Sonja and Lucian Smithers transformed a sixties country house with Scandi style interiors and natural materials
For Sonya Smithers, Christmas begins four weeks before the Big Day, when she responds to a reminder on her phone to order her fourteen-foot Christmas tree from the local estate down the road. Sonja explained; “We have a double height hall and to be sure to get the size I need I place my order promptly. On the designated tree arrival day the children, Scarlet, Coco and Otto are cajoled to their rooms for safety’s sake, taking Bear, our Schnauzer. Getting such a large tree securely fixed in its pot is quite a palaver.”
Next on her agenda is a walk to the woods with the children and Bear to collect twigs, holly with berries, cones and ivy for Christmas decorations around the home and the dining table. “The build up to Christmas is a fun creative time for all of us,” she said. “Lucian and I decorate the large tree mainly with gold baubles and white satin bows. We can just reach the top of the tree from the stairs. We select the decorations and the children are allowed to put them on. It is a way to keep control.”
As a onetime professional food stylist working in advertising, Sonja who now runs her own recruitment company, has a bag full of wonderfully simple ideas to share with friends who often drop by to glean some Christmas tips. Her wreath making workshop raises money for local charities. “Simplicity is key,” Sonja smiled as she iced her star shaped biscuits to use as place name settings. Most of her presents are wrapped in brown paper and plain blue teal satin ribbon with dark grey luggage labels as befits her Scandi look. This is a style that is reflected throughout the whole house, which she and her husband Lucian bought as a derelict shell.
The house had been lived in by an older couple who were hoarders and it had been left empty for two years, except for the junk. The ground floor was divided in five small rooms and the sitting room had a square bay. “We consulted several architects,” said Sonja, “most of whom suggested we knocked down the house and started from scratch. But there were elements about it that we really liked. It seemed a shame to knock it down.”
At last they found a husband and wife architectural design practice who shared their appreciation of the house. “They came up with plans
to open up the ground floor, create a separate snug and a double aspect fireplace between the hall and sitting room. Their ideas were spot on and the layout really works well for how we live,” reflected Sonja. “They re-orientated the house, installing extra windows to maximise the views over the hills. From the kitchen I have an overview of the entire space; I can even see into the snug and garden; so useful to be able to keep an eye on the children. In winter when the sun is low, the light is dramatic. In summer the space is a suntrap.”
The design of the façade of the house cuts new ground. A chunky extra-large front door appears to float in a wall of glass. This was an expensive feature, but as Sonja said, “whenever I open the front doorI think how glad I am we decided to go with it. It is a showstopper and gives me a visual buzz as I come down the drive, absorbing the twinkling sight of the huge Christmas tree. On opening the door, the fire gives you a cosy welcome.”
Before moving in any furniture, Sonja and Lucian carefully edited it. “All our old pieces were put into the garage or in storage and we only allowed pieces that we really liked and felt would work in the house. We bought quite a lot of new items and managed to stay within our budget by juggling a mixture of pre-loved finds and other more expensive pieces. I wanted that mid-century look mixed with Scandi.”
Happily, Sonja finished making the final set of curtains in plenty of time for Christmas, so the family can sit down to Christmas lunch with
a feeling of a job finished and well done. White roses, rosemary and eucalyptus, nearly always make up Sonja’s table centerpiece. “But I do try to ring the changes.” She smiled, clearly thinking beyond her favorite flower arrangement. “Perhaps we will build our own house next!”
Photography: Robert Sanderson/Living4media
Words: Maggie Colvin/Living4media
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