There’s nothing bland about the neutrals used in Caitlin Chan’s personality-packed apartment
FEATURE JANE CRITTENDEN
HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY Ground floor flat in a converted Edwardian house
ROOMS Sitting room, dining room, kitchen, study, two bedrooms, bathroom
LOCATION Southwest London
SITTING ROOM
‘Mixing modern and classic makes this room feel smart yet informal,’ says Caitlin. ‘The picture frame TV above the fireplace doesn’t dominate and the shelves look balanced.’
Caitlin Chan set out with a goal to turn her flat into a modern classic home but with a full-time job working as a solicitor she sought the help of an interior designer.
‘As we worked through the process, I realised the colours I like were the colours I wore,’ says Caitlin. ‘I’m a neutral dresser and lean towards warm creams, beige and shades of brown and that’s the palette I wanted for my home.’
Caitlin bought her three-bedroom flat rather unexpectedly. Her landlord couldn’t renew the contract on her rental property and with rocketing rental costs in the area it made more sense to buy. ‘I’ve always lived north of the river but used to visit my friends’ place in southwest London and I liked the area,’ she says. ‘I couldn’t believe it when a flat came on the market right opposite them.’ The property needed work, which wasn’t Caitlin’s plan, but the opportunity was too good to miss – three bedrooms meant she could have a home office and a guest bedroom for her parents visiting from Malaysia.
‘I wouldn’t have taken on the project if I hadn’t seen my friends’ finished house,’ she adds. ‘I was familiar with how they used the space and how it could work for me. I really liked their kitchen renovation where opening up the ceiling to the pitched roof with a skylight flooded the small space with light.’
Caitlin has always had an interest in art, fashion and interiors and went looking for an interior designer who could facilitate her ideas for a new kitchen and bathroom and manage the project. ‘One company were interested but went cold when I mentioned the budget so I really liked the pricing transparency on Topology’s website,’ she says. ‘They were happy to take on individual rooms and were similar in age to me so we had a good rapport.’
DINING ROOM
The bespoke dresser acts as a bar area.
KITCHEN
Apitched ceiling with a roof light gives the illusion
