Hiking up five flights of stairs on a daily basis isn’t easy – particularly so in the case of the very pregnant Danaë Schofield.
However it’s a small price to pay in exchange for a spacious walk-up with a view, located steps away from the buzzing seafront restaurants and bars that define Kennedy Town. It’s the first apartment Danaë and her husband saw when they arrived in the city in 2012, and they instantly fell in love with the place and the authenticity of this burgeoning neighbourhood. Scroll through the gallery below (Photography: Edgar Tapan; Styling: Anji Connell) to discover the harmonious design:
The pair have personalised their rental with artworks acquired during their travels abroad, as well as personal photographs and mementos.
The open living and dining area is primed for entertaining.
“My husband and I like to buy art when we’re travelling. That way, we have a souvenir of our experience, plus a diverse collection,” says Danaë. “Unfortunately, we are running out of wall space.”
The home’s colour scheme also revolves around their art collection. “I’m a big fan of grey as a base colour, and I created the palette around the artworks we have,” says Danaë. Pastel tones pop in the open-plan living and dining room: a mint and white chevron rug lies underneath the oak dining table, adding a dash of colour to the otherwise neutral setting.
In the kitchen, retro-inspired cabinets in a vivid sky blue contrast with the mustard yellow, trellis-patterned rug underfoot. The fresh hues tie in Slim Aarons’ Poolside Gossip print beautifully, capturing both its summery tones and 1960s vibe.
A long hallway separates the social areas from the master bedroom and bathroom, and it is lined with drawers for extra storage, as well as with more art. The framed, antique map of Tuscany adorning the hallway was made from pages of the couple’s wedding guest book, which, upon closer inspection, contains well wishes from family and friends that make for a heartwarming read. “Rather than have a book that sits on a shelf collecting dust, we wanted something that would be up on the wall,” explains Danaë. It’s just one of the many personal items that decorate their home. In the bedroom, rustic furnishings, soft touches such as cushions in blue and white toile print and a rosy pink throw, along with wedding photos of the beautiful couple, evoke a sense of intimacy and romance.
The bathroom is lined with subway tiles.
The bathroom at the end of the hallway was inspired by the couple’s trip to New York. While in the Big Apple, they picked up art to match the glossy white tiles and dark grouting that reminded them of the city’s subway stations. The heavy steel and glass sliding door also adds to the distinct, industrial tone.
Pictures bought on a trip to New York match the mood of the monochrome bathroom. With a baby on the way, the couple won’t have long before they outgrow this lovely little flat. “We will likely move to somewhere with a lift. I can’t handle the five flights of stairs with a baby,” says Danaë. But for the time being, the pair is relishing every moment spent in their charming, art-filled home.
