A NEW chapter

When Amy and Nick Hughes decided to leave suburbia for life in the heart of London, they found an amazing apartment that was ripe for renovation

- WORDS MARISHA TAYLOR | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH

After years of living in a modern self-build in Wandsworth, Amy Hughes, a company director, and her husband Nick, a financial services consultant, decided it was time for a change. They wanted to swap suburbia for the buzz of central London and set their sights on a leafy neighbourhood they had known and loved for years – with the intention of downsizing and embracing a more walkable, culture-rich life.

Their search quickly led them to a splendid red brick 1930s art deco mansion flat, just minutes from theatres, restaurants and parks. 'It had that special something – a quiet grandeur with a rich history,' says Amy. 'Then inside, the double reception room, with its high ceilings and big sash windows, sold it to us. We could instantly see the potential.'