ALL ABOUT ART
A treasured collection of paintings is at the heart of this suburban London new build
Relocating to the UK from abroad gave Graham and Helen Bolon the unexpected opportunity to build their dream family home in a leafy suburb close to central London. ‘We chose Richmond because it suits family life and is close enough to the city for both work and socialising,’ explains Graham. ‘However, once we began talking to architects about renovating the house we had found, we soon realised how costly the changes were going to be. When it was suggested to us that we knock it down and start again, which we hadn’t considered, it gave us a blank canvas to create something unique to us.’ The new build took almost two years and with the couple living in Paris at the time, they kept a close eye on progress through on-site cameras and regular visits. Having two children, Myla, who is now eight, and Oli, aged six, the couple were mindful about planning around them. ‘A boot room, a playroom and good storage are very important with a young family – and so is lots of space,’ says Helen. ‘Our friends laugh because our home always looks so neat and tidy, but that’s because we’ve been thoughtful and planned the house around how we like to live.’ The Bolons also called on the services of Paul van den Berg from interior designers Cécile & Boyd. ‘We’ve been collecting contemporary African art for some time and were keen to incorporate these pieces,’ says Graham. ‘Paul understood exactly what we were trying to achieve. We like that our home appears
‘The sitting room - we adore the fusion of linen wallpaper, leather, wood, granite, fabrics, glass and plants’
‘Always think carefully about the materials you choose for your home – some natural materials, such as stone, need maintenance and aftercare, which can prove timely and expensive’
very European and then, surprisingly, you have this amazing, colourful African art everywhere.’ ‘Choosing a neutral backdrop of greys and creams for the walls and floors has naturally enhanced the art and allows the colours to really pop out at you,’ says Helen. ‘We’re so pleased with the flow of the interior and how the art complements each room. We’ve even hung it in the children’s rooms because they’ve known it since they were small and they love it, too.’ The pair were adamant about avoiding an overly contemporary look that would date quickly, preferring instead to aim for a more liveable family home aesthetic. ‘Cécile & Boyd was exceptional at suggesting different materials and designs, but we had to be careful not to get too carried away. Of course it is hard to resist beautiful pieces, but we learned how important it is for things in our home to be practical as well as beautiful,’ says Helen. The couple have also incorporated a carefully curated collection of unique chairs into their scheme. ‘We have always appreciated good design and I think occasional chairs are often an afterthought to fill residual space but for us, it was something very crucial to our overall design brief,’ says Helen. ‘We enjoy socialising and the chairs are always a brilliant talking point – along with the wonderful art – when we have visitors.’