With spring being a prime time to source fresh blooms, we are always brainstorming ideas for bouquets, and Gwen Stefani has (literally) brought some to the table.

The singer and home gardener recently shared a clip of herself making bouquets in her kitchen, and we loved how varied, colorful, and easy to replicate they were. It's giving us some great pointers on how to arrange flowers.

Using a mix of seasonal and year-round flowers, such as tulips, carnations, and roses, Gwen's arrangements look gorgeous in part due to careful placement in glass vases – and we got some expert insight on how to recreate the looks.

First and foremost, alternating heights between stems is an essential way to keep a floral bouquet looking visually pleasing.

'One common mistake is cutting all your flowers to the same height,' explains David Denyer, renowned florist at Eflorist. 'This makes a bouquet look stiff and unnatural. Instead, stagger your stems — let some flowers stand taller while others sit lower in the vase.'

Additionally, mixing and matching different flowers is a great way to create volume and ensure that there is sustained visual interest from a bouquet.

'Texture also plays a huge role,' David says. 'Pairing fluffy hydrangeas with crisp tulips or mixing soft roses with structured greenery keeps the eye moving and creates depth in your arrangement. Variations in height, layers, and texture are the key to making your floral arrangement look effortless.'

On the topic of layering and mixing, David suggests a specific approach to the placement of each stem within a vase.

“A perfectly symmetrical bouquet can look stiff,' he explains. 'Instead, florists use the Golden Ration, where one side of the arrangement is visually heavier than the other. Try to group your biggest blooms slightly off-centre, and let a few stems extend dramatically to one side. This technique mimics the way flowers grow naturally and makes your arrangement feel more effortless.'

With the proper care and attention to detail, your bouquets can look just as magnificent as Gwen's – use your personal favorite flowers for a unique and individual arrangement.

Springtime, the most whimsical season of all, offers an excellent opportunity for experimenting with big, bold branches – and Gwen Stefani has already set the precedent.

The singer, who famously owns an Oklahoma ranch, has welcomed the season with a simple (yet statement-making) arrangement, using nothing but a glass vase and branches from her estate. In the footage, shared to Instagram, Gwen is seen carrying her hand-clipped floral foliage through her front door and through her living room, before placing the branches in the center of her coffee table alongside other flower-filled vases.

In Gwen's case, the arrangement looks stunning on her coffee table, but it would look just as perfect as part of a spring tablescape in a dining room, especially as we consider our Easter dinner table set-up. It'll also look great on a console in an entryway and is guaranteed to make a lasting first impression for the entire season ahead.

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The untamed nature of Gwen Stefani's foliage reminds us that you don't need to spend a fortune to create a celebrity-approved focal point. You can use similar branches from your own yard, or pick up a bunch at a local nursery (or online, as we've listed above). Plus, their organic aesthetic marks a shift in floral trends, as experts explain.

'Spring tablescaping is embracing a shift toward wild, untamed greenery that feels both effortless and modern,' comments Melanie Kalfaian, a tablescaping expert from handcrafted decor company What A Host.

'This season, there’s a trend toward using lush, sprawling foliage like eucalyptus, ivy, and blossoming branches directly from the garden to create natural, unstructured centerpieces. Mixing bold, sculptural leaves with delicate trailing vines adds depth and a sense of movement, while keeping arrangements low and sprawling feels contemporary and inviting. The key is simplicity: letting the foliage speak for itself without overwhelming the table.'

Simple yet stylish foliage branches will always bring an elevated aesthetic to your living or dining room, but there's no better time to collect them than this spring. Enjoy the process of picking up your branches, and the experience of styling them even more. Then rest easy, knowing your centerpiece is right on trend – and Gwen Stefani approved.

Gwen Stefani may be best known as a performer, but she has also been showing off her green thumb over the last little while, so much so that her latest album is titled Bouquet.

It is apt, then, that the singer-songwriter has joined forces with floral arrangement and delivery service Farmgirl Flowers to create a signature bouquet of her own.

