The Bournemouth Project

The Design

When it comes to creating a forever home, some projects are worth the wait. For this lovely family in Bournemouth, the project was six years in the making. This resulted in a home that is as beautiful as it is functional, with every detail carefully considered and every space designed to be lived in and loved.

We completely remodelled our house. The process started six years ago and took three sets of planning due to various issues relating to the UK economy, interest rate rises and the cost of materials. The biggest issues related to structural complications, causing our build to stand down for the summer of 2025. Thankfully, after a lot of sleepless nights and long days working hard to overcome things, we started back up and were able to go through to the finish.

But rather than compromise, the homeowners used every challenge as an opportunity to refine their plans.

We didn't want a 'white box' of a house. This is our forever home, so we went the extra mile in all areas of the house. Every inch of the house has been meticulously designed by us and we are delighted with the outcome. Our kitchen went through several designs, and I mean quite a lot! Due to the three sets of planning, we redesigned the position of the kitchen in the open-plan kitchen/dining space several times. We chose Herringbone for the ultimate luxury look, attention to detail, high-quality use of materials and our in-depth knowledge throughout the whole process."

The experience extended beyond the design studio too. "We visited the workshop and the studio. We wanted to see what goes on behind the scenes and were reassured that the quality was absolutely there."

Working closely with Herringbone designer Lucy, the family explored countless layouts to achieve the perfect balance between aesthetics and practicality. One of the project's standout features came from a clever idea developed during the design process.

"We had A LOT of Zoom meetings with Lucy and we also visited Herringbone in Canterbury twice. We wanted to look at the different styles, textures, tones and finishes and, when spending such a large amount of money on the kitchen, we wanted it to be perfect. No stone left unturned."

Beyond the kitchen, Lucy also designed two bespoke bar units that have become focal points within the home.

"Lucy also designed us two stunning bar units which we absolutely love. They are beautiful to look at and so practical to use."

When asked about their favourite part of the completed renovation, choosing just one feature proved impossible.

"That is very hard to answer because of the level of detail that has gone into every inch of the whole house. Every space we sit in, we love."

What has stood out most is how naturally the home brings people together.

"Since moving in five weeks ago, we have already had a couple of kitchen parties with parents and kids from our son's school and everyone has commented on how stunning the kitchen space is. Of course, we agree! It's made life more sociable and versatile. The calm colour choices make you relax, plus the moody bar units invite you to make a nice drink from the bar. The large stunning raw oak kitchen island makes you want to sit there with friends and drink coffee. It is multifunctional!"

Pantry

We were lucky enough to get to work on the pantry in this home as well. The clients have excellent design style and we made sure this style was reflected in a seamless flow across the space. One of the most important parts of any pantry is the amount of storage, which feels endless!

The Details: Colours, Handles & Bespoke Details

The client chose a mixture of Herringbone Paints, Studio Grey and a bespoke paint colour for the cabinetry in the project. The island is in a beautiful cotton oak stain, a warm earthy tone, which flows perfectly together. The kitchen is designed in our Westminster range.

The renovation has fundamentally changed how the clients use their home. What was once a house in need of transformation has become a warm, inviting environment where entertaining and socialising now sit at the centre of everyday life.

We loved working on this beautiful project together with the family and wish them a lifetime of happiness in their new home.