Decorating & Design
Inside The Former Holt Renfrew President’s Sophisticated London Flat
Updated on May 5, 2021
If Mario Grauso and Serkan Sarier give the impression that they’re always travelling, they clearly realize the value in having more than one place to call home. The idea to buy a place — their fourth address after Toronto, Manhattan and Bridgehampton, New York — dates back to 2015, just as Serkan was about to begin his master’s degree at Goldsmiths, University of London. And as the former president of Holt Renfrew, Mario’s regular trips abroad also factored in to the decision.
Overlooking Bryanston Square in the heart of Marylebone, its location is every bit idyllic. Shifting between soft wall colors and classic wallpaper, each room exudes cozy sophistication. They embrace this nesting sensibility, which, in its own way, echoes their house in Bridgehampton.
“I’m incredibly happy here,” says Serkan. “I can’t even think about another place in the future.” And with pleasing candour, Mario adds, “This isn’t our biggest home, but it’s the homiest of them all.”
Click through to see inside their charming London flat.
Mario Grauso (left) and Serkan Sarier at the entry of their building. The traditional-style home offers the couple a sanctuary from the city’s nonstop bustle while remaining close to the places they enjoy frequenting — a vibrant mix of hyperlocal hangouts, buzz-worthy restaurants and quintessentially London sites.
In order to maximize the space, they settled on a juxtaposition of generously sized custom furniture pieces and handsome vintage finishes that suggest Scandinavian and British influences. Matching deep-seated — and deep blue — sectionals are placed back-to-back in the center of the living room to accommodate lazy afternoons or evenings in the company of friends.
Mario and Serkan find the bold striped wallpaper to be well-suited to London; it balances the space and interiors, and has a tailored look that doesn’t overwhelm. “Serkan felt strongly about using wallpaper when he found this apartment and saw that it had large rooms and high ceilings,” says Mario.
Serkan chose muted Farrow & Ball hues for the walls to establish a calm, coherent backdrop from room to room. In the dining area, the colour shifts from green to grey depending on the light, which is always variable in London.
In the sleek kitchen, upper cabinets are greyed oak with no visible hardware against a wall of wood. Laundry is contained within the lower cabinets.
Inspired by Bryanston Square’s private garden, Mario and Serkan create vignettes of fresh flowers in their home whenever they’re in London.
Striped wallpaper reappears in the principal bedroom, where a grey-scale theme plays out with whimsical accents.
Close friends or the couple’s son, Harry, are always welcome to visit. The guest bedroom has ample closet space and generous windows that flood the room with natural light.
Chris Tubbs
House & Home September 2019