'I worked with the amazing founder of Farmgirl, Christina Stembel, to bring this vision to life,' Stefani states in the caption of her Instagram post, announcing the collaboration. 'Together, we’ve crafted the Look At Me Blossom bouquet, featuring gorgeous sunflowers, poppy peachy-pink roses, and vibrant autumn foliage, all wrapped in Farmgirl’s signature burlap. This album is a bouquet of songs, like flowers – a blend of everything from my past, present, and hopes for the future.'

The bouquet includes some of Stefani's favorite blooms, such as sunflowers, ranunculus, snapdragons, and French marigolds.

Farmgirl Flowers taps into the ever-popular flower delivery trend, allowing customers to order handmade arrangements straight to their doors nationwide. It is also the only large-scale, female-founded, and predominantly female-run e-commerce flower company, making it a fixture in the world of florals.

Beyond the Gwen Stefani collab, they boast a wide assortment of bouquets, from birthday and anniversary arrangements to seasonal flower combinations, including rustic roses and voluminous peonies, all surrounded by festive foliage. You can shop our favorite picks below.

Choosing the perfect bouquet is one thing, but how can we ensure our flowers last longer after investing? Thankfully for us, the gardening experts at Two Wests & Elliot have shared their tips for keeping flowers fresh in a vase. First things first, we're reminded of the importance of cutting the stems.

'Before you place your flowers into their vase, it’s important to cut the ends of their stems!! Clip at least one to two inches off the stems, cutting at a slight angle, as this helps your flowers absorb the water more efficiently. Be sure to trim those ends every other day and when you change the water,' they say.

Our placement is also key. 'Direct sunlight, surprisingly, can actually cause your flowers to become frail quicker. Instead, it is best to keep them in indirect sunlight and away from hot areas such as near fireplaces and radiators.' Lastly, we should change the water every few days to ensure our blooms continue to look as beautiful as Gwen Stefani intended.

Throughout her fruitful career, Gwen Stefani has had an affinity for boldness. Whether on stage with No Doubt or as a solo artist, the musician has expressed herself through punchy songs and vibrant outfits. It turns out that this persona extends into her interior design preferences, too.

In a video posted to the Hollaback Girl singer's Instagram page, she stands in the hallway of her maximalist home, decked out with printed wallpaper, religious art, and a grand chandelier. A more subtle but equally as significant decal is her painted black door – a color that is very much on the rise this year.

Immediately eye-catching, dark paint is beloved for its ability to bring sophistication and a touch of moodiness to any space. It's particularly effective as a front door color, and according to experts, it's a great way to incorporate one of 2024's biggest colors.

'As we look into 2024, creating a sense of comfort and belonging will continue to drive design decisions – but now, as life returns to its more familiar rhythms, it’s time to allow our senses to come alive,' says Erika Woelfel, the vice president of color and creative services at Behr Paint Company. 

'From heightening the aromas of a dining room to feeling the softness of a living area, Cracked Pepper enhances the natural expression in any space,' she says of Behr's 2024 Color of the Year.

It's easy to see why people love dark paint: it serves as a solid base for an array of design styles, from retro to contemporary, minimal to maximal. There are even numbers to back its popularity: according to research conducted by Behr Paint Company, 61 percent of millennials agree that black paint instantly gives a home a fresh look, while more than half of Americans say dark wall paint makes a room feel elevated.

'We recognize the growing desire for using darker colors throughout spaces,' says Jodi Allen, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Behr Paint Company. 'Adding a soft black like Cracked Pepper evokes a sense of confidence and individuality that we want all of our customers to feel after completing a project.'

While painting a front door black is a direct way to implement this phenomenon, dark accents and accessories are fantastic for trying out the trend.

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Shop Behr's Cracked Pepper shade below, along with some black decor that is sure to embolden an entryway. First impressions count beyond the front door, after all.

As any keen gardener will know, a lot of effort goes into creating and maintaining a beautiful yard and garden – but this hard work is always rewarded with fantastic results, and now, as we welcome the changing of the seasons, it's time to fully appreciate the bountiful blooms of spring. 

