Nicky Percival Interior Architecture and Design

PERIOD HOMES • much of my work is for period properties be they 17th century barns. Georgian country manors or mid Victorian town houses like this one.

My clients were very keen to keep and make the most of all the fabulous period detailing in the house. The tall arched windows with their shutters that come from a box at the base of the sash. A real treat !

On top of this, they have some funky contemporary art that needed to be accommodated into the Victorian vibe. And finding two matching chandeliers of the right size quality and style - at a price that could be contemplated- seemed impossible.

So we commissioned a pair of glorious crystal chandeliers from which absolutely fit the brief.
Delighted clients - all good 😊

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What is it like returning to the UK after many years abroad? Will you old family home still meet your needs? I was engaged to help one such family refresh their East Sussex family home after time abroad - giving the home a fresh feel on a relatively tight budget.

Find out how I approached it in my latest blog



https://www.nickypercival.co.uk/news/a-fresh-family-home-makeover-part-1

SUMMER • So as August comes to an end the kids are back at school let’s be thankful for the long summer days, the light and the connection with the landscape.

I’ve been creating terraces in a steep town garden this summer installing a steel bridge from the first floor to allow for indoor outdoor living 💚 The big reveal will be coming soon .

Can’t wait to start on some planting which will have to be really well thought out! Not my field but looking forward to the challenge. Any suggestions welcome 🤗

Indian summer here we come!

But what does an interior designer actually do???

Quite a lot actually! In my latest blog I share the 6 stages of an interior design project - which takes you from initial consultation to the finishing touches, covering all sorts in between.

Plus you get some great before and after pictures of one of my recent projects.



https://www.nickypercival.co.uk/news/the-6-stages-of-interior-design-a-journey-to-your-dream-space

BATHROOM BUSINESS • So I’m in the middle of installing 4 bathrooms in my own house and designing 3 for a client in a gorgeous Georgian ‘chocolate box’ pretty house.

To say I’m up to my ears in vanities, tiling, porcelain floors and back to wall loos is only the half of it ! Storage and planning, especially when space is tight, is so important.

Thought I would share again this bespoke mirrored cabinetry and oak shelving from another Georgian home which sat so well in the room and delighted all.

Enjoy ☺️

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BATHROOM VANITY • So, installation of this beautiful rosewood vanity with white stone top, elegant curved sink, gunmetal brassware, lozenge shaped tiles and green glass wall lights is imminent………swipe to see room in waiting !

SLOW INTERIORS • Thrilled to have been asked to contribute to this article for . The lovely has written an intriguing piece on how to use modern elements in listed historic houses.

This topic of reflects my approach to design for private clients completely. Mixing antique or vintage pieces in a historic house is part of my philosophy. Mixing contemporary art and Uber modern light fittings for example in a Georgian home in a considered and respectful way is exactly what I do.

RESTORATION • Restoration and regeneration of beloved pieces of furniture is one of my favourite parts of creating personal spaces for my clients . The owners of this apartment had numerous pieces of vintage furniture and art works.

The little buttoned chair here was in need of some TLC so we found a chunky corduroy and leather buttons for a full retro look . This suits the personality of these clients perfectly and compliments the sweet Deco chest of drawers in the guest bedroom.

Thank you to for choosing to feature this cosy seaside corner this morning


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FUNKY LIGHTING • So this is the cosy corner of the kitchen in the 70’s house renovation. Vintage inspired armchair sitting on an abstract rug that combines all the colours in the room. My client likes to sit with her coffee by the window and take full advantage of the morning light.

Finding a funky floor lamp to compliment took a while to find - swipe to see it switched on 💡 This beautiful hand made lamp comes in carous sizes and finishes - we chose the walnut to compliment the kitchen cabinets and the natural shades to contrast against the olive walls. Calm cool and collected !


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Soft furnishings

CLUSTER LIGHT • Currently fitting a lovely little cluster light in a bathroom with matching wall lights at three moment. So wanted to share this much larger chandelier from last year.

