ABOUT THIS TOUR
HOME TYPE: Apartment
LOCATION: Mile End, London, United Kingdom
STYLE: Bohemian, Eclectic
BEDROOMS: 3
SQUARE FEET: 748
“My design approach is based on three things: I want it to feel comfortable, I want it to reflect me, and I want it to be colorful,” begins William Rayfet Hunter, who moved into their eclectic East London apartment three years ago. It’s the first place they’ve owned, so they went in with excitement fueled by having complete ownership of a space for the first time — ready to paint the walls and make it their own.
Living with flatmate, Dominic, and cat, Mr. Beef, Will finished decorating a few weeks ago. They started with a structured approach — mood boards and rooms planned out — but that all went out the window and they ended up with a different outlook. “If I like something, I get it and make it fit.”
As a doctor in A&E during the pandemic, Will explains it became important that their home was a space where they could come home, close the door, and immediately relax. Since then, they decided to leave medicine to focus on writing, with their first novel coming out next year.
Will’s book, Sunstruck, follows the story of two young men and is primarily about power, desire, and what parts of ourselves we hide to be loved, and their home is where the book came to life. “I’m really lucky to have a room where I can shut the door and focus. Having somewhere quiet to write and sit with ideas has helped my process.”
When walking into Will’s home, you’re immediately drawn to the central living space — with high ceilings and big windows. It was this room that first attracted them to the place, but on moving in they realized the room was an odd shape and difficult to make functional. “I wanted a TV somewhere, but it to not be the main focus. I toyed around with it for ages and ended up having shelves custom built so that the TV could be out of the way and swing out when needed.”
The design is a mix of Will’s cozy and colorful aesthetic, alongside the older structure of the Victorian building, vintage accents, and some less conventional pieces. When it comes to the less-conventional pieces, the plates mounted on the living room wall are a few of Will’s favorites.
“We also have the frog teapot and things that don’t necessarily fit anywhere so I decide ‘Okay, this is a design piece now.’ There’s a pair of heels on a shelf because there’s no room in my cupboard. Some pieces are born out of something weird that I saw or something functional that I have made into a statement.”
At the heart of Will’s home is creating a space that is comforting and welcoming. “This flat has always been a refuge for me, during Covid but more recently it’s become the place I retreat to when I need to sit with an idea or work on the book. I keep an open-door policy and host a monthly ‘Sunday Service’ where anyone can drop in. I’ve tried to make the space as cozy as possible for me and everyone who passes through.”
Will’s Sunday Service was started as an antidote to how lonely London can feel. “My first couple of years here I had a lot of friends but even then, it can feel like a really lonely city.” So once a month, Will sends a message to old friends and new to come over, bring food, a friend or a neighbor, and through this the city becomes a little less lonely and community roots are planted.
Driven by the desire to create a sanctuary where they can unwind, create, and connect, it is the living elements of their home that mean the most to Will. “I think one of the things that can go underappreciated when making something feel like home is all the living things — the plants and flowers and, of course, Mr. Beef is a huge part of what makes the space feel like a refuge.”
Resources
PAINT & COLORS
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Living room — Lick “Pink 04 and Pink 03”
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Entry — Lick “Green 01”
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Bedroom 1/study — Farrow and Ball “Powder Blue”
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Bedrooms 2 & 3 — COAT “Persipan”
LIVING ROOM
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Podge chaise sofa in burnt ochre linen — LOAF
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Homemade cushions — Vintage Mulberry fabric
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The Rebel Armchair — SNUG
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Venetia coffee table — TIPTOE
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IKEA floor lamp
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IKEA dining table
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Vintage writing desk
BEDROOM 1/Study
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Highbeach table and bench — GRAIN
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Shelving units — MADE.com
BEDROOM 2
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Bed — MADE.com
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Built in shelving — Custom
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Built in wardrobe — Custom
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Bamboo side tables — Amazon
Thank you for sharing your home with us, William!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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