In a recent post on her Instagram, Gwen Stefani shared a heartwarming video that shows stunning fields of purple irises growing on the land at her Oklahoma home. The video captures the growth story of these vibrant spring flowering plants, and references a recent song that she and her husband, Blake Shelton, have just released – aptly named, 'Purple Irises'.

She says in the video, 'when you plant seeds of love and hope, and do that with your loved ones, you can get through any season while celebrating all forms of growth, and before you know it, you're picking purple irises'.

We not only love the sentiment behind Gwen's video, we also think that irises are great flowers to consider for your spring garden ideas. 

'Irises are some of the best spring flowers, blooming in a rainbow of colors from early spring through until summer. Gwen Stefani's irises are a striking shade of purple-blue, which contrasts beautifully against the green backdrop' says H&G's gardening expert, Thomas Rutter.

He continues, 'Irises come in both bulb and rhizome form, in a range of shapes and sizes. Some of my favorites are the larger, bearded iris varieties, Iris germanica, with sword-like foliage and large, over-the-top blooms. 

As Gwen's video shows, some species of iris can grow well in rocky, well-draining soil, preferring a sunny spot in the garden border. Planting is best done in the fall for spring flowering bulbs. With irises, much like any bulb, it is recommended to plant in large numbers for impact, just as Gwen has done.'

Irises also make for a wonderful cut flower in a vase (we explore how best to plan a cut flower garden in our dedicated feature), with their vivid color and unusual shape making them one of the most interesting blooms to have on display in the home.

Enriching your interior space with seasonal flowers such as irises can be one of the easiest ways to transition your decor from winter to spring, with Gwen proudly displaying her cut irises in a vase on her dark wooden dining table.

There is something so magical and rewarding about watching your yard and garden change throughout the seasons, and flowers can enrich both the inside and outside of your home with a truly joyful appeal. 

If you're feeling inspired after seeing Gwen's colorful purple irises, we explore how to grow irises in our dedicated feature.

When Gwen Stefani's not performing or nurturing up-and-coming talent as a judge on The Voice, she's tending to her backyard – an endeavor that is clearly paying off, as she recently revealed with a video of her updated blooms.

'2024 is blooming already,' she declared in the video caption, and it's an apt statement considering the array of cut winter flowers she is successfully growing, from scented pink garden roses to peonies. While winter can be a tricky season for upkeep with these springy fleurs, Gwen uses a few worthwhile techniques to keep her garden growing.

Maintaining delicate but bold dahlias over winter requires safeguarding against colder climates, which is key to ensuring longevity and optimal growth.

'In her reel, Gwen shows how she lifted her healthy, firm dahlia tubers out of the soil and cut the foliage back once the growing season had ended,' says H&G 's Head of Gardens and floral expert Rachel Bull. 'This is a really good idea to ensure your dahlias are protected over winter.' 

These beautiful blooms are ideal for cutting and displaying in the home – to keep them photo-ready, there is an essential extra step that Gwen follows.

'Gwen grows her cut flowers in raised beds, which will have helped contribute to the success of her flowers, as the soil has more nutrients and better drainage, and plants are less likely to be choked by invasive weeds,' Rachel explains.

Gwen also proves that when it comes to growing peonies, patience is key. 'These are very incredible, and I've never done them. They take ten years to mature, so I'll see you in 10 years,' she joked as she showed off her pink petals.

'It’s true that tree peonies are slow-growing and take 10-15 years to reach full maturity,' says Rachel. 'Thankfully, they will still provide her with stunning, fragrant blooms in the meantime.'

Planting cut flowers is a process, but seeing the outcome is well worth the wait – and might even make you a pro in the garden like Gwen, naturally.

Pink and green is a new classic. The fun, bold combination can be seen across the interior design space, from the bedroom to the kitchen to the living room. Most recently, the winning pair was spotted in Gwen Stefani's bathroom. The singer's space is papered in pink and green feathered wallpaper, paired with white curtains, white edging, and metallic gold hardware. Interior designers swear by the wide-ranging benefits of the green and pink combination in Gwen's bathroom, and across our homes.

