Focussing design effort on where it will have the greatest impact

When the clients purchased the property, it had been recently renovated to a good construction standard, but the interiors felt cold, overly white and lacking identity. The brief was not to radically reconfigure the house, but to introduce warmth, depth and personality through materiality, texture and targeted spatial improvements. The design approach was intentionally surgical - preserving as much of the existing fabric as possible for both sustainability and cost reasons, while focusing design effort where it would have the greatest impact.

Timber as architecture

Timber became a central element in achieving this transformation. HW233306T Teak Fresato  panelling was used to create bespoke hallway joinery that conceals doors and storage behind a continuous timber surface. When closed, the joinery reads as a feature wall, bringing rhythm, texture and warmth to what was previously a transitional space. This panelling continues along the stair, where a timber slat screen was introduced to maintain visual continuity while allowing natural light to filter through. 

The same timber language was extended into the snug and bar area, reinforcing a sense of cohesion across the ground floor. This space was originally an underused front room and has been transformed into an intimate, key social space for the clients.

Reimagining the outbuildings

Externally, two previously unused outbuildings were reimagined as a home gym and office. In the gym, HW2130LF Allevard  flooring was selected for its matt finish and natural warmth. The floor defines the atmosphere of the space, creating a calm, almost sanctuary-like environment that shifts the gym experience away from the purely functional towards something restorative.