Though Greta’s words reach a global audience, the magnitude of her talent is hard to encapsulate. But who better to trust to do so than her equally as inspiring husband, Robert Montgomery. A conceptual artist, together the pair produce elevated and expressive works; made as apparent in their home as in their oeuvres. Collaborators in life; Robert pens the foreword in the acclaimed ‘Tomorrow's Woman’, describing beautifully what lays at the heart of Greta’s work.

The couple’s creativity culminates in their breathtaking country home in Kent. From the moment you step in the door you are transported into a whimsical wonderland; each room revealing an exciting new environment in which to venture. Greta’s love for colour is clear. Walls are adorned with vibrant prints, an array of rainbow ribbons hang from the ceiling and her husband’s ‘text art’ creations take pride of place, punctuating the space with a personal touch. Watching Greta gracefully tour the home she shares with Robert and her two sons we are reminded of the Rolling Stones’ ‘She’s A Rainbow’.
“She comes in colours everywhere…”‌

And come in colour she did, as we sat down to talk interior inspiration for their new abode in Kent, her approach to design and of course, how this House of Hackney dream became a scheme (or two)...‌

HoH: Welcome Greta and thank you for dreaming and scheming with House of Hackney. As you know, this series is all about telling the stories and design journeys of creative people we find inspiring. As someone whose work we have adored for a long time, we're so honoured to be helping you scheme your dream! Do you mind telling us a little about yourself and your beautiful home in the Kent countryside?‌

Greta: We were looking for a house in which we could really daydream and forget ourselves in. An old house with a bit of land on the edge of London. A place to lose our inhibitions and let the sunlight dictate. This old house felt right, it felt sort of Mediterranean with the terracotta tiles, arched entrances and the old stone swimming pool. We’ve hung lavender everywhere and almost every window has a geranium. My days are rarely structured so this house felt like a new symbol of peace. Robert has moved his art studio into one side of the house, the boys also have an art studio. I have the smallest room with a desk in it where I write, read scripts and learn lines. I’ve always felt most creative in small rooms.

HoH: We worked closely with you on two rooms in your home, one in our new-season print ‘EMANIA’ and the second in our House favourite ‘HOLLYHOCKS’. The first was used to create a magical world for your son, the latter to imbue the beauty of spring into your guest room. What were the spaces like when you first moved in and what vision did you have for each of them?‌

Greta: The ‘EMANIA’ print reminded me of an old Moroccan tent, something you would find in a dessert after a long walk. I think it appealed to the nomad in me. The wallpaper seems to hold a certain amount of mysticism to it. I knew it would be perfect in my son’s room, a way to create a sense of adventure, a magical tent where he could create stories and go on mad adventures. We made a ‘tent’ of ribbons on the ceiling and also added an old vintage red and white tent we bought from a theatre set maker who was selling their old things. On the fireplace we wrote a poem that says,“Blown here by the wind…”‌

As soon as I saw the psychedelic ‘HOLLYHOCKS’ wallpaper I knew it would be perfect for one of our guest rooms. It is so rare to find a wallpaper with so many colours. I love how the flowers are sketched in the colours of spring. Everything connects and nothing connects, as if the flowers are all blowing in the wind. And the room transports you to spring. The season of hope. I like that idea for a guest room. To lie in bed and watch the blowing flowers. In the ‘HOLLYHOCKS’ room we have also hung paintings by two of our friends - Heath Lowndes and Elaine Speirs - we like the idea of sharing the work or our friends with other friends in that way.

HoH: Do you find yourself led by a feeling when you decorate or is there a real process and plan you follow?‌

Greta: The inspiration can come from anywhere. I’ve just come back from acting in a feature film which we shot in Rome for a whole month. It was strange being in Rome in the winter. I was cold, colder than I expected, but the days were bright and the sun always seemed to set on the burnt orange and pink walls. This colour is now something I would like to bring into the house. It reminds me of that feeling of looking at the winter light of Rome.

HoH: What led you to the ‘EMANIA’ print and how have you styled it in the space?

Greta: We styled the wallpaper with these theatrical pink victorian draping curtains that initially came with the house. We have tried to recycle old things that we inherited with the house as much as possible. They have swags and tails and they sort of remind me of old stage curtains. I also made the ribbon ceiling, a sort of rainbow canopy. I had a dream about them; I woke up the next morning and found a shop in Soho that had every colour of ribbon. I wasn’t sure if it was going to work, but as soon as they were up, it really brought the room together and created that mythical tent-like effect I wanted as soon as I saw the wallpaper. ‌