HOME STUDY: GERGEI ERDEI
Gergei Erdei is an artist and designer creating folding screens, furniture, paintings and murals from his London studio. His Bloomsbury apartment, set within a Georgian building, reflects his creative world — where dark walls, gold-leaf screens and sculptural objects create a sense of fantasy and narrative. LAYERED visited Gergei to explore his approach to colour, texture and storytelling, and how layering different periods, patterns and objects can give a home its own story.
"For me, layering is about carefully balancing colours, different periods, patterns and textures, as well as mixing high and low objects."
Drift, Walnut
Tell us a bit about the apartment. What was it about its architecture or history that made you fall in love with it?
I instantly fell in love with the Bloomsbury neighbourhood and the Georgian period details of the apartment. It was also a beautifully finished rental, with thoughtfully chosen materials and very well-crafted joinery, so it already had a strong character when I moved in.
Which centerpiece in your home tells the most special story?
I think the two pagodas on either side of my sofa really set the mood of the room. Together with the dark walls and gold-leaf screens, they instantly create this slightly decadent 1970s atmosphere that I love.
What is the very first thing you consider when trying to establish the mood of a room?
I'm not an interior designer, but I like to create a story around everything I do. A room needs to have a sense of fantasy and a narrative you can feel, from the furniture and objects to the lighting and even the scent.
What does your design process look like
I'm very intuitive, so there isn't really a fixed process. I'm constantly collecting ideas in my head, making notes and saving images into folders on my phone. Then, when the right project comes along, there is usually a natural click and those references suddenly find their place.
What does "layering" mean to you — in your home and in your personal style?
For me, layering is about carefully balancing colours, different periods, patterns and textures, as well as mixing high and low objects. The aim is to create a narrative that has an effortless flow.
