Designer Diaries: Russell Loughlan 🐬

Some homes are designed loudly. Others reveal themselves slowly — layer by layer, decision by decision — until the whole thing feels inevitable.

That’s very much the case with the home of Russell Loughlan, the mind behind @thehouseondolphinst. Tucked within the quietly charismatic seaside town of Deal, his Grade II listed house is a study in restraint, patience and the kind of design thinking that favours listening over imposing.

What was once a damp, overworked rental renovation has been carefully peeled back and reassembled into something far more thoughtful — a home that honours its Tudor bones while embracing colour, art, antiques and atmosphere. The result feels layered rather than decorated, personal rather than styled.

In this edition of Designer Diaries, Russell shares what it means to work with a building rather than against it — from uncovering hidden beams to choosing details that disappear quietly into the background.

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Your house feels incredibly considered without feeling overworked. When you first stepped through the door, what did you see — and what did you choose not to change?

 

It was a poorly renovated, bland white, damp box with no real character, clearly overdeveloped for renting. From the outside it looked small, but to my surprise it was like a Tardis once inside. As it’s a Grade II listed building, there’s very little that can be changed, so the focus has been on carefully stripping things back, restoring original elements, and updating it in a sympathetic way.

 

Is there a room in the house that completely surprised you during the renovation, either in how it fought back or how it revealed itself?

 

Once again, the space had been spoiled by careless development, but as we peeled back the layers we uncovered the original Tudor beams hidden beneath decades of wallpaper, paint and plasterboard. Can you imagine covering up such beautiful history?

Deal has this quiet, slightly offbeat charm. How has the town influenced the way you’ve shaped the interiors of your home?

Deal’s offbeat seaside charm definitely shaped the interiors. In some rooms the palette draws on the colours of the sea — soft blues and sea-greens — while in others I leaned into a bolder, Georgian-inspired palette that gives the spaces a slightly Dickensian feel. We avoided overhead lighting where possible to keep the rooms cosy and intimate, in tune with the building’s heritage. I’ve also included work from local artists to give the house a real sense of place. The mix of colour, light and history makes it an incredibly inspiring space — it’s where I feel most creative.

You opted for paintable switches and sockets rather than making a feature of them. Was that about restraint, control, or something else entirely?

I opted for these so they would quietly blend into the background rather than compete with the character of the space. In a building with so much history and texture, I didn’t feel the need to make every detail a feature so yes I guess it was was more about restraint and letting the architecture, materials, and finishes take centre stage, keeping the overall look calm and cohesive.

There’s a real sense of cohesion in your palette. Do you start with colour, texture, light — or something less tangible? 

So instead of beginning with paint, I prefer a “start with the art” approach when creating a scheme. If you have a statement artwork or a piece you see every day, let it form the foundation of your colour palette. From there, consider elements like flooring, furniture, and fabrics, as these can also help guide your choices.

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If your house could whisper one design rule to anyone renovating right now, what would it say?

 

I think it would be something like "slow down, be respectful and listen to the building". Too many period homes lose their character through rushed renovations and modern “improvements.” Slow down, peel back the layers, and understand what was there before. Always work with the building, not against it!

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When you’re sourcing for a project, what’s your ratio of antique to new? Do you have more success sourcing online or IRL?

 

I’d say around 70/30 in favour of antiques and vintage, they bring character, history and a layered feel, while contemporary pieces add comfort or contrast. I source a lot online for unusual finds, but nothing beats discovering treasures in person at flea markets, antique shops, or salvage yards.

 

If someone had 24 hours in Deal and a love of interiors, which shops, galleries or corners would you insist they visit?

Will & Yates – Home store & gallery  
Old Coves - Classic Danish furniture, Mid Century and Modernist design  
Dunlin + Diver – Home store  
Barkened – Home store, fashion and pets 
Taylor-Jones & Sons – Gallery 
Linden Hall – Gallery  
Don’t Walk Walk – Gallery 

 

 

Russell’s approach is a reminder that good interiors rarely come from rushing. They emerge from curiosity, patience and a willingness to let a space reveal itself over time.

At The House on Dolphin Street, that philosophy runs through everything — from the antique-heavy mix of furnishings to the decision to let certain elements simply blend into the background. Not every detail needs to shout; sometimes the most thoughtful design choice is the one you barely notice.

And perhaps that’s the real takeaway from Russell’s renovation: when you slow down and listen carefully enough, the building often tells you exactly what it needs.