How to style a home away from home

PUBLISHED: 10:45 02 August 2016 | UPDATED: 10:45 02 August 2016

The shelving unit accommodates the TV, books and much more

Lanassir Lawes

Clever use of curtaining around the windows ensure that the room is well lit

Now that my clients have had their first stay in their beautiful new holiday home, I am able to share some of the design with you. Having worked on other properties for my clients I had a good understanding of their personal style and what was expected - this was good, as the timescale for completion was tight but manageable.

Making good use of space in the kitchen

As a holiday retreat we were looking to create a relaxing and comfortable home from home. Although the property is a new build, the style needed to have a sophisticated, more traditional approach with a nod towards the coastal, while maintaining a quality finish.

The window configurations in architecturally designed new builds can appear challenging. In this case there is a corner window and a square bay to the front and pair of doors in the kitchen area. Bay windows can make a room darker as the light is tunnelled into the room, so it is important to pull the curtains away from the window as much as possible. I have used bespoke curtain poles that have been made to fit the shapes of the windows and overlap enough for the curtains to stack back on to the wall. Choosing a heading that was not too bulky was also important.

As the windows are at street level I also specified and installed muslin-style rollerblinds that sit discreetly at the top of the window but can be pulled down for some privacy without blocking the light when necessary. The curtain fabric is a sophisticated version of a deckchair stripe in taupe and blue printed on a smooth cotton satin, in contrast to the deep pile darker blue velvet that the armchairs are upholstered in and the two-tone textured weave of the sofa.

As always I like to combine lots of different textures and colours (in this case more total for a relaxing feel) with a small amount of pattern. The coral print wall covering has a soft pearlescent sheen finish that helps lift the light in the room. A wall covering is a great way to add personality and style to a new build. Although the print is quite large for the size of the room it works as only specific areas are papered, forming a backdrop to the sofa and the dining table.

So as not to clutter the room with lots of pieces, I designed a shelving unit that fills the wall to accommodate the TV and books. This was made by our local cabinetmakers to complement the kitchen; it is finished in Bone China Blue Mid by Little Greene paint.

Next month, I will be sharing some of the other rooms in this beautiful holiday home.