Kemi Lawson at home

When Kemi, her husband, and their two young daughters embarked on their journey to find a new home, they didn’t have a cottage in mind.

Their search however, led them to a wisteria-covered Grade-II listed property steeped in history— with an origin dating back to the 1750s. The cottage, adorned with ornate fireplaces, wooden ceiling beams, and charming brickwork, struck a chord with Kemi. More than just a house, it offered her an opportunity to intertwine her Black British identity with the Englishness of the centuries-old home, making a powerful statement about belonging. 

Kemi’s connection to this historic dwelling runs deep. She sees her family as custodians, entrusted with the responsibility of preserving this slice of history for generations to come. While adding another layer to reflect a diverse, modern Britain. Renovating and decorating the five-bedroom cottage became a seven-month labor of love. Its protected status limited structural changes, focusing her efforts on enhancing the interior’s design details—the touches that truly make a house a home.

The complete article is available in the 8th issue.