I never imagined I would find my dream house in a place inhabited by Britain's favorite fictional bear, but my visit to Paddington's home proved me wrong. The Primrose Hill townhouse is bold, maximal, and full of personality. At every corner, I was struck with unique, storied design inspiration that made me want to immediately purchase a house in the English capital just to fill it with chinoiserie wallpaper and trinkets from my travels.
The English country decor home was created by the team at Airbnb to celebrate the upcoming release of the Paddington in Peru film. It's inspired by the home Paddington shares with the Brown family in the film adaptations of his story, and every detail looks just like the movies. Though I expected to experience movie magic during my visit, I was not prepared for how beautiful I would find the space from a design perspective.
Even though I grew up in New England, the old English country style has always been one of my favorite looks. I love how full of history, life, and pattern British design style is and the way it feels unafraid of having a big personality. I can't say it's not one of the things that brought me to London. If you too dream of living in a house worthy of Paddington Bear, here are the top five lessons I am taking from the home.
1. Books Are Always The Best Decor
Bookshelf wealth was the trend of 2024, and in Paddington's living room, it's easy to see why. Ceiling-high bookshelves overshadow the need for any other decor, bringing instant color and hominess. Beyond the bookshelves, I especially love how the Airbnb team used antique books in alcoves and corners for unexpected warmth.
2. You Can Never Have Too Much Wallpaper
Wallpaper is one of the simplest ways to add pattern and character to your interiors, and it's especially striking in the Browns' bedroom. Rather than shying away from patterns in the rest of the room, the team took the bright paper as a cue to fill it with space with shapes, textures, and colors. I was especially struck by how this room was brought together by all the little details, like the glossy shells in the fireplace (see lesson number five).
3. Don't Be Afraid of a Gallery Wall
We are always talking about 'overlooked' spaces at Homes & Gardens, because tending to them can take your interior design from good to great. The hallways throughout Paddington Bear's home prove the rule. There was nary a staircase that the Airbnb team had not transformed with a gallery wall. These eclectic designs incorporating a variety of plates, frames, photographs, and paintings can be used in any home to create a collage of personal history.
4. Embrace Artful Clutter
Spaces like Paddington's bedroom and the Browns' bathroom (no bear-facilitated flood included) showed me the value of displaying personal effects in every space. The surfaces in both rooms are host to a variety of decorative objects, colorful textiles, and eye-catching garlands. Though clutter has historically been associated with visual overwhelm, clutter is also what makes rooms feel lived-in. Post-visit, I'm seriously considering embracing the 'recluttering' trend.
5. The Joy is in the Details
The blue and yellow kitchen was is far my favorite room in Paddington Bear's home. Though the bright countertops and vertical storage are eye-catching, it's the red accents that take the kitchen to the next level. A variety of retro-style Smeg Appliances and red and orange Le Creuset pots brings in a new color with just styling. By paying attention to seemingly 'small' details, the Airbnb team infused this space with a unique personality.
It's not often that a kettle has as much personality as this cherry red Smeg piece I saw in Paddington's kitchen. For all its style, the appliance is also highly functional, receiving a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars in our Smeg 50s Retro Kettle Review.
It's only fitting that Paddington Bear would have my dream dutch oven. The red and orange gradient design and long-lasting contruction make this pot an heirloom piece.
This stainless steel magnetic bar is one of the best-rated on Amazon. It's a masterclass in vertical storage and perfect for even the smallest kitchens.
If you want to experience Paddington Bear's home for yourself, bookings for the Airbnb open at 9AM (GMT) on November 3, 2024. In the meantime, incorporating patterns, books, and intentional clutter can help you accomplish the same stunning English country style in any space.
