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Nevbahar Koc, wife of prominent Turkish businessman Ali Koc, opened the doors of her historic Bosphorus yali—a traditional Ottoman-era waterfront mansion—to renowned interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard on his show "Homeworthy," offering an unusually detailed look inside the family home.
The mansion, located on one of the Bosphorus’ most distinctive waterfront points, stands out with its elegant design, historic character and personal value for the Koc family.
Nevbahar Koc said the home was given to the couple by Ali Koc’s father, Rahmi Koc, and later modernized while keeping its original spirit.
Bullard, who visited the home as part of his program, described the yali as one of the most fascinating and enviable places to live in a major city. He also shared a lesser-known detail about his relationship with Nevbahar Koc, saying their friendship goes back many years.
He said Nevbahar Koc had worked as his assistant in Los Angeles before her marriage, when she was in her 20s. Bullard said she learned design processes, what works and what does not, and design theory from him, adding that she had learned from the best.
He also described her as one of Türkiye’s most influential philanthropists, a devoted mother and a patron of the arts, saying he was proud of her.
Responding to Bullard’s praise, Nevbahar Koc said design theory had helped her throughout her life and described design as something mathematical. She also explained that the mansion’s traditional architecture made the decoration process demanding.
According to Koc, the house has a challenging layout, shaped around one large hall and four smaller rooms opening onto it. She said she worked for a very long time to bring the yali to its current form.
The program also showed a special painting in the main hall, believed to portray Ali Koc and Nevbahar Koc, as one of the notable details inside the home.
Beyond its design, Nevbahar Koc underlined the home’s emotional value for the family. She said the yali is a true family home where she and Ali Koc live with their two children.
She also said Ali Koc grew up in the same house, adding that Rahmi Koc later gave the property to them. After taking it over, the couple modernized the mansion while remaining faithful to its original character.
Nevbahar Koc added that Ali Koc also has strong taste, with his own distinctive style.
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