INSIDE STORY

Who lives here?

Alison, a real estate agent; her husband, Theo, who works in property; their sons, James, 18, and Samuel, 16; and Maximus the French bulldog. What’s your top tip for anyone considering a new build?

“Research, research and more research. I’m an avid magazine collector and kept clippings of things I love way before we even purchased the block to build on. The better the brief for the architect, builder and interior designer, the more efficient the process will be.”

One decision you’re really happy you made? “The architect wanted the kitchen to be on the right hand side, but I felt it would be better having it on the left, because I knew that when the sun rose, it would stream straight in. It’s so nice preparing breakfast in a sunlit kitchen.”

1. Juno ‘Conrad’ armchair in Khaki Velvet, from Globe West. 2. Upholstered pinboard in Grace Garrett ‘Banana Palms’ fabric. 3. Try Lump Sculpture Studio for a similar screen. 4. Normann Copenhagen ‘Bell’ pendant lamps from Surrounding...