EASTERN PROMISE
Inspired by their travels, one couple turned two neglected flats back into a large family home filled with exotic colour, texture and character
Inspired by their travels, one couple turned two neglected flats back into a characterful family home
When Syarifah McDonough first saw a rather run-down pair of flats in a leafy street in west London, it was about as far removed as it could possibly have been from the dream family home she wanted to create. ‘The place was a mess. There were bugs everywhere and it stank of cigarettes. It was horrible!’ she says. But where others may have seen chaos, Syarifah saw potential.
‘My husband and I were looking for a big project. We’d previously done up three properties in the area and were ready for another. But this time, it had to have the potential to create a large, open-plan home with plenty of space for our two young children. As soon as we saw the width of the hallway in this house, we knew we’d found what we were looking for. All the big houses around here have very narrow hallways, so this was a real find. Plus, I fell in love with the black front door with its beautiful stained glass!’
The couple embarked on a mission to restore the house to its former Edwardian glory, while introducing a mid-century vibe and adding a three-metre extension at the rear and a loft conversion to the top floor. Planning issues delayed the build significantly, which meant the whole project took two long years to complete.
‘There was local opposition to the work at first, so we had to revise the plans as we went along,’ explains Syarifah. ‘It was frustrating, but we had our vision for the renovation and wanted to stick to it. In the end, we had to compromise on the ceiling height of the loft conversion for our bedroom and ensuite. That was a shame, because I wanted it to feel really light and airy up there, but we’re delighted with how everything else has turned out.’
And certainly, the downstairs is a triumph.
The large hallway opens onto a vast, open-plan living space that incorporates comfortable seating, a dining area and the kitchen. ‘The builders thought we were crazy, but we insisted on digging out the floor of the living room to create a step down as you enter,’ says Syarifah. ‘You now get a real sense of airiness as you walk into this room, because the ceiling feels higher than it actually is.
‘Our brief to the architect was to create a large, open-plan space with enormous glass sliding doors fitted across the entire back of the house,’ explains Syarifah. ‘We love that “outside in” feeling, and in the summer, the kids and I are in and out of the garden all the time. We also do a lot of entertaining, so this is perfect for that. Though my next plan is to install fake grass, because it drives me mad how much mud and grass gets walked into the house!’
When it came to choosing pieces for their new home, the McDonoughs drew inspiration from their travels. Syarifah is from Indonesia, and it was important to her to have items that would remind her of home, as well as of the holidays she’s shared with Ian and the children. The jasmine in the garden and the sandstone
used for the paving are both reminiscent of Syarifah’s homeland, but perhaps the most striking feature of this home is a door the couple had shipped from Jodhpur in India.
‘Jodhpur is known as the Blue City, because most of the buildings there have been painted blue. It’s so beautiful,’ says Syarifah. ‘Ian said: “We must get a blue door because we’re in the Blue City.” So we traipsed around trying to buy one, and I must admit, I wasn’t all that amused at the time! Then it took us six months to get it home because of quarantine and customs. And now there it is, up on the wall in our dining area, and I think it’s great.’ The couple also have a painting hanging above the fireplace in their front room by the
South African artist Lionel Smit, who they discovered while touring a vineyard in Cape Town. ‘We saw his work, loved it and set about tracking down one of his paintings,’ says Syarifah. ‘He wasn’t very well known at the time, but he’s since gone on to win a National Portrait Gallery award, so we were pretty chuffed when we found out about that!’
In terms of Syarifah’s approach to interior design, she prefers to allow a space to evolve rather than planning it out too much in advance. ‘I like to feel my way as I go,’ she says. ‘I love Scandinavian design, especially the monochrome look, but when it comes to my own home I’m drawn to pattern and colour. I pick up fabrics on my travels, and love pops of yellow against a grey background. It’s all about trusting your vision and your instincts.’
That vision has resulted in a stylish home that looks set to serve the McDonough family for many years to come. ‘This house feels so welcoming to come back to. I absolutely love it,’ says Syarifah. ‘The other day Ian mentioned buying a plot of land and starting all over again, but I said, “Stop right there!” I’m not doing it again. I’m done!’