What it is:

A dashing period home in a gently humming corner of Surrey.

The clients:

A young couple and their small dog, with a big personality, Rolo!

Background:

As the homeowners both have active, high-flying careers it was important for their new home to become their sanctuary; a private space to unwind together during the week and to host family and friends at the weekend.

Muses & motivations:

The brief was to refurbish the double-fronted house from top to toe to create a warm and inviting home that melds classic charm with a sense of playfulness. Country house hotels with a fun, vibrant twist were the overarching inspiration.

It’s all in the details:

The project involved reinstating and adding traditional architectural details such as cornicing and panelling to enhance its period character. We were also responsible for designing custom joinery throughout. Pieces include a wraparound library in the study, a marble-topped bar in the living room and a curved wardrobe in the master bedroom. We also worked with a specialist cabinet maker to create a gorgeous pair of arched doors for the opening between the living room and kitchen.

The most challenging but ultimately rewarding transformation was in the smallish master bathroom. With teamwork, a decent chunk of mental gymnastics and a dash of experimentation we were able to reposition the boiler to carve out enough space to allow for a freestanding claw-footed bath and a spacious separate shower enclosure to create a luxurious retreat.