Style stories

Notes on the Courtyard

The overview

Steven and Louisa (clients who I’d previously worked with on the Ferry Road project) asked if I would help them with a remote project in Dorset. It was a Grade 2 listed building that they were planning to use as a family getaway as well as a luxury rental property. Another really nice project to get my teeth into!

Here are some before photos…

As you can see, magnolia paint and beige carpets were the order of the day!

If you have seen the Ferry Road project, you will know that Steven and Louisa have a bold style and they wanted the second home to have a flavour of their home but also that would appeal to a wider audience for the rental side.

The grandeur of the house was incredible and it felt to me that the magnificent windows and shutters needed to be gently accentuated and then we could get down to populating the house with all the fun furnishings.

The scheme

Below is the colour scheme I suggested and the image indicated my suggestions for how the woodwork should be painted.

I produced a series of concept designs, furniture layouts and suggestions for where to buy key elements for each room including some bargain purchases on eBay which we had up cycled.

I was on hand to advise with anything to do with the design but all credit to Steven and Louisa who managed the entire project remotely. This included updating the heating, sorting out some long term damp issues, as well as ripping out the bathrooms and managing the decorating.. and only then, overseeing all the furniture and lighting to come in and be installed.

Once it was ‘open for business’ they very kindly let me stay there for a weekend to enjoy it in all it’s glory!

I did this walk around if you’d like to get a sense of it for real!

Here are some pictures if you’d rather speed through!