Houzz Tours
House Tours
Houzz Tour: A New-build Home With Space for Play and Relaxation
Modern finishes, classic colours and a few fun additions turned a plain new-build into a smart, comfortable family home
The family who live in this light-filled, new-build home were hoping to create a comfortable interior with plenty of storage and room to chill out together. “They wanted a clean, contemporary look,” says Stacey Hewett of Studio 28 Interiors, who helped her clients design the space. “We made sure everything had a home so the busy family can stay tidy and organised.”
“The table was a key part of the design,” Stacey says. “The owners were keen to have an expanding round one. Bespoke furniture maker, George Johnson, designed this with a special mechanism that pulls out so the table can seat 10 people.”
The owners picked out the pendant light with an oak finish that matches the table.
The flooring throughout is pale grey porcelain. The same tiles are used on the patio, but have a slightly different finish that’s suitable for outdoors.
Walls painted in Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball. Appliances, Wolf.
The owners picked out the pendant light with an oak finish that matches the table.
The flooring throughout is pale grey porcelain. The same tiles are used on the patio, but have a slightly different finish that’s suitable for outdoors.
Walls painted in Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball. Appliances, Wolf.
The kitchen units continue into the dining space, creating a useful drinks area. There’s a full-height wine cooler on the left, alongside a surface for filling glasses. Next to this sits a toaster and integrated coffee machine, with a warming drawer below where the family store their coffee cups.
The team designed all the internal doors for their clients. Upstairs are solid doors, while on the ground floor they incorporate a mix of opaque and clear glass panels.
The double doors to the living room are opaque to let light through while ensuring privacy for anyone wanting to relax or watch a film. “The double doors from the entrance hall [see previous photo] are clear, though, so you can see directly through to the terrace,” Stacey says.
The team designed all the internal doors for their clients. Upstairs are solid doors, while on the ground floor they incorporate a mix of opaque and clear glass panels.
The double doors to the living room are opaque to let light through while ensuring privacy for anyone wanting to relax or watch a film. “The double doors from the entrance hall [see previous photo] are clear, though, so you can see directly through to the terrace,” Stacey says.
The ample dimensions of the family room (off the kitchen) allowed Stacey to divide it in two. A cosy seating area with a sofa and beanbags is ideal for watching TV and playing on the games console.
“They wanted a fun colour scheme in here,” Stacey says. “We tied in the blue from the kitchen, but added lime green accents.”
Sofa, Camerich. Walls painted in Juniper Ash, Little Greene. Cabinetry painted in Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball.
“They wanted a fun colour scheme in here,” Stacey says. “We tied in the blue from the kitchen, but added lime green accents.”
Sofa, Camerich. Walls painted in Juniper Ash, Little Greene. Cabinetry painted in Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball.
“The family really wanted to fit their pool table in here,” Stacey says of the other half of the family room. “It’s a clever design that converts to a guest dining table and has benches below.”
Stacey divided the two areas with a bespoke bookcase and adjoining low cabinet, which houses the TV and digital equipment.
Stacey divided the two areas with a bespoke bookcase and adjoining low cabinet, which houses the TV and digital equipment.
Behind the pool table is a practical storage area and work space. The tall cabinets that flank the dark oak desk zone have a chevron design. “This was designed in CAD and routed out by our joinery team,” Stacey says.
The living room (off the dining area) is designed to be more of a luxurious space where the couple can entertain or relax in front of the wood-burning stove.
A comfortable chair with footrest is tucked in the corner to create a reading nook.
Walls painted in Shaded White, Farrow & Ball. Log storage, Tom Raffield. Rug, Riviere.
A comfortable chair with footrest is tucked in the corner to create a reading nook.
Walls painted in Shaded White, Farrow & Ball. Log storage, Tom Raffield. Rug, Riviere.
In the L-shaped cloakroom, Stacey designed a bespoke vanity unit to add extra storage. The surface is covered in quartz, which continues up the wall to form a splashback.
Walls painted in Oxford Stone; vanity unit painted in London Stone, both Farrow & Ball. Basin and taps, Crosswater.
Walls painted in Oxford Stone; vanity unit painted in London Stone, both Farrow & Ball. Basin and taps, Crosswater.
There are two staircases that mirror each other in the spacious hallway. “The owners really love natural wood, so we featured it on the staircase,” Stacey says. Small LED lights are positioned along the stairs and reflect against the clear glass balustrades.
To give the space a cosy feel and to add practical storage, Stacey designed a bench seat below the right-hand staircase.
