Design isn’t built on materials alone, it is carried by structure, rhythm and refinement. When we discuss architecture it’s not usually the scale of a space that grabs our attention, but more the details. A shadow line, a repeated curve, a restored edge – these decisions we make when we are scheming is what gives a building impact. The following is a breakdown of five architectural elements my team and I focus on when designing: choices that shape how a space performs, ages and ultimately how it resonates.
CORNICING
The line where the wall meets the ceiling is often overlooked, yet a well-chosen cornice can do wonders for a room. Sitting quietly at the top of the room, it can soften the transition, draw the eye upward and add to the room’s presence. A clean, linear shadow gap in a modern home or an ornate plaster profile in a period property, giving thought to this detail can anchor a room in its time or gently blur the boundaries between eras. Let it frame your space like a punctuation mark: subtle, precise and with intention.
STAIRCASES
A staircase has a certain presence within a home: the rhythm of the treads, the grip of the handrail, and the light that can slip between the steps are all small things that shape how we live and how we move through our home. In older homes, staircases are often the spine of the house and beautifully worn by generations. In contemporary spaces, they can float, twist, or fold like paper. But in every case, they should invite touch, lead the eye and guide you from one moment to the next.
HERITAGE
To preserve is not to freeze. Inherited or newly introduced, heritage details give a building texture and continuity. Heritage is realised in countless ways, it can be a ceiling rose retained during renovation, a tiled hearth carefully repointed or a set of internal doors restored rather than replaced. Retaining the heritage of a building is less about preservation for tradition’s sake, and more about honouring what came before. These elements bring soul to a home and remind us beauty is often something you live with, not just something to add. Preserving heritage grounds a space in its past while allowing it the flexibility to evolve with its residents.
PANELLING
Wall panelling speaks softly but has a strong impact. The repetition and depth that panelling introduces can completely shift a room’s proportions. From traditional wainscoting to oversized grid layouts, it invites tactility and texture and offers structure to otherwise blank surfaces. In contemporary work, we often pare it back, think wide panels with minimal joints to allow the shadow play and tone to do the talking.
FIREPLACES
A fireplace is usually the focal point of a room and a place where design slows down and gathers. In any type of home the treatment of the fireplace tells you how the space wants to be read. Think a reclaimed surround with layers of paint removed by hand, or a monolithic stone slab cut with precision – the fireplace makes a statement and draws attention without needing to shout. It can centre a room or divide one, invite conversation or contemplation. Even when unused, a well-resolved fireplace carries weight and should never be overlooked.
At its core, design is not just about visual beauty it’s about creativity and the quiet stories behind the details. Cornicing, panelling, staircases, fireplaces, heritage elements – each of these elements plays a role in shaping how a home feels and functions. These are not decorative flourishes, but decisions that define how a space holds time and how it endures. It’s this same philosophy that underpins our recent partnership with Bold & Reeves. A shared commitment to homes that are not only masterfully designed, but continually cared for as our belief is true luxury isn’t just one moment.
