Matthew Williamson’s London townhouse is a study in pattern and tranquility, tucked away in a calm corner of Belsize Park, London, where stately old manors stand alongside Victorian villas and mews houses.
Every room feels collected, not decorated. Original crown mouldings and European antiques bolster a sense of history and are enhanced by a kaleidoscope of jewel tones, vintage textiles and signature wallpapers. ‘When guests step into this home, I want them to feel at peace, but also experience the “wow” factor,’ says the fashion-turned-homeware designer.
It’s the sort of place that leaves you aching to stay a little while longer. Fortunately, Williamson has opened his home to overnight stays exclusively through onefinestay.
Here, the concept of living like a local reaches new heights. Usually, finding a holiday rental means sifting through endless listings and crossing your fingers that the real thing lives up to the photos.
With onefinestay, you choose from an expertly curated list of properties where discerning taste meets impeccable hospitality – including the private homes of several design luminaries, including Williamson, fashion designer Bonnie Young and design-minded homeowners such as Elizabeth Rogers.
Each home is hand-picked with a designer’s eye; it’s an invitation-only collection of striking, stylish homes that feel lived in, loved and truly local.
Unlike traditional stays in someone’s home, guests are greeted by a local host, not a code, and can expect hotel-worthy, pressed-to-perfection sheets, a thoughtfully stocked fridge, towels that whisper indulgence, and a concierge who can make the impossible happen. Meanwhile, homeowners are safe in the knowledge that this is a company they can trust with their keys.
An elevated level of design consciousness defines onefinestay’s inviting collection. Take Young’s minimalist loft in New York City’s SoHo neighbourhood. It’s far from precious – her chic refuge features Asian antiques, contemporary art and quiet neutrals. Not surprisingly, it reflects the timeless elegance of her fashion line, BY. Bonnie Young, produced locally in New York.
‘There’s space to breathe, gather and feel like part of the neighbourhood,’ Young says, of her corner loft, which has original ceiling beams and vast windows that illuminate the shimmery mother-of-pearl custom-designed floors, nodding to SoHo’s industrial past. ‘Opening your home while you are away isn’t about giving up privacy,’ she adds. ‘It’s about sharing beauty.’
In Mexico, Elizabeth Rogers’ Rancho Cuatro Patas in Todos Santos, on the Pacific coast, is situated on 22 acres with olive groves and tropical gardens. The property can host 20 guests and features two houses, four casitas, endless open space and opportunities to go horseback riding and surfing. ‘There’s this incredible warmth and energy of the landscape in the amazing sunrises, sunsets and the number of birds and wildlife here,’ Rogers says.
The serene aesthetic encourages indoor-outdoor living with a modern and inviting atmosphere, featuring a soothing palette and sleek lines, layered with textiles and ceramics that Rogers has collected and commissioned from artisans around Mexico, including in Oaxaca, Michoacán, and Puebla.
‘We have had people come back here five, six, seven times,’ Rogers says. ‘Once they settle into the rhythm of life here, they really feel part of the local landscape.’
Those who join onefinestay wouldn’t dream of listing their cherished homes anywhere else. What distinguishes the platform is its understanding that maintaining a design-forward portfolio requires specialised expertise. It also vets every guest, and manages properties with the same level of care as a private homeowner, creating a partnership built on trust.
For guests, this offers an opportunity to enjoy idiosyncratic homes filled with art, history and intent. In fact, many guests end up adding their own addresses to the onefinestay collection. It’s a natural progression for those who share the same values. Williamson adds: ‘I love working with onefinestay. They feel like a safe and secure, trusted friend.’
Discover your next design-led holiday destination at onefinestay.com. Interested in listing your home? Submit it for consideration at onefinestay.com/list-your-home.
