Location: Gloucestershire, UK

Architect: YOO Ltd

Interior Designer: Anja Revenda, The Lakes

Developer: YOO Ltd

Photography: Ola Smit

The brief was to create a private retreat nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, a home away from home that’s equally an oasis of calm as well as a perfect place for entertaining. It’s inspired by a global traveller and collector with a touch of Rock n Roll. The goal was to design an open plan, spacious 5-bedroom family show home featuring a large terrace that would overlook a waterside nature reserve at The Lakes. The perfect backdrop for informal, contemporary, and personalised family living.

The home is situated on a rural luxury estate spread across 850-acres of freshwater lakes, meadows and woodland in the Gloucestershire countryside. It is created for those seeking a family friendly community and luxury sanctuary with a unique connection to nature. Facilities on-site include a 17-metre pool, spa and gym, a range of events and fitness programming not to mention a host of outdoor activities, sailing and kids club. Key to the brief was to seamlessly achieve a belonging to the community lifestyle of the estate residents whilst retaining privacy within the home.

One of the key aspects of this project is the amazing play of shadow and light as the sun moves around the building. Carefully selected pieces of furniture, artworks and decorative objects that come with a story which give the spaces a warm, welcoming and homely feel. A mix of vintage and contemporary pieces imbue the spaces with a sense of history and soul.

The multitude of windows provide endless views and welcome the outside in. Despite the large, open plan footprint the spaces have been carefully zoned to create cosy spaces that flow into each other whilst also providing privacy. Much attention has been given to the selection and combination of materials and colours which provide a beautifully nuanced and textured backdrop to the curated pieces of furniture, lighting and decor.