Best Of Both Worlds

One couple with two very different ideas of luxury are each granted their wish in this 1930s home that reflects their personal best.

- Carli Philips

The same as for all her projects, designer Sally Knibbs of Sally Caroline met her first-time clients armed with a quiz. It’s an initial briefing phase that she says is crucial to the way she does business. “For so many people, a new home and renovation is one of the biggest things they’ll do in their lives. People plan for years and work extremely hard to reach this point and getting it right is critical. We just have to nail it so I’m big on asking the important, strategic questions and really getting into the nitty-gritty details.”

The homeowners were moving from a conservative Edwardian property and this was the first home they had ever bought and designed together. It soon became apparent that the couple differed greatly when it came to their perspectives on luxury. While he was more classic, reserved and quiet, her taste geared towards something more wild and rebellious. They were, however, a united front when it came to one instruction: “nothing cookie cutter”.