Page 102 - homes & gardens

says Jean-Loup, who is in good company, with Le Corbusier and Dali also among its adherents. MAIN BEDROOM
“But my approach is multi-layered, too: I consider the position of the sun, the work of local In the original design, these steps
(right) were oval. “While we were
craftsmen, the hopes and dreams of the owners. This brings truth and complexity to the design.”
waiting for planning permission
we decided we would prefer this
DARINGLY DIFFERENT elliptical shape,” says Matthew.
Viktoria and Matthew needed separate practice rooms, away from the busy centre of the house, Similar larch foorboards,
so the layout is unconventional. Instead of having a sitting room on the raised ground foor, from £120sq m, Ecora, 020
7148 5265, ecora.co.uk.
there are four bedrooms and a bathroom, while the kitchen and dining room inhabit the lower
ground foor. Matthew’s practice room and study, together with a sauna, are also on this level. SAUNA
“It was going to be a nanny fat,” Matthew remarks, “but we felt this was more fun.” Upstairs, the The couple were worried that the
frst foor comprises the main bedroom and bathroom, with a sitting room that also serves as novelty of having a sauna (below left),
which features a handmade stone
Viktoria’s practice room. “Even on a grey day, it is awash with light,” says Matthew.
tub, might wear off, but it gets regular
The couple also boldly decided to get rid of almost all their existing possessions so that they use, especially during the winter.
could truly embrace Axel’s vision for the interior, without having to shoehorn old belongings For a similar sauna, try Nordic,
into the new space. “Axel is a friend. We would stay at his castle in Belgium and discuss our 01342 887833, nordic.co.uk.
plans. He was so important in teaching us, and developing our tastes. His spirit is all over the
CHILD’S BEDROOM
house,” says Viktoria.
The diminutive chair was bought at
Although this is a highly personal home, created to refect the couple’s lives and sensibilities, an exhibition about Africa, held at the
Axel’s hand can be seen in the extensive and sensitive use of different timbers; the beautiful Guggenheim Museum in New York.
patina of the antiques; the tactile linens in muted colours; and the incredible fnish of the walls. Similar curtain material, Washed
linen in Seville, £26m, The Cloth Shop,
“It was done by a team of four painters from Italy who worked here for more than a month,
020 8968 6001, theclothshop.net.
living in the house to see how the light hit the walls during the day, which determined how they
did the shading,” explains Matthew. “As many as twelve colours were used on a wall, and they
would sometimes work with a tiny paintbrush, shading a bit of red or yellow for instance.
“I still fnd the house beautiful, and I miss it when I am away. It seems to have a life of its
own, and it really looks after us.” l

102 | H&G | September 2015

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