When blogger and decorator Sarah Akwisombe and her husband Jason first saw this apartment in Croydon, London, its Art Deco details and potential had the duo elated. Their eagerness to snap it up came to a screeching halt, however, when they saw its price tag. Convinced they’d never be able to afford it, the couple begrudgingly moved on and tried to fall in love with other homes.
Properties came and went, but they just couldn’t shake their affection for the gem in Croydon. After having an offer on another home declined, Sarah and Jason went out on a limb and revisited the Art Deco option in hopes it’d still be available. Much to their surprise, there it sat. Better yet, the price had been slashed. Not a pair to tempt fate, they took it as a sign and made the space theirs.
While they were anxious to get into the apartment, the Akwisombes were more concerned with making sure the space was just right for their newborn daughter before moving in. That being said, they lived with Sarah’s parents while making their way down a list of necessary renovations. Over the course of three months, the duo had new bathroom fixtures and carpet installed and gave the walls and ceilings new coats of paint.
Once the bones of the space were prepped, the couple moved on to their favorite phase of the design process: decorating. Their goal for the project was twofold — craft a space that made working from home more enjoyable and that referenced the sparkling 1930s. By sourcing furniture and wallpaper inspired by the era, they quickly checked off the latter. For the former, they sought out pattern-filled accessories and cheeky pieces of art that infused maximalism style into the space. Doing so has made each room feel far from boring and has resulted in a home perfect for a couple looking to stay inspired from nine to five and beyond.
During the renovation, if you had asked Sarah and Jason about their favorite part of the flat, the conversation may have veered towards its overall potential or throwback details. After having lived there for five years, however, they say the community that envelopes their slice of the sky is unequivocally its greatest asset. When they come home, they’re welcomed by the smell of dinner wafting through the seams of their neighbors’ front doors, greeted by friends hanging out on the grounds, and filled with a sense of being a part of something bigger. Part of their connection to the building can be credited to the open communication between the tenants. Their building uses the messenger app WhatsApp to facilitate honest conversations regarding improvements to the grounds, safety and much more.
Overall, this home is one to strive for inside and out: its design has major personality, its rooms are full of love and it’s nestled within a neighborhood we all could learn a thing or two from. I’m sure you’ll adore getting a peek inside as much as I did. Scroll down to check it out, and enjoy! —Garrett
Photography by Megan Taylor
Image above: The mantel in Jason and Sarah’s bedroom has proven to be a great place for the couple to display their latest baubles.
from Design*Sponge http://www.designsponge.com/2018/03/an-art-deco-apartment-in-south-london-decorated-to-the-max.html
from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/171591675659
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