PERFECT PAIRING
Alex and Natalie Roberts fused their styles to create a home full of colour and character
A fusion of two different styles in this London maisonette has resulted in a striking home full of energy and character
Creating an artful fusion of two different styles is rarely easy, but that was the challenge Alex and Natalie Roberts faced when they bought their first property together. ‘We both have a strong sense of what we like,’ says Natalie. ‘Alex gravitates towards antique pieces and darker woods, while I favour a lighter, more modern look.’
However, as their Victorian maisonette with its elegant mix of old and new testifies, the couple have created a harmonious balance, characterised by plenty of texture, pattern and pops of colour against a soft-hued background.
The first step was to find a suitable property. ‘When we viewed this two-storey maisonette, it felt a little run-down, but we just loved its lofty proportions,’ says Natalie.
The couple turned to Katie Goring of interior design practice Studio Goring for help. ‘We asked Katie because we liked the work she’d done for our friends,’ Natalie says.
Katie helped them reconsider the layout of the entire property. The original main bedroom was turned into a study; the bathroom, initially accessed only through the kitchen, was knocked through to make space for a kitchendiner, and repositioned to allow for easy access. And to make the most of the space in the eaves, which became the couple’s bedroom, lots of bespoke built-in storage was added.
‘I assumed that interior design was largely about styling,’ says Natalie, ‘but this project allowed us to focus on what we wanted from our home and how best to maximise space.’
As a result, the larger kitchen-diner works brilliantly as the couple love to cook and entertain. The copious storage acts as a backdrop to Alex’s treasured dining table, with inset tiles that were once part of an Indian church.
In the sitting room, built-in bookshelves help to anchor the space. ‘We decided against having a TV in this room, in favour of a place where we can read or entertain,’ says Natalie. ‘The window seat has slim pull-out shelves, perfect for resting a coffee cup or wine glass on.’
The bedroom was the biggest challenge. ‘The key was to design streamlined storage, which includes a bookcase concealing a door to the eaves,’ says Katie.
Splashes of colour, such as the navy blue brickwork in the bedroom, create a jewel-box effect, perfect for showcasing the couple’s treasures, including pieces bought by Alex during stints abroad. A green linen press creates a focal point in the sitting room and is framed by two dining chairs from India. Organic textures, such as sisal, enhance the antique pieces and the streamlined joinery. ‘We’ve created a style that is about the two of us,’ says Natalie. The couple have cemented this happy merger by getting married, two years after moving in together.
‘I was never too bothered about interiors before,’ says Natalie, ‘but I realise that coming home to a place you love makes you happy.’
FAVOURITE ITEM ‘Our dining table, which Alex bought in India, means so much to us. We’ve had so many fun get-togethers around it’