Most interestingly, Gwen Stefani's bathroom idea has unexpected effects on one's beauty routine. 'This dynamic duo of pink and green creates a bold and fresh look that acts as a natural beauty filter in bathrooms. Pink adds a glowy rose tint to the space while the green color corrects any excess red undertones,' says Nicole Cullum, interior designer and founder at Color Caravan.

Interior designer Niko Rasides, design director at Nicholas Anthony, believes that these aesthetic benefits make the combination perfect for a colorful bathroom specifically. He states: 'Pink is known to have a subtle flattering effect on the skin tone, making it an excellent choice for a bathroom setting where individuals engage in personal grooming. The combination of pink and green, when executed thoughtfully, can transform a bathroom into a sanctuary of style and relaxation.'

Less surprisingly, experts love this bathroom color scheme because it can switch up your design for an interesting and bold look. Nicole states: 'Pink and green is such a fun, playful palette that can bring a boring bathroom to life. Soft blush and deep rose are a natural pairing with organic greens because they are complimentary colors that sit opposite each other on the color wheel.'

Niko agrees about the bathroom color combination saying, 'Traditionally, bathrooms have been adorned with neutral tones to evoke a sense of cleanliness and tranquillity. However, the infusion of pink and green introduces a delightful departure from convention. Pink, with its warm and calming undertones, brings a sense of playfulness to the space, while green, reminiscent of nature, imparts a refreshing and rejuvenating feel. Together, they create a harmonious balance that is both elegant and soothing.'

He goes one step further and predicts that pink and green bathrooms will be a huge interior design trend in the coming year. Niko states: 'As we look ahead to the coming year, it's evident that the pink and green color scheme, especially with a leafy pattern, is poised to gain even more popularity. The trend is a response to the growing desire for personalized and unique interior spaces that reflect individual tastes and lifestyles.'

Shop Gwen Stefani's Wallpaper

Whether you're looking to improve your morning beauty routine or just brighten up your space, following Gwen Stefani's lead and implementing a bold pink and green color scheme is a wonderful way to elevate your bathroom design.

What's the perfect size for a kitchen island? If you asked Gwen Stefani, our guess is she'd say there's no limit. The singer took to Instagram to share a video of setting up for her fabulous Thanksgiving dinner party, featuring glimpses of her larger-than-life kitchen island. Though Thanksgiving has come and gone, we haven't stopped thinking about that kitchen island. It's brilliant for providing seating, storage, and an ultra-chic look in her kitchen.

The most striking element of Gwen Stefani's kitchen decor by far is her supersized kitchen island. Experts say that the extra-large construction of Gwen Stefani's island is genius. Jennifer Ebert, digital editor at Homes & Gardens states, 'I'm a huge fan of a massive kitchen island.'

She continues, 'This type of design allows your kitchen island to be multi-functional. First, it's a game-changer for kitchen storage. With an extra large kitchen island, you have extra room for cabinets under the island, creating invisible storage perfect for pots, pans, and dishes. Second, it provides additional kitchen seating. This is especially nice if you have a large family, barstools against the kitchen island can create a super functional breakfast bar.'

'Finally,' Jennifer adds, 'A large kitchen island adds a  cool and unexpected avant-garde touch to your kitchen. Switching up the proportions is a great way to create a surprising and stylish look.'

Aside from the sheer size of Gwen's kitchen island, its marble top makes it one of the most eye-catching features in her space. David Birkes, a design-build contractor at Birkes Builders, states: 'Marble islands are a transformative element in kitchen spaces, serving as an opulent focal point that bridges utility with artistry. The natural veining and the light-reflecting properties of marble amplify the sense of space, adding an airy sophistication.'

He continues, 'When paired with the warm hues and intricate patterns of hardwood floors, there's a harmonious blend of elegance and comfort. This pairing plays on contrast – the cool, smoothness of marble stands out against the textured, organic feel of the wood, creating a multi-layered aesthetic.' When designing a kitchen island, it's important to keep in mind how much the material can impact the look of the space.

