Cream & Black were appointed to complete full space planning, interior architecture, lighting design and to provide a turn-key furnishing & styling package.
This Victorian residence with beautifully landscaped grounds is situated on one of the most prestigious and finest roads in Edgbaston, Birmingham. As a returning client, the brief was to create a modern design whilst being sympathetic to the character of the property. The look and feel of the house needed to be light with neutral colours to help show off their artwork. We were trusted by our clients and we were able to have a lot of freedom with design choices enabling us to execute the highest standard of design. This gave us an exciting opportunity to create a unique home full of elegance, charm & functionality. The accommodation, which extends to approx. 10,500 sq. ft is set over 4 floors, comprising of a grand entrance hall, four reception rooms, basement with swimming pool, wellness suite/spa, gymnasium and cinema room, there are 6 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms. Working in collaboration with Form, Construction Director Stephen Rankin.
The property boasts a plethora of original features, which when taking on the project were covered by dark finishes & heavy window treatments. We wanted to freshen the space to highlight the architectural details, while creating a neutral gallery type feel to showcase our client’s extensive artwork collection. We wanted to create calming spaces with the use of light & fresh finishes, incorporating accents of interest through unique furniture shapes & bold artwork.
This project is a rare example where no architect was appointed. With the help of a Structural Engineer we opened up the kitchen & dining area to create a family focal point of the home. With the use of varying materials, the kitchen has a subtle appearance – allowing the dining space to glow. The unusual style of the dining chairs give a considered bespoke feel, while the raw wooden dining table adds a warmth to the space. The upholstered armchairs have an occasional feel yet offer a comfortable spot to relax. Not only did we reconstruct this living space, but we also completely reconfigured the Master Bedroom Suite. Understanding the client’s particular requests for this space allowed us to create a serene & functional Dressing Rooms & En Suites for both “him” & “her” whilst creating synergy between the two spaces through the use of carefully selected materials & finishes.
Lighting was a big consideration for this project, we wanted to create a subtle concept for the architectural lighting design while featuring some large artistic feature light fittings. We focused on how it should light up furniture pieces, joinery elements, artwork & accessories. Whilst also considering the more practical functionality of the home; layering the different levels of lighting & illuminating the properties architectural details.
Bespoke joinery designs run throughout the property, creating plenty of useful storage space and giving both a functional & considered design aesthetic. Aside from all the usual joinery elements, we designed two home offices, a home bar, a cinema room, a formal lounge with feature screening & a wellness suite/spa. The vast joinery package gave us great scope to deliver a completely bespoke feel throughout.
This flawlessly designed & beautifully curated home is a feast for the eyes, with a completely custom aesthetic. The success of this project simply comes down to the relationship between the user & the designer. Understanding our client’s lifestyle & use for a space allows us to design in this way.
