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SHOWCASE
57
January14
With the through breeze and the
surrounding trees, it can sometimes get
quite chilly during themonsoonal months.
These balconies are something
special, aren’t they?
Yes, we have all our meals out here for
the pleasure of being outside. Having
grown up in the small market town of
Devizes, in Wiltshire, England, I revel in
the quietness here.
When I first moved in, none of these
other buildings existed – it was all green
hills and sky. I instantly fell in love with
the place and had to take it, despite
the four flights of stairs and lack of a
lift. Sometimes, the postman doesn’t
bother coming all the way up; instead,
he’ll leave my parcels with the people
who live on the second floor.
What’s it like to live in a walk-up?
It was easier before, but it’s become
something of a problemsince I’ve lost the
cartilage in my knees through running.
I’m supposed to avoid hills and stairs, but
that’s hardly possible living where I do!
I’m not supposed to run anymore,
either, except on a treadmill, so I do that
a couple of times a week and I power-
walk. It’s very difficult to get your heart
rate properly up while walking, though,
so I look for hills, and sometimes I’ll
break into a guilty run.
How did you go about furnishing
the flat? I like the way you’ve
created different seating oases
throughout the space.
As a teacher, I have a lot of homework;
and my university counselling job also
entails quite a bit of administrative
work. Having a dual role keeps things
interesting: there’s never a dull moment;
but my home does need to be a
comfortable working environment, too.
I did much of it right at the start, with
the idea of creating a calm, tropical
sort of atmosphere. The aqua bead
curtains are from Lim’s, which has been
a treasure trove for me over the years.
I find the beads very restful, and I think
they work well hung against white walls
that rise to high ceilings. People tell me
they feel as though they’re stepping into
a swimming pool.