Page 24 - ESPC Magazine - August 2021

AT HOME WITH ESPC BUYERS
How did you know that this property was
‘the one’?
I fell in love as soon as I walked through the
door – it just felt like it could be our home.
The flat had been really well looked-after and
cared for by the young family that previously
owned it, and it had the good bones I was
looking for – space, light, and period features.
I wanted something that I could put my own
stamp on but without having to make any
huge structural changes.
It was in a slightly quieter neighbourhood than
I’d imagined living in (after living in the middle
of Stockbridge!) but Trinity has a lovely feel to
it, and the flat is within walking distance of our
favourite coffee shops and parks.
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You’ve already been putting your stamp
on the property and documenting your
renovations online. Where do you find
design inspiration, and what are your plans
for your new home?
My field of work means that I’m constantly
surrounded by pattern, colour, fabrics,
and flowers, which are all great sources of
inspiration! I read lots of interiors magazines,
and love visiting hotels and restaurants that
inspire my design sensibilities.
I mostly plan to inject some colour and
personality into the space, so that it reflects
our tastes and becomes a space we want to
spend time in and invite others into too.
Entertaining is a real love of ours, so the
kitchen was really important to us. We wanted
a rustic Italian vibe; and although the room is
South facing, it’s not overly light, so I wanted
to play on this soft light by using warm, rich
tones. We ripped out most of the kitchen,
then painted the ceiling and walls the same
colour [a soft plaster pink] and installed a
bold checkerboard splashback with zellige
tiles. Next, we’ll be laying a terracotta floor. time, I’d make all sorts of changes to our wiring
We also had a joiner make us a crazy maze and lighting, as it’s the thing that turns any
of shelves in the utility room to store my plain room into a beautiful, inviting space.
ever-expanding glassware collection!
What is your favourite thing about your new
I have an antique furniture sourcing business home?
too, so it’s been great fun finding some Looking out from our hallway to the sea,
unique and unusual pieces for our home. through our North facing windows. I painted
Next up, we need to decide on room schemes all the woodwork and doors in the hallway
for our spare bedroom and small office room. a bright, grass green – a slightly unusual
decision but every time I’m in there, it makes
What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned me smile and links to the beautiful view of the
so far about renovating? trees and the sea.
Take your time! I wanted everything done
as soon as possible, to make the space feel What advice would you give to fellow
like home, but that means some things were first-time buyers?
rushed, or decisions were made before I’d had Don’t get sucked into offering more money
time to really think about them. If you can than you can afford. I was outbid on three
draw up an overall idea for the interiors from different properties and although I was gutted
the start, you’ll have a vision for the bigger at the time, I ended up with the perfect flat, at
picture. Also, electrics! If I could go back in a price I was really confident with.
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