Page 122 - Homes & Antiques (February 2020)

HOMES Victorian Flat

Fornasetti’s Malachite wallpaper
by Cole & Son creates a lush
backdrop in the bedroom.
On this side of the mirrored
cube, there is an en suite and
a utility area. The reproduction
canvas of Napoléon Bonaparte
by Antoine-Jean Gros was
salvaged from a pub. The
sputnik light is from Abigail
Ahern, the bed is from Made
and the side tables are
from Urban Outfitters.

and British architecture in general.’
When they !rst moved to the UK,
Linda and Darin visited National Trust
and English Heritage properties at
weekends. ‘I love the way that British
buildings are o"en full of dark corners,
secret doors and hidden servants’
staircases,’ says Linda. As a tribute to
that tradition, she worked a hidden loo
into the panelling by the front door.
‘You only notice the slight gap in the
woodwork once you know it’s there,’
she smiles.
Further inspiration came from the
discovery that the actor Tom Baker,
who played Doctor Who in the 1970s
and early 80s, had once lived in the #at.
‘Having the presence of Doctor Who
wa"ing around in the ether gave me
some extra creative licence,’ says
ABOVE FROM LEFT The en suite is clad in dazzling mirror glass from Frame Emporium. ‘We Linda, gesturing to the Tardis-like
get through a lot of Windolene,’ jokes Linda; the couple added corbels and tiles by Emery & panelling. ‘We love !nding pieces that
Cie to the original fireplace. The replica Chinese terracotta warrior heads came from Criterion stir our imaginations but also pay
Auctioneers. Clothes storage lies behind the dark painted panelling. tribute to our home’s interesting past.’

122 Homes & Antiques February 2020