Annie Schlechter
The best inheritance inMally Skoks family is an unquenchable thirst for charm.
Q: I feel unbridled jealousy over your apartment.
Tell me about it.
Credit:Annie Schlechter
Gabriella:Its really a representation of our family.
Both of my parents are South African and moved to England, where I was born.
Through my maternal grandmother, I inherited a deep relationship with antiques.
Mally and Gabriella sit under a watercolor Mally made for her darling daughter, as she calls her. It says “kind heart, fierce mind, brave spirit.”.Credit:Annie Schlechter
Its not just an affinity: Theyre more than objects to us.
They are living things we cohabitate alongside.
Layers of finds create a timeless, welcoming effect in Gabriellas living room.
Credit:Annie Schlechter
Its the basis of this room, Mally says.
The paper bleeding hearts are made by artist Livia Cetti ofThe Green Vase.
Q: Decorating this together, where did you disagree?
Credit:Annie Schlechter
It sort of reminded me of my moms dining room in the 70s in Johannesburg [South Africa].
And she was right, actually.
The designing women had the 5-foot-long oval dining table custom-made to fit this space.
Credit:Annie Schlechter
Open shelving built into the wall serves as both a curio case androom divider.
Best practice is to get out your credit card and load the item in your car.
Q: It really does feel warmespecially with the fireplace.
They really wanted to get back to making a homeeven in the shifting landscape of an urban environment.
Q: Making things fit your own definition of cozy is important.
Speaking of, I want to take a nap in your reading nook.
Mally:Gabriella invented the nook.
Built-in bookshelves and Farrow & BallRed Earthpaint enhance the ultimate reading spot.
Using high-gloss paint for the nook separates it a notch from the rest of the room.
Q: The antiques everywhere are great too.
It feels so homey.
How do you hone your eye and develop a distinctive style?
Mally:If you see something you really love,buy it.
you’re able to figure out where youre going to put it later on.
If you wait then go back, someone else will have bought it.
She would say, You love it; lets do it.
Youre going to kick yourself if we dont get it.
You have to listen to your gut.
Before Gabriella moved in, the bathroom had not been touched since 1931.
She usedwhite subway tileand Ferrick Mason wallpaper; this pattern was painted by hand then printed.
The mirrored vanity is a mood booster.
It all feels extravagant in the best possible way.
I wanted my office to feel brooding and moody, like an old bank, Gabriella says.
The winning color is Farrow & BallCalke Green.
A wicker daybed from Serena & Lily brings a fanciful note and provides a peaceful perch for naps.
(Perk: It holds a twin-size mattress.)
Tole candleholderstransform a wall above an understated headboard.
