FINELY TUNED
Violinist and composer Sophie Solomon has created a unique and eclectic interior that hits all the right notes
How a perfectly pitched renovation and redecoration in a musician’s Victorian London property has resulted in a harmonious home
There was, perhaps, a sense that it was meant to be when Sophie Solomon found the home that struck a chord with her, in the heart of an energetic community of artists, musicians and designers in northeast London. ‘The house really worked for our family,’ says Sophie, a professional musician and composer. ‘Having had my daughter, Lula, who’s now eight, I wanted a modern, family-friendly living space. The biggest attraction for us was the large, extended kitchen, leading to a sprawling, undeveloped garden which had the potential to become something really special.’
After an anxious wait, Sophie and her husband, Ivan, finally secured the property after submitting a winning sealed bid. Much about the house, which had previously been owned by a top chef, chimed with the couple’s own
preferences, so their planned alterations were more along the lines of fine tunings to suit their lifestyle. In the kitchen, Cotswold limestone flooring replaced the existing rustic French floor tiles, the wall tiles changed from aqua to white and new bifold doors opened an entire wall out to the longed-for garden. ‘Ivan and I talked about having an island unit, but it seemed a pity to encroach on the feeling of space and, by kitting out the pantry, I didn’t need over-counter cupboards or extra storage,’ says Sophie.
Next to the kitchen, a smaller living area was created. Here, a large fanlight in the roof floods the inviting space with natural light, while a woodburning stove keeps it cosy in the winter, making it a popular spot where everyone loves to linger. Other changes were equally subtle; a wet room was updated with metro tiles and pendant lights and
chandeliers replaced the previous light fittings. The changes were accomplished in a speedy three months – ‘although it helped that, as a couple, we share the same ideas about interior design,’ says Sophie.
Those shared ideas and creative flair are reflected in the furnishings and decorative pieces collected over the years. Ivan’s father has given the couple some works from his collection of contemporary Serbian art, and the growing collection of mid-century maps is a joint passion. ‘They remind us of past travels, as well as the exciting potential of future adventures,’ says Sophie.
Sophie describes her eclectic style as having ‘something of the magpie to it’ and includes references to her time living and studying in Russia, as well as travelling widely for her work as a professional violinist. ‘My decorating tip would always be to use the internet for research and to tell a personal story by finding a look you love and sticking to it,’ she says. ‘Any mix can work if you employ limitations like editing the number of colours used and sticking to strong accents, to avoid a chaotic look.’
The final flourish in creating an expressive space for the family was in designing the large garden, something Sophie had her eye on from the start. Appropriately, for a musician, her dream garden includes a covered seating area, ‘like a theatre for music’ – a fitting addition to the composition of this beautifully harmonious home.