Portrait photographer and born-and-bred West Londoner Lily Bertrand-Webb invited us over to her beautiful Victorian home which she shares with lots of other creatives.
Since graduating from Bournemouth University, Lily has assisted Sam Taylor-Wood alongside running an art gallery in central London. She is now turning her focus to her own photography - documenting personal and intimate moments on camera - and her Kensal Rise home is a beautiful reflection of her creativity.
What do you love so much about West London?
I've lived here all my life, and although it has gone through enormous obvious transformations, there are some things that will never change. I love how despite the constant threat of change with building plans and the invasion of chain shops, the community spirit never wavers.
My family are down the road and some of my oldest and dearest friends have lived here all their lives. The lady at one of my favourite flower stalls went to the same secondary school as my mum!
How would you describe your interior style?
The majority of our furniture is found and borrowed or presents from friends and family over the years. It's been fun to choose things we like and really mix and match, it seems to be working so far! I also love having plants and fresh flowers in the rooms, they bring life and colour to a room and are a wonderful way of changing the feel of the space.
Where else in the world would you like to live?
There are a few places I would like to live but haven't been to yet. I've always dreamed of living in New York. The iconic high ceiling warehouse buildings would be an amazing place for a studio. I recently saw my dream home online at HUH magazine, a beautiful converted factory loft apartment in Italy.
Does most of the artwork adorning your walls have sentimental value as well as being aesthetically pleasing?
Everything in the room has a personal history to my partner and I. We wanted to make our studio and bedroom a place where we enjoy working and living in. We like having beautiful and provocative objects around us - having our works and friends' artworks makes the rooms light and playful.
What's your biggest indulgence for your home?
I have to confess I'm addicted to my iPhone and Instagram (follow lily @lilybw). I use film for my photography, and my camera, Mamiya 645, is sometimes too big to carry it with me everywhere so I use my iPhone as a replacement.
For a while, I was very anti digital camera phone apps but finally gave in to Instagram two years ago and haven't look back since!
It has also been a great way of showing my photographs as well as discovering new talent and beautiful work that is out there.
With a studio at home how do you get into work mode?
Having a studio at home actually makes me do work. Most mornings, I get up early to go for long walks with my girlfriends. I'm always ready to do something productive afterwards and look forward to going back to the studio.
How do you relax at home after work?
I spend a lot of time at my desk, scanning, editing and staring at the computer screen, and after a while I go a bit crazy. I think it's important for the mind and body to exercise and get fresh air and unwind. I sometimes go skate boarding with my dad in Hyde Park, which is another great way to have fun while exercising! I also really value spending time with my friends. After being in a studio on my own and listening to BBC 6 Music all day, I can't wait to have a G&T and catch up with my friends.
Take a flick through Phoebe-Lettice Thompson's full shoot of Lily's beautiful apartment...
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