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If you're impressed by her island, you can read more about Gwen Stefani's homes in our articles on her entryway and her never-ending yard.

Singer Gwen Stefani became famous for dancey mid-aughts hits such as Hollaback Girl, Rich Girl, and The Sweet Escape. In other words, subtlety is not her strong suit. The American musician has given us a glimpse into her entryway, and it’s just as bubbly and bright as the star herself.

In a recent Instagram video, Gwen opens her matte black front door to invite the cameras in. Behind her, we see tall white, gold, and blue wallpaper, long pieces of religious art, and a massive crystal chandelier. The space is maximalist and fun. It perfectly exemplifies an artful blend of antique and contemporary details in an entryway.

Interior designer Jove Meyer says this entryway is a classic example of the contemporary California maximalist design. He states that this type of design ‘works well as it encourages a more is more lens, more pattern, more art, more texture, and more layers, in fact, the more the merrier!’ He goes on to say: ‘The benefit of maximalism is that it allows for the space to be extra and encourages it to not be locked into one style, but a blend of many which makes the magic of maximalism come to life! With maximalist design, you can be initially overwhelmed visually but it is exciting as you're constantly discovering new details and designs as your eyes adjust to everything happening at once.’

Jennifer Ebert, deputy editor at Homes & Gardens loves that the maximalist style of this space allows Gwen Stefani to express herself and her interests. ‘The best aspect of the maximalist style is that it allows you to maximize the personality of the space. This type of design leaves room to include the most elements possible of your individual style’ Jennifer says. These elements of personal style are best embodied by the unique art pieces decorating the space. 

Jove Meyer says: ‘The first place my eye goes, after the bold wallpaper and oversize chandelier, is the strong old religious art, followed by the modern image of a baby below. The juxtaposition of the art in this space is very notable. My eye doesn't know where to go right away as there is a lot happening in this maximalist entryway which blends old and new, contemporary patterns and ancient faith-based art.’ 

The most important thing when creating a space is that it feels like an extension of you, and Gwen Stefani has certainly accomplished this goal with her entryway. Shop the edit below to recreate Gwen’s California maximalist look. 

Gwen Stefani may be best associated with the fast-paced glamor of her music career, but her home life is notably more serene. The singer resides in a therapeutic ranch in Oklahoma, along with her husband and The Voice counterpart Blake Shelton – and their natural estate is a fitting celebration of its rural zipcode. 

Most recently, Gwen shared a look around her (seemingly) never-ending backyard, filled with red, pink, and purple zinnias and dahlias that later adorn her dining room. Far from manicured, the flowers are left to grow vastly and freely in the sprawling garden – but the space certainly doesn't appear unkempt. Instead, it epitomizes the ever-popular rewilding trend that returns land to natural habitats and invites wildlife into our yards. 

Allowing flowers to grow more freely, just as Gwen demonstrates, allows native plants and animals to support and sustain one other, but it's also a natural way to fill our yards with color – and zinnias and dahlias are an inevitable starting point.

When seen in a garden like Gwen Stefani's, it's hard to dispute the beauty of these vibrant flowers. But how can we care for them in our own backyard? 

Gardening expert Tony O'Neill reassures that we don't need a space as vast as Gwen's to care for these flowers. Both zinnias and dahlias are reasonably easy to care for, but with the right tips, you can ensure they grow healthier – and last even longer.

'Starting with zinnias, these sun-loving annuals thrive in well-drained soil. Give them ample sunlight for healthy and abundant growth, and maintain a regular watering schedule. Be careful not to overwater, though, as they're susceptible to mildew,' Tony says. He also recommends deadheading zinnias to promote continuous blooming throughout the season.

'Now for dahlias – these perennials love a sunny spot too but prefer a little afternoon shade in hotter climates,' Tony explains.

'Enrich your soil with compost before planting and provide them with low nitrogen fertilizer [such as this fertilizer from Amazon] to encourage robust blooming. Stake larger varieties for support, and most importantly, be vigilant for slugs and snails fond of these beauties.'

