HOMES & GARDENS UK

NOVEMBER 2022

Written by: Vivienne Ayers

'As a result of the layout, you could see two or three rooms deep from any vantage point within the home. A cardinal step in my process was thoughtfully working through the colour specifications to ensure each view felt both complementary and contrasted. I often start my designs with textiles, but for this project I considered the foundational colours of each room first.’

Stefani was also mindful of keeping key features whenever possible. ‘I realised that the shiplap, which had originally seemed rather uninteresting to me, could actually work with the new design direction by being painted in the same colour and finish as the walls. I wanted to centre the designs around adding to the spaces rather than subtracting from them.’

The house felt as though it was lacking carpentry and joinery, so Stefani cased the bare openings between the rooms, which provided a sense of continuity and enabled her to make distinct colour transitions. She also designed custom bookshelves and storage to house the couple's impressive collection of tomes

'The home was missing the thoughtful touches that make it special too, says Stefani. Some blonde wooden elements were replaced with solid walnut in a hand-aged finish, while other surfaces feature more dramatic options such as marble and handmade tiles. Vintage lighting was introduced for extra character, as well as custom lighting. Furnishings meander from modernist to antique, with a sprinkling of both vintage and statement items to keep things fresh and unexpected. 'I love learning the little nuances of what makes each client individual, says Stefani,'exploring what home and sanctuary mean to them and what will make the space the story of its inhabitants.’…