Having a statement light in a double height hallway is such a fabulous way to greet your guests. This fitting is a nine way cluster on a bespoke plate as the ceiling slopes and fills the space beautifully .

The rest of this pale green light filled space is packed with house plants and framed prints. Joyous and welcoming.

-pendant
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ORANGE • this compact shower room was totally transformed with neutral contemporary porcelain finishes. A lovely terrazzo floor and cool grey wall tiles. Bespoke oak and mirror shelves and cupboard add much needed storage. The orange cement basin was a bold choice but perfect for these clients .

I seem to be designing quite a few smaller bathrooms as every member of the household appears to need their own personal space for ablutions these days !

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WALNUT • One of my favourite timbers for cabinetry, walnut is soft and warm and chocolatey - gorgeous! It also contrasts beautifully with cool blues, violets and greens and so is completely perfect with the olive in this kitchen.

Colour is a very emotive consideration when putting materials and palette together for clients. Colour affects us all in an intuitive and emotional way. We are all different in our preferences and this client loves olive green so we have used it carefully and in contrast to other hues in this project.


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ORANGE • so I’ve just spent a week away from by building site of a home to seek refuge at my lovely friend’s house - a beautifully converted post office ! Orange and citrine and recycled teak are her preferred palette.

This is their fabulously simple and amazingly detailed kitchen. Such a joy to use - incredible light from huge sliding doors to the left and double glazed doors that lead into what was the main post office hall - now a huge open plan reception space.

Designer on holiday !

KITCHEN • so olive green is my clients colour of choice and this the big hard working heart of the home so olive green it is 💚

The cabinetry was already in place here but we have updated with mustard basket weave ceramic splash back, new lighting, vintage teak dining table and chairs and some carefully commissioned framed prints. All inspired by the tea set bottom right !

Cosy corner in the next post


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BATHROOM • currently putting final measurements together for 3 small but hard working and hopefully perfectly formed bathrooms.

One is a downstairs loo with laundry and dog wash walk in shower
Two is a tiny basement en-suite
Three is an attic shower room with critical height requirements
All will be revealed in the coming months.

In the meantime revisiting this wonderful grey and yellow shower room for my cottage conversion project. Careful planning was also required for this tricky space but allowed for large walk in shower and generous Happy D vanity and some fun with decorative tiling.


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KITCHEN • So this is the storage elevation. Packed in here we have:-
- Coffee station for all important boost in the morning with walnut open shelving
- larder with freezer below
- full height fridge
- combination oven with warming drawer below
- full oven with retractable door
- shallow walnut shelves for cook books and stuff !

Drawer boxes all made / see over on stories……….
So excited to see this finally come to together- will transform my life!
Just need to take out the chimney, put in the RSJ, underfloor heating, porcelain floor, fit the French windows, first fix plumbing and electrics and we are good to go🙏🏻

Will post the ‘working’ side of the kitchen and the island later - watch this space☺️

BEDROOM • had to show you the other end of this pink bedroom with its super comfortable sofa, Middle Eastern art work and gorgeous curtains.

Balancing the cosy comfortable elements in this room with the elegant and eclectic art works took a while. The room is orientated east west so the light changes through the day.

The olive green which was my clients first request has been softened somewhat with the pink walls, colours in the curtains and other soft furnishings taking a larger roll. The walnut wardrobes (not shown) add another strength of colour to add to the vintage mix.

Photography
Seamstress

PINK BEDROOM • In a house where olive green is king, we thought a little pink would contrast well.

The velvet bed sits happily in front of this deep pink and the teak chest of drawers add to the mix and complement the wardrobes opposite (out of shot) The framed prints pick up on the differing shades of green.

Crisp but cosy which was what the brief asked for. Blending vintage with contemporary here in the usual eclectic mix 💚

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BEDROOM • This super pretty space was designed for a creative young lady. Beautiful pink sunset arc sets the scene for soft textures . Tasseled panel curtains and rag rug style thick pile rug. Balancing the green and pink allows space for a pop of bright yellow 💛


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COLOUR DRENCH • The petrol blue wall colour here was chosen as the perfect backdrop for warm wood tones and mustard textiles.

