Houzz Tour: Relaxed Luxe in a Berkshire New Build
Soft textures and subtle design details help this brand-new house feel like a welcoming and comfortable family home
When Samantha Morgan, head designer at Concept Interiors, was called in to furnish and style this new-build property, her brief was to create a calm, neutral space. ‘We planned to introduce muted tones and layered textures for a contemporary twist on a traditional country scheme,’ she explains.
In the formal living room, Samantha sourced bespoke sofas in neutral-coloured cotton velvet, punctuated with dark wooden bases. The window treatments were also made to order. ‘We used lined and interlined linen curtains with triple pinch pleat headers and chrome poles and rings,’ says Samantha. Layering soft fabrics creates a luxe effect in the bright and airy space.
Browse 8 ways to make a new-build property feel like home
Browse 8 ways to make a new-build property feel like home
Rather than installing a simple console table at the other end of the room, Samantha introduced a small desk in a dark wenge finish. ‘I wanted to play on the country setting, but to do something a bit more contemporary, so we added a pinboard and a chair covered in a modern washed-out paisley for a quirky detail,’ she says.
Chair covered in Barnsbury fabric, Andrew Martin.
Chair covered in Barnsbury fabric, Andrew Martin.
The house centres on an impressive double-height hallway with walnut staircase and wraparound landing.
Explore more ideas for adding character to a new build
Explore more ideas for adding character to a new build
Samantha introduced a full-length mirror with a cobra-skin-effect frame and hammered metal lanterns to add texture and shine to the hallway. Nickel wall sconces provide a further metallic element.
At the back of the house, a large, open-plan family room and kitchen-diner was created as a space to function as the hub of the house. ‘We wanted it to feel relaxed, stylish and elegant,’ Samantha adds.
In the family room, aubergine-coloured elements were introduced through accessories, such as cushions, vases and table lamps, to bring warmth to the large space. The different zones flow effortlessly into each other thanks to unifying materials, colours and shapes.
Nest of tables, Ecco Trading.
Nest of tables, Ecco Trading.
‘We went for a symmetrical layout to create a calm and elegant scheme. The ottomans are covered in a pony-skin-effect vinyl fabric, which is wipeable, so there’s no need to worry about spills,’ says Samantha. A quad of black-and-white prints on either side of the fireplace finishes off the space.
Ottomans covered in pony-skin-effect vinyl, JAB Anstoetz.
Ottomans covered in pony-skin-effect vinyl, JAB Anstoetz.
In the dining area, Samantha employed another interesting design technique, using subtle printed fabric on the backs of the chairs to add ‘a little bit of fun’. Aubergine place mats and napkins continue the accent colour from the seating area.
‘The Shaker-style kitchen [which was already in place] dictated the look and feel of the rest of the room,’ explains Samantha. The pendant lights, bar chairs and blinds introduce a warmer note to the crisp white space.
Derwent Cube pendant lights, Heathfield & Co. Dishes and canisters in Cassis, Le Creuset.
Derwent Cube pendant lights, Heathfield & Co. Dishes and canisters in Cassis, Le Creuset.
The master bedroom has a Zen mood thanks to the white upholstered furniture, candles and soft lighting. ‘I wanted to create a calm space that felt feminine, but had darker elements to add punch,’ says Samantha.
The chairs and ottomans are covered in a pure white cotton and finished in the same wenge veneer as the living room furniture.
The chairs and ottomans are covered in a pure white cotton and finished in the same wenge veneer as the living room furniture.
The star of the scheme is an eye-catching mirrored headboard (created by a joiner). ‘It has an upholstered centre for comfort,’ says Samantha.
The dressing and bedside tables are topped in a custom colour semi-gloss finish. ‘It’s actually more economical for us to commission bespoke furniture, as we can source direct from the manufacturer, get a trade discount, and offer something unique you won’t see elsewhere. A client has never had an open chequebook – budget is always key,’ explains Samantha.
A luxurious dressing room (seen in the background) leads on to an en-suite bathroom.
Bedspread, The White Company.
The dressing and bedside tables are topped in a custom colour semi-gloss finish. ‘It’s actually more economical for us to commission bespoke furniture, as we can source direct from the manufacturer, get a trade discount, and offer something unique you won’t see elsewhere. A client has never had an open chequebook – budget is always key,’ explains Samantha.
A luxurious dressing room (seen in the background) leads on to an en-suite bathroom.
Bedspread, The White Company.
The Zen experience continues in the master bathroom, where a huge freestanding bath and twin basins ensure a thoroughly pampering experience. A floor-to-ceiling mirrored partition conceals a walk-in shower and the toilet. A barely there TV fixed to the partition completes the leisurely mood.
A contemporary walnut vanity unit provides extra storage, while the sleek wall-mounted taps appear, as if by magic, through the mirror.
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Browse more vanity units that combine storage and style
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How would you furnish a new build? Let us know or share your photos in the Comments below.
Location Sunningdale, Berkshire
Year renovated 2013
Designer Samantha Morgan of Concept Interiors
Size 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
When Samantha and her team joined the project, the house was already carpeted and decorated, with bathrooms and kitchen in place. ‘We were called in to design and put together the interior,’ she explains.
Much of the furniture was custom-made, which could have been extremely time-consuming. ‘To speed up the process as much as possible, we tried to minimise the number of different manufacturers and joiners, and collaborated with trusted partners we’ve worked with before.’
Coral motif lambswool throw, JAB Anstoetz.