Because you’re worth it

Fiona Applegarth

This property in Esher has been totally transformed by the team at Sable Interiors. There is a lot of upheaval when tackling this kind of refurbishment, but as Fiona Applegarth reports, if it looks this good then it is worth the effort

Undertaking a large refurbishment project in your home can often involve a great deal of unexpected upheaval, especially if you are living in the property at the time. However, when the outcome looks as good as this newly-created open-planned living space, combining kitchen, dining and living area, then it has to be worth it.
Having recently moved into their five-bedroomed house in a leafy part of Esher, the current owners were not only keen to start personalising it, but also to find the perfect solution to make their home more inviting, more user friendly and more contemporary. The property was just over 10 years old with plenty of potential, but lacked character and any real feel of warmth and style.
Seeking sound advice from experienced and skilled professionals and having highly-organised and streamlined project management, is essential for the successful outcome of a project of this nature. The team at Sable Interiors were engaged to assist with the design and transformation.
Initially the brief from the client had been just to concentrate on the redecoration and furnishings for the living room, television room and master bedroom. The previously sterile and plain magnolia rooms were dramatically restyled and replaced with ones that were well-planned and beautifully furnished. The family were so inspired by the result, they were eager to continue with the process.

So spurred on, they decided to undertake a project which involved even more major changes. Working with the interior designer, it was decided to open up a large proportion of the rear of the house. The existing internal walls between the kitchen, utility and dining room were removed by the contractor, creating one large, spectacular open-planned kitchen and family/dining room.
The old dining room had been fairly redundant and was only used on few occasions such as at Christmas. The room had appeared dark, drab and uninviting. The kitchen was dated and the utility room was also poorly designed with clashing doors.
The new area has now become a social magnet for all members of the family. They increasingly spend more time coming together to enjoy and make better use of the space.
Large bi-fold doors were installed to the rear of the house, offering a much better outlook and easier access onto the garden, thus increasingly the natural light and ‘bringing the outside in’.
Large-scale floor tiles were laid throughout resulting in a fresher, brighter, more spacious appearance.

The stunning new kitchen is now easy to maintain and designed with great attention to detail. Not only is the layout more practical but much better organised and also offers a great deal more storage. The large central island offers ample space for food preparation and the adjoining new breakfast bar is stylishly designed, providing the whole family a lovely place to eat together informally. The red leather barstools with air pump adjustable height mechanism are comfortable and chic.

During the design process, visiting the showroom for presentations of the proposed schemes was easy and enjoyable, and the clients were pleased with the amazing amount of choice available. Keen to achieve a perfect end result, they felt at ease with the experienced designers who devoted time and effort to deliver what was required.
The kitchen is well equipped with all the latest appliances, and the induction hob and steam oven are a firm favourite. Inspired by her visit with the designer to the Miele showroom in London, the client is now looking forward to revisiting to participate in a day course for steam oven cooking.
To complement the kitchen, colours were selected for the dining area, which offers a great place for entertaining and boasts a stunning new square wenge-stained oak table. The breath-taking armchairs covered in sumptuous red velvet certainly have the wow factor.
Oversized oval shaped mirrors with their lacquered finish reflect back the magnificent result, and the whole area is warmed by a soft gold wallpaper. The whole room is now sleek and practical yet stylish with a hint of glamour.
While they watch TV, the family love relaxing in their brand new soft-fabric covered chocolate modern sofa, which was selected for its comfort, At the press of a button the TV automatically emerges from the cabinet, so there is no need for the large piece of equipment to be on show all the time.

essence info

Sable Interiors
Fiona Applegarth is director of the interior design company Sable
Telephone: 020 8398 9777
Website: www.sableinteriors.com