Silver lining

Spotting some damp proved to be a blessing in disguise for Sarah Habib as it started a very beautiful renovation full of colour and pattern

- EMMA J PAGE

When Sarah Habib and her partner Nicholas started a new life chapter together, high on the list was finding a cosy pied-à-terre in their favourite part of west London.

Before long, an apartment came up in a classic stucco-fronted building and despite being located on the lower ground floor, it benefitted from well-proportioned rooms and plenty of light at the front and rear.

'As a result, we envisaged giving the place a simple lick of paint and moving right in,' says Sarah, director of a skincare brand. 'But once we got the keys and spotted some damp, we knew that we might be in for an overhaul.'

Well-versed in decoration, thanks to her interior designer sister Lulu Lytle, co-founder of Soane Britain, and having grown up with parents who filled their rectory home with fabrics and art, Sarah knew she wanted to create a space full of colour and personality. 'Lulu had recommended working with interior designer Jess Daw previously,' says Sarah. 'We share a similar creative vision and I knew she would come up with a host of clever ideas."