Broad Walk is an impressive, modern new build that stands proudly on Winchmore Hill’s premier road, with rolling lawns that lead directly to a bird sanctuary at the rear. The owners lovingly designed and rebuilt it over a period of 6 years and as a result it showcases cutting-edge design, contemporary finishes and an exacting attention to detail that represents the affluence of this professional couple.
Our client was enormously proud of the outcome of the build and felt reluctant to furnish the property with bold finishes that might detract from the stunning interior architectural backdrop. However, they soon realised that the stark and minimalist interior proved too clinical and did not represent their personalities or lifestyle. They longed for a space that felt like home.
Feeling uncertain of where to begin, they contacted Roselind Wilson Design to discuss their vision of transforming the new build property into a beautiful home with a considered interior design scheme; an interior that felt elegant and sophisticated yet warm and welcoming. They wanted an interior space that would function as both a family home for their two young sons as well as a glamorous entertaining space for friends.
The design process started with a trip to Maison & Objet in Paris and Salone de Mobile in Milan with the client to source furniture and gather inspiration for their look and feel.
When designing the interior schemes, we considered the layout of the property, scale of the rooms and beautiful surrounding views, together with the way the client wanted the design to function. In the entrance hall for example, a bold table with silver leaf base and high gloss top is centred to capitalise on the generous space, while the chandelier above illuminates the diagonal pattern of the monochrome floor tiles.
A feature wall in the formal dining room is clad in textured wallpaper to create depth and warmth. Furnishings have been made bespoke while a smoked glass tubular chandelier hangs low to emit a warm glow over the satin sheen timber table. Soft sheers curtains allow light to flood into the dining room.
The formal dining room flows organically into the living room where layering and texture have been given prominence. The walls have again been clad in textured wallpaper and sleek window treatments fall straight to the floor to highlight the curves of the doors to the patio.
The sunken sitting area alongside the living room takes on a more relaxed approach with the furniture kept low and a large timber coffee table that includes removable trays. Soft sheer curtains extend the full width of the room allowing transparency and a broad view across the rolling gardens beyond. The kitchen island has been specified in a sleek gloss black and white lacquer with appliances by Gaggenau.
The bedroom interior schemes echo the elegance and luxury of the entertainment areas, with textured walls and rich colour palettes. In the master bedroom, our client favoured a combination of classic and contemporary styles and so the bed has been kept low and clad in soft leather with tall bespoke table lamps on either side that add a stunning elevation to the room.
We chose a colour palette of deep navy and amber for the first guest bedroom and a feature wall of Maya Romanoff braided hemp grass for its rich texture and wonderful warmth. A soft grey textured wallpaper has been used for the rest of the walls, which adds a sense of luxury. Wall lights in bronze have been positioned on either side of the bed and a large circular mirror centred on the wall.
A sense of luxury is extended to the second guest bedroom, similar in feel but with a colour palette of soft mink and amber. We chose a textured vinyl for the walls while the feature wall is clad in leather. A ledge above the bed is the perfect place to display contemporary artwork in different sizes that creates a unique and interesting backdrop.
At the beginning of the design process, we spent time with the children to find out about their interests, hobbies and favourite colours. We then set about designing bespoke bedrooms that would highlight each of the boys’ individual personalities, with walls clad in patterned wallpaper and colour palettes focused on blue and grey. The joinery was made bespoke to allow a desk area in each room and plenty of storage for books, games and toys.
It’s a difficult choice but this is our favourite room…
The master bathroom that flows seamlessly off the dressing room is our favourite space within this grand family home. The sunken bath with elegant black glass chandelier above is a beautiful, striking feature in the centre of the room, while the fresh butterscotch colour palette adds a calm, serene mood. The automated lighting, electric blinds and flush mounted TV mean this is the perfect haven where we can escape to relax and unwind after a log day at the office.
We relished the opportunity to transform this magnificent new build property into a luxurious and welcoming home. Our client’s appreciation of sophisticated finishes, plush textures and a rich colour palette allowed us to give prominence to luxurious layering and refined design details that balance the generous space. We were able to capitalise on the grand scale of the property but at the same time, ensure that the space expressed warmth and homeliness. This meant the use of soft, floor-length sheers throughout, to wash light across the rooms and allow transparency and a broad view across the rolling hills outside. In addition, bespoke furniture allowed us to consider function and aesthetic to meet the brief.
Overall the design achieves a sense of continuous space where the intricate design details and rich colour palette merge to create a luxe indoor-outdoor feel perfect for relaxed family get-together’s or elegant entertaining of guests.
Photography by Richard Waite