Style file: Rita Konig
Rita Konig is a self-professed lover of clutter and pattern, and her signature style is a blend of English comfort and American sleekness. Every month she imparts wisdom in her House & Garden column Rita Notes - from wallpapers to ironmongery, see the full range of Rita's expertise here. After living in New York for six years, the designer is now based in London, running her website, writing columns and designing for clients.
Paul Massey1/46A sprawling 19th-century country house
Built in the 19th century in the local vernacular, it looks from the front, according to its interior designer Rita Konig, ‘like a perfect little biscuit tin’, surrounded by farm buildings. Its owners – a couple with three young children – like to host and entertain on a grand scale, but also wanted the elasticity of a home that would not feel too large and empty when their friends have left and it is just the five of them.
See the full house story here.
Paul Massey2/46Plain English units painted in ‘Mash’ and an island in ‘Sauce’, with patterned Balineum tiles behind the cooker, create a modern country-house feel.
Its owners – a couple with three young children – like to host and entertain on a grand scale, but also wanted the elasticity of a home that would not feel too large and empty when their friends have left and it is just the five of them.
See the full house story here.
Paul Massey3/46In this sitting room, a blind in Le Manach’s ‘Galigai’ and an armchair in Pierre Frey’s ‘Izmir’ in rouge are set off by woodwork in Paint & Paper Library’s ‘Kigali’.
See the full house story here.
Paul Massey4/46A David Linley desk stands on a rug by Melissa Wyndham from Robert Stephenson.
According to Rita, houses of this scale ‘simply inhale furniture’. So she did not do away with anything that might, at first glance, seem slightly dated: ‘I enjoy working with things like that. Even if I don’t love them immediately, they end up being the ones that bring warmth and depth. You don’t want everything to be too of the moment.’ Some David Linley furniture from the 1990s is a case in point. Handed down by the owner’s father, it now ‘looks terrific’ in a bedroom.
See the full house story here.
Paul Massey5/46In the drawing room, a generous ottoman in Galbraith & Paul’s ‘Links’ partners a sofa in ‘Nathalie’ from Claremont.
The interiors are characterised by an assemblage of furniture and art handed down from family members, alongside new pieces sourced by Rita. Finding the thread that connects the homes of the owners’ childhoods with their current life is a running theme. The look is Rita’s brand of relaxed country, shot through with nods to the great country-house decorators of the 1970s and 1980s.
See the full house story here.
Paul Massey6/46The grand new entrance reorientates the property towards the courtyard and its barns, which have been converted into spaces for relaxation, entertaining and work. Here Lapicida tiles contrast with walls in Edward Bulmer’s ‘Trumpington’.
See the full house story here.
Paul Massey7/46Rita's County Durham farmhouse
Since finishing the renovation of her husband's farmhouse in County Durham, our columnist Rita Konig has seen the colourful interiors come to life in ways she could not have imagine at the project's start.
In the sitting room, Walls in 'Invisible Green' by Edward Bulmer Natural Paints set off a sofa from David Bedale Antiques in a vintage fabric and a yellow-upholstered Gillows armchair. The coffee tables, possibly from Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, stand on a rug from Robert Kime.
See the full house story here.
Paul Massey8/46In the snug, curtains in Claremont's 'Straub Twill' in celery complement Twigs' 'Arbor Day' wallpaper in off-white from Simon Playle. A 'Trumpet Lamp' by Marianna Kennedy picks up on an armchair in Lewis & Wood's 'Nantes' indigo cotton and cushion on a sofa covered in 'Charlton' ginger corduroy by Tissus d'Hélène.
See the full house story here.
Paul Massey9/46In the kitchen, curtains in ‘Entoto Stripe’ in juniper/leaf by Lee Jofa echo the green of Sarah Graham’s Artichoke II lithograph print against walls in ‘Lilac Pink’ by Edward Bulmer. Lapicida’s porcelain ‘Highland Castle’ floor tiles create a convincing stone effect. A mix of Arts and Crafts dining chairs from AvW Antiques (with cushions in ‘Persian Flower’ in jewel by Soane) and antique ladderback chairs surround a large antique Italian dining table from Tallboy Interiors. Lighting is provided by a ‘Stella’ glass pendant from Pooky and antique opaline-glass coolie lights from Howe, supplemented by resin candlesticks by Marianna Kennedy and an eye-catching antique brass wall sconce.
