Some couples have heraldry. Others represent their lineage using homespun motifs such as acorns, bees or hearts. The union of artist Philip Colbert and filmmaker and writer Charlotte Colbert finds shape in a lobster and a uterus. And the symbols populate their new home in Spitalfields, east London, in myriad ways: there are noble-looking marble lobster busts in the living room; a spectacular uterus-shaped headboard in a fallopian-themed bedroom; and the two feature in both a carved stone fireplace as well as floor-to-ceiling curtains.

The double-height living room on the second floor. Above the Buchanan Studio x Philip Colbert hand-carved lobster-motif fireplace is Vietnam Diptych by Jeff Keen; above that is Black Strap (Red Fly) by Rose Wylie. The sofa and armchairs are by Oliver Gustav. The marble coffee table is Buchanan Studio x Charlotte Colbert, built by Elite Stone. All planting is by Conservatory Archives
The double-height living room on the second floor. Above the Buchanan Studio x Philip Colbert hand-carved lobster-motif fireplace is Vietnam Diptych by Jeff Keen; above that is Black Strap (Red Fly) by Rose Wylie. The sofa and armchairs are by Oliver Gustav. The marble coffee table is Buchanan Studio x Charlotte Colbert, built by Elite Stone. All planting is by Conservatory Archives © Michael Sinclair
Philip and Charlotte Colbert in their “garden” living space, with a bespoke table by The French House, Howe sofa and a light fitting by Jamb. The lobster vase is by Philip Colbert
Charlotte and Philip Colbert in their “garden” living space, with a bespoke table by The French House, Howe sofa and a light fitting by Jamb. The lobster vase is by Philip Colbert © Michael Sinclair

Hidden behind a façade of Victorian shopfronts on one of Spitalfields’s labyrinthine lanes, their home is a 6,000sq ft urban wonderland that seduces with sensorial charm and bizarre mystique. Where else might you find a bathtub covered in 108 silicon boobs or a huge marble coffee table inlaid with the symbol of the eye?

“We had a traditional house near Columbia Road but wanted to incorporate our studio spaces in one live-work residence,” says Philip Colbert, who has a thriving art practice creating surrealist lobster works both in the material world and the metaverse. His extraordinary Lobsteropolis interactive city occupies one of the biggest plots on the digital platform Decentraland, home to 7,000 Lobstar citizen avatars. “We are both into detail and love storytelling, and wanted to create something magical,” adds Franco-British Charlotte, who last autumn released her first feature film She Will with Malcolm McDowell, a psychological horror set in Scotland.

The “Lobster” bedroom, with a chair by Philip Colbert and Adidas x Philip Colbert trainers
The “Lobster” bedroom, with a chair by Philip Colbert and Adidas x Philip Colbert trainers © Michael Sinclair
The “Uterus” bedroom, with a Buchanan Studio x Charlotte Colbert bed. Upholstery by Ben Whistler and bedlinen by Buchanan Studio. The marshmallow side tables are by Charlotte Colbert
The “Uterus” bedroom, with a Buchanan Studio x Charlotte Colbert bed. Upholstery by Ben Whistler and bedlinen by Buchanan Studio. The marshmallow side tables are by Charlotte Colbert © Michael Sinclair
Buchanan Studio velvet curtains on the fourth-floor landing, with a view through to the “silicone boob” bath
Buchanan Studio velvet curtains on the fourth-floor landing, with a view through to the “silicone boob” bath © Michael Sinclair

She and Philip met years ago through mutual friends, and their home is a tribute to their romantic and creative partnership. When it came to designing their live-work space they turned to Buchanan Studio, a London-based design practice run by Angus Buchanan and his wife Charlotte Buchanan, who oversees the studio’s productions. “We had a vision, so it was a question of finding someone to help us realise it collaboratively,” says Philip of their instant rapport. The Buchanan Studio team were inspired after just one meeting. “I went away and put together a huge document filled with romantic Tim Walker references, images of hotels such as the Colombe d’Or, and Wes Anderson scenes,” says Angus, a former set designer who for many years also worked as an art director for the late Michael Howells.