And, in case we need any more convincing, Tony, too, notes that these flowers are perfect for creating an eco-friendly garden – fitting seamlessly in a rewilded space while creating a safe space where insects can thrive.

'Remember, both zinnias and dahlias are fantastic for attracting beneficial pollinators to your garden, adding beauty, and contributing to the local ecosystem,' he says.

In her announcement for the upcoming Wicked film with Johnathan Bailey and Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande gave us a sneak peek into her gray and cream kitchen. In recent months, fans have taken note of the 'Positions' singer’s muted color palette. From a series of black and white photos on her Instagram to her all-gray ensemble at Wimbledon, Ari has been celebrating decorating with neutral tones.

The Instagram photo below shows the former Nickelodeon actress overwhelmed with excitement. Her post is captioned with gratitude to her co-stars, but we couldn’t stop staring at the background. 

Ariana Grande, who has lived between New York and Los Angeles, has a mid-century modern kitchen complete with rounded furniture, a chic retro pendant lamp, and tall windows to fill the room with natural light. Tall, leafy plants add texture to the space. An industrial bar cart and glossy table contrast nicely with the natural elements of the room, especially the green outdoors streaming through the home’s generous windows. The brightness offsets the darkness of the hardware in the room, giving the crisp room a warmer feel. 

'With their classic looks, simple shapes, and pared-back style, mid-century modern decor ideas are enduringly popular – and it is easy to see why this look is revered so highly, even now,' says Jennifer Ebert, deputy editor of Homes & Gardens. 'Although mid-century modern décor was driven by advances in technology, it was also inspired by the natural world, and wood is the most widely used material for furniture – a popular interior design trend today.'

Ariana’s kitchen perfectly fits the bill. The style of Ariana’s room is deeply minimalist, with only a few pieces of neutral furniture visible. It also closely follows the mid-century modern tenet of mixing materials: from the ecru walls to the black metal hardware and glass walls, each part of the room is unique. 

The home is likely a calming oasis in the busy life of the mega-star. Ariana Grande has posted other photos of herself casually dancing in another room of the home with hardwood floors, impressionist dog portraits, and a fiddle leaf fig in the background, showcasing how relaxed she feels in the space. The combination of organic and industrial materials combined with the quietly luxurious clean lines of the mid-century modern create an air of tranquility. The calm of the colors and the energy of 'bringing the outdoors in' give the home a soothing feel.

If you are interested in emulating Ariana’s interior style in your own home, design expert Ksenya Malina of Time and Place Interiors recommends a focus on lighting. Ksenya suggests allowing maximum daylight to shine in or a 'shapely yet simple ceiling light, like the one in Grande's space' which 'lends intriguing form to a mid-century dining room.' She states that: 'a well-chosen light fixture, hung low enough to be in conversation with the dining table, adds interest to a mid-century style open space.'

Ariana’s kitchen shows mid-century modern décor to be a timeless style we’ll be introducing to our homes for years to come.

Shop Ariana Grande's look

If you're investing in mid-century modern decor, go for functional, fluid designs and abstract prints based on natural shapes – rediscovered and reinterpreted for today’s modern interiors. Here are a few of our favorite buys.

Despite its ancient walls heaving with history, it was the newest section of this manor house in the Cotswolds, an area with some of the world's best homes, that first grabbed beauty entrepreneur Maria Hatzistefanis’ attention.

‘We’d been looking for a couple of years for the right home in the country but when we were shown this one there was absolutely no hesitation. Unlike other period houses in the area, which tend to have small windows, in the kitchen there was a huge sliding window looking out on a beautiful view. If that had been the only part of the house, we would still have bought it,’ Maria, the founder of skincare and make-up brand Rodial, enthuses. 

The modern extension has been so expertly combined that from the front of the house it’s difficult to know where the old house ends and the new begins. Pippa Paton, an interior designer synonymous with the Cotswolds look, helped create the extension for the previous owners and was hired by Maria and her husband Stratis as soon as the family had moved in. 

