The brief:

The Kirkwood Homes team asked us to fully design and style their newest 4 bedroom showhome for their Ury Estate development in Stonehaven. They wanted the showhome to have a luxurious feel to reflect their unrivalled build specification, but still embody the welcoming atmosphere of a family home and appeal to a wide age demographic.

Design influences:

We were looking to create a sleek, hotel style that felt very luxurious but had a modern family in mind. The hotel look is particularly relevant at the moment with us not being able to travel like we used to, so a lot of people want to bring that luxury feeling into the home - plus it looks very striking which is ideal for a showhome.

Key design elements:

Lighting was a very important feature in this showhome to create a point of interest and set the tone of the whole house to one that feels stylish and high end, but homely at the same time.

In the open-plan kitchen and dining area we chose a beautiful marble table from Calligaris to complement the marble countertop. It makes the space feel very sophisticated but because the table is round, it’s also very sociable and brings a really family feel to the room. The stylish bar stools from Kartell offer a seating area for quick eating or having a cup of coffee at the breakfast bar, while two armchairs provide a more relaxed setting.

The lounge was a great space for layering up different textures and making the room feel very spacious. There are a lot of elements in this room, for example the rug on top of the herringbone floor, the artwork on the picture shelf, as well as all the accessories and lighting, however it still feels elegant and understated so it appeals to a lot of buyers. For furniture, we opted for two gorgeous ivory sofas from a new supplier, paired with a bespoke upholstered leather footstool for a really contemporary look.

In the master bedroom and guest bedroom, we really got to bring the luxury hotel style to life. We incorporated oversized headboards, sleek dressing tables and accent chairs for a look that felt modern yet classic, and to create a statement without using bold patterns and prints.

For the teenage girl’s room, we used a striking splatter print wallpaper, a gorgeous scalloped headboard and a pretty feather light shade to create a quirky space that a girl could grow up in. In the little boy’s room, we brought a hint of a nautical theme to the space in a way that looks youthful and fun, but still embodies a very high quality.

End result:

The show home definitely has a strong sense of luxury but with a modern family lifestyle in mind. It incorporates very chic, contemporary pieces in each room while still evoking a welcoming atmosphere that people could imagine coming home to.

Using smoky tones and focusing on layering up textures allowed us to achieve a very understated, deluxe look throughout the home. It’s a beautiful nod to the luxury hotel style - which keeps it aspirational - yet still feels like an inviting home that you could live in.