See the full house story here.
Paul Massey10/46A dresser by Plain English, painted in the company’s ‘Army Camp’ green, holds a sink from Howe paired with brass taps from Barber Wilsons & Co. Rita’s collection of antique glassware is displayed on the top shelf.
See the full house story here.
Paul Massey11/46A headboard designed by Rita for Ensemblier, covered in Schumacher’s ‘Knox’ cotton in rose, stands out against walls and curtains in striking ‘Pomegranate Print’ linen in charcoal by the same company.
See the full house story here.
Paul Massey12/46Totty Lowther’s ‘Pomegranate’ wallpaper in alabaster provides a restful backdrop for a ‘Morris’ bed in greyed oak by William Yeoward with an antique quilt from Katharine Pole. An antique bronze giraffe lamp from Alfies Antique Market in London acts as a bedside light on a table covered in a scarf from Bonton.
See the full house story here.
Paul Massey13/46In this batrhoom, woodwork in ‘Leather II’ by Paint & Paper Library balances Le Manach’s ‘Pommes de Pin’ wallpaper in céladon from Pierre Frey.
See the full house story here.
Paul Massey14/46Rita Konig's London flat
The sitting area is a masterclass in layering, with textiles in different patterns and textures covering the sofas and cushions; Etro's red cotton velvet 'Palinuro' from Pierre Frey is used on one sofa and China Seas' 'Ziggurat' from Tissus d'Hélène on the other.
Paul Massey15/46The open fireplace surrounded by a chimneypiece found at Petworth Antique Centre, and walls covered with a mix of framed prints, photographs, drawings and paintings, add to the relaxed look.
Paul Massey16/46In the sitting area, two armchairs, passed down from Rita's mother and grandmother, are positioned to distinguish the two spaces; the left one is covered in 'Casse-Noisette' by Décors Barbares and the right has a similar floral pattern on the cushion.
17/46A few steps up from the kitchen leads to the dining area, where the walls are painted in 'Greville Pink' by Adam Bray.
Paul Massey18/46Contrasting with the pink walls are the yellow leather-upholstered chairs from Philippe Hurel and a drawing by Bill Mauldin from Honor Fraser Gallery in LA.
Paul Massey20/46Playing on the lack of natural light in the bathroom, Rita had the bath area covered in horizontal and vertical boards, painted in a high-gloss 'Deep Brunswick Green' from Papers and Paints.
Paul Massey21/46The bedroom includes a white chair with scallop edges.
22/46In the main bedroom, Rita sourced 'acres of C & C Milano wool' for generous curtains and chose Farrow & Ball's 'Skylight' paint for the walls.
Paul Massey23/46Originally Rita's room before the expansion, the spare room has curtains in 'Broadcloth' felt from Hainsworth and is lined in Tyler Hall's 'First Bloom' wallpaper from Tissus d'Hélène, with a Guatemalan tapestry that Phil brought back from his travels.
Paul Massey25/46A townhouse in Manhattan
It did not look like a match made in heaven: two people with diametrically opposed tastes. And how risky, when the two people are the owner of a house and the interior designer hired to work on it. Rita is a self-professed lover of 'clutter and pattern', but the American owner of this Manhattan townhouse describes herself as 'a clean-lined minimalist'.
Accessed through sliding pocket doors, the dining room has a Philippe Hurel table combined with chairs from Howe. The neutral palette of the walls, painted beams and Luke Irwin rug places the focus on the arched french windows, which open out onto the garden. Rita created a seating area by the chimneypiece with a compact sofa.
Paul Massey26/46Rita Konig Manhattan House - Trunk Storage | Style File
In a corner of the dining room, a trunk from Guinevere provides storage space and doubles as an occasional table.
Paul Massey27/46Bright & neutral by Rita Konig | Living Room Ideas
Fortuny 'Persiano' cotton, now discontinued, was used to make the blinds for the three large windows in the sitting room. Having discovered Jacques Adnet through Rita, the owner now has a piece by the French designer in almost every room - here it is a pair of round tables. The Clifford Ross picture above the chimneypiece was bought at New York gallery Sonnabend.
Paul Massey28/46Round Dining Table | Dining Room Design Ideas
A round dining table with modern chairs makes an informal dining area in the living room.
