The Modern Country Renovation

Langstone, Newport

hover over an image to see the 'before' picture

Project photography Louise Misell ©

A photo of the snug, with built in shelving and window seats, and blue velvet chairs by the fire.

A before photo showing that this was the old kitchen, which was painted grey.

An inspired renovation of a beautiful country home in need of an update, including the kitchen, living room, snug, hallway and downstairs cloakroom. The brief was to make sense of the spaces to create a home fit for busy family life, with an effortless flow from room to room.

The kitchen has been moved from the smallest room on the ground floor to the largest one, which involved removing a huge stone fireplace. A spacious and stylish kitchen dining room was then created, big enough for the whole family to unwind in. The perfect entertaining space, designed for relaxed country living.

A photo of the built in seating with a pale blue tongue and groove back.

The big stone fireplace before it was taken out to build the seating.

A view of the kitchen with the white shaker style units, marble worktops and brass lighting.

A photo of the same area before the renovation, which was the living room.

A close up of the industrial style window mirror at the bottom of the stairs.

The area was bare before with white painted walls and no decoration.

A close up of one of the window seats in the snug, with white shutters at the window and cushions on the seat.

A close up of the navy tiles used as a splashback.

A bespoke extractor hood and open shelving create a beautiful focal point for display.

A photo of the two pendant lights over the dining table.

The seating area and the window before the fireplace was taken out.

A close up of the antique brass light and the wine rack under the stairs.

The area under the stairs before the built in storage, seating and wine rack were added.

The banquette seating means the extended family can enjoy a meal together. Plenty of cushions and flexible lighting options create the perfect atmosphere.

A photo of the corner of the living room, with two comfortable velvet sofas and blue throws and cushions on them.

The same corner of the living room when it was the dining room. There is a round dining table and oversized grey chairs around it.

A photo of the navy kitchen island with the wooden bar stools underneath.

A before photo of showing the back wall of the room and the French doors leading to the garden.

The original colour palette of greys and beiges has been replaced with calming blue hues, and touches of black and orange, mixed in with plenty of natural wood to add texture and warmth. Herringbone flooring has also been carried from the kitchen throughout the ground floor, to increase the sense of space and flow throughout the home, making it feel more restful.

A photo of the hanging planter light fitting in the downstairs loo.

A photo of the old grey lightshade in the downstairs loo.

A photo of the blue and white tiles floor in the downstairs loo.

A photo of the loo before, with net curtains and a traditional style WC.

A close up of the black round mirror, with a reflection of the black doors in the hallway.

The window in the hallway before, with a grey blind and a grey heart on the wall.

The new sink area with wooden shelf, countertop sink and foxed mirror tiles behind.

A photo of the area before, which had a plain mirror and a big star on the wall.

A photo of the hallway, with dark blue painted under stairs seating and storage.

A photo of the hallway before, which was painted grey and white.

The downstairs loo is now more spacious, with a back to the wall WC, a smaller sink, and a cistern concealed behind dark blue tongue and groove panelling. A counter top copper basin placed on a beautiful living edge shelf makes a striking sink area, finished off with foxed mirror tiles. Shutters have replaced the net curtains, and a gorgeous light fitting with space for a trailing plant adds softness.

A photo of the paneling and built in desk in the snug, with shelving above and an orange chair.

A close up of vases and plants on the console table in the living room.

A photo showing the buttoned coffee table and sofas in the living room, with a rug under the coffee table.

The before photo shows the room as a dining room with a round table and grey upholstered chairs.

The hallway now has built in seating with storage under the stairs, new lighting and accessories, and a bespoke wine rack.

All the doors leading off from the hallway have been changed from grey painted rustic cottage style ones to a more classic style, which set the tone for the rest of the home. The doors, window and door frames have been painted in a gorgeous off black, a striking contrast to the paler walls, and an instant update.