Design Buy Build Issue 43 2020 | Page 17

Design & Build The soft bronze tones of the Extreme Designs kitchen, with its extraordinary leathered granite work top and latest range of Gaggenau appliances, extend harmoniously into adjoining family dining and sitting areas, with focal point centre piece floating gas fired log fire. Frequent entertainers, Anna insisted on an out-of-sight utility room housing dishwasher and deep sink, so she could close the door on the increasing stack of dinnerware until guests had departed. Returning to the astonishing entrance hall - definitely the scene stealer of this extensive home - with no little part due to the specially commissioned digital mural, which extends from the front door, around the vast swathe of walls, and descends via a circular sweep of marble stairs to the lower ground leisure and fitness suites. “We fell in love with the mural artist Adam Ellis’ work, after discovering some of his earlier work at The Ivy in Richmond. He creates bold, colour rich wall coverings to order, and will incorporate features that have a special significance for the client. For us, it was important to include the flora and fauna we grew up with, and because my husband is passionate about Greek 17 mythology, ancient temples and figures were woven into the brief. Adam and his artists install the mural, and then embellish on site with their own palettes and paintbrushes. “For the hall floor, we asked the stone suppliers to create an optical illusion design in black and white marble. When viewed from above, the tiles magically transform from a flat, level surface into a bowl curve, which is both clever and intriguing. “Part of the hall has been designated for formal dining, where behind retractable glass doors, our treasured table, made from reclaimed Rhodesian railway sleepers that have been French polished, and leather lace (riempie) seated chairs take pride of place.” On the first floor are five substantial double bedrooms, three en-suites plus a separate family bathroom, and Anna’s own study, with rough-hewn African rosewood ‘work bench’ facing out of a wide internal window into the lower living levels of the house – the perfect matriarch look out post. The second floor is devoted to the Master Suite, with a comfortable sitting room, and a double length dressing room with designated ‘his’ and ‘her’ storage.