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There’s a quiet confidence in Bee Janaye’s “Deja Vu House,” a London townhouse reimagined not as a showroom of trends but as a layered expression of personal history, texture, and lived-in warmth. Designed for clients who intended to make it their forever home, the space is carefully considered, drawing on nostalgia while feeling unmistakably current.
“The brief was to blend warmth, storytelling, and a sense of the familiar, but make it feel new,” Janaye explains.
The result is a home that evolves room by room, with each space maintaining its own distinct character while remaining seamlessly connected to the overall design. Take the full video tour here.
One of the defining features of the project is the consistent use of encaustic tile. The motif, which begins in the hallway with a semicircular design running the length of the entrance, subtly grounds the space and pays homage to the home's original architecture.
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In the office, a vivid artwork by Babajide Olatunji inspired a deep ochre palette that sets the tone for the room. The walls and joinery are drenched in this saturated hue, creating a space that feels immersive and grounded. The colour choice not only reflects the warmth of the artwork but also supports the room’s dual function as a workspace and a creative studio, where the client sews.
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This warmth continues into the lounge, where similar hues appear in more muted forms. The transition from the saturated ochre of the office is softened, but the visual connection remains clear.
A marble mantle with subtle purple veining becomes the focal point of the room, anchoring the space and creating a quiet dialogue between the two areas.
Lighting plays a central role throughout the house. Sculptural fixtures, soft diffusions, and thoughtfully utilised natural light help shape the mood of each room while enhancing functionality.
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The kitchen and dining area, located on the lower level, open up to a garden designed by Georgia Lindsay. The layout is informal, with cabinetry that blends seamlessly into the space. Deep green tones tie the interior to the outdoors, while textured glass and warm metal details add subtle contrast.
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“We wanted the kitchen to feel like an extension of the living space, not a departure from it,” Janaye says.
The dining area complements the kitchen with bespoke, comfortable seating and a large table, creating a space that’s both practical and welcoming for everyday life and entertaining.
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The central bathroom offers a playful shift in tone. Wrapped in bold encaustic tiles inspired by South American stencils, the space feels vibrant and tactile. “It’s a really fun explosion of joy and colour,” Janaye says.
The tiles are designed to draw the eye, encouraging movement and curiosity. “As you walk in, your eyes naturally explore the different colours and shapes,” she explains. A skylight overhead brings in soft, changing light that enhances the patterns and textures.
Fluted glass and mixed metal finishes add depth without overwhelming the space. “We’ve played around with mixed metal finishes in here too,” Janaye notes.
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The guest room is one of the few spaces fully immersed in a darker palette. This was a deliberate choice for a room the clients use to rest and reset. Even in bolder spaces like the guest room, which is painted in a deeper, moodier tone and furnished with heavy woods and statement pieces, there is a sense of intention. There’s weight where needed, softness where it matters, and enough continuity to make each room feel like part of a larger story.
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At the top floor of the house, the primary bedroom offers a moment of calm clarity - the space feels light and softened at the edges. It maintains a connection to the rest of the home through dark timber flooring and brass inlays but introduces muted textures and sculptural lighting to create a more serene atmosphere.
The adjoining en suite continues this soft, balanced energy. Custom tiles inspired by a memorable hotel stay, reflect the project’s guiding principle that thoughtful, personal touches matter most.
Vigo Jansons
Deja Vu House isn’t fixed in time. It was designed with longevity in mind, with layers that will settle and shift as its owners continue to live in it. The home holds space not just for their past and present, but for whatever comes next.
byjanaye.com
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