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THE DIGEST
An ode to timeless design with The Modern House
To mark 20 years of The Modern House, we collaborated with the team to create a special edit of their favourite finds.
Twenty years in, The Modern House knows what lasts. To mark the moment, we joined forces on a tightly edited selection of vintage pieces, defined by instinct, character, and enduring appeal rather than passing trends. Invited into their pared-back London HQ, we uncovered what drew the team to each find, and how they’d live with them, from first instincts to future heirlooms in the making.
Photography Manager Morgan Pollard leans towards pieces that pair function with a strong visual point of view. This glossy red Carimate chair does exactly that, clean and considered in form, but with enough confidence in its colour and presence to hold a room without trying too hard.
“I’m probably a modernist, I’d say. I’ve always been about function over form, I love clean lines and ensuring everything visually is quite pared back.”
Sales Advisor Charlotte Gerrard is drawn to pieces that bring warmth and material contrast into a space, and this brass studded coffee table does both with ease. The patina gives it depth, almost echoing the richness of burl wood, while the detailed edging adds a layer of craftsmanship that keeps it grounded, tactile, and quietly characterful.
Appraisals Specialist Willo Madeley likes pieces with a sense of personality, and this amorphous aluminium chair leans all the way in. Slightly surreal in form, it carries a playful energy and a presence that’s hard to ignore, the kind of piece that shifts the mood of a room and refuses to blend in.
“I'm always drawn to material contrasts, and I can picture this amongst the warm wooden accents that appear throughout my flat. It's a little bit of fun, and it has a real sense of presence in a room. I think I would have to keep it away from the other chairs in case they got jealous.”
Senior Editor Nell Card leans towards the clarity of simple construction. Solid Douglas fir, fence-post legs, and materials left largely untouched give it an honest, unfussy appeal, while its versatility makes it an easy addition, ready to move between spaces and gather people as it goes.
Senior Appraisals Specialist Hadden White approaches a space through its artwork, often starting with a piece and building everything else around it. This painting by Gunnar Jonn stood out for its colour and composition, chosen not for strict allegiance to period or medium, but for its ability to hold its own on a wall and carry meaning beyond the moment, marking time, place, and memory in a way few other pieces can.
The Sirio T floor lamp by Kazuhide Takahama for Sirrah is defined by its clean, sculptural form and straightforward design. A subtle red button adds a touch of play, while its solid, industrial feel keeps it grounded. For Sales Team Manager Rae McCarthy-Yardley, it’s a practical way to anchor a room, balancing bolder elements without competing with them.
“It’s both unassuming and strikingly bold, with a solid, industrial feel”
The Kai Kristiansen Model 31 chair brings a more classic note into the mix, defined by its considered proportions and the subtle detail of its arm structure. It’s a piece that works across settings, from desk to dining, and sits comfortably within a layered interior rather than a perfectly matched one, adding depth without disrupting the balance. For Senior Appraisals Specialist Zoe Anderson, it’s this flexibility that gives it lasting appeal.
“I don't like it when things match or if they all come from the same era. I like a blend of styles and layering in the home to create richness and texture”