The “Love” bedroom ensuite, with a Calacatta Viola marble shower and a bespoke bath mat
The “Love” bedroom ensuite bathroom, with a Calacatta Viola marble shower and a bespoke bath mat © Michael Sinclair
The dressing room with Charlotte Colbert’s Uterus stool
The dressing room with Charlotte Colbert’s Uterus stool © Michael Sinclair

“The references were based on a feeling,” he says. “Their world is their brand – they live, eat and sleep it – and the house is the embodiment of that, but it also had to have substance: to be sensible and functioning. As the design took shape, it became more arthouse, eclectic and extraordinary.” As progress went on, a moniker began to stick. The house became “Maison Colbert”.

Motherhood sculpture in flocked ceramic by Charlotte Colbert. Light fitting by Jamb
Motherhood sculpture in flocked ceramic by Charlotte Colbert. Light fitting by Jamb © Michael Sinclair

For Buchanan Studio, whose richly detailed interiors include private homes and commercial spaces such as London’s jungle-esque Wild By Tart restaurant, Maison Colbert was a dream commission. The project got under way in 2019, after the former shophouses had been sensitively remodelled and opened up by Chris Dyson Architects, an international practice with a specialism in history and renovation in the Spitalfields area.


The journey through Maison Colbert begins in a cobbled inner courtyard and an ascent to the hallway, from verdant and dark into dreamy and light. The hall is decorated with Italian frescoes (you might spot painted eyeballs within the vines) amid remnants of classical statues (former stage props), two marble lobster busts and an indoor boob fountain: arcs of water spout from the nipples.

Bookshelves fitted under the mezzanine floor, and a Philip Colbert lobster vase. The brass light is by Soane
Bookshelves fitted under the mezzanine floor, and a Philip Colbert lobster vase. The brass light is by Soane © Michael Sinclair
The games room, with a Philip Colbert lobster chess set on an antique card table and chairs by Buchanan Studio
The games room, with a Philip Colbert lobster chess set on an antique card table and chairs by Buchanan Studio © Michael Sinclair
Concierge desk and bar designed by Buchanan Studio, with etched glass by Rupert Bevan and bespoke glasses by Laguna-B. The sculpture on the bar, Golden Balls, 2021, is by Charlotte Colbert. Ceiling mural by Ian Harper
Concierge desk and bar designed by Buchanan Studio, with etched glass by Rupert Bevan and bespoke glasses by Laguna-B. The sculpture on the bar, Golden Balls, 2021, is by Charlotte Colbert. Ceiling mural by Ian Harper © Michael Sinclair

A bar area and concierge desk decked in red and pink stripes, and the tasselled room keys hanging on the wall are inspired by Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel – a purely surrealist touch that will likely bring a smile to the faces of friends and family invited to stay. “The humour takes you off-guard. ‘A concierge desk? What the hell is this?’” says Angus Buchanan, who wanted to add “vitality” to the low-ceilinged entrance hall.

L’oiseau amoureux sculpture by Niki de Saint Phalle in the games room, with Flower Studies From The Lobster Land Museum, 2021, by Philip Colbert on the wall
L’oiseau amoureux sculpture by Niki de Saint Phalle in the games room, with Flower Studies From The Lobster Land Museum, 2021, by Philip Colbert on the wall © Michael Sinclair

From here, the ironwork staircase leads to the games room, with a “living” green wall, designed by Dyson as an indoor-outdoor space. On this floating terrace, one is greeted by a giant totemic Niki de Saint Phalle bird sculpture, a deconstructed ceramic wall piece by American artist Betty Woodman, floral paintings by Philip, and an oil portrait of Charlotte by Francesco Clemente. The area, lined with books and objets, segues into the open-plan living area that transitions from a kitchen at one end to a dining zone at the other; two swings are suspended from the ceiling and a small red lacquered movie “snug” is tucked to one side. The centrepiece is a substantial oval marble coffee table inlaidwith the symbol of an eye.

Furnished with bright red lobster sculptures and artworks, the warm, plaster walls take on a rosy glow, while Charlotte’s pink-toned “boob” statuettes and uterus-inspired symbols converse with the couple’s collection of 20th- and 21st-century art. “It’s mad – and such a full assault on the senses and eyes, the overall scheme required a neutral palette,” says Angus, who commissioned a painter to limewash the brickwork and create textured plaster walls as a backdrop.

The pair’s fascination with symbolism is evident throughout. “I’m superstitious and fascinated by the way symbols, magic and tarot have existed through centuries and civilisations. Symbols offer up a psychology outside of religious archetypes and have an emotional and historical meaning,” says Charlotte of her journeys into the numinous world. “I wear my uterus symbol as a pendant.”

