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THE DIGEST
Inside Bell Hutley’s Playful East London Home
Step inside artist Bell Hutley’s Lower Clapton home, where vintage treasures, hand-painted murals and warm, folky interiors come together to create a deeply personal and ever-evolving space.
In Lower Clapton, artist and designer Bell Hutley has created a home that feels deeply personal from the moment you step inside. Rather than being carefully planned or rushed to completion, it has come together gradually, guided by instinct, creativity and a genuine love for old things. As Bell puts it, it is always evolving, and that sense of openness is part of what makes it so inviting.
The house is shared with her fiancé, who moved in first before Bell joined a few months later. Since then, it has grown into a collaborative space that reflects both of them, with Bell’s artistic influence running quietly throughout. Nothing feels driven by trends. Instead, each room has been shaped with intention, without ever feeling overworked.
That creative approach is especially clear in the corridor. Once an empty and slightly forgotten space, it has been transformed with a hand painted mural of climbing greenery. It feels spontaneous and expressive, and remains an ongoing project. Over time, the idea is to layer artworks over the mural, allowing the space to evolve naturally rather than forcing it to feel complete.
Her style draws on folk influences, children’s illustrations and a love of imperfection. There is a softness to it, balanced with a sense of play. Nothing feels overly polished. Instead, the house is filled with small details that invite a closer look. Many pieces are sentimental, carried from one home to another, gradually building a story that continues to unfold.
“Interiors and art cross-pollinate... there’s no limit to where design can live”
Bell Hutley
Vintage sits at the core of Bell’s approach to interiors. She rarely buys new, instead choosing pieces that already have some history to them. Whether found at a flea market, picked up second hand or sourced online, there is always an element of discovery. Many are then reworked in simple ways. A frame might be repainted, or a piece of furniture adjusted to suit the space. It is a practical approach that shows a considered home does not need to be expensive or overly styled.
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