3 Bedroom Family Home in Reigate—Full design of Sitting Room and Design Consultancy for additional rooms

A tired 1960s family home in much need of some TLC.

Brief: To zone the sitting room so not only does it allow the parents to relax by the fire with a glass of wine, but also allows the family to come together as one when all at home.

Style: Late 1960s with a 1970s vibe!

Services: Design concepts and moodboards, lighting and electrical plans, joinery design, plus design consultancy on Bedroom, En suite, Kitchen and Hallway.

Acquired as a fixer-upper, my clients held ambitious visions for this house. Armed with extensive property development and construction backgrounds, they fearlessly embraced the project, tackling much of the work themselves.

Their aspirations extended to the bathroom and sitting room, craving for these spaces to exceed their own visions. The sitting room, in particular, demanded careful thought due to its different uses. By segmenting the area into distinct zones, we crafted a design that seamlessly offered functionality and unity for the entire family.

1960s interior design with a confident nod to the 1970s

We drew inspiration from the era of the house's construction and their fondness for the outdoors, giving birth to a late 1960s sitting room with subtle nods to 1970s interior design. We had an early win when the carpets were lifted, and an astonishingly well-preserved dark wooden parquet flooring emerged. It had been concealed for years.

Melding hues of greens and creams brought the outdoors indoors. Introducing touches of vibrant deep pinks and oranges through contemporary textures encapsulates a 1970s aesthetic with a modern flair.

Integrating organic elements, like the rich dark parquet floor and earthy terracotta tones, alongside supple leather, added warmth and depth to the design. The results far surpassed my clients' expectations, leaving them with a space that catered to the entire family's enjoyment while offering a personal retreat. What once could have been a mundane box room was transformed into an inviting sanctuary.

Sitting Room

Design Progress

A contemporary bathroom design

Designing the bathroom posed careful consideration to achieve the optimal layout for a desired standalone setup; the clients strongly preferred a freestanding bathroom. To fulfil this vision, we positioned the bathtub beneath the window. The key was to ensure that the window dressing didn't obstruct the influx of natural light while preserving their privacy. This arrangement granted the clients the whimsical pleasure of reclining in the bath while gazing at drifting clouds.

Much like the approach taken in the sitting room, the bathroom exudes a calming aura dominated by contemporary neutral earthy tones and soothing greens. These hues blend seamlessly with the inviting warmth of wooden elements, collectively creating an ambience that embraces tranquillity. This bathroom design provides an oasis perfect for unwinding after the rigours of a demanding day.

For this 1960s house, we integrated 1960s, 1970s and contemporary interior design elements into a harmonious whole by taking cues from the clients’ brief, the house and its environment. What may seem to be mixture of styles, this house has become a home with plenty of character and the clients are delighted!