All in the detail

Ushma and Sanj Sivarajah took time restoring their Victorian villa, paying attention to the little things and including bespoke pieces to make it perfectly suit their needs

- NATALIE FLAUM

Having wanted to live most of her life in Regency-style homes, Ushma Sivarajah didn’t have a moment’s hesitation when she first noticed this house. She fell in love with period homes while living in Brighton as a junior doctor, before buying a flat in Highbury. ‘As soon as I saw the stunning hallway and the feeling of grandeur in the sitting room, it was love at first sight,’ says Ushma. She and her husband Sanji were smitten with the elaborate cornicing, tall ceilings, marble fireplaces and the way the light streamed in from the huge bay window. ‘We must have looked at a hundred properties in the same postcodes, but none of them offered the same space and layout,’ she says. The location also proved to be a great draw. ‘This area of north London is family orientated and the food scene has really taken off in the last few years – I love being able to buy fresh bread, coffee and enjoy brunches minutes away from home. I love the community and village feel while still being close to central London.’