Max Radford on collecting and curating at home, a former pub in south London
For interior designer and gallerist Max Radford, the mid-century converted pub in Walworth, south London, that he rents with his partner, Emily Sanders, is a repository for the furniture and art they have collected over the past decade. And, of course, a handful of the pieces Max sources for interiors projects or his contemporary design show space, The Radford Gallery, that never quite make their way to their intended destination…
We’re delighted to now be sharing this story with you, which we first featured in Issue No.5 of The Modern House Magazine. If you haven’t already purchased your copy, you can do so by clicking here or by visiting one of our wonderful stockists. Alternatively, why not subscribe so that you get the next edition – coming in April – straight through your letterbox? In the meantime, read on to discover Max’s House Style.
How would you describe the interiors of your home?
Collected.
It is a mix of mine and Emily’s knick-knacks and furniture, which we combined when we moved in here 18 months ago. Although I have minimalist intentions, we realised we were going the other way. Somehow, it all feels quite harmonious. We have lots of artwork by friends, paintings of sailboats, which I began collecting when I worked for the antique dealer and interior designer Max Rollitt, and quite a few bowls.
The space itself is dictated by the fact it is one half of a former pub: the kitchen is the old bar and the living space is where people would have sat and drank. Our bedroom is in the old gents toilets, which always raises a few laughs when we have friends over.
You’re happiest at home when…
It’s a Saturday morning and we have a slow day ahead.
The flat is south-west facing, so there’s beautiful light all year round. In the summer, the whole building gets swamped by plants and foliage and we get lovely dispersed light.
If you could save one thing, what would it be?
An Apocalypse Now coffee table by Carlo Forcolini.
I bought it from my friend Milo Cordell, who runs Open by Appointment in east London. I always pester him about new stock. When he showed me this, I said I’d buy it straight away. It’s late 1980s post-Memphis Italian and I love how it’s a subversive piece with its huge UFO-type legs and reading light in the middle. It was something I had wanted ever since I became interested in late 20th-century furniture, but I always thought it would be unattainable.
What is your favourite living space around the world?
I’m an eternal researcher, but some interiors stick with you for a while.
My current favourite is Meme Meadows Experimental House by Kengo Kuma & Associates in Hokkaidō, Japan. It has incredible translucent insulation made from recycled plastic bottles, which protects it from the cold climate outside the house.
What was the last thing that you bought for the house?
Essentially, everything you buy as an interior designer or gallerist could be stock one day, so it’s a tricky line between business and pleasure.
I’ve just bought a chair by German designer Carsten in der Elst, which actually formed part of my last show at the gallery. I’ve followed his career since he graduated and this is part of the Greywacke series, which is made from stone offcuts from his local quarry. Another piece I’ve recently bought is one of Ron Arad’s Rover chairs, which I’ve wanted for ages. I bought it from my friend who runs the design gallery M.Kardana on Hackney Road.
Top three coffee-table books?
I try and buy five to 10 books a month to keep broadening my knowledge of the design world.
I never cease to be inspired by Interiors ’70 by Carla De Benedetti. I remember when I first saw it being a bit mind-blown at how it brings together all of these amazing 1970s interiors. Architecture Now! by Philip Jodidio is another good compendium, bringing together 1980s and 1990s architecture through amazing images. Arts in the ’20s: Architecture and Decorative Arts in Europe by Roberto Papini is another favourite.
If money was no object, what changes would you make?
I’d probably extend out into the tiny garden and add a solarium, which would make the most of the beautiful light.
It would be nice to have another area separate from the kitchen-living space. A stainless-steel kitchen would be high on my list too, as would restaining the old pine floors black.
You’re having people over for dinner: what do you cook?
Aubergine parmigiana with an asparagus salad or whatever other vegetables are in season.
I like to do all the preparation beforehand and then just bung it in the oven.
What does Sunday look like here?
We wake up slowly and go for a walk along the river with our dog, Vincent.
We might meet some friends for a pint or drop into Spa Terminus market. Then it’s back home for roast chicken with friends – hot smoked in the winter or a caesar salad in the summer.
What are the best things about the neighbourhood?
Walworth is diverse but old school at the same time.
There are proper boozers and a pie-and-mash shop, but then there is also a great Korean fried-chicken place called CheeMc and a fairly bouji coffee shop called Louie Louie. Our flat is at the end of a street trading market, which is open five days a week and there’s a great community.
