PREPARING FOR A SPARKLING CHRISTMAS CAROL ASSCHER INVITES US INTO HER BELGRAVIA TOWNHOUSE AS SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO A TRULY MODERN FAMILY REUNION

December in London has a special charm and there’s no better place to appreciate that Christmas sparkle than the home of Carol Asscher.

-  NANA BOTTAZZI

A brilliant hostess, Carol – whose grandfather belonged to the Asscher diamond dynasty – has designed a perfect setting to enjoy the party season.

Like her other homes in Gstaad, Monaco, Phuket and St Tropez, the three-storey Belgravia townhouse flawlessly expresses facets of its owner’s personality. While the pink and gold decor suggests sophisticated glamour, soft satin and velvet add welcoming warmth.

As for Carol’s impressive collection of contemporary paintings and sculptures, that’s proof of the passion for art that she shares with her love, Simon de Pury, a well-known dealer and curator. And the finishing touch is the presence of her adored son Nicolas, who lives here too, close to his work in the capital.

Carol, how did you choose this house? 

“A friend of mine, Silvia Bruttini, found it for me. I fell in love with it at first sight, although I realised that it would take a lot of work to turn it into a comfortable home.

“Each of my houses has a very distinct feel. Here, I didn’t hold back on my love of pink and gold. I’ve created somewhere that’s exuberant but cosy. Both my son and I like to entertain our friends and we wanted an inviting ambience.”

How long did the renovation take?