We’re big advocates of making your space individual. After all, we spend a lot of time at home, it might as well reflect our stories and remind us of fond memories. So, when the owners of an Edwardian house in Redland, Bristol, briefed us on their project, we were ecstatic, and for good reason.   

A stylish but practical family home

The owners had met during a production of MacBeth. They wanted to bring a theatrical feel to echo the dark and moody vibe of the Shakespearian play – without the realms of madness. Beyond the style, the practicality of the space also needed to be addressed. With three young children, they wanted to have an open family room with good access to the rear garden. They appointed DHV Architects who specialise in contemporary residential design, often in historic settings, to create a design that would give them the space they required.

Living Room Transformation

A bespoke media unit was created by Creative Storage & Kitchen to house the TV and provide an opportunity to style the space. The cabinets are spray painted Studio Green to blend into the background. 

Curtains & Blinds

We can't insist enough on the importance of appropriate window dressing to complete a space. Well-fitted curtains can also help reduce draughts and with the hike in energy prices, a lot of homeowners, especially in period homes, have opted for interlining too to create extra thermal protection. The fabric colour is one element but also the thickness, how it drapes, the lining, the track - and the list goes on. If you're not sure where to start or need curtain advice, just get in touch.

Both the curtains and the roman blind were made with the Kai Dinaric fabric. It is thick and even suited for upholstery. The subtle pattern has a metallic shine which really enhanced the space. 

Hallway & Staircase

As the house features a modern rear extension, we considered how the hallway and staircase would link the dark living room and the bright open kitchen. We visualised a few concepts to finally agree on Down Pipe from Farrow & Ball, a dramatic lead grey. The stair runner with black tapping, and the flooring throughout the house, was installed by our flooring partner Bristol Carpet & Flooring Group. 

The owners had fallen in love with the bold colours and graphics of the wallpaper from Icelandic artist, Kristjana S Williams - and we can see why!

They were considering placing the wallpaper on the landing. We felt however that it would overpower the entrance and take the focus off the original floor tiles. Instead, we agreed on the positioning in the toilet where the colours would really come together in this small space. 

Our tip: We love going bold in small spaces. Colours and patterns really take the focus away from the proportions of the space, creating interest and depth. 

Kitchen & Family Room 

The property was extended at the rear. The kitchen was created by The Kitchen Partners and wholly embraces a modern feel with beautiful copper accents that continue the drama. We zoned the kitchen space using Grate Black to provide a strong contrast against the light feel of the space. 

 As with any new extensions, the owners are slowly getting used to the space. They selected two large display cabinets through our sourcing service and we are continuing to support them with sourcing styling options. 

Bedrooms and Family Bathroom

We selected a deep green wallpaper from Casadeco to complement the bottle green tiles from Mandarin Stone. The wallpaper features a geometric construction that gives a 3D impression with finely drawn golden lines, great to use in a larger space to provide some structure. We also used textured sheers to frame the free-standing bath complete with gold fittings to embrace the Art Deco luxuriance.

Master Bedroom 

The master bedroom is a calm space with a more traditional style. The existing wardrobes were removed and replaced with built-in wardrobes by Creative Storage and Kitchens. The floor-to-ceiling element isn’t at all overbearing thanks to a wonderfully muted colour palette.  

Guest bedroom

The guest bedroom that doubles up as a home office is equally peaceful thanks to a neutral colour palette. The chimney breast and fireplace were completely rebuilt and finished off with beautiful tiles.

You can see more of the project's picture on our Houzz page and read the client's review here. 

Check out our latest projects for more inspiration and book a consultation to discuss your home project.