Living room

While the family were able to live in the self contained new section of the house, the old section was in need of modernization. 

'Much of it hadn’t been touched since about 1947,' explains Pippa. 'There was still the old Cole & Son wallpaper and no plug sockets or heating. We decided to strip it back to the bare bones to make a feature of the beams and walls and reuse what we could. We wanted to retain the crooked charm but level the floors. For the main corridor running the length of the old house we took up the flagstones, numbered and recalibrated them.’

While the imperfect charm of the original architecture did much of the talking, Maria had a specific request for Pippa. ‘She gave me an amazing brief, which was a minimalist ski chalet in the country,’ she says.

‘We weren’t doing winter holidays any more but I’ve always been inspired by a minimal-style chalet look, which would also be an opportunity to bring in the animal prints I love,' explains Maria. 'I know it’s unusual for a house in the Cotswolds.' Her hectic professional life meant that many of her decisions were signed off online with Pippa guided by Maria’s mood boards. 

Living room ideas included creating a symmetrical scheme with simplistic lines to deliver a modern-country look, while the chandelier introduces an Alpine flavor.

The absence of curtains allows the beauty of the panelling and thickness of the walls to impress.

Dining room

Dining room ideas include a combination of natural jute rugs, fleeces and exposed stonework to ensure the old and new sections carry a cohesive identity. Repointed and cleaned, the impressive exterior stone wall of the old house makes what Pippa describes as a ‘cathedral-like’ backdrop within the open-plan extension.'

In this extension space, the wall of the old part of the house was left exposed to enrich the sleek design. Beams enhance the effect.

Kitchen

Pippa's kitchen ideas revolved around creating a mix of old and new. The crisp modern lines of the cabinetry relate to the newly built architecture, while reclaimed wooden doors and jamb stones were reused from the old part of the house.

Dining room

A rich tonal palette of greys become darker further into the old sections of the house, culminating with the dining room where walls as black as the night sky set off the drama of a large antler chandelier.

‘Our idea was that the north-facing rooms could be moody and cosseting, while we used paler shades in the lighter south-facing rooms,’ Pippa explains.

Bedroom

One of Pippa's bedroom ideas was to add reclaimed timber cladding on the walls to evoke the Alpine look Maria wanted, while thick wool curtains and a roller blind provide a restful blackout.

Staircase

Hallway ideas included starkly minimalist walls, free from art or architectural detail, ensuring this sculptural chandelier is a striking focal point and shows off the beauty of the wooden staircase.

'The whole renovation was seamless,’ Maria says. ‘There was about a week when the wall came down to connect the two parts but other than that we were hardly disturbed.’ 

With its Alpine flavor quite unexpected in the English countryside, the new era of this ancient manor house pays tribute to its past while inventing a new future. 

Interior design/ Pippa Paton Design

Photography/ Paul Massey

The interior design team was tasked with creating a space that was both liveable, yet chic, for a family of four. The end result is a simple but inviting California style interior – perfect for relaxed Los Angeles living.

We talk to interior designer, Stefani Stein about the design project.

'When designing, I start with the architecture, the client’s tastes, and how they want to feel in the space', explains Stefani Stein. 'I believe interior design should be customised and tailored to each client. Whether it is the client’s favourite colour, the mood they want to feel, a love of pattern – or even a disdain for pattern – each client is unique.'

As for my own inspiration, it tends to be less linear – patterns and details encountered during travels, a fashion collection, a work of art, a garden, a mood, or maybe even a song. There is a quote by the indelible Billy Baldwin that has always struck a chord for me. 'Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing you really like is ever out of style.'

Working on this specific project was such a treat. The clients are the most lovely and kind people. Throughout the process they were always positive, and decisive – it doesn’t get much better than that! And, while all couples aren’t always on the same page aesthetically, their tastes aligned quite nicely. A developer had newly renovated the home just before my clients relocated from the Bay Area to Los Angeles, so it was essentially a blank slate.

