In the heart of Chelsea lies a pub famous for more than just its beer – that has served rock gods, not just the average London punter, and seen sporting history made, and not simply via satellite TV. May 1963. A shot of five capricious lads lounging outside the pub captures the essence of this building and its significance as a venue of substance and style. They are the Rolling Stones: a band so powerful and so popular that they changed the face of rock music, and celebrity, forever. The location is The Australian – first marked out as a landmark when it was adopted by Australia’s cricket team after playing on English soil for the first time at the old Prince’s Cricket Ground nearby.
Fast forward to July 2008...this pub, which provided relaxing banter to sportsmen, and quenched the thirst of Mick Jagger and friends between recording sessions and sell-out tours, has embraced a new trend and embarked upon a new journey.
Interior designer Helen Green, famed not for her impulsive creations but for her sophisticated and stylish designs, has taken this historic site and transformed it into a state of the art showroom that blends elegance and uncluttered sophistication with sharp, contemporary design. Passion, style and vision: these are the ingredients that Helen Green has used to establish her international reputation. Her philosophy is “to listen, and to understand a client’s vision. Design is not about imposing a rigid style; it’s a journey where designer and client arrive at the destination together – it’s a collaboration.”
Each project is unique. Helen’s interiors are modern but classic, combining comfort and practicality with sophistication and innovation. As Helen says, “design is all about the detail”.
This is Helen’s approach. Working closely with her team of sixteen interior and architectural designers she has created unique environments for clients across the world, and the scope of her work can be seen in recent projects, from an apartment in Belgravia to an estate in the north of England, from a ski chalet in Val d’Isere to a new spa, launching at the end of the year, for Coral Reef Hotel in Barbados. The company’s extensive international client list includes both private and commercial clients, and developers, such as The Maybourne Group, The Grosvenor Estate and St. James Group Ltd.
Now, this extends to Helen’s own project. For her flagship showroom, Helen has created a light-filled oasis which will showcase her collections of furniture, manufactured in the UK, fabric and accessories, and provide a dynamic creative space for her design team. Entering the showroom you are immediately transported by the bright, fresh, atmosphere of this once cluttered space. Full-length windows to both sides of the building allow light to flood the new, open-plan layout, and the back of the building has been opened to create a small garden – space for a quiet moment or an inspiring environment for meetings.
Inside, Helen has mixed warm tones and textures to create a space that is sleek and contemporary yet warm and inviting. Rich taupe silk wall coverings and dark chocolate timber panelling sit alongside a contemporary fire ribbon burner slot fireplace, full length sheet mirror and a back-lit glass panel with floating perspex shelves. Looking down from the ground floor showroom, a stunning glass and mirrored void allows a glimpse of the design team at work below, and travelling down the chocolate stained oak staircase to the meeting room is a reminder of the journey that the building has taken.
As a finishing touch, Helen has commissioned artists Holly Frean, Vincent Poole and Carole Graslan to create unique pieces for the space, which hang alongside Philip Townsend’s iconic shot of the Rolling Stones. The transformation from iconic landmark pub to state of the art showroom has been a long journey but, as Helen says, “I have known this building for a very long time and was thrilled to have the opportunity of giving it a fresh burst of life, whilst at the same time retaining its intrinsic character and integrity.”
The Helen Green showroom launches on Wednesday 16th July, 2008.
