NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Interior designer Brooke Copp-Barton set the bar high with her approach to this rental apartment shared by three young professionals - it just oozes comfort and class

- Louise O'Bryan

At first glance, it’s hard to believe this chic flat is a rental property, particularly as there’s not a Billy bookcase in sight. However, three lucky professionals call it home and, thanks to the masterful planning of designer Brooke Copp-Barton, who was tasked with the job of converting the run-down mansion block apartment into a high-end rental, they live in luxury.

‘While it was always going to be a rental property, my clients’ brief was very much to use quality furnishings and products that would stand the test of time,’ says Brooke. So, although cost-effectiveness was a priority, it was also crucial to invest in key touchpoints with a view to attracting a higher rental. ‘It had to feel youthful to attract the right type of renter, but also provide enough of a blank canvas for the tenants to make it their own.’

Described by Brooke as a ‘study in magnolia’, the original apartment hadn’t been touched for years, so her team stripped the spaces, replacing plumbing and wiring. Oak flooring was laid throughout, and the new kitchen and bathrooms were finished with practical, easy-to-live-with surfaces, such as quartz worktops and ceramic tiles. ‘Time was of the essence and we had a quick turnaround thanks to the skilled team at Paint the Town Green,’ says Brooke. ‘We started initial design work in September and the first tenants moved in at the end of April.’