An Arts and Crafts House Transformation
Renovating an Arts and Crafts house can be difficult because it’s important to respect the traditions but also bring certain aspects up to date. This is why Lolita Colenso Design’s transformation of the Wayland House near Brighton is so impressive. The project aimed to turn a 1920s Art & Crafts house with adjacent woods into a sanctuary for its owner and two children, while keeping as close as possible to its original style. And the result is stunning.
The previous owners had removed all the original features of the house, which made it difficult for Lolita Colenso Design to bring the house back to its roots. However, they managed to do so by first looking at the best it had to offer, which came from the external fabric of the house. From there, the team’s inspirations and references aligned exactly with the client’s vision, making the transformation a very easy collaborative process. The approach was informed by former and later classic designs of Art nouveau, Arts & Crafts and Mid Century modern.
One of the standout features of the new design is the kitchen. As the heart of the home, the kitchen plays an essential role in making sure that the homeowner’s personality shines through. In this case, the kitchen is part of a huge open plan living, eating, and kitchen space with a brand new glass box extension that allows light to flood in. The colours of the kitchen, made by Plain English, were inspired by a 19th Century Italian yeast pot from Puglia. This large object, with its earthy almost copper reds, creams, and browns marble-like designs, when combined with the surrounding woodland tones, has inspired a vibrant palette of copper and green. The result is a perfect match with the client’s vision for the space.
Commenting on the project, John McDavid, owner of Aucoot, said, “It’s always refreshing to see a homeowner’s personality shine through in their home design. The house is, after all, a reflection of the people who live in it. In this case, Lolita Colenso Design has done an excellent job of bringing out the client’s vision and making it a reality. The colours and designs used in the kitchen are especially impressive and show that the team really took the time to understand what the client wanted.”
Overall, the transformation of the Wayland House by Lolita Colenso Design is a testament to the power of collaboration and understanding between a designer and a homeowner. By working together and using inspiration from classic designs, the team was able to create a beautiful space that truly reflects the personality of the people who live in it. This project is a reminder that a home is not just a place to live, but also a canvas for self-expression and creativity.
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