DESIGN DETAILS ARTISTIC FOCUS

Flora Bathurst shares her top decorating decisions

1 Art and photography I have built up my collection with time and patience. I inherited a few lovely things and I’m surrounded by photography at work, so I have managed to collect a decent amount of primarily black and white portraiture. I’m getting more into landscape photography now, but you have to save up, so that’s what I’m doing. 2 Marble mantelpiece I found the perfect slab of marble in a garage at my Mum’s house in Scotland and, after discussing ideas with my builder, he said that he could install it as a floating shelf with the struts underneath. 3 Utility room I’ve always wanted one. As I spend more time in there than I would like, it had to be a nice space. Everything is functional but looks good, from the paint-splattered reclaimed iroko worktop to the Welsh slate splashback and the hidden washing machine and dryer. 4 Kitchen worktop We used a mix of concrete and iroko wood; the latter was reclaimed from a school laboratory. I love their practicality, as well as the slim brass trim that separates the two materials. It already has small signs of damage, but our kitchen is effectively bombproof. 5 Creative curtains I believe that curtains are the most underestimated element of a home and can make a huge impact. When you draw them, you are effectively creating a huge wall panel, so it’s essential that they look great.