Drama by design

Above: The imposing exterior of Oaklands, originally built for a Victorian mill owner

Above: Opulent cream and gold in the sitting room

Above: Interior design expert Mo Whitaker

Above: Antique cream and black are a striking combination in the spacious kitchen

Above: Dramatic cream, gold and black in the master bedroom

CLEVERLY combining a variety of styles, from flamboyant French to classical Greek, Mo Whitaker’s spacious first-floor apartment in Hayfield is the epitome of eclectic elegance. Traditional and modern influences blend seamlessly in her stylish home, part of a solid stone property, Oaklands, originally built for a Victorian mill owner back in the 1890s. ‘People often say you shouldn’t mix the two, but I think the combination of antique and contemporary works rather well,’ mused Mo as she gave me a guided tour of her highly individual, yet practical living space. As soon as you enter the square, imposing entrance hall, you become aware that this is a place that belongs to someone with both a natural flair for interior design and a definite sense of drama. Art work throughout reflects Mo’s eventful life and travels, acquired in places such as Cuba, Sardinia, Italy and Spain. Thus it’s no surprise to learn that she runs her own home, furniture design and interiors businesses - one project managing an interiors package from start to finish and the other creating what she calls ‘artiture’, a combination of art and furniture to create quirky, quality pieces with a personal touch. ‘Though my background is mainly in marketing and the travel business, I’ve always had an interest in interior design, a skill I first got the opportunity to develop in the Canary Islands,’ she explained. ‘I rented out, managed and furnished apartments catering for the top end of the travel market in Lanzarote, developing the business from just a handful of properties to 90 by the time I finished. ‘The owners of the properties were invariably short of time, so would give me a budget and left the interior design entirely to me. Now I run my own businesses concentrating on both overall design and creating individualised items of furniture, so it’s been very rewarding to bring the two together when planning my own home.’ Northampton-born Mo came to the High Peak for business reasons 15 years ago, and as soon as she walked into her apartment, knew she had to have it: ‘I could see it had plenty of potential, and it was literally a blank canvas for me to work on, which was perfect.’ Leading off to the left is Oaklands’ former snooker room, which has been divided into a rather grand dining room and opulent sitting room. In the dining room, the colour scheme is predominantly pale grey and blue, with 1920s mahogany chairs upholstered in striped silk dupion and a huge swathe of petrol blue and pale gold damask in Italian stringing style at the window. The pale grey of the walls and slightly darker shade of the cornice and ceiling rose were specially mixed by Mo’s decorator, Geoff Moores, to create the exact hues she wanted. At the room’s heart is a long,mirrortile topped table, copied from an idea Mo first spotted in a French chateau. ‘It’s on marine ply, to stop it warping, and mounted on exterior stone pillars,’ she explained. Ice plants, in glass containers packed with artificial snow, are an imaginative touch. An antique mahogany dressing table serves as a sideboard, while a matching cabinet houses a pretty Coalport china service, only pressed into service when one of Mo’s close friends calls for afternoon tea. Off to the right, the sitting room, with its complementary tones of cream and gold, is filled with light, thanks to two huge windows, fitted with blinds to make the most of the stunning views beyond. The crystal chandelier in the centre makes a striking statement, decorated with 18 carat gold, while a reproduction bureau and desk in burr elm complement the understated colour scheme. A pretty chaise longue, handed down through Mo’s family and part of her life for the past 40 years, has the ideal niche in front of one of the windows, while an antique tea table, thought to have been made in India, is perfect when serving drinks. Twin archways lead to the ‘snug’, heralding the transition from traditional to modern, with an extra long sofa and 100 per cent wool rug in cream and a plasma screen television on one wall. ‘I hate televisions in sitting rooms, so this is the ideal solution,’ added Mo. Large French windows lead to a terrace with table and chairs, where Mo and her family and friends can enjoy predinner drinks and superb views on a warm summer’s evening. To the left of the dining room is the spacious, ultra-modern and professionally-equipped kitchen, which reflects Mo’s long-standing passion for cooking and entertaining. ‘I adore cooking for my family and friends, everything from Thai to French,’ she said. Granite marble work surfaces are the perfect foil for antique cream Shaker-style units and cream travertine floor. At one end, the surface has been cleverly extended to create a curved ‘bar’ area, where friends can sit and enjoy a glass of wine while Mo cooks. ‘That was my idea,’ she revealed. ‘It’s much more sociable than having to keep disappearing off into the kitchen to work on your own.’ The range cooker has electric ovens, gas hobs, a fish kettle burner and chef’s plate, while the Americanstyle fridge freezer has a handy, builtin ice maker. Other useful touches are a combination oven with warming drawer, double dish washer, large Belfast sink with a waste disposal unit and an in-built audio system connected to speakers in the dining room - useful for playing background music when entertaining. On the opposite side of the apartment, the piece de resistance has to be the master bedroom, with its antique French style furniture and stunning cream, gold and black colour scheme. Black feathers painted on the wall by Hayfield artist Dawn Holmes, who works with Mo in her furniture business, add a whimsical touch above the huge bed and its specially-made headboard. Other sumptuous touches are silk drapes at the window, feathertrimmed cushions, a crystal chandelier and a chair customised with the image of a saxophone - an example of the off-beat furniture Mo and Dawn regularly create for their clients. French-style furniture imported from Indonesia has been painted cream with touches of gold to add to the exotic atmosphere. ‘When my daughters first saw this room, they said it looked as if it had been decorated for Elton John or Gianni Versace - but I love it!’ said Mo. The regal theme continues into the palatial, black and white en suite bathroom, with classical pillars framing a deep bath with silverpainted claw feet, Greek key design tiles and photographs of Greek ‘gods’ playing Olympic sports on the walls. A black resin chandelier is imaginatively set with candles rather than connected to electricity, while storage is cleverly incorporated in cupboards under the window sill and recesses behind the bath. The guest room, with its muted shades of grey and grape, sumptuous fabrics and view over Lantern Pike, has an altogether softer feel. However, traditional soon gives way to contemporary once more in the adjacent, ultra-modern steam room, which doubles as a second bathroom. ‘I love living in the High Peak,’ admitted Mo. ‘It’s a very inspirational place to be if you’re a creative person, and Hayfield is a very friendly village. With this apartment, I started from scratch, and it’s been wonderful to stamp my own personality on it, bringing together styles, furniture and art work I’ve picked up on my travels all over the world.’ ¦ For more information about Mo Whitaker’s home, furniture design and interiors businesses, call 07764 562926.