The antique plaster foot in the study was found at Brownrigg Interiors, Tetbury. The plaster capitals are by Berdoulat. The curtain fabric is by Soane and the rug from The London Persian Rug Company
The antique plaster foot in the study was found at Brownrigg Interiors, Tetbury. The plaster capitals are by Berdoulat. The curtain fabric is by Soane and the rug from The London Persian Rug Company © Michael Sinclair

Philip bursts into laughter at the thought of his compulsion to surround himself with lobsters. “I ask my therapist about that every day! For me, the lobster, so omnipresent in the work of the Dutch masters and Salvador Dalí, is a memento mori. It is a profound symbol that time travels,” says the creative, who came to art after studying philosophy. In a neo-surrealist, pop art embrace, he has reimagined the marine crustacean as NFTs, sculptures, as a laptop keyboard (tapping straight into Decentraland), on T-shirts, as robots and now – in a tribute to Dalí – as a telephone. He sees art as a great connector, a conveyor of positive values and has a worldwide following of collectors.

The challenge for Buchanan Studio was how to bring these symbols and characters to life in the decor. “The focus of the house is on two creative people, but it was crucial that this didn’t become pastiche,” says Charlotte. “We had to be big on quality control as we were taking their designs and reinterpreting them in furniture, headboards, fabrics and decor while ensuring they remained true to the couple’s work,” says Angus, who drew from a vast black book of makers to realise the variety of material interpretations and bespoke furniture throughout the house.

The “love” bedroom, with a Charlotte Colbert bed and Buchanan Studio x Charlotte Colbert Kiss bedside tables. The throw and wall lights are by Rose Uniacke. The rug is from Sacco
The “love” bedroom, with a Charlotte Colbert bed and Buchanan Studio x Charlotte Colbert Kiss bedside tables. The throw and wall lights are by Rose Uniacke. The rug is from Sacco © Michael Sinclair

The marble dining table is surrounded by Charlotte’s intricate metalwork chairs featuring “the eye”, which she now plans to put into production. “Once I started on homeware it became clear how banal interior decor can be. The Maison is an exceptionally good showcase,” she says, of her burgeoning design enterprise. In the master bedroom, panelled in wood that recalls the elegant interiors of Spitalfields houses erected by French Huguenot builders, one’s gaze is immediately drawn to another of her designs: a bedhead in sinuous white and gold metalwork.

The mezzanine is furnished with a wavy three-seat “love banquette” upholstered in textural off-white fabric, while four attic bedrooms – the Lobster, the Cactus, the Eye and the Uterus – are themed in tongue-and-groove panelling, with bespoke beds and furnishings.

A sculpture by Paa Joe and Philip Colbert
A sculpture by Paa Joe and Philip Colbert © Michael Sinclair
Buchanan Studio x Philip Colbert lobster bed, upholstered by Ben Whistler and with bedlinen by Buchanan Studio. The bedside table is designed by Buchanan Studio and made by Ben Whistler. The print above is Lobsters by Andy Warhol
Buchanan Studio x Philip Colbert lobster bed, upholstered by Ben Whistler and with bedlinen by Buchanan Studio. The bedside table is designed by Buchanan Studio and made by Ben Whistler. The print above is Lobsters by Andy Warhol © Michael Sinclair

The Colberts drew inspiration from their visits to art houses for their vision. “In Betty Woodman’s home near Florence, every aspect told her story down to the handmade cups and saucers,” says Philip, who also found imaginative ballast in Julian Schnabel’s Palazzo Chupi in Manhattan and in Alexander Calder’s studio in the French Indre-et-Loire Valley. Their own impressive art collection includes Dalí, of course, as well as a 3D ceramic by Fernand Léger and pieces by Jenny Holzer and the British artist and filmmaker Jeff Keen, which are hung in a very liveable way as opposed to “gallery” style. One terrific piece by Martin Creed – a crumpled ball of paper housed in a Perspex box on a plinth – stands by the fireplace; a reminder of the trials and tribulations of the creative process.

Maison Colbert is a house that will encourage lucid dreaming and idea generation for decades to come. “Success for me is about growing younger, remaining young in spirit and this attitude is of real value beyond all else – it’s the ultimate defiance, a positive against the odds, and that’s the spirit of art too,” says Philip. Charlotte nods in agreement: “Always remain curious,” she says. The lobster beside her appears to grin in agreement.

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2024. All rights reserved.
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