TEAM EFFORT

Ali and Mike Kynoch pooled their talents to turn an unpromising property into the perfect family home

- SEAN O'CONNELL

Ali and Mike Kynoch love the area of north London they live in, so when they were looking for a new home with a layout that better suited their growing family, they simply moved a few streets away. ‘We also like the Edwardian house we lived in and searched for a property of the same period and style,’ says Ali. The house they subsequently found was in keeping with their requirements. They could see that the garden would better meet the needs of their daughters Marni, six, and Freya, four, and would be a good socialising space in summer. Even more importantly, the layout of the rooms worked well, and the main bedrooms were more generous and consistent in size.

But there was work to do. ‘The owner used to spend only part of the year here so it had a cold, unlived-in feel and the decor looked quite haphazard,’ says Ali. ‘We wanted to put some character back into the rooms and give it a sense of flow and continuity – as well as bring out the features that would enable it to be a family home.’

To that end, Ali and Mike, who jointly run interior consultancy Freymar Designs, brought the unused downstairs fireplaces back into action, which meant sweeping all the chimneys. Then, after replacing the electrics, modern lighting was installed.