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At home with Monica Murton, design director at Studio Almond

“My husband Alex, pug Harvey and I have lived in our villa for over a year. We were immediately attracted to the great dining room that flows into the garden, and the natural light in every room. I like spending most of my downtime at home, so having naturally lit spaces is really important to me.

ABOVE The couple’s kitchen/dining area gets all-day sun, but Monica’s favourite time of day is in the morning, when sun lights up the lounge.

“My interior aesthetic is minimal, elegant and contemporary. I buy intentionally from talented local artists and makers because I love the stories and people behind the products.
My parents are keen gardeners, so I developed a huge appreciation for plants. I’ve incorporated them into all of our spaces here. Every morning, I check in on them and give them a mist before having a cup of tea and lighting a candle; the scent fills the house and keeps me inspired and grounded.

ABOVE The couple work from home, but manage the juggle like pros. “Although we work on screens, we try to digitally detox at the end of the day and in the weekend,” says Monica. “We aim to finish work by 5.30pm and close the office door to set a visual boundary that we’re done for the night.”

“During lockdown, Alex and I opted to move our Studio Almond office back into our spare room for a while, which we’ve really enjoyed. It’s cancelled our commute and allowed us to prioritise balance, which ticks a lot of boxes for us.”  
almond.studio; @studioalmond_ 

Photography Wono Kim

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