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'I want a perfect oasis for my baby'
BUSINESSWOMAN, TV PRESENTER AND MUM-TO-BE SAIRA KHAN GIVES US A SNEAK PREVIEW OF HER NEW NURSERY
HEAVILY pregnant Saira Khan has spent months preparing for the arrival of her first baby later this month.
“I’ve been in a mad frenzy to get the house ready,” says Apprentice star Saira, 37, who’s transformed the interior of her two-bedroom house in Chiswick, West London, into a cosy family home – and turned part of the bedroom she shares with internet consultant husband Steve Hyde into a nursery.
“Steve lived here before we were married so it felt quite masculine when I moved in, with leather sofas and bare wooden floors,” Saira says.
“But once I knew I was expecting, I wanted to have a clear-out and gave the place a lot more colour with new crockery, rugs and cushions.”
As owner of baby product company Miamoo, Saira has no shortage of goodies for the new arrival.
These have taken pride of place alongside luxe floral fabrics, pretty accessories (ordered online at 4am!) and artfully arranged cushions.
She has also focused on making the master bedroom a family retreat.
“It’s my oasis, where I’ll be spending a lot of time with the baby, so I want to make it perfect,” she says.
Nursery necessaries aside, Saira says she’s kept the room true to its original nature.
“I’m only kitting it out with the baby basics, like a crib and play mat, although my antique mahogany drawers have become home to a night light and building blocks.”
So the pictures of exotic animals and ornamental elephants are staying, in the bedroom and elsewhere around the house.
“I love the jungle scene,” explains Saira. “My dad, Jan, was born near the Himalayas. I grew up in Nottingham, and he would tell us tales about walking to school and coming across snakes and monkeys jumping on the roof of their house.
"It sounded so amazing, and I want my baby to be influenced by it all, too.”
The new series of Saira’s show, Beat The Boss, starts on March 27, 4.35pm, BBC1.
1. NAPPY CADDY “I bought this Skip-Hop nappy holder online for £30 from Bibs And Stuff.”
2. CHEST OF DRAWS “We got this from a local antiques shop called The Old Cinema. I often go there if I want to look for a bargain.”
3. CRIB “This is made from willow – and it’s beautiful. It’s bigger than usual so we’re hoping it will last the baby nine months.”
4. PRINT “I made this with fabric from Cath Kidston. I was inspired by wall prints at Imran Khan’s house in Pakistan.”
5. BEDSIDE LAMP “The stand is from TK Maxx (I’m an addict!) and the lampshade is from Tesco. They go really well with the feel of the room.”
SAIRA'S STYLE TIPS
* Start off with clean blank walls in cream and taupe colours. Add colour with pictures, throws and prints.
* Use your imagination and adapt furniture. For example, I use a mug tree as my jewellery stand.
* Get personal photos printed on to canvas. They make a colourful addition to a room and tell great stories.
Credits
Words: Claie Wilson. Compiled By: Sally Gillam. Photography: Lancton. Hair and Make-Up: Sara Bowden
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ANNA RYDER RICHARDSON (FEBRUARY 03)
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