Oxted Interior Design
A joyful, personality-filled family home
This project began as a decorating and FF&E commission, with the overall layout of the house largely remaining intact. However, as the design process evolved, it became clear that several spaces could be rethought to better support family life - particularly for a household with two young daughters and a love of entertaining.
One of the key transformations was an underused den that felt dark, cold and awkwardly arranged. Uninviting for children, it had resulted in toys spilling into the open-plan kitchen. We reimagined this room as a light-filled, screen-free playroom designed to encourage creativity and calm. A central arts-and-crafts table anchors the space, complemented by bespoke storage for books and toys, a built-in window seat and reading nook, a warm cork floor and a wallpapered ceiling that adds character and delight.
The kitchen itself was well proportioned and fitted with high-quality cabinetry, but the finishes didn’t reflect the clients’ tastes. Rather than replacing what already worked, we refreshed the space with a new colour scheme, updated cabinet hardware and a beautifully tiled cooker splashback. The layout had previously tried to accommodate too many functions without excelling at any; by simplifying the arrangement and introducing a large kitchen table, the room now comfortably supports the clients’ much-loved gatherings.
The generous hallway was also rethought, with an adjoining room transformed into an intimate dining space for more special occasions. At the front of the house, a former study that no one gravitated towards was reinvented as a cosy TV room. Designed with bespoke joinery, a large screen and a generous sofa, it provides a welcoming space for family and friends, while allowing the main sitting room to become a more refined, adult setting for entertaining and reading. This room features library joinery, a fireplace and a discreetly hidden screen, as well as a concealed bookcase door leading into the dining room.
Upstairs, thoughtful reconfiguration improved both comfort and flow. A poorly insulated bedroom previously used as an overflow wardrobe was upgraded and repurposed, while a room closer to the principal bedroom became a luxurious dressing room complete with bespoke joinery, a sink, and a corner dressing table that doubles as a late-night workspace. Finished with a playful leopard-print carpet and the client’s favourite shade of pink, it perfectly balances function with personality.
The home’s generous ceiling heights allowed us to introduce dramatic, upholstered beds with ceiling-mounted curtains, creating enveloping, glamorous sleeping spaces. Each child’s bedroom was designed to feel magical: one with twin beds and tester-style bed curtains, the other with a built-in bed nestled into joinery and softened with bed curtains to create a cosy hideaway.
The result is a house filled with joy, colour and individuality, a layered, welcoming home that supports everyday family life while delighting at every turn.