This Portobello home began as a four-bed, but was redesigned into a one-bed

Thankfully, their architect Garbhan Doran from Broadstone Architects shared their vision to honour the time period of the house, while breathing new life into it, weaving some wonderful contradictions.

While urbane and sophisticated, it’s also home to Mona’s love of the past, dotted with antiques and curios. The upstairs kitchen built by Patrick McKenna of Wabi Sabi is one of the more contemporary rooms, bright and airy with brass and stone-effect cabinets.

In contrast, the adjoining cinema-sitting room is dark and moody with a large antique fireplace and a mix of retro and modern lighting and furniture. Rob’s love of contemporary classic architecture, Mona’s penchant for antiques, plus their refined taste and love of travel all aided the design process.

Salvaging what they could, they set about redesigning with careful curation of both aesthetics in what could be considered two homes in one: contemporary for Rob and period with a nod to the modern for Mona.

“It’s a mishmash of styles and everything we love, hopefully it works.” Ninety per cent of the original floorboards were saved, as were the shutters, but unfortunately the cornicing and all but one ceiling rose were too damaged to keep.

Having sale agreed on five houses prior, Mona had honed her sourcing skills over the years, well before landing their dream home. The only snag being everything bought was for another house. But her savvy eye, determination and sensitivity to the old has created spaces that feel as though items have been designed specifically for them.

Antique bedside lockers bought to fit the bedroom of the modern mews are simply turned sideways to fit; black wall-mounted lights purchased for house number two make a striking addition to the kitchen wall, and even the couple’s original couches work with the new space beautifully.