Rita Ora embodies modern womanhood. The Albanian singer rose to stardom after moving to West London with her family as a kid from Kosovo.
The 31-year-old has had many hit singles, starred in the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy, Detective Pikachu, and other films, and judged and coached singing competitions like The Voice UK, The Voice Australia, The X Factor, and The Masked Singer UK.
She’s one of those 21st-century celebrities who posts from Paris, Los Angeles, and New Zealand. She even dated director Taika Waititi.
All of this outward glamor makes it so surprising—and delightful—that her home is nothing like the modern mansion with an infinity pool you may have envisaged for her.
Ora lives in a gorgeous Primrose Hill brick house. It was Arthur Rackham’s residence in 1877. He illustrated Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, and more.
It is Grade II listed, thus Ora could only make minor improvements after buying it in 2021. Ora says she’s always liked old houses. I felt this house would have a distinct spirit because it had housed many creatives.
Restoring the floors, roof, bathrooms, plumbing, and electricity, and renovating the kitchen were the key renovations. In another down-to-earth move, Ora outfitted the property largely with vintage purchases from London’s Portobello Road Market.
“I love cost-efficiency when necessary,” she explains. Elena Ora, her sister and manager, arranges the furniture in the home, while interior designer Joanna Plant adds “little bits and bobs” to bring everything together.
Her furniture brings West London to her new neighborhood. Ora claims she bought a house in an unusual place to leave her comfort zone. My favorite café and all my friends are in West London.
I wɑnted more.” Her new neighborhood has more parks and greenery, and her home has many fireplaces and a wonderful garden, helping her relax from her hectic existence.
West Londoners would ask, ‘Rita, what’s up?’ It took six hours to get home. I would have coffee and a drink and think, “How am I not home yet?”
Naturally, the social butterfly is settling in. “I’ve made friends in local Pilates, and they’re all gorgeous mums of three kids, and I’m sort of like, ‘This is how you guys live out here. Ok, cool. I understand.
Ora loves her peaceful home base while she works on her third album. “Everyone comes to my house and says, ‘I can’t believe you live in a house like this,’” she says.
She understands confusion: “My exterior self is super flamboyant, colorful, and I’m really proud of the decisions I make. I’m different inside. My home should mirror my true self.”