Paul Massey29/46When Rita arrived at the Manhattan townhouse, she immediately found the interior plan verging on stark. The owner had warned her that she did not want pattern, but Rita thought this was negotiable and here and there has added toned-down patterns and rich colours, like the deep green of this stair runner.
The stairs lead directly from the sitting room up to the first floor. The Rug Company runner complements the dark wooden flooring.
Paul Massey30/46White Kitchen, Glass-Fronted Cabinets | Kitchen Design Ideas
The kitchen, with its glass-fronted cabinets revealing a display of glassware, is by Patti Seidman of Mullman Seidman Architects.
Paul Massey31/46For the owner of the Manhattan townhouse, the important thing about the space is how it makes her feel - 'like living in a country house'.
In the bathroom, walls painted with the same faux panelling found in the bedroom, conceal storage and add to the country theme found throughout the house.
Paul Massey32/46Rita Konig Manhattan House - Bedroom Seating | Style File
The main bedroom has walls painted with faux panelling. The French-style armchair is from Anthony Lawrence-Belfair.
Paul Massey33/46The bed is covered in Idarica Gazzoni's Mughal-inspired 'Day Screen' fabric and has bed linen from Monogrammed Linen Shop. The side table is by Christian Liaigre and the rug from Luke Irwin.
Paul Massey34/46Rita Konig Manhattan House - Drinks Table | Style File
A chest of drawers from Long Island antique dealer Jonathan Burden is used as a drinks table. The slim lamp has a shade from Lucy Cope.
Paul Massey35/46Rita Konig Manhattan House - Picture Wall | Style File
Rita's love for 'clutter' influences this wall filled with framed prints and photographs. The more minimalist taste of the clients is catered to with the neutral, toned-down colour scheme of the picture collection.
Instagram/ houseandgardenuk36/46Tips & tricks
'I'm quite a fan of Twigs in LA and this is one of their prints, with which I wallpapered the bedroom of my New York apartment.'
Instagram/ houseandgardenuk37/46'Be bold. There is no point in wallpapering a room and being shy about it. This beautiful Pierre Frey was perfect for Stella and Dot founder Blythe Harris' California home, which I worked on with architect G.P. Schafer.'
Instagram/ houseandgardenuk38/46'When you don't have a fabulous art collection, think of doing something totally different. When I moved to NY, I had no pictures and no budget. I covered my chimney breast with a grid of polaroid photographs of my friends, family and trips.'
Instagram/ houseandgardenuk39/46'Never be afraid of hanging pictures and paraphernalia to a patterned wallpaper. I loved, loved, loved my bedroom in this flat papered in Cole and Son's 'Madras Violet'. Sometimes I would just lie on my bed and stare at the walls.'
Instagram/ houseandgardenuk40/46'When you can't afford to make the curtains in the fabric you really want, re-think the way you use it. Here, we packed a punch with this table cloth in Robert Kime's 'Bergama' while keeping the rest of the room very calm in Paint Library 'Lead II'.'
Instagram/ houseandgardenuk41/46'I love painting wooden floors with a chequerboard pattern using either black or white against the wood. This works particularly well in bathrooms leading off bedrooms.'
Instagram/ houseandgardenuk42/46'This is such a lovely monochrome wallpaper - the gorgeous Night Blossom by Tyler Hall in my London home. It reminds me of a Cecil Beaton illustration and creates a night garden feel.'
Instagram/ houseandgardenuk43/46'If you're nervous of wallpaper, use it somewhere you are fleetingly. I used this stylish print - another by Twigs in LA - for the powder room of Deborah Needleman and Jacob Weisberg's place in Garrison, New York.'
Instagram/ houseandgardenuk44/46'Don't worry about getting bored of wallpaper. The stronger it is, the more you will love it everyday. I never tired of this print by my mother Nina Campbell that I used in my New York apartment. It gave a pokey non-existent hall real definition.'
Instagram/ houseandgardenuk45/46'Don't obsess over finishing. I believe most of the places we cherish are the ones that evolve quietly. Keep tinkering.'
Instagram/ houseandgardenuk46/46'Remember the sofa from the last picture? This is what it looked like when I first bought it. Here, it is upholstered in burlap, but later I recovered it in China Seas "Ziggurat".'
