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Ashridge House

Ashridge House

An acclaimed Hertfordshire interior designer takes Absolutely behind the scenes of a unique project of hers

By CHERIE LEE

The owners of this property are Christopher and Lynsey Bell. They have three children – Darcey, 13, Piper, 10, and Otis, 5. The property comprises lower ground floor and first floor of a period, four storey property, originally two separate flats that the homeowner combined. The property has exclusive ownership of the gardens. The lower ground floor houses four bedrooms, four bathrooms, gym and laundry/utility room. The first floor consists of TV room, kitchen, dining room and bar, cloakroom and study.

The initial combining of the properties occurred prior to my involvement. However, the homeowner was unhappy with the layout and function following the original renovation and sought our services to assist with a reconfiguration and overhaul of the interiors.

One of the client’s major issues was with the kitchen, which was located in the now TV room. She felt shut away from guests when entertaining and the space didn’t allow for the open plan and relaxed entertaining that she was keen to provide. The number one priority was therefore to relocate the kitchen to a more prominent position and to develop a kitchen design that blended with the overall aesthetic for the ground floor.

The staircase connecting the two, previously separate apartments was also not to the client’s liking. This was originally positioned along the side wall of the now kitchen and didn’t feel like a formal staircase, more of a basement staircase with no balustrade or grandeur. This was also to be rectified as part of the reconfiguration. An o ce needed to carved out too of the current footprint. The client was very open to ideas and suggestions regarding the aesthetic for the property. They knew that comfort was key to them and to keep an organic feel to the materials used, resulting in the use of natural stones, timbers and relaxed, natural fibres. From our first meeting, we knew that the backdrop would be a warm, neutral palette with dark timber accents. However, the clients had a sense of fun about their personalities and personal style. We were confident that this would make them open to the use of colour and playfulness if incorporated in the right way. cherieleeinteriors.co.uk

The kitchen had to provide a high level of function, without feeling too utilitarian. The mix of natural materials was key to achieving something that felt calm and at home at what is essentially the central ground floor space. The marble shelf that runs along the length of the kitchen allowed for decorative features in a practical space and assists with integrating the kitchen with the largely open plan ground floor. The Taj Mahal Quartzite and sawn oak cabinetry evokes a tranquil mood.

The clients are very social and a designated yet relaxed dining area for entertaining was required. The goal was to achieve a grown up space for after dinner parties, but also a room that was equally as useable when the family were not entertaining. The large timber unit allowed for a generous but concealed bar. It also provides a hidden entrance to the cloakroom. It is a stand out piece with so much functionality.

As the family’s main space to gather of an evening, the living room in particular needed to achieve a maximum level of comfort. We wanted a calming palette with accents of green and natural textures to reflect the gardens visible across the dining space. To maximise use and function we also created a multifunctional seating nook underneath the stained glass windows.

The master bedroom colour palette was dark with earthy accents and contrasts with the lightness of the seating area adjacent. We wanted to design a headboard that stretched the entire wall and really helped to frame the sleeping area. The oversized chaise seat sits at an angle to allow views of the gardens without dancing away from the bedroom.

Each of the children’s bedrooms provide space for them to personalise their rooms, whilst keeping the rooms sophisticated and pleasing to parents too. Seating is also apparent in each bedroom to allow for quiet time when needed.

It was important that each child’s bedroom had a special element and somewhere for them to relax. Bedroom rivalry is not an option! Chevrons and icy blues retained a calmness to a fun and comfortable boy’s space. The hanging chair was on the wish list of Piper and we chose natural cane and furs to keep it soft. We are always keen to mix patterns, shapes and colours in kids' bedrooms to evoke a sense of expression and fun. Keeping the large items, such as the headboard, neutral assists with longevity.

The end result is a social and hardworking layout that serves the needs of the whole family. The colour palette is a base of warm neutrals, grounded with dark timbers and accented with a grown up use of colour.

Our general philosophy as a design practice is to create homes that provide understated and lived in luxury, with a good dose of wow factor. This, and encouraging our clients to have a sense of individuality with their choices, we believe makes for the most successful renovations. This project was no exception.

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