design et al are delighted to announce the additional successful shortlist for Oakeve Interiors for the Residential Architectural Property Award, in The International Design & Architecture Awards 2015. Holm Oak is an imposing, unique new build country house, which marries together a traditional façade, with a contemporary interior. To fulfill the brief, the new property adhered to the finest example of ‘Arts and Crafts’ design so typical of this neighbourhood, it incorporates attractive historic features and is crafted with a sympathetic and successful blend of handmade and hand-finished materials.
Approached through electric solid wooden gates and along the ‘Cotswold Granite SettPavior’ driveway, Holm Oak is a welcoming sight with its oak paneled door set centrally beneath its feature stone archway. The inclusion of a curved stone front archway, synonymous with Lutyens designs pays homage to the Arts and Crafts heritage of the house. This is softened by a tile hung double storey front bay window.
Stone window and door surrounds, in a Cotswold Stone frame the natural stain oak windows and sit comfortably alongside the multi-coloured red brick. The double-height stone and brick bay window, to the left hand side, balance the look of the house, but without complete symmetry, akin to the Arts and Crafts period. By night, the use of subtle, aesthetic up/down lights show off the house to great effect. The house lighting is also supplemented by bespoke garden lighting, used to illuminate borders and feature trees. The overall result of the landscaping scheme is truly stunning, transforming the garden into a park-like setting, complimenting the grandeur of the house.
Natural light and spaciousness were also cornerstones of the project. Holm Oak faces northeast to the rear, meaning that a few of the entertaining rooms and kitchen could potentially suffer from poor light after midday. To avoid this many interior architectural solutions were included, as well as ample windows, roof lanterns, and extensive bi-fold doors, maximizing all available light.