These clients have an extensive art collection that needs to take pride of place in each room - so long discussions about how best to curate the spaces has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this project.

If you are wanting a truly personal service then do get in touch .

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MASTER BEDROOM • another moody vibe for a busy man about town !

Downstairs, this house will be light and open with vibes, lots of oak with fresh white and Nordic blue. Upstairs we are going for cosy with rich colouring, masculine but with a few curves. Tartan is required so this for the window is a good companion.

We are mid strip out and start again on this one and should be complete by the end of summer !

"A $100 thousand bomb, starts from a plane that costs 100 million and flies at a cost of 42 thousand dollars an hour, to kill people who live on less than a dollar a day... "

Written by our good friend Stefanos Kargakis 🙏😢

COLOUR DRENCH • The rich palette in this room is all down to the client. Would love to take credit but she was clear with her passion for deep colour blocking.

Deep inky blue walls off set the emerald velvet sofa and give a fabulous backdrop to the Hebridean beach cottage. The client has Scottish heritage who has spent time in the Middle East and so there are touches from both cultures for a real sense of time and place.

Natural fabrics, vintage teak, hand made paper lamp shades and colourful ceramics make for a layered texture filled family space.

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DESK • the lovely sunset painting here was the inspiration for this room .

Every young lady needs a place to sit and contemplate what kind of creative they will be when they grow up ! A comfortable velvet chair, a desk with drawers and some storage for treasures.

Sitting pretty 🩷

PRETTY GIRLS BEDROOM • a pink rainbow in a soft green bedroom is the perfect palette for this creative young lady.

Inspired by a beach sunset- we have taken some tropical elements and run with a floral theme - Rattan, Sheepskin, Fairy lights, Tassels, lots of English garden florals !

This lovely young miss is in her element- hope you are too!


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KITCHEN / LIVING • the sun is out today 🌞 and I am reminded of this kitchen project. How glorious it will be to enjoy this indoor outdoor space now the Spring is properly here.

The floor runs seamlessly onto the terrace extending the family space into the garden. Oak and sandstone in perfect harmony for this light filled hardworking space.


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KITCHEN • palette and materials for the new kitchen has taken a while to confirm!
When there are 2 designers in the house these things have a tendency to germinate over time…..

We are lucky to have a neighbour who is a skilled cabinet maker. A hand built bespoke ply and Formica kitchen is finally detailed and now in production.

6 weeks to wait - just need to get the space ready !!!

HOME RENOVATION • As many if you know I bought a a year ago and wanted to give an update.

Planning only took 4 months
Finding a builder who we were prepared to work with - 9 months!
Currently in month 4 ( of 6 ) of complete strip out and start again home renovation.
We are living on site 😳
Landscaping done
Lower ground floor almost ready to move into
Roof replacement in full swing
Attic stairs arrive in2 weeks
Hand built kitchen arrives in 6 weeks.

The sun is out and the worst of the wind has gone🤞🏻

Wish us luck for the next half - more updates over on stories.

SLOW INTERIORS • only just been introduced to this label but it completely epitomises my approach to designing for private clients.

The slow approach to designing for interiors means using furniture and accessories that have been accumulated over time. Each item tells its story, has history and memories attached to it.

This provides a rich tapestry adding layers to the home environment. Mixing an inherited sewing basket with a vintage find along with artefacts picked up on your travels makes for an interior full of interest and texture.

Mixing period and contemporary furniture is the life blood of my work here at the design studio. No off the shelf design work here.

THE LOO • the downstairs loo is a very special place. Not only is it the ‘public’ loo in the house for guests to use but also a place of quiet contemplation 🤔

Currently waiting for my own loo to be tiled on the weekend - very excited as we are having lots of fun with bands of colour - see over on stories - and previous posts.

This colourful loo was perfect for a busy busy inspirational lady . We had such fun with these random mix patterns . What’s your favourite idea for the downstairs loo - can’t wait to hear your thoughts.


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