Breathing space
Finding the perfect location gave Sarah and Gabir Dixon-hodeib the freedom to create their forever abode
Sarah and Gabir Dixon-hodeib had always admired the leafy, wide roads of Richmond, southwest London. ‘We often drove through and thought how amazing it would be to live here,’ says Sarah. ‘You get such a feeling of space, which is rare in London.’ The couple were living in Shepherd’s Bush at the time and, when their daughter, Olivia, came along in 2014, the decision to move to an area with good schools, green spaces, and an easy commute for Gabir was an easy one.
The couple’s patience was finally rewarded when a four-bedroom Edwardian villa on a wide, treelined road came on the market. ‘It was strikingly beautiful on the outside, and the inside was stripped back and whitewashed, which was perfect for me,’ says Sarah. ‘I have very particular taste and I always knew that I would go in and change everything, regardless of decor, so having a blank canvas suited us. The house had no period features to confuse my design decisions, but it was very impressive, with its high ceilings, large, well-proportioned rooms and beautiful sash windows. The loft had been converted and the building extended on one side, but there was still huge potential, so we took the plunge.’
Having found the perfect location, Sarah and Gabir were keen to create their forever home from
the outset. Working with architects Miio Design, they drew up plans to create a bigger kitchen with an open-plan dining area. ‘The kitchen is the heart of the home, so it was important that this room suited us,’ says Sarah. ‘ We love entertaining and we wanted an area that was comfortable for our guests, but also worked well for us as a family space.’ Plans were also drawn up to dig a basement to the full footprint of the house, accommodating storage and utility rooms, a cinema, gym and downstairs cloakroom. ‘It was a bold move,’ says Sarah, ‘and definitely one that pushed us out of our comfort zone.’
The kitchen has been fitted with classic cabinetry, sleek white worksurfaces and an antiqued mirror splashback, which all add a touch of glamour. The dining area is now home to a large table and bespoke seating with stylish cushions, bringing to reality the comfortable entertaining and family space the couple had envisaged. Upstairs, bathrooms have been refitted and two bedrooms reconfigured, creating a large main bedroom, en suite and walk-through wardrobe, with bespoke cupboards and drawers. ‘It’s something I’d always dreamt of having,’ says Sarah. ‘Our bedroom now feels like a romantic Parisian hotel room, with its lush carpet, baroque-style furniture and Twenties French chandelier. I like to mix pieces from different eras, and although I keep a keen eye on interior trends, I also believe in longevity, so I tend to stick to what I love. The leopard-print vintage chairs in the formal sitting room or the stunning chandelier in the bedroom, for example, are both from different eras, but they work so well.’
Sarah and Gabir meticulously redecorated each room and fitted parquet flooring throughout the basement and formal sitting room. ‘ We’ve kept colour on the walls neutral and added texture to the rooms using furniture and soft furnishings,’ says Sarah. ‘Our home has a touch of luxury but, most importantly, is a calm, comfortable space for our friends and family to enjoy, and one that we will never tire of. We are delighted with the results.’
DESIGN TIP ‘Think long term when investing in expensive pieces. Ideally, save splashing out for items or features that you know won’t date’