Design For Life

By using authentic materials such as wood, marble and brass, designers Gemma Ruse and Xavier Sheriff have created a timeless home

- Jane Crittenden

StudioXAG founders, Gemma Ruse and her husband Xavier Sheriff, like to create wow moments in their work, designing and fabricating retail installations. And when it came to their own home they took the same approach.

‘We wanted to evoke the same emotion but in a quieter way, using honest materials and design details,’ says Gemma.

The couple initially discounted this Victorian terrace due to its poor state. But after viewing similar houses in the area that had been done up, they began to see potential in the generously proportioned rooms.

‘We picked up tips and tricks along the way,’ says Gemma. ‘Like opening up the ceiling of our bathroom to the roof, and how we could modernise the winter balcony on the raised rear reception room, which now overlooks our Japanese courtyard.’