Inside Kemide Lawson’s cottage that celebrates her heritage
Kemide Lawson's 18th-century cottage tells a rich narrative of her dual Jamaican and Nigerian heritage. With an energising mix of bright colours and plenty of pattern, the co-founder of lifestyle store The Cornrow has turned the former bakery into a home layered with personal details and thoughtful design choices.
Watch the video above for the full house tour.
Tucked away in Stanmore, Greater London, the house was built between 1750 and 1760 as a bakery and baker's cottage. It had been well cared for when Kemide purchased it in 2020, but she still saw an opportunity for transformation.
In the front room, grasscloth wallpaper covers the walls, while the hallway features Yaël & Valerie wallpaper depicting Haitian houses. There's also Nigerian tie-dye adire fabric on the bench, complemented by cushions from Poodle & Blonde and Amechi.
Upstairs, the main bedroom exudes a calm, airy feel, with a cloud mural wallpaper that provides a sense of tranquillity. The fairytale-like bedroom of Kemide's youngest daughter features a little nook transformed into a custom princess bed with curtains and a wall mural.
The home celebrates history and heritage, with Kemide sharing items she's collected over the years that hold special meaning to her. From the Benin bronze leopards standing guard on the front room mantelpiece to the marriage proposal letter written by her husband's family on aso oke fabric displayed in her bedroom, each piece tells its own story.
Follow Kemide on Instagram (@cottagenoir) or explore her Substack, Afri-tectural Digest. Kemide's upcoming book, The Black Home, will be published by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and is set for release in summer 2026.
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