When my clients decided to downsize from their family home in Littlehampton, they were ready for a fresh chapter with less upkeep and a sense of calm. With their two cocker spaniels in tow, they found a modern townhouse in Mount Barker’s Springlake Estate that had great bones, but a very blank canvas.
Working together, we transformed this four-metre-high, somewhat lifeless space into a warm and layered retreat that now feels inviting, functional and comfortable.
The Client’s Wants and Needs.
My clients were entering a new stage of life and wanted a home that supported a simpler lifestyle. They loved the idea of a space that felt modern and minimal, but still soft, textural, and grounded.
With both of them being keen runners they needed a home that was low-maintenance but still beautiful to come back to. A space to relax, host family, and function well for just the two of them with their dogs.
They enlisted my help to bring warmth, personality, and cohesion to what was previously a stark, white shell and create a home that felt truly theirs.
The Design Direction
The brief was clear: modern organic with a hint of Japandi to create something calm and timeless. They were both drawn to layered neutrals, warm timbers, and simple, sculptural shapes.
I started by creating a concept that introduced walnut-toned flooring, warm panelling, and linen-look sheers to soften the double-height living space. From there, we added custom joinery and furniture that mixed timber tones, creating that textural, organic feel.
The Concept Design Phase
Before we began furnishing the space, the townhouse underwent a complete interior refresh. We repainted throughout, replaced the flooring with engineered timber, laid textural loop pile carpet upstairs, and had custom s-wave sheers installed.
From there, I developed detailed space planning to ensure that every piece of furniture worked proportionally with the size of each room.
The concept boards helped my clients to see all these layers together and imagine how all the different pieces would look together.
Challenges and Solutions
The townhouse came with its fair share of design challenges, and these became opportunities to create something really special.
Small floorplan, big ceilings: The four-metre-high ceilings made the living space feel unbalanced. I designed the large timber TV joinery wall to stretch horizontally and help to ground the space to bring balance to the open plan living area.
Tricky dining nook: With sharp angles and a storage cupboard door right beside it, the dining area was awkwardly shaped. I introduced a banquette seat paired with rounded chairs and a timber dining table to soften the geometry and make the space functional and intimate.
Upstairs retreat: Originally, the upstairs landing felt like a walkway rather than a destination. I added full-height storage and created a cosy sitting zone which turned it into a second retreat in the home.
Master bedroom: The main bedroom initially felt cold and flat, lacking any real sense of texture or warmth. To bring it into harmony with the rest of the home, I designed a full wall of vertical timber panelling behind the bed. This detail instantly transformed the space by adding depth, softness, and that same organic warmth found throughout the lower level.
Lighting and warmth: The kitchen previously felt like it lacked personality. New textured pendant lights and warm-toned bar stools instantly changed the mood, making it a natural extension of the living area.
Lack of storage: The downstairs living spaces lacked storage so I designed some custom entry joinery to add storage when you enter the home, and also to tie in with the other joinery pieces in the home.
All photography by Seasons By Bec
Dining Nook with banquette seating.
Upstairs retreat area with wall-to-wall joinery.
Master bedroom with timber panelling.
New pendants and barstool help to bring warmth to the kitchen. The custom designed entry joinery provides extra storage and links to the other joinery pieces.
The Finished Spaces
The final result is a cohesive, textural home that captures everything my clients had hoped for.
In the living area, warm vertical panelling creates a beautiful sense of warmth and texture. The joinery adds both practicality and a sculptural element that helps to anchor the tall ceilings, while the soft sheers diffuse all the beautiful natural light that comes into this room.
Custom TV unit (with a lovely dog posing on queue!)
A textural, warm living space.
The dining nook is a favourite — a quiet spot to start the morning and watch the day unfold. Its layers of linen and timber make it feel relaxed and purposeful.
A flexible dining nook with plenty of seating.
Upstairs, the master bedroom continues the same themes of warm neutrals, textural bedding, and warm timber accents. The panelling detail is used here again, tying the two levels together and reinforcing that sense of calm.
Master bedroom panelling and textural elements.
A mix of timbers and fabrics in the master bedroom.
A Home That Feels Like Theirs
For my Mount Barker clients, this transformation wasn’t just about finishes and furniture — it was about creating a home that reflects who they are now.
For me, it’s the warmth and continuity of the materials that I love the most. The use of the timber panelling, curved shapes and textural pieces have created a home that feels personal and functional for my clients.
This project was published by The Interiors Addict, so if you’d like to check that out, you can do here!
If you’re planning to renovate, downsize, or reimagine your own space, I’d love to help you create a home that feels just as meaningful and cohesive.
Reach out here to enquire about my design services.
Bec x