Who knew that green and pink would work together so well? Welcome to the Insta-famous home of the design duo who are changing our approach to décor
When Russell Whitehead and Jordan Cluroe viewed a derelict Victorian house with Pepto-Bismol pink walls and threadbare bright green carpets, they jumped at the potential it offered.
Russell Whitehead and Jordan Cluroe’s Insta-famous malachite green dining room. Used for both entertaining and working, the eye-catching dining room provides ample Instagram material. The pale walls are painted in Threadneedle and the signature squiggle pink door trim, dubbed ‘lipstick for doors’, is FTT005, both mylands.com
Jordan and Russell in the kitchen extension with their dachshund Buckley
‘It was very romantic,’ remembers Russell. ‘The attic was filled with 1950s interiors magazines, featuring many of the colourful furnishings that had been originally used.’
But five years on, the couple –founders of interior design and creative consultancy 2LG Studio (which stands for two lovely gays) – have transformed the place.
Rose Theatre paint by Mylands – seen on the living room walls as well as the radiators and woodwork throughout – seems apt, given the pair’s background. They started as actors, with successful West End stage and TV careers, but decided to refocus on interior design. Yet TV came calling again in 2014 as they took part in the first series of BBC Two show The Great Interior Design Challenge, where they finished as runners-up.
Of the pink furniture and stronger pink tones around the doors, Jordan says, ‘People sometimes ask, “Why pink?” It can be a controversial colour in interiors but, to us, there is no such thing as pink for girls and blue for boys. Colour is about how you feel – don’t be afraid to use a bit of pink if it makes you smile.’
When it comes to the style and furnishing of their home in Forest Hill, Southeast London, where Russell and Jordan live with miniature dachshund Buckley, they made an effort to change old habits. ‘Our previous homes were driven more by trends. In this home we wanted to embrace investment pieces that would stand the test of time and grow with the house,’ says Russell. With this in mind, the pair looked for classic wallpapers, carpets, furniture and lighting, which they designed with talented makers.
The same is true of their Insta-famous malachite green dining room, situated in the most wonderful part of the house, overlooking the garden. There, transformational storage and an exquisite marble terrazzo table, made in collaboration with surface designer Olivia Aspinall (olivia-aspinall.com), turns functional into glamorous. Throughout the house, spaces meet everyday needs with hidden fold-out desk compartments and concealed wardrobes.
Creative solutions to make the best of your home and help you find your interior style form the crux of their new book, Making Living Lovely (to be published by Thames & Hudson on 30 April).
‘Russell is a firm believer in the storytelling – how each piece should link to a memory,’ says Jordan. This is illustrated by the blue lamp in the couple’s home office, made from their favourite childhood toys. Jordan focuses more on the visuals such as colours and shapes.
The overriding theme throughout? That interior design should be fun!
See 2lgstudio.com or Instagram @2lgstudio
THE HOME OFFICE: A vintage desk was covered with recycled vinyl terrazzo from tarkett.com, and the blue lamp was made by the couple using their childhood toys from the 1980s. The Hag Capisco office chair is by flokk.com. The ceiling is painted in FTT-018, mylands.com
THE DRESSING ROOM: ‘We converted the spare room into a permanent dressing room and it gives us joy each day,’ says Jordan. The table was designed by 2LG Studio for John Lewis of Hungerford. The chair is a sample by Jaime Hayon for SE, reupholstered in kvadrat.dk fabric
THE WARDROBE: The hanging wardrobe system is part of the bespoke collection by 2LG Studio for John Lewis of Hungerford (john-lewis.co.uk). The cabinet is painted in Observatory, mylands.com
Screen print, £50, insidestoreldn.com. Sofa, £749, dwell.co.uk. Tumblers, £40 for four, lsa-international.com. Floor lamp, £139, made.com. Ornament, £32, curiousegg.com. Headboard, £545, oliverbonas.com. Sideboard, £725, amara.com. Candle, £39, insidestoreldn.com. Plant pot, £70.75, oyoylivingdesign.co.uk. Locker, £129, mustardmade.co.uk. Cushion, £70, curiousegg.com
Screen print, £50, insidestoreldn.com.
Sofa, £749, dwell.co.uk.
Tumblers, £40 for four, lsa-international.com.
Floor lamp, £139, made.com.
Ornament, £32, curiousegg.com.
Headboard, £545, oliverbonas.com.
Sideboard, £725, amara.com.
Candle, £39, insidestoreldn.com.
Plant pot, £70.75, oyoylivingdesign.co.uk.
Locker, £129, mustardmade.co.uk.
Cushion, £70, curiousegg.com