My challenge was imparting soul, adding depth, and creating an inviting atmosphere while working with the rather austere architectural foundation. Architecturally, everything was so new and crisp, the space was longing for a little imperfection. I designed a built-in bench, which, along with the adjacent wall, we finished using a Roman clay wall treatment. The texture of the hand-troweled material added such depth to the space. By wiring for a sconce during the mini-renovation, we also created a lovely little reading nook.

LIVING ROOM

For me, the colour scheme correlates to the mood of the space. Engaging with the client on how they will live in their home and how they want to feel in the space drives colour decisions. When the project isn’t renovation intensive or a new build, my design process always begins with textiles. Honing in on a grouping of core fabrics, and corresponding accent textures, colours, and patterns is where I begin the design narrative.

See:Design house: A marvellous monochrome home in San Francisco, designed by Amy Weaver

See:Design house: Modern home overlooking the San Francisco Bay, designed by Nest Design Co.

HALLWAY AND LIVING AREA

DINING AREA

Photography/ Jenna Peffley

Interior design/ Stefani Stein

The inspiration behind this small house renovation began with the clients, Ryan Scott and Lauren LeFranc who are both TV writers.

THE PROPERTY

'For their Los Angeles, California-based home, the couple began by telling me how much they loved a colourful and eclectic space, but through the discovery process, we unearthed that one of them loved colour and traditional patterns, while the other was more drawn to a muted palette and understated selections,' says Stefani Stein.

'A fun, and sometimes challenging, aspect of many residential projects is striking that balance that unites both clients’ tastes cohesively.'

In addition to a young son and two adorable dogs, the clients have a large extended family and like to entertain. 'They wanted to easily seat eight in the dining room but have the ability to squeeze in a few more occasionally,' says Stefani. 'This definitely posed a challenge, as the space didn’t allow for that with a standard, central table furniture arrangement – particularly, because of the open plan.

The only way to make this work, while still having an unobstructed path to the back of the home, was to incorporate banquette seating and design a square dining table, rather than a rectangular or circular table. In the end, this challenge resulted in one of my favourite elements of the design.'

See more design projects:Design house: an artistic bathroom, designed by ABH Interiors

DINING ROOM

The dining area is just so fantastic. I’ve always been drawn to figural woods and am absolutely smitten with the custom burl wood dining table paired with the August Abode wallpaper.

Burl wood can often feel formal, but the clients’ lifestyle is much more relaxed. Pairing the table with vintage French 1950s garden chairs with rush seats, provided a nice counterpoint to the table and a great textural mix.

The tassel ties for the seat cushions are one of my favourite little details in the home.

LIVING ROOM

The vintage coffee table was an exceptional find—the glass tiles are quite unique and the patinated brass had just the right amount of ageing.

The home was recently renovated, just before the clients’ purchased it, and the builders' decision to raise the ceiling and leave the structural beams exposed really opened up the space.

'The clients had this adorable needlepoint pillow that read “call your mother—she worries”. It was so tiny, I wasn’t sure it would make sense anywhere, but very much wanted to use it in the design. The low-profile accent chair ended up suiting it perfectly.'

Additionally, the Moroccan saddle ottoman was a family heirloom and originally belonged to the client’s grandfather. There was a strong sentimental attachment, but the cushion and cover were in very poor condition.

The clients loved the plaid fabric, which I had shown them early in the process. This was nicely suited for the ottoman, adding depth without overpowering the space. 'We used tape and cord to box the cushion and keep the original shape and structure,' advises Stefani.

KITCHEN

See more small inspiration: Small kitchen ideas – to turn your compact kitchen into a smart, organised space

'I absolutely love how the finished space came together. Getting to know the clients and creating a design that is tailored to the unique parameters of their space, preferences, and lifestyle is one of my favourite aspects of the design process, says Stefani. 'This home feels so much like Lauren and Ryan, and knowing my clients love the space as much as I do is always rewarding. '

Photography/ Jenna Peffley

Interior design/ Stefani Stein

Stefani Stein, stefanistein.com