When Philippa Haydon and her family first moved to Tai Tam years ago, they were enchanted by the areaโs lush green hills and open sea vistas. They havenโt moved since โ this four-bedroom duplex apartment meets all the needs of a family with five children, a cat and a dog โ although they have established a tradition of overhauling the home once a year. โMuch to my husbandโs dismay!โ says Philippa.
Metallic cushion covers add shimmer to the living room
Steps lead up to the dining room set in grey and white tones
Philippa has no trouble filling this space with objects she loves. โOur mix now is global, of a higher quality and reflects the notion of a global nomadโs collected home,โ says Philippa. For the most recent revamp,ย she wanted โan elegant, collected, layered look. I like a space to be inviting.โ She sought the help of her friend and interior designer Nathalie Edwards from Life Styling Ltd. Nathalie set about creating an inviting space that represents the family living it, rather than an extension of Philippaโs shop or an impersonal showroom.ย
A bench with concealed cabinets separates the dining area from the living room
The family dog stands guard in the dining room. An artwork and a Chinese-inspired, magenta chair give the space an unexpected pop of colour
A soft grey palette runs throughout the apartment. Nathalie made use of striking pattern play in the communal areas: in the dining room, a feature wall is dressed in a gorgeous, intricate, silver F Schumacher & Co wallpaper. Metallic embellishments dotted across the home add a touch of sparkle, such as the brass detailing on the dining table and chairs. โItโs sort of like jewellery,โ says Nathalie of combining brass and silver. โGone are the days when you could only wear silver or gold. Nowadays, itโs about mixing things up.โย
Marrying texture and tone is an approach Nathalie embraces in the plush master bedroom. Here, she layers sumptuous accessories, such as a soft, faux-fur throw and brass bedside lamps, with classic furnishings. The framed Hermรจs silk scarf hanging above the bed is a particularly nice touch, and is designed by Philippa herself. She sourced vintage Hermรจs scarves from France and had them stretched and framed.ย
Classic bedroom furnishings get an updated look with brass accessories and cool cushions
Mixing things up is a philosophy that both Philippa and Nathalie have in common, and theyโve successfully combined their different design senses to create a home thatโs a beautiful blend of old-world and modern design.ย
Mirrored drawers create the illusion of more space in the bathroom
Photography: Edgar Tapan
Styling: Christie Simpson
