Sophisticated details in an Al Safa family home

‘We spend a lot of time at home together as a family – you don’t want to see this room on a Friday morning!’ Arwa laughs as we walk into the living room, a statement that is hard to believe given how beautiful everything is. An olive green sectional sofa is the focal point of the more casual half of the room. It sits alongside two chairs in peach suede and plumb wool. On the wall behind the sofa is a beautiful photograph of a London park, which, next to the massive windows, helps to bring the outside in. ‘The first piece of furniture that I ever bought was this sofa,’ says Arwa, who picked up the L-shaped piece, along with a matching sideboard, at the closing sale of a favourite shop in Saudi Arabia, where she is from. Originally, she admits, she wasn’t sure about the colour, but it’s a decision that she’s now happy she stuck with. The formal half of the room features a backless sofa, which Arwa has paired with a more traditional Louis XIV-style love seat in green with gold details. The space is punctuated with quirky accents like Chinese statues, an antique lamp and pieces that Arwa and her husband have picked up on their travels.

Chic appeal

The most striking part of the home’s decorating scheme is its diverse style. It features contemporary, clean-lined furniture alongside French colonial and retro pieces. Still, it retains a sophisticated edge. ‘I’m not afraid of mixing colours, styles, patterns and old and new things. I think that’s what gives a home character and makes it special and a bit different,’ says Arwa.

Lining the walls of the staircase is a diverse collection of art and wall hangings that Arwa and Yasir have amassed over the years. ‘We buy what makes us happy. I love outdoor scenery and landscapes,’ she explains. ‘We aren’t collectors, or worried about the resale value, or where it’s from. I just choose what I love.’ At the top of the stairs is a collage of family pictures – smiling children, holiday snaps and other happy memories.

The master bedroom is a cosy and feminine space that features soft colours, with a bird and vine motif on the walls and upholstery. In choosing the wallpaper, Arwa was inspired by a painting that hangs on the wall by Lebanese artist Hassan Jouni, which the couple got from Yasir’s grandmother. The imagery is nearly the same and Arwa thought it would be perfect for their room. Recently, to complete the space, Arwa added two gold mirrors on either side of the bed. ‘For the longest time I couldn’t figure out why the space didn’t work, but as soon as I added the mirrors, the room changed and I knew it was finished,’ she says.

This story first appeared on InsideOut in June 2014