If you want a home that combines an easy-going personality with a sharp fashion sense, look no further than Zoe Dent’s beautiful dwelling. The co-owner of the Wedding Nest wedding registry, Dent has long made her passion for interior design her daily business. But in this nest of her own, she pulls together the natural world and clean-cut modernity to create a truly unique feel. It is a lovely expression of coziness which is, nonetheless, incredibly contemporary.
Zoe Dent and her business partner Jacqui Scruby started the Wedding Nest after finding that ordinary wedding registries just didn’t offer any items they liked. So they set out to create a service that could cater to people who shared their tastes, by bringing together a range of fashionable and affordable pieces that they themselves would put in their homes.
Zoe Dent’s home truly lives and breathes her easy-going philosophy. She says she gets her inspiration from nature, especially the beach – and it shows. From textured coral to a rustic jute rug, there is an abundance of natural materials here. There is a symphony of found and rescued objects, shabby chic furniture, beautiful natural wood, and neatly framed artwork. Hard metal edges contrast against soft, luxurious textures in this diverse environment – indeed, it is all reminiscent of a beach holiday.
But while it is far from being formal or stuffy, this home cannot quite be called coastal or bohemian. In fact, this effortless blend of textures and materials creates a whole new look. Zoe defines her personal style as a mixed bag – a bit of coastal, boho, French and contemporary, but she blends these together with such ease that it looks completely organic.
To see how this is achieved, you might first take a look at the matching wicker lighting fixtures, which set the tone by creating a stark and dramatic pattern. The light fixtures play beautifully with the other textured objects in this living/dining room: the coral art pieces, wicker furniture and ornate wall mirror, all of which resonate their patterned appeal. But rather than being busy and overwhelming, these patterns are counter-balanced by a clean-cut whitewashed background, making them easy on the eye and uplifting to the spirit. 
The result is a home which looks like it simply grew, or hatched, instead of being designed on purpose. You get the impression that life is easy here – the atmosphere implies low stress levels and long days at the beach. In spite of this, Zoe Dent is a busy entrepreneur with a family to raise – and, perhaps, this is the reason that she has chosen this particular environment to come home to. It must be a true pleasure to take a deep breath and relax in this airy home, full of comfort, light, and beautiful natural pieces.
Via adore, Photography: Hannah Blackmore / Styling: Claudia Stephenson
I’m glad to see an interior decorators dining table rug doesn’t cater to her chairs.