Design Brief: Southbourne Renovation

Overview:

The clients approached Studio 30 Interiors with a vision to transform their recently purchased home in Southbourne into a cohesive, character-led retreat. Following early retirement, their goal was to create a grand, open-plan kitchen and living space—an area that not only supports their love for cooking, socialising, and entertaining but also becomes the heart of their home.

Lifestyle & Intentions:

This project forms part of a complete home renovation, aligned with the couple’s transition to a more relaxed lifestyle on the South Coast. The space must comfortably accommodate gatherings with friends, allow for fluidity between indoor and outdoor living, and integrate modern functionality with warmth and personality.

Aesthetic Direction:

The clients were drawn to Scandinavian design principles—appreciating the use of natural materials and tonal simplicity—but had a strong aversion to the overly pale wood often associated with this style. The property itself includes original dark timber beams, visible on the front façade and within sections of the hallway. These architectural elements were to be preserved and used as a design anchor, ensuring continuity throughout the renovation.

Their stylistic preference leaned toward a darker, moodier palette—a phrase often repeated during consultations—yet with a conscious choice to avoid using black. Instead, the design required a careful balance of deep wood tones, soft neutral cabinetry (champagne and taupe), and tactile finishes to create warmth without losing brightness.

Design Requirements:

• Open-plan layout with seamless transition between the kitchen, dining, and living areas.
• A grand kitchen island central to both function and social interaction.
• Bespoke cabinetry featuring champagne wall units, dark wood base units, and integrated tower storage with symmetry—particularly centering double ovens between flanking units.
• Tall glazed display units at the far end to elevate and frame the design.
• Use of dark wood cladding to tie in with original beams and maintain material consistency.
• The window over the sink must be worktop height and act as a bifold opening to the garden, reinforcing the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Lighting and texture to be used to create softness and ambiance, avoiding stark contrasts while still embracing a rich, layered aesthetic.

Overall Concept:

This project is a celebration of contemporary elegance with respect for heritage. It merges Scandinavian calm with coastal warmth and characterful accents, all grounded in the client’s desire for a space that’s both practical and emotionally resonant. The design must not only honour the internal charm of the home but be responsive to its landscaped exterior, ensuring a continuous design narrative throughout the property.

DESIGN EXECUTION

Kitchen Specification & Execution:

To bring the client’s vision to life, we selected Pronorm as the primary kitchen manufacturer—renowned for their balance of innovation and refined German craftsmanship. The chosen finish was their Champagne Organic range, a contemporary matt door solution with exceptional performance characteristics. Its impact, stain, scratch, and UV resistance made it ideal for this high-traffic, sun-drenched South West-facing space.

This neutral palette was artfully anchored with Pronorm’s Laguna Oak doors on the base units and island—offering a rich wood texture that echoed the property’s original dark timber beams. These doors were colour-matched against bespoke vertical cladding, creating a seamless, design-led continuity that honours the home’s architectural character.

Worktop & Splashback:

A honed quartz worktop was selected for its soft, matte texture and natural finish—avoiding glare while providing a tactile, luxurious surface. This was paired with a striking, custom hand-blown glass splashback, spanning an impressive 3.3 metres without joints. This feature was specially imported from Italy and manufactured to order, elevating the design with a sense of craftsmanship and uniqueness that reflected the home’s bespoke nature.

Integrated Appliances & Technology:

Functionality was at the core of the brief. The kitchen was fully fitted with state-of-the-art appliances and thoughtful touches for everyday ease and entertaining, including:

• Touch-to-open electronic wall units
• Top-spec dual ovens
• Professional-grade cooling appliances (fridge & freezer)
• Drinks fridge and Kaelo wine chiller
• Quooker Combi 4-in-1 tap
• Interactive and layered lighting systems

Additional Spaces:

Behind the main kitchen, we created a hidden utility room, fully themed to match the main kitchen design. This discreet yet functional space ensures that practicality and style extend beyond the main living areas—delivering a seamless, unified experience across the home.