HOMES

32 | 25bh october 20175 StairSthe freestandingsolid-oak staircasewas built off-siteand slotted togetherin situ, introducing acontemporary moodin the top floor.Similar clock,£89 , Heal ’s``````6 bedrooma Velux sk ylightincreases the freshan airy feel.extension by A SmallStudio, built byProduk. octopendant light, from£660, Secto attwentytwentyone``````7 maSterbedrooma bare-brick wallhints at loft living.recreate this look``````with AlbanyWallpapers brickin 31045 red,£11.50 per roll,Wallpaper Direct``````8 dreSSingareaSeamless bespokecarpentry makesthe most of everyinch of space.the painting is byKate Felton, similarworks, from £550``````9 maSterbathrooma turquoise tubmake this arefreshing scheme.the Astoria blue1710 bath, £480,Victorian Plumbing,is similar. try brixtontiles, £67.56sq m,to p p s t i l e s``````Kitchenthe couple gave the existing units newcharacter by painting them deep blue.Units painted in Stiffkey blue estateeggshell, £60 per 2.5 litres, Farrow &ball. Similar storage jars, from £10,House of Fraserand en suite which all flow, as a gentlereminder of the open-plan living thatthe couple already loved. ‘Lots of bespokefurniture were a must, too,’ continuesFionnuala. ‘I love having efficient storage- it means your home looks calmer becauseclutter doesn’t accumulate so easily.’The living spaces already had asimilarly open-plan feel, with the doublesitting room leading into the dining areaand the kitchen around the corner. On theground floor, a playroom, cloakroom andutility room are the only spaces behindclosed doors. ‘Moving from a warehouse,we didn’t want to go into a house that had aseries of small boxy rooms,’ says Fionnuala.‘So for us, this was a great compromise.’The couple did have to trade in someof the larger pieces of furniture from theirloft-living past, but refreshed their lookwith designs that hail from the mid-century or show its influence. So a TerenceConran wing chair is more recent, butslips easily into place next to classics byHans J Wegner and Charles Eames. ‘Wechose shapes that have endured and conveya sense of poise,’ says Fionnuala.Lighting is suitably minimal in thehall and the loft extension, while the sittingroom has a more decorative chandelier.The couple have also brought home specialfinds from their travels that include a maskfrom South Africa and ceramics fromCanada and Nepal. ‘After all, a pot orpicture means more if you remember whereyou bought it,’ smiles Fionnuala.The loft extension is now the couple’sfavourite space, loved by both of themfor its sense of calm and simplicity. ‘It’sbeen a wonderful project,’ reflectsFionnuala, ‘and just shows how you canbreathe new life into a period home.’