, her flat lay showcases an assortment of vintage treasures—including an ancient verdure tapestry and an antique oil painting of a dog—from her favorite shops and suppliers. “The pieces come together to create a classic, collected feel that’s been shaped over time,” she says.
With a current countryside project in mind, von Stockhausen layered an array of time-honored patterns in contemporary colorways to modernize the scheme without compromising the lived-in feel. “The mood is relaxed, comfortable and timeless—very much rooted in the way [nationally protected historic] country house interiors naturally evolve,” she says.
Here, the designer breaks down the details, from a stippled floral fabric to a braided jute rug.
1. CINQ MARS FABRIC IN BLUE AND BRONZE BY CLAREMONT
“One of my all-time favorites, the color, the moiré, the stripe—just perfection.”
2. CAMPION LIGHT WITH HEIRLOOM FINISH AND ANTIQUE BRASS ACCENTS BY THE URBAN ELECTRIC CO.
“I love using this light over a breakfast table. It casts an amazing [glow] downwards towards the table that pools comfortably because of the mirror inside.”
3. PARIS LIGHT IN ANTIQUE BRASS BY ROBERT KIME
“A super flexible wall light is essential as a reading lamp inside a four-poster bed.”
4. SISAL BOUCLÉ BROCKTON CARPET BY ALTERNATIVE
“The perfect natural base for layering antique rugs and adding warmth and character.”
5. BAMBOO FOUR-POSTER BED SAMPLE BY VSP INTERIORS FOR OFICINA INGLESA
“I am working with Oficina Inglesa on a four-poster bed design, and this is the sample. I am very excited by this!”
6. ANTIQUE VERDURE TAPESTRY FROM JULIA BOSTON ANTIQUES
“I always use a beautiful antique verdure tapestry in my projects, sometimes on the wall, sometimes as a room divider, and sometimes as cushions from antique remnants.”
7. SADDLE SEAT BAR STOOL BY HOWE
“This elegantly shaped stool fits neatly under any counter.”
8. ANTIQUE PLATE
“I collect antique china and pottery. I try to incorporate as many as I am able to in kitchens and breakfast rooms. They are so decorative on the walls.”
9. VENICE OTTOMAN FABRIC IN INDACO BY ARJUMAND’S WORLD
“The mottled Ottoman design in faded shades works perfectly with what I try to achieve in an interior—to whisper, not shout, faded grandeur. This pattern is happy to become a backdrop to art and artifacts. It practically glows.”
10. CUSTOM CURTAIN POLE BY TILLYS
“Tillys is my go-to for bespoke curtain poles.”
11. CUSTOM HAND-SEWN LAMPSHADE BY FLOREN
“A must for all our lamps: antique-silk shades with vintage trim.”
12. ANTIQUE SHROUD FABRIC
“There is sadly not much of this left—we bought the last 70 meters of it. It’s so delicate. I always use it as sheers on blinds, because the way the light shines through the irregular stripe is wonderful. I’m always on the lookout for more.”
13. ANTIQUE OIL PAINTING FROM JAMB
“I dream of this antique dog painting. I have two black-and-white spaniels—I am saving up!”
14. HANDMADE ANTIQUE MIRROR GLASS IN WHITE VINTAGE BY SALIGO DESIGN
“I love using antique mirror glass in all sorts of situations: on backsplash in kitchens, behind freestanding baths and on wardrobe doors. I love the heavier-patterned ones the most.”
15. KARSAMBA FABRIC BY ROBERT KIME
“This is my go-to for upholstery. It’s based on an Anatolian fragment, and like most Robert Kime fabrics, it sits comfortably in any room without shouting.”
16. PAPYRUS SHADE SAMPLE BY ROBERT KIME
“I use papyrus a lot, whether as shades—the light that comes through is a magical, warm, soft glow that flatters everything—or on the walls. It always looks amazing.”
17. MIMOSA FABRIC IN DELFT BY CAROLINA IRVING TEXTILES
“I just love Carolina Irving, and have been wanting this fabric for myself for ages. It’s so delicate and pretty without being too flowery.”
18. CUSTOM HAND-SEWN LAMPSHADE BY FLOREN
“My love for antique handmade silk shades knows no bounds.”
19. MATILDA WALLPAPER IN OAK BY RUPERT BEVAN
“I adore this fun wallpaper, not only for the marbling, which I am crazy about, but also the colors.”
20. VINTAGE KILIM PILLOW
“After covering stools and ottomans, we make these cushions with the leftover vintage textile we source on trips to Morocco and Istanbul.”
21. PATMORE BRAID RUG BY PETER PAGE
“I use natural materials whenever possible, and this rug is such a good neutral, as well as a soft addition to any scheme.”
