A kind of MAGIC

Interior designer Maria Benaki's own home is a wonderful lesson in space planning and getting a colourful yet pared-back look

- WORDS VIVIENNE AYERS | PHOTOGRAPHY ANNA STATHAKI

WHAT WAS YOUR VISION FOR THE PROJECT? To reconfigure the ground floor area by redesigning the kitchen to improve the flow and create a more functional living area in the open-plan part of the house. Also, to extend to the side and utilise this space to house an independent utility room, cloakroom and study. In addition, we wanted to reimagine the loft room to create a light-filled main bedroom. Finally, we aimed to inject our personalities across the house by highlighting family heirlooms and key pieces of art.

DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE. Contemporary eclectic. I am drawn to clean lines and the timeless functionality of the mid-century modern era. I'm equally passionate about incorporating contemporary materials, colours, heritage designs and patterns, as well as art. I adore mixing new with old as the combination creates a unique lived-in and authentic feel.