Home Truths: Southern comforts

Cheryll Markosky meets interior designer Musky Floyd

Musky Floyd, 32, lives in a two-bedroom, first floor apartment at Chelsea Studios, part of a development called the 'Italian Village' designed by Italian architect Mario Manenti around 1925. Modelled on his estate near Florence, it is tucked away behind Fulham Road in London

An antique dealer told me about this apartment at Chelsea Studios that was coming onto the market. People do keep their eyes open, as homes here are rarely sold. I must admit I drove past the place for years and didn't even know it existed. But once I came in through the gardens, and even before seeing the studio apartment, I knew I had to have it.

"Once you had to be an artist to buy a place here, but not now. A lot of younger people have come in and there are photographers and the like doing their own thing. The older couple that live above me are like my grandparents. She is a 75-year-old analyst and he, aged 95, is a sculptor. They are at the heart of the place, helping with the gardens, and he picks fungi and other things that look like sculptures. People have had kids here, but I wouldn't.

"My apartment is in the former stables. It was in a horrendous state when I bought it five years ago. There was a cork Seventies kitchen, a brown bedroom and silver wallpaper. The fireplaces were boxed in and I hadn't realised until I took up the carpet that there was great parquet flooring underneath. I had to sand black lacquer off the floor and stain it.

"There are wonderful arched windows with original metal handles, so I carried this theme through the house. I had two big doors made and followed the arches either end. I made the kitchen bigger by eating a bit out of the bedroom. The entrance hall was changed and I knocked down a wall. The second bedroom is my study and it has the original old terracotta tiles on the windowsill and floor. Originally, it was like a dressing room with cupboards where the window is now. I've opened it all up and it is a great place to work.

"If you are into football, it couldn't be better, as I am next to Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground. I was terrified when I first bought the place that it would be awful. But the weird thing is you don't hear the noise, as it goes up and over. Sometimes in the summer if you have the windows open, you can hear the cheers.

"My granny died just before I moved in and she left me a wonderful old Venetian mirror and an Italian painted dressing table and chair. They both work really well here. It is nice having old pieces. I love a clean-lined contemporary look but hate that cold, cold modern style. I will definitely go more contemporary one day, but will always have my old bits with me. I totally love colour and work with so many different palettes.

"I started out in advertising and then went travelling. I went mad in Indonesia with all the colours and textiles. After five years working and learning all about design, I went off again, this time to South America. Then I spent a year working for Emily Todhunter, who taught me a lot. I am just doing up a five-bedroom house in Hampshire and it will be fantastic. It is fun being able to do the country thing.

"My style is simple. I prefer contemporary mixed with antique, so it looks lived in. Elegance is so important and accessories are everything. You can have a simple room with a great lamp and neat shade. I also love furnishings. My flat reflects where I have travelled. I have alpaca cushions from South America, a hide on the table from Bolivia, South African ostrich eggs, a Balinese man dancing, a throw with suede and beads from Spitalfields Market and old Venetian glass fruit from my grandmother.

"It is always easier doing someone else's house than your own. There are so many alternatives. I love a lot of things, but can I live with them? The best bit is the buying. It is great being based in Chelsea, as there are so many quirky little streets with interesting shops. I like Lillie Road, Marble City in Wandsworth, Chelsea Harbour for fabric and the Golborne Road.

"Although I love living here in Little Italy, it is time for a change. I want to go to Notting Hill where a lot of my mates are. I picture a nice Greek girl, who will love the Mediterranean feel, buying my studio. I hope she will be taken in by the gardens too. At the same time, I will be nervous if someone makes an offer, as it will be sad to leave. I still think I'm a Chelsea girl at heart.

"The good thing about living here is that I am on the edge of Fulham and the whole Fulham area is coming up. I get fresh fruit and two hyacinths for 50 pence in North End Road market and there are two Tesco Expresses close by. The number 14 bus takes you to Piccadilly and Fulham Broadway station is only a five-minute walk. There is a Virgin Cinema and Pizza Express. The neighbourhood really needed these things."

Musky Floyd's Italian Village apartment is for sale at £495,000 through Friend & Falcke, 020-7731 3441

Musky Floyd Interior Design, 020-7385 4966