Bespoke Home

Wanting his parents to live nearer to his family home in Virginia Water, Bassam found the perfect plot in the shape of one of Octagon’s speculative builds – whereby planning permission had already been approved for a 6100 sq ft house.

While the Octagon design team had already created an outline layout, there were certain aspects Bassam decided to alter, including the staff quarters, and the implementation of a lift.

He explained; “the lift was something I felt was very much essential, if not now, in the years to come. Putting this into the layout changed things quite a bit, but the Octagon team worked really well around it. Everything has been designed with my parents in mind.”

Mr Audeh was keen to be involved in selecting the finishes for the three storey, five bedroom home, arriving at his first Bespoke meeting with a suitcase of cuttings to show the team. The stepped ceiling cornicing, high gloss walnut doors, variety of wallpaper, bespoke balustrade and carpets were all aspects he worked with the Octagon team on, creating an incredibly unique and personal home for his parents.

“I love art, which is why I had so many ideas about the specification, design and colours to be used in each of the rooms,” said Bassam.

With each of the bathrooms enjoying different mosaic tiling, every bedroom has a variety of finishes to the wardrobe – just one of the ways Bassam was able to further flex his artistic skills. ‘The Kiss’ features on the back wall of the downstairs cloakroom – a reproduction of Gustav Klimt’s Spanish artwork in a ceramic tile ‘translation’, while the lift is lined with leather metallic and mirrored panels, creating quite the impact.

Moving into the open plan kitchen/dining, the Shaker & walnut units are inspired Bassam’s father, a seasoned cigar smoker, and topped with Juperona Torrone worktops for an eye catching finish. The day room, a cosy light-filled snug just off the kitchen, is where Mr Audeh’s parents have spent most of their time since moving in a couple of months ago.

He says; “With the light well in the ceiling and the patio doors opening onto the garden, this is the most relaxing room in the house, and my parents love to sit in here and read together.”
The ground floor is rounded off with an open plan sitting and formal dining space and a spacious study, the interiors of which were purchased through Chaplins.

The master bedroom on the first floor easily fits a comfortable seating area and mirrored walk in wardrobe, while the large, white marble bathroom has dual sinks. The additional 4 bedrooms have been tastefully decorated, and provide plenty of space for when the grandchildren come round to stay.

What was originally the sixth bedroom is now a cinema and cigar room, with luxurious Brian Yates velvet wallpaper, a large grey Chester One sofa by Poltrona Frau and unique glass coffee table, suspended on shark-like fins.

Creating the ultimate ‘man den’ was something Bassam felt his father would particularly enjoy; “We have built in speakers for watching films, and an Olz bronze laminate kitchenette that matches downstairs. I found a Cantina – a wine cooler with cigar drawer – that I knew he’d appreciate, and he does use it frequently!”

The large wraparound south west facing garden, designed by Creepers, features a delightful summer house and gardener’s loo, as well as a koi carp pond and fire pit – ideal for evening entertaining. Filled with olive and fruit trees, it has a Spanish feel that reflects the house behind which it sits.

Having finished the home earlier this year and moved his parents in in spring, Bassam only holds high praise for the Octagon Bespoke team.

“I would absolutely do it all over again. I loved the process from start to finish, and Octagon were so accommodating – they knew how important it was for me to be very involved in every aspect of this house.”