The Old School
Ladye Bay, Clevedon
The brief
This lovely client took on a year-long project to turn a gorgeous Victorian former school from a tiny two-bedroom to a stunning four bed, three bath with a garden room and studio annex.
Working alongside ‘Excellence’ builders and architects they’d designed a wonderful mix of old meets new by adding a spacious extension and dormer. But they also needed an interior designer with an eye for colour to help them create a personal and unique home to live in, while still making the most of the increased space, the original features and of course that picturesque view of Ladye Bay.
Design Challenges
When you add a modern element to a period property, it’s important to effectively blend the two styles together. Otherwise it can feel like you have two separate areas that don’t really connect.
Key to this project was to design a cohesive style and colour palette, considered and devised carefully to work through the entire home. This involved retaining the Victorian features such as the beautiful stone fireplace and original entrance wall with door bell, and cleverly combining these with the new modern areas. These were linked together with striking black glass doors and marble tiled floors.
Client Style Notes
It’s always interesting when we start to profile a new client’s interior style and colour palette. Of course we’re never looking to impose our views or push anyone in a direction they don’t want to go. But it is important to explore varied style choices and give them the opportunity to consider options they might not have otherwise contemplated.
In this case our colour and style consultation was particularly satisfying. From the client’s initial thoughts of pastel colours, coastal vibes and a pale grey kitchen, they quickly realised they actually felt drawn to much richer colours with a little drama and wow factor. In fact, they say their taste has changed so much during this journey that their old interiors no longer feel like them and they feel much more connected to their new style and colour choices.
One thing that didn’t change, however, was their wish for the rooms and furniture layouts to showcase the amazing bay views and natural light.
Bespoke Details
As part of this project, we were delighted to incorporate several bespoke items from our soft furnishings range, as well as creating bespoke lighting schemes.
From the fabulous bespoke sofa we designed to specific height requirements, in a deep velvet magenta, to the beautiful soft blush, linen voiles that frame the bay window perfectly. Of course, this isn’t always the case, but here we sourced all of the furniture and accessories, even down to the bedding, towels, cushions and hand wash.
At the end of the build, the client also commissioned us to style all of the spaces including artwork, accessories and soft furnishings. This allowed us to really put in place the little details that help to achieve the perfect end result.
Favourite Rooms in Focus
External Spaces
One of the exciting parts of this renovation, was the scope to include numerous outdoor areas to make the most of the various aspects of the house. From an intimate kitchen courtyard to a cosy terrace to hangout with friends, even the garden room has its own decked area for relaxing.
But our favourite part is the gorgeous balcony off the living space, giving the chance to truly enjoy the juxtaposition of new and old in this build as well as the views across the way to Ladye Bay.
The Kitchen / dining / living room
Arguably, the most important part of this remodel was the large open plan kitchen, dining and living area. A stunning space, benefiting from a ceiling height bay window leading out to a frameless glass balcony with views out over Ladye Bay. There was also a small kitchen courtyard through French doors to the side.
With the original stone fireplace as a focal point, we wanted to celebrate this feature rather than try to minimise its presence. Hence, the deep pink wall and striking artwork, toning with a paler pink elsewhere in the room. The black kitchen with quartz worktop may have been a departure from the pale grey the client originally thought they wanted, but it creates the perfect backdrop for this light, airy space.
The area was completed with a bespoke lighting design to provide task lighting, soft ambient lighting and decorative lighting for each area of the open plan space. We particularly love the antique brass lighting and fittings that take centre stage above the dining table.
The Studio Annex
As part of the new, modern extension, the client added a bedroom and cosy mezzanine seating area, allowing guests to relax and spend time in their own space.
With a large window offering picturesque views over the Bristol Channel as well as doors leading to the garden, we warmed up this light, airy room with dark blues, earthy tones and bright accents of orange.
The Hallway, Stairs and Landing
Housed in the new extension, yet retaining the original exterior stone wall, the hall, landing and stairs were given a contemporary look with a gorgeous marble tiled floor and black accents to tie into the black window frames of the build.
As part of this, we designed two open staircases, one rising from the large living space and the other linking the mezzanine hallway entrance area.
"Thank you so much for all your hard work and support through such a difficult build. Without you the house wouldn’t look as beautiful or as special as it does. Thank you for dragging us kicking and screaming out of our comfort zone and who’d have thought we would have a black kitchen and beautiful pink walls -in a household 3/4 full of men! I must also thank you for your hand holding when things were tough for us. It maybe a thank you but not a farewell just and au revoir as we will be knocking on your door at the next house no doubt."
Mr and Mrs H
The Old School, Ladye Bay, Clevedon
Do You Like Our Style?
If you like the style of this Victorian school house renovation and would like to find out more about working with K Interiors, book a complimentary discovery call to get started.