home truths
decorating advice ‘Using bold colour is an affordable way to make a dramatic change to a room’
The property Victorian terrace Location southwest London Rooms sitting room, kitchendiner, library, nursery, three bedrooms, four bathrooms purchased 1999 previous property ‘before moving here, we lived in a flat nearby in the old Hartley’s jam factory,’ says Alex.
Alex Hayes and her husband, Edward, are design enthusiasts, fuelled by their creative jobs and experiences travelling the world. ‘I’m a food consultant and Edward works for a design agency, so we’ve both grown to appreciate the craft that goes into good design,’ says Alex. ‘This is our first renovation project together, and we wanted to bring that ethos into our home and fill the rooms with old and new pieces we love.’
Edward has owned their Victorian London property since 1999 – before he met Alex – sharing with friends and then renting it out. When the couple returned from eight months of travelling in January 2014, they decided to renovate and set up home here. They retained the period features but extended and opened up the space with a bold architectural framework of Crittall doors and a concrete kitchen floor.
‘We wanted to put more of ourselves into the design of the house,’ explains Alex. ‘ We like modern and vintage British and Scandinavian designers, but we’re also sentimental – more so with our first baby on the way. We have displays of random keepsakes, such as my grandfather’s pocket watch and an heirloom brooch, and since Edward’s father founded Collins and Hayes furniture, we
have sofas and chairs that are part of his family heritage.’
By early 2015, the couple had hired BTL Property to design, build and manage the project. ‘We needed hand-holding throughout the process,’ admits Alex. ‘But BTL took on board our vision and wasn’t fazed by our request to install an interior Crittall window between the hall and library.’
The industrial-style kitchen makes a striking statement with influences from Alex’s food industry career. Unsurprisingly, this is her favourite room and the utilitarian space, created by Jamie Oliver’s kitchen designer, is now a favourite location for food-related photo shoots. ‘I was keen to balance lots of textures, so walnut frames steel doors, plus we have a marble and walnut island and a concrete floor,’ she says.
Alex has taken care to soften the hard lines of the industrial materials, choosing a designer sofa upholstered in a striking floral fabric and a vintage rug. Lamps replace harsh spotlights and are design-driven with articulated ceiling lights above the island. ‘ We’re lamp obsessed,’ smiles Alex.
Beyond the kitchen, bold wall colours and patterns add personality, with a distinct dark-light contrast between the front and rear. ‘We enjoy the light in the kitchen during the day, but it’s nice to nest in the sitting room in the evening,’ explains Alex. Contrast is a theme that continues throughout the property, and is also evident in the juxtaposition of vintage furniture and contemporary pieces.
Now the house is finished, the couple have fallen back in love with it and found even more reasons to be passionate about their work in the design industry. ‘ We both thoroughly enjoyed the project and I think we have even more appreciation of design now,’ says Alex. ‘This feels like a real home to us now.’