CLAPHAM HOUSE

A family home filled with heart in SE London
This SE London home tells the story of a family and a design journey years in the making. Interior designer Nicki Bamford-Bowes, & then they went wild, brought this project to life, transforming the house into a warm, inviting home that perfectly reflects its occupants. Samantha, a scientific researcher and soon-to-be children’s book author (her illustrated chemistry book launches this June, available now for pre-order on Amazon), discovered Nicki after watching the first series of Interior Design Masters on BBC and Netflix. Drawn to Nicki’s distinctive style and creative approach, Samantha knew she had found the right designer to reimagine their family home.

What followed was an incredible collaboration with Samantha, her husband Mark, a business owner, and their two sons—Ethan (11), a math enthusiast, and Josh (8), who adores everything transport-related. While the house had good bones, including a basement dig and loft extension, it lacked warmth and character. Over a series of phases—spanning pre-Covid, lockdowns, and beyond—Nicki transformed the space, creating a home that reflects the family’s personality, passions, and love for comfort.

The goal was to create a home that reflected their unique interests, passions, and personality while delivering comfort and functionality for their busy London family life. The design incorporates playful nods to the family’s interests. Samantha’s love of science is celebrated with a striking periodic table artwork in the kitchen and vintage scientific lithograph prints in the basement, an oil painting of Brighton (Sam’s home town) in the bedroom. While a world map wall pays homage to their shared passion for travel and exploration. These elements, combined with rich textures, bespoke joinery and finishes, wooden panelling in the basement cinema room, and rich colours, create a sense of cosy personalised luxury that flows throughout the home.

This project is a testament to how a house becomes a home—a space that evolves and grows with its family, full of character, comfort, and a story waiting to be shared. A home that evolves with its occupants, blending practical family living with deeply personal touches.