Reinventing House 21 with Russell Sage Studios

Interior designer Russell Sage has taken no. 21 Portman Square back to the club’s famously neoclassical roots.

Under the direction of acclaimed designer Russell Sage, the interiors of No.21 have been dramatically reinvented to honour the club’s historical and colourful past, taking inspiration from the notorious Countess of Home’s wildly lavish parties and such hedonistic behaviour that broke the harmony of Georgian Society life. Adorned with contemporary art, lavish furnishings and glamorous lighting, each room embodies the House’s history as Elizabeth the Countess of Home’s personal playground, revealing untold stories in every corner.

Members and guests can enjoy a creative menu of seriously good small plates and exquisite cocktails influenced by the Countess of Home’s voyages across the globe, alongside late-night DJ’s and an exciting line up of regular entertainment designed to evoke a sense of freedom.

About Russell Sage Studios

Established in 2005, Russell Sage Studio comprises a thriving team of 40 dedicated interior designers, FF&E designers, planners, restorers and art and antiques experts. Since inception, the studio has built a solid reputation for creating unique interior designs for five star hotels, exclusive members’ clubs, premium restaurants, luxury bars and private residences around the world.

In 1773, James Wyatt was commissioned by Elizabeth, Countess of Home, to design build a sophisticated palace purely for enjoyment and entertainment. Unfortunately for Wyatt, he was sacked, and in 1775 his competitor Robert Adam was appointed to complete the interiors of the house in the sumptuous Neo-Classical style. Today, No 20 Portman Square is acknowledged as Adam’s finest surviving London town house.

Russell Sage Studio prides itself on developing a bespoke design that is perfect for each client, designing a space that is timeless, beautiful, functional and durable, while paying close attention to the smaller details, both front and back of house, that results in the most thrilling and sumptuous interiors.

For Russell Sage Studio’s most recent design project for Home House, the team understood that only a bespoke, opulent interior made with care, craft and skill would do.

www.russellsagestudio.co.uk

Home House Magazine catches up with the design team behind the reimagined House 21, to give insight into crafting a bespoke space that seamlessly combines 18th century Georgian heritage with 21st century style.

How does Russell Sage Studio pride itself on its bespoke work?

Russell Sage Studio has a long tradition of working closely with bespoke projects and craftspeople, as well as collaborations with artists. It always makes projects more exciting to have added layers of creativity and craftsmanship as part of the overall design.

Tell us about the House 21 project; how did Russell Sage Studio get involved?

We were lucky to have worked with Home House collection on various projects before, including the restaurant upgrade, as well as overseeing the complete design of Home Grown. The team thought of us for the House 21 project as we were already well connected to the business and understood the overall ethos.

Was it challenging to work with a building with such a rich history?

There were no challenges, just a huge love for the House having been to many parties and events there over the last 20 years. This was our opportunity to add to its history in a creative and energetic way, which compliments both Home House and Home Grown.

The interior owes so much to the Georgian period it was founded during; how did you go about updating the space?

I always say, ‘Roll with the architecture’. We were inspired by the character and the history, and our colour palettes were rooted in this era, before thinking about the proportions of the space and how that affects the furniture we put in it. Paying homage to the Countess and the hedonistic behaviour of Georgian society, we injected colour with bright finishes and playful objects.

What are some of your favourite aspects of House 21 now that it is finished?

I love the grandfather clock bar! I had this idea for a while where I wanted to make a bar out of grandfather clocks, and House 21 was the perfect spot with its fantastic high ceilings, so clocks suddenly celebrated the architecture as well as being of the correct era.

What has the feedback been like from members and visitors?

It’s always a pleasure to get any feedback. Mostly we are just trying to make inspiring and engaging spaces for guests and we’ve been pleased that so many members have taken to the space.

You have worked with a few members’ clubs; how did Home House stand out?

Home House is special as it has a remarkable history and a fantastic, energetic membership which really brings the building alive. The architecture is inspiring and the people are creative, which is just perfect.

What aspect of this project is a personal highlight?

I love the secret dance floor which can fill the room with colourful lights on party nights. At the flick of a switch, the room can become party central!

homehouse.co.uk/restaurants-bars/house-lounge-bar