St Cloud

We like to get up close and personal with our clients when defining their brief. Upon instruction, we go to great lengths to understand how they live as individuals, how they live with others, what their interests are and what their future plans look like. Whilst this may seem like we are being very nosey, it ensures that we create a design scheme which flows well, increases connectivity and maximises long lasting space.

This house in Forest Row, East Sussex was spacious enough but there were lots of separate rooms which led from one to another. The house didn’t work as a family home and looking ahead to when their teenagers leave the nest, our clients couldn’t see how it would work for them as a couple.

After getting to know them a bit better, we developed a proposal which optimised the internal spaces and created a natural flow throughout the ground floor. One of the major changes that dramatically affected the flow of the house was rotating the position of the stairs and opening up the hallway. This has created a more defined transition space between the guest area of the home and the family area. This space is now light filled and welcoming with a glass balustrade and beautiful high vaulted ceilings. The main family area includes the kitchen/diner and two living areas and is also well connected, allowing plenty of light into the clearly defined spaces. Being open planned, it really suits the family coming together and entertaining guests but there are also quieter spots which can be enjoyed as a couple or individuals such as the seating in the oriel window and the snug area.

We also wanted to ensure that there was connectivity to the outside space so we created a raised patio which wrapped around the rear to a seating area at the garden level. The ceilings in the family area are also mono pitched rather than a flat roof and this helps to elevate the view out onto the garden.

It has been such a pleasure to get to know the clients and we think by doing so we have created a house that flows freely, maximises space and will make a lasting impact on their lives.