I’m starting to think that perhaps every home should have a piano. Or four in the case of The Red House, Aldeburgh.

I don’t actually play the piano but I definitely like the idea of me playing the piano. After completing a Music Room for a client in Suffolk – centred around her childhood piano – it made me think about what a lovely thing it is to have in your home and seeing the rather grand collection at The Red House only reinforced this.

Imagine everyone gathered around, a glass of something in hand, singing along at Christmas. Worth giving up the TV for surely?

But before I lose you entirely, here are my five – perhaps slightly more realistic takeaways – from The Red House in Aldeburgh to consider for your own home.

1. Bold Decorative Statements

Benjamin Britten & Peter Pears were not afraid of making bold design choices—cork walls, a yellow study, and a confident mix of patterned wallpapers – although admittedly some were rather questionably hung! The home brims with colour and texture, from the rich tones of the library to the incredible dining room tapestry.

You can sense their confidence with embracing the design styles that they were drawn to. 

My first visit to The Red House was with my mum, who generally shows great disdain for anything from the seventies—and even she liked the cork walls but to be fair, they had gold leaf in them – what’s not to like!

One of my favourite statements in the home was the large vintage tapestry in the dining room, covering an entire wall. You almost feel a part of the scene itself. Paired with the octagonal dining table – perfection.

House of Hackney have the most incredible cork wallpaper in Foris which almost perfectly incorporates both the cork walls and the dining room tapestry. I won’t pretend it’s a budget option but it is a thing of beauty, if you find yourself in Shoreditch pop into the (very welcoming and very beautiful) House of Hackney showroom and take a look at how they have use it on the panels. You might just agree that it’s worth it…

2. The Joy Of Collecting

Passions shine through in this home—books, art, music, pianos! Walking through The Red House you get such a clear sense of who Britten and Pears were. That’s exactly how I believe a home should feel: like an expression of the people who live in them.

I’ve always loved stepping into someone’s home and getting an instant understanding of their personality. Yes, perhaps I’m being nosy but I want to see the whole thing—the art collections, the bookshelves, the curiosities they have gathered.

Every single collection we display in our homes is unique, and can be anything that you want it to be, vintage ceramics, art prints, collections from your travels. My own childhood home was filled with my mum’s antique collections, my dad’s guitars and typedrawers full of treasures.

If you love art, The Red House in Aldeburgh is worth visiting for that alone. Peter Pears was quite a collector, with pieces by Duncan Grant , David Hockney and many other artists. The collection rotates throughout the year, so there’s always something new to see. On the tour, which I would recommend, you can also see the rooms and art upstairs. A personal favourite of mine was an ornate gold framed tiger painting that I could have happily taken home with me.

3. A Room with a View

Admittedly, The Red House has a bit of an advantage, being set in the beautiful Suffolk countryside of Aldeburgh. At every turn, the home feels connected with it’s gardens, windows framing views like paintings. But inside, you could see how thought was given to how each space could make the most of the scenery—window seats, chairs and beds positioned to take in the landscape.

This is such an easy one to consider in your own home. What are your best views? Are you making the most of them? Could you reposition a chair to enjoy your garden, create a window seat, or even move your desk to capture more natural light? It’s a key principle of biophilic design—bringing the outside in, even if it’s just through a beautifully framed view.

4. Entertaining Spaces

Walking around The Red House, you get the impression that Britten and Pears knew how to have a good time. The home feels designed for relaxed, indulgent living—cupboards full of games, a dedicated drinks area and spaces that invite conversation.

My favourite room was the dining room, not just because of that beautiful tapestry and the fabulous walnut burl dining table but because I could imagine the evenings spent around it—wild conversation, flowing wine, Britten in one of his stunning velvet blazers… I have a feeling I would have very much enjoyed a party at the Britten & Pears household!

Whilst creating spaces for entertaining isn’t always going to be a top priority in our homes, particularly when we are short on space, I think it is always worth thinking about how we can create places that encourage us to enjoy the company of others—to spend time in conversation sat around a table, away from a television. Yes, perhaps it’s time for that piano after all!

5. A Lived In Home

Ultimately, The Red House in Aldeburgh is a home that feels lived in—a rabbit warren of rooms, each with its own personality—cosy corners for reading, pianos placed throughout, a mix of much-loved art, books, and pattern. It feels joyful, layered, full of life.

One of the volunteers mentioned that the house feels as though Britten and Pears have just ‘popped out to get a pint of milk.’ And that’s exactly what makes it special—it doesn’t feel like a museum. It feels like a home.

I think this is a good reminder for the homes that we create. We see no end of ‘perfect’ interiors in magazines, Pinterest and Instagram but often they aren’t the reality of a lived-in home. Perhaps it’s time to embrace the details that make up our lives and celebrate the individualities of home.

If you’re looking for interiors inspiration that balances history with personality, The Red House in Aldeburgh is a must-visit. Find details on visiting here.

And if you’d like help creating your own relaxed, indulgent living space, you can find out more about my design services here.

Chloé X