Interior designer Erik Munro’s secrets to designing an inviting home
Fitzrovia-based interior designer Erik Munro took a fascinating and varied route to his current career. Born on Vancouver Island off Canada’s Pacific Coast, he grew up on a farm, and spent his childhood days ‘sketching dream-house floor plans and building tree forts from scrap timber’. His creative instinct was also fuelled by frequent family trips abroad. ‘I saw the different ways that we all live, and became very intrigued by how interiors can shape who you are,’ he says.
Later, he studied business hospitality at Vancouver Island University and worked as a model, which took him all over the world. He eventually settled in London, wanting to ‘explore a more European lifestyle’, and worked for the interior architect Brigitta Spinocchia Freund; this led to a role as associate director at March and White Design, where he designed hotels, yachts, palaces and villas internationally.
Munro went solo in 2015, and is known for his emotionally uplifting, timeless interiors, which often feature natural materials.
What are Munro’s recent projects?
The Great Barn in Wiltshire is a ‘modern country retreat’ for a chef, three years in the making. A converted threshing barn, it was designed by Munro in collaboration with local architects; together, they reconfigured the building’s layout to maximise light and flow while honouring its time-worn character. ‘The interior incorporates large windows, two mezzanines and a show-stopping kitchen,’ says the designer, who also added a sculptural microcement fireplace and a mix of natural and refined materials, including wide-plank timber and marble.
‘I am most comfortable around natural materials, but I also crave the opulent, like a magpie, so I think my style lies somewhere in between,’ Munro reflects. ‘I’m slightly allergic to anything that doesn’t have a texture or pattern, and I believe that layering different textures is what brings a room to life. I love finishes that make me feel connected to nature and the earth – wood, stone, linen, velvet and antiqued metals are favourites.’
Munro has also created a new flagship store for Danish coffee brand Hagen – its largest location to date, in a historic building in North Audley Street, Mayfair. ‘My main goal was to celebrate the building’s rich history while introducing a modern, elevated feel,’ he says. ‘The central feature is a bold, circular zinc bar that invites customers to immerse themselves in the space. The original terracotta tiles and mouldings were key inspirations, so I used materials like terracotta, leather and wood for an earthy, handcrafted quality.’ There’s lots of classic Danish lighting, too, courtesy of brands like Louis Poulsen and Fritz Hansen.
What is he currently working on?
A four-storey home in Putney for a French couple with five children, where the challenge is to create a synergistic look. ‘He is very utilitarian and she is very romantic, so the style will meet somewhere in the middle,’ says Munro. He’s also creating an open-plan home in Queen’s Park for a club and festival manager – the focus is on entertaining and music – and a ‘classic-meets-contemporary’ Georgian house with a modern extension in Pangbourne, Berkshire.
He says: ‘My approach to interior design is about creating spaces that resonate with people. I believe a well-designed room should evoke real emotion the moment you step inside.’ erikmunro.com
Expert advice
Erik Munro on how to make your home stylish and welcoming
In dining rooms, mood lighting is a must. Extinguish overhead lights and make the most of wall sconces, candles and table lamps – there’s a vast array of rechargeable lamps that look great as part of a tablescape.
Your home’s entrance is the first paragraph in its story, so make it count. Over the year, objects tend to accumulate here, so clear these out. Replace summery artwork with something warmer and moodier; the same goes for rugs. Have a fabulous umbrella stand so the floor doesn’t get ruined, and dim the lights – candlelit wall sconces give a festive glow.
A well-designed guest bedroom should make people feel like they’re in their own home. Aside from the basics – reading lights, blackout window dressings and layers of bedding – it’s important to have multi-point switches and chargers integrated into the headboard or bedside table, so your visitors have control from the comfort of bed.
