GO WITH THE FLOW
This reconfigured London home is now a harmonious, light-filled residence
Lucy and Andrew Smith had lived in their London home for 12 years before undertaking a comprehensive renovation, which began after the youngest of their five boys went to university. With busy jobs as television producers, the couple worked closely with interior designer Melanie Paskin, who oversaw the whole project, and engaged refurbishment specialists BTL Property. Lucy’s priorities were to maximise light, create through views and add colour, and she was inspired by visiting the home of the project’s architect Robert Wilson of Granit Architects. ‘Robert’s house had extraordinary windows and lots of light,’ she says.
In the large kitchen-diner, a wall of Crittall windows offers views over the garden created by Sam Butler Garden Design, seamlessly connecting inside with out. ‘I’d seen the windows while working in Denmark and I loved them,’ says Lucy. And, to keep the look light, she chose pale window frames instead of the classic black.
‘Coffers in the kitchen-diner ceiling echo the separate zones of the spaces below,’ explains architect Robert. The island is one of those spaces, as is the refectory table beneath a roof lantern that illuminates the cedar wood and casts a sheen over velvet chairs. Lucy and Andrew wanted an island where they could sit while working on laptops as well
best buy ‘I love our kitchen table – we wanted to have it made by a local craftsman and he did such a brilliant job’
as for prepping meals. ‘Andrew didn’t want a sink here,’ says Lucy, ‘and I’m glad, because it gives us so much more space.’
Like neighbouring houses, the Smiths’ had a central staircase. Robert ‘turned’ the stairs off the master bedroom to lose a dark landing and tiny laundry room, making way for a two-storey window that ushers in light.
On the wall outside the master bedroom is a gallery of pictures, many of them family favourties. They were hung professionally, but one day Lucy came home to a surprise. ‘Next to a fur-clad snow queen rescued from Andrew’s nursery was a childhood portrait of me from my parents. It was wonderful to see.’
Childhood mementoes add interest throughout. Lucy’s mother, a doctor, was a consummate needleworker. Vibrant examples of her work appear in many rooms and also inspired the jewel colours used for accessories.
When it came to paint, Lucy was lucky enough to have them made for her by colour consultant Joa Studholme of Farrow & Ball. The Claydon Blue on the kitchen island, visible as you step into the house, echoes the colour of the front door and gate. The master bedroom is in a bleached duck-egg, Pale Powder, with feminine Pink Ground in Lucy’s dressing room. ‘Having lived with five boys, I was determined to introduce the occasional pink,’ she says.
Colours change from room to room but they all work together to create a sense of harmony. This skilful approach to decorating seems to sum up the whole transformation: seamless, considered and refreshing. ‘ We’re glad we decided to go ahead with the renovation,’ says Lucy. ‘ We love the new look, but keeping our old pieces has made it feel like a real home, not a show home, which is what we wanted.’