Stylish and serene, yet practical: modernising a much loved family holiday home by the sea.

The brief was to provide a neutral, fresh and stylish scheme that would also be practical enough to withstand the daily demands placed upon it by a large family and a dog. It was important that the scheme felt light and modern, but that it would also compliment the original architectural style and grandeur of the house.

A palette of muted greys, blues, taupe and off white was selected to infuse a serene atmosphere throughout the house, with a subtle nod also to the spectacular coastal setting. The focus was placed on layering natural materials and contrasting textures to convey a sense of refined, modern luxury. Linens, grass cloth, sisal, silk, wool and sheepskin provide a sense of calm to the design through their textural, tactile quality.

One of the most striking design features within the house and the most challenging to install due to its scale, is the grouping of pendant lights in the double height entrance hallway by Arturo Alvarez. These pendants have an ethereal and delicate quality and are made from a fine wire mesh which glows beautifully when lit from within evoking the idea of different shaped corals.

The final design feels timeless without being too classic, luxurious without being showy, grand without being ostentatious and neutral and calming without being boring. The family were so thrilled with the result that we were subsequently instructed to completely renovate their house in Chiswick.