We weren’t aware that an offer had already been made on the property,” says graphic designer and Lille native Tiphaine Richards as she tells me about her family’s home. “When we pulled up outside I was so impressed by the grandeur that I had to see it.” They proceeded with the viewing even though the estate agent had called to cancel their appointment. It clearly hadn’t been inhabited for years, but the grand art deco house was so stunning they could overlook the significant amount of mould they saw growing on the wall when they stepped inside. Tiphaine and Cedric da Rocha instead appreciated the luxury black and gold Portoro marble and extravagant design flourishes in the entrance. “It wasn’t what we were expecting at all, because you usually find big entrances like this in hotels,” Cedric says.
The wide staircase is marble with a chrome railing, which adds to the elaborate design. The detail that had gone into the planning was still evident despite the state of disrepair. “All the original features were still there, including the ceiling lights in most places,” says Tiphaine. When they eventually ended up being able to buy the place, she set to work tracking down sympathetic additions, like the made-to-measure light fittings. “The electrician put in some plastic switches at first and they looked so ugly we had to get some made!”
