After the release of The Modern House magazine last September, this year we’ll be sharing a select number of features from our inaugural issue, from interiors and food to design and architecture stories. Nothing beats the real thing though, so make sure you pick up issue one from our online shop, and keep your eyes peeled for issue two, coming this spring.

Here, we’re sharing a visit to The Modern House staff member Corey Hemingway’s south-east London home, a much-loved repository for her vinyl, art and investment design pieces.

Corey, how would you describe the interiors of your home?
I think the space dictates the way I live in it. It has incredible proportions and huge amounts of natural light; the living space is completely open-plan and the other rooms flow into each other. So, every item I have picked has been chosen to fit the space, and I have been slowly collecting pieces that I will keep for a very long time. I like to think it’s playful, colourful and not overly precious. 

One of the main pulls when first visiting this flat was the view from the living room, onto the trees outside. It feels like my very own treehouse, and I wanted to bring the outside in, hence all the house plants.

You’re happiest here when…
Home is a happy place for me. Particularly on days like this, when the sun is beaming in and I can enjoy the light and the shadows that are cast around. And when friends and family come over so that I can share the space with people. And with a record on.

If you could only save one thing, what would it be?
Impossible question! But If I were to choose a few, it would be the following: 

An artwork by Jeremy Gardiner from the 1990s my parents had in their studio/office. Then it ended up in their shed – I borrowed it when I knew I had a wall large enough for it to fit. Amazingly, I posted a picture of it on Instagram, tagging the artist, and his daughter messaged saying she had never seen any of her dad’s large-scale works and invited me to a small exhibition he was having.

Next would be some of my records because it has taken a long time to build the collection and a number of them were picked up on my travels.

Some of my clothes are sentimental too, and I love my Jack Penny painting. I guess it’s all the things I wouldn’t be able to replace.

What was the last thing you bought for the house?
The lilac stool by the designer Elliot J Barnes, a friend of mine. He’s incredibly talented. Even though it is a stool/side table, bottoms and coffee cups are not permitted on it.

Top three coffee table books?
Ricardo Bofill: Visions of Architecture. Luis Barragan: Barragan House, Mexico City, 1947-1948 and Stephen Shore: Uncommon Places.

If money was no object, what would you change?
The kitchen and bathroom. I haven’t changed these since I moved in.

You’re having people over for dinner, what are you going to cook?
If you’re coming to my house for dinner, you’ll be eating vegan food. My mum is a really good cook and I’m one of four kids, so we’d have big dinners growing up where we’d share lots of different dishes, which is how I like to eat now. It’ll normally be big sharing plates; lots of spice and garlic!

What does a Sunday look like here?
The first thing I do is put a record on and make a pot of coffee.

I spend a lot of time at home on Sundays; in a non-lockdown world I would invite people over for lunch, listen to music. I don’t have a TV here, and I never want one.

Best things about this neighbourhood?
Crystal Palace has a lot going on. It has a long-established community with a lot of independent sellers, antique shops and a limited number of chains. I always try to visit the farmers’ market on a Saturday, and Crystal Palace Park is super nice – hopefully the Concert Bowl will be back in action soon!

How long will you be here for?
I have had a really great five years here, but change might be on the horizon…we’ll see.