Words: Anna Galbraith
Simon Mottram made his name doing the seemingly impossible: Making cyclewear stylish. Flooded with reinforced shorts and overly-synthetic materials, it was a clothing niche many thought destined to be out of vogue forever, until Mottram pedalled onto the scene as CEO of Rapha — one of our three most stylish cycling brands to look out for.
It comes as no surprise, then, that his same sense of contemporary style fused with functionality can be seen in his striking London home. It was this ethos that formed the heart of the brief Mottram gave to architectural designers Richard Parr & Associates, who redesigned the entrepreneur’s Edwardian London home to a T.
Throughout, a mix of stone, concrete, wood and metal have been used to offer an array of textures. Custom-made panelling and pieces of furniture designed by Simon’s brother-in-law, Alex Godson, also feature.
The house features contrasting styles — with a front full of gentle character and a rear which is industrial and pared back. These two disparate aesthetics come together to form a rich, characterful — and distinctly Rapha-like look.
Each space within Mottram’s home offers the family something different. The master bedroom is an indulgent, comfortable sanctuary, while the family space that leads into the garden is stripped-back, sophisticated and practical.
The property effectively blends industrial tones and purposeful design with light-hearted pops of colour, comfort and style. It is a space perfectly curated for the modern family man — and a reflection of the company Mottram built.
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