To give the space a cosy feel and to add practical storage, Stacey designed a bench seat below the right-hand staircase.
Beneath the cushioned seat are drawers for gloves, scarves and other outdoor accessories.
Directional downlights are positioned around the hall ceiling, and a chandelier made from tiny timber curls hangs from the landing.
Walls painted in Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball. Carpets throughout, Stark. Armchair, Minotti. Pendant light, Tom Raffield.
Walls painted in Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball. Carpets throughout, Stark. Armchair, Minotti. Pendant light, Tom Raffield.
Each of the children chose their own theme and colour palette, but all of the rooms feature similar bespoke cabinets and window seats.
The daughter who has this room chose a lilac scheme with a pale grey carpet….
The daughter who has this room chose a lilac scheme with a pale grey carpet….
The couple’s son was keen on a Harry Potter theme…
… and Stacey added some fun red accents to the predominantly blue hues.
The family bathroom is a light, bright and practical space. Stacey created a bespoke bath panel to inject some colour against the pale grey porcelain tiles. A handy storage niche stops toiletries cluttering up the sides of the bath.
Bath panel painted in Stone Blue, Farrow & Ball.
Bath panel painted in Stone Blue, Farrow & Ball.
A monochrome look was chosen for the guest bathroom. Black fittings contrast with white sanitaryware and grey, marble-effect tiles.
An industrial-style shower enclosure was made to order, and everything is wall hung to ensure the room is easy to clean.
Shower screen, Drench. Vanity unit, Lusso Stone.
An industrial-style shower enclosure was made to order, and everything is wall hung to ensure the room is easy to clean.
Shower screen, Drench. Vanity unit, Lusso Stone.
In the master bedroom, Stacey used taupe and soft blush tones. A bespoke tweed headboard complements dark wood bedside tables with bronze metal detailing.
“The room has a luxurious feel, but the couple didn’t want anything too opulent,” says Stacey says, “so it’s contemporary and understated.”
Fabric on headboard, Harlequin. Lamp, John Lewis & Partners. Walls painted in Slaked Lime, Little Greene.
“The room has a luxurious feel, but the couple didn’t want anything too opulent,” says Stacey says, “so it’s contemporary and understated.”
Fabric on headboard, Harlequin. Lamp, John Lewis & Partners. Walls painted in Slaked Lime, Little Greene.
An armchair opposite the bed is a comfy place to read, and it folds out as a guest bed, which is handy for sleepovers.
Armchair and floor lamp, John Lewis & Partners.
Armchair and floor lamp, John Lewis & Partners.
To the side of the sleeping zone is a dressing area with full-height wardrobes and a walk-in closet behind two mirrored doors.
Cupboards painted in Charleston Gray, Farrow & Ball.
Cupboards painted in Charleston Gray, Farrow & Ball.
Stacey continued the taupe tones in the en suite bathroom. She used mottled porcelain tiles on the floor for a soft look.
A freestanding bath sits alongside a walk-in shower. A feature wall behind is covered with full-height black tiles.
Large-format tiles on walls and floor, Domus. Taps and fittings, Hansgrohe.
A freestanding bath sits alongside a walk-in shower. A feature wall behind is covered with full-height black tiles.
Large-format tiles on walls and floor, Domus. Taps and fittings, Hansgrohe.
A bespoke vanity unit provides plenty of storage and a surface for two countertop basins. The wall mirror above is fitted with demister pads.
A frameless glass screen separates the shower from the bath area.
Tell us…
Which is your favourite room in this contemporary, new-build house? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Tell us…
Which is your favourite room in this contemporary, new-build house? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here? A couple with three children
Location Hertfordshire
Property A new-build house
Size Five bedrooms and four bathrooms
Designer Stacey Hewett of Studio 28 Interiors
Photos by Paul Craig
The kitchen-diner in this new-build home has generous proportions. “It was quite a big room, so we wanted something that filled the space, but still gave good circulation,” Stacey says.
The main kitchen area is laid out at the side of the room, with full-height cabinets along one wall. There’s a tall, pull-out larder on the right, and an adjacent double fridge-freezer. A double oven in the centre sits alongside an additional cupboard to the left.
A run of base units provides worktop space and room for an undermounted sink with wall cabinets above. The island has more storage underneath, as well as a boiling-water tap and space for seating.
“The anthracite and taupe units blend into the space,” Stacey says. The coordinated worktops add to the understated monochrome scheme.