making memories
Putting their own stamp on a renovated home gave Abbie and Toby Smith a chance to create new traditions at this time of year
Scandi-style decor gets personal in this London semi
Abbie and Toby Smith were happy in their spacious flat in south London and even after baby Hector, now three, came along, they were determined not to move. ‘However, the lack of guest space created a challenge,’ says Abbie. ‘Both our families were keen to visit more often after Hector arrived and we struggled to accommodate them.’ While out walking with the pram, Abbie spotted a fully renovated family home for sale and, on viewing, the couple realised it could be the solution to their problem. Meticulously modernised and finished by the previous owners, the property had plenty of bedrooms with ample space for guests, yet remained a decorative blank canvas waiting to be personalised.
Abbie has always loved interiors and having been frequently asked to design and manage projects for friends, she eventually launched her own company, Abbie Smith Design (abbiesmithdesign.co.uk). She planned the decor of her new home, using a room-by-room approach, but didn’t make a start for about six months. ‘I wanted to get a real feel for how we would use each room,’ she says. ‘As we spent most of our time in the kitchen and snug, I decided to begin there.’ The kitchen fittings were already installed but Abbie bought a contemporary dining table and chairs, changed the lighting and extended the central island.
The kitchen-diner, snug and sitting room are open-plan and run through the full depth of the house. Light pours in from the large bay window to the front and the garden doors to the rear. The snug is where the family relax and unwind, with the sitting room providing a more grown-up space. ‘Everyone suggested we put doors between the sitting room and snug, but we have always lived in open-plan spaces, so closing off rooms didn’t feel right to us.’
Abbie describes her style as Scandi inspired, full of warmth and character. ‘I love to layer items, and play around with scale, space, light, fabric and colour,’ she says. At Christmas, she goes all out with extra fur throws, foliage, flowers, berries and wreaths. ‘I love a traditional look,’ she says. ‘There are ornaments on our tree that I made as a child, as well as those I have made with Hector. Now that there are three of us, we are keen to create our own traditions. This year we’ll have a peaceful time relaxing together with good food and good wine. Our families will join us after Christmas day for lots of noisy games and long walks. We are so lucky to enjoy the best of both worlds.’