THE PERFECT NEUTRAL SCHEME can mean different things to different people. For editor Rosa Park and her creative
director partner Rich Stapleton it means a pared-back palette of white and grey, pale timbers and a distinct Scandinavian
flavour. It’s an aesthetic that extends to the beautiful bi-annual travel magazine, Cereal, the couple founded and publish.
“We find the clean minimalism in every destination!” Rosa says of the design ethos she prefers at work and at home.
For this couple, home is a light-filled one-bedroom Georgian flat in the centre of Bath, England. It’s is filled with
hundreds of books – stored discretely behind cupboard doors to keep with the minimalistic theme – and peppered with
simple designs by Scandi brands like Muuto and Hay. “I think home is where you feel the most relaxed,” Rosa says.
“And you’re likely to feel this way in a setting that you’ve taken the time to set up and curate to your liking and tastes.”
While the bedroom is decked in dreamy white (sleeping is one of Rosa’s favourite pastimes!) and the kitchen is bathed
in the most beautiful natural light, the living room is Rosa’s favourite space in the flat – it’s here she spends most of her
time, whether alone with a cup of tea and a good book or entertaining a group of friends. A large dark grey sofa anchors
the space and is balanced with a pair of Oslo chairs by Muuto. They flank the focal point of the room: a fireplace with one
of Rich’s own photographic artworks mounted above. Rosa loves to collect art; some of her favourite pieces
by Nicole Patel and Agnes Martin hang alongside photographs and collages in a gallery arrangement behind the sofa.
The dining area/office space has more of a mix-and-match vibe, with a white table surrounded by chairs by Hans
Wegner, Harry Bertoia and Hay. Above it hangs an oversized Muuto “Under The Bell” pendant light, tying in with the grey
and white scheme. A stack of pastel Hay storage boxes adds a soft colourful accent and provide storage. These, plus
some sweet miniature chairs on the mantel, are just some of the subtle decorative flourishes that Rosa has added to her
pared-back interior, understated examples of Rosa’s considered decorating style. “I am constantly trying to figure out
what’s truly me and in order for me to do that, I look to my history and see what I’ve always loved and stayed loyal to.” Rclose look Rosa’s work space is dominated by a grey Muuto “Under The Bell” pendant light, which makes the space more design oriented.
The drawing is by Rich, a gift to Rosa for their 100-day anniversary. A black Anglepoise lamp cuts through the all-white walls and furniture.@reallivingmag
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