In 2014, Iris Smarnakis and Vincent Perbal sold their loft without having a new home for their family to move to. With time running out, they visited the only option with character for sale: an over-budget, 363-square-metre property in a coveted Antwerp neighbourhood.
Behind the unassuming entrance, they were greeted by a dramatic staircase drenched in natural light. The estate agent dismissed it as a waste of space, but for Iris, founder of interior-design firm Studio Penelope, and Vincent, an artist, the hallway was an instant crush. ‘It gave grandeur to a house that didn’t really look that big from the outside. It felt like a theatre entrance,’ says Iris.
The family home was perfect for their two sons and pet dog, Noodles. To the couple’s excitement, most of the original 1950s architecture and decoration remained intact. ‘It even had a mint-green bathroom and a typical Cubex kitchen, which was very popular in Belgian houses at the time,’ Iris recalls.
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‘We would have loved to keep them all, but we also wanted an open kitchen and needed to renovate the bathroom, so the only fixture we could salvage was the basin that now resides in the guest bathroom.’
‘We love the idea of having a million-dollar-looking interior that doesn’t cost a fortune,’ explain the pair, who enjoy the art of mixing high-street brands with designer furniture and vintage finds. ‘In our home, a major upgrade comes from Vincent’s wall-decoration techniques,’ says Iris.
One prime example of his skill is the striking living-room ceiling, which resembles a glossy clear sky. It’s painted in Farrow & Ball’s ‘Teresa’s Green’ using an old oil-lacquer technique that required sanding it down by hand before painstakingly applying seven coats of paint with a brush.
Using colour in daring combinations with different wall finishes is a winning formula not just in their home, but also for Studio Penelope, which is known for handpicking art to enhance the effect – the bright accents used in the work of designer India Mahdavi are a big inspiration.
The company’s office is located on the ground floor of the house, making for a very easy commute, and the showroom is also rented out as a guest apartment and a photoshoot location. ‘During the renovation, we dug out one metre below street level to create higher ceilings, which was a real challenge – it filled 13 containers of sand,’ recalls Iris. ‘The neighbours thought we were building a swimming pool!’ Great lengths, but worthwhile results. studiopenelope.com
