Emily Fisher likes a challenge.
So when the interior designer and founder of ECF Interiors came across an unusual house on The Peak, she immediately knew she wanted to make it a home for her and her family. “It had been empty for a long time,” says the energetic lady of the house. “What drew me to it was the fireplace.” It was this feature, the stunning views, and the spacious ground floor that drew Emily to the house. But, she says, “The layout was weird. Given how big the ground floor was, there weren’t enough bedrooms.” There was also an awkward attic space on the top floor that could work as a bedroom, but isn’t the most functional of spaces. Despite this, however, Emily could see how she could make it her own. “I wanted different colours everywhere,” she says. Scroll through the gallery below (Photography: Edgar Tapan; Styling: Bridget Saunders) and discover the alluring interiors:
In the double-height living and dining room, she chose a fresh combination of neutral hues and pale blues. Big hunks of coral and photography by Candida Höfer finish off the look.
This space was originally designed as a formal living room, but Emily switched things up and turned it into a living and dining room in one. What was initially the living room – next to the kitchen – is now a laid-back TV room for the family. “We completely live in here,” says Emily. “I wanted this to be the cosy, comfortable room.”
Set in warm tones, the new space is Emily’s favourite room. Red and pink Ikat curtains create a striking setting that’s complemented by a graphic rug and a pomegranate-pink sofa. “I thought the Ikat would work really well here – it was enough of a statement, but it had to be paired with a colour-block pink sofa,” says the designer. “Everything happens in here,” she says. “Our girls sit and colour at the table, and we watch TV in here.”
Neutrals and pale blues rule in the living and dining room.
Upstairs, the Fishers’ master bedroom is cool and sophisticated in black and white, while their daughters’ bedroom is pretty in pink. As with the downstairs spaces, Emily has played with pattern upstairs, layering the likes of zebra prints and damasks. “Pattern is great for accentuating things,” she says. “It’s great to do a huge pattern on a sofa, but then keep everything else simple.”
A cosy TV room that's pretty in pink.
Emily’s confidence in playing with pattern really enlivens the entire home. “This house was dark and gloomy when we first moved in,” she says, but it certainly isn’t anymore. Her use of pattern, a rainbow of hues and eclectic artworks has brightened up each of the spaces.
The sense of life Emily has added to the home is evident as soon as you walk in the door – a dramatic, contemporary chandelier in red and orange greets you.
Emily bought this piece at Lane Crawford. “I remember thinking, ‘I can finally hang the chandelier,’” says the designer. She has also hung several faux animal heads that are a fun take on taxidermy by the front door, next to a beautiful antique-effect mirror.
The home’s gorgeous, original style is testament to Emily’s talent as a designer
– after all, not everyone could transform a set of pokey, dark spaces into a lovely family home that’s full of life and colour.
