A blank canvas becomes a home filled with personal expression and contrasting styles …
A mere stone’s throw from the shores of Sutton Beach, nestled within a lush, mature garden, this coastal haven exudes a quiet confidence. When the client first acquired the property, the home was immaculately maintained – its structure sound, its spaces generous. But while pristine, the interior lacked the personal expression and stylistic identity they sought. With over 30 years experience, interior architecture and design studio Think Contemporary, founded by Joanne Kelly and Anthony Buggy, took on the project.
Tasked with reimagining the space to better reflect our client’s sensibilities, Think Contemporary embarked on a full-scale transformation that would marry contemporary refinement with a distinctly masculine edge. The brief was clear: the home should feel grounded and elegant, modern yet enduring, with materials that would age gracefully over time.
The team focused on textural contrasts – layering warm woods in varied tones and grains against a palette of neutrals and charcoals – an interplay that created a tactile interior. The living room was designed with a more masculine aesthetic, with navy leather sofas and a dark, organic coffee table from Roche Bobois as the central feature, offsetting these elements with softer materials.
Lighting was key: sculptural pendants and subtle architectural fixtures were used to shape mood and highlight form. Unexpected furniture pieces – bold in silhouette or material – added a curated aesthetic.
The lighting was carefully selected with the aim to accentuate the high ceilings, maintaining the room’s period charm while introducing a refined modernity.
The contemporary kitchen was manufactured by their joiner. The masculine theme is continued, with black accents and a bespoke, structured dining table. Sourcing a suitable dining table was proving to be a struggle, so the design team had one custom-made for this project with steel legs and a Dekton top.
The client desired a calming space for the bedroom, which became a sanctuary.
Following the overarching theme, the team designed a two-tone bathroom featuring dark grey tiles on one side and pale grey on the other from Tilespex. The sanitary unit is from Sonas Bathrooms.
