Show time

George Bond works his magic on a chic new showhome

I’ve undertaken a number of projects for Cussins Ltd over the past 20 years, and I’m delighted to have once again been given the opportunity to style the first showhome at one of its brand new developments.

Peter Cussins     has allowed me to put my mark on the first stunning showhome at the eagerly-awaited Amytis Gardens development in South Shields. Named after the Median princess, for whom the hanging gardens of Babylon were built, the development of three and four-bedroom family homes takes a completely fresh look at the principles of housing, literally turning the concept on its head.

The 24 dual-fronted three and four-bedroom homes, designed by Newcastle-based architect Keith Dillon from ID Partnership Northern, feature open-plan first-floor living areas with access to a raised garden, ground floor bedrooms as well as second-floor master suite with a spacious balcony, and a large garage accessed from a private road to the rear.

The overall look of the stunning four-bedroom showhome, which opened in January, is classically modern; a style with which I’m synonymous. The perfect blends of modern furniture and classical patterns have been combined with this season’s in vogue colours of grey and orange to create a truly must-see home.

I’ve always had a great interest in showhome design. I especially love the clean palette challenge it brings. The main underlying consideration when planning a showhome is that the interior design should inspire visitors and allow them to be able to envisage themselves living in that home.
I’ve utilised my love of colour throughout the property and the highlight of the interior design is a unique wood effect wallpaper, from Nobilis, which is combined with an orange fabric trim, from Mary Fox Linton, to create a look of classical elegance with a modern twist. It’s rather unusual but it certainly works very well and there have been many complimentary comments about it. Grey raw silk curtains from Silk Weaver UK Ltd, a trade only company, are used throughout the property, as well as a mirrored wall in the lounge, and a host of elegant accessories sourced from across the world.

The ground floor of the showhome comprises of two bedrooms, one of which has Ralph Lauren wallpaper. The other is styled in a unique light plum wallpaper from the Elitis range at Abbot and Boyd, along with a dark plum velvet headboard and silk bedding sourced from James Brindley. The family bathroom comes complete with porcelain tiles from CD Tiles, and is accessorised with warming dark creams, browns and oranges.

All house types on the development feature spacious first-floor living areas with a contemporary open-plan space. The grey wood effect wallpaper has been put to good use in this room along with shades of orange to brighten the room, in the cushions, chairs and lamps.

The orange chair, central to the living room area is a custom-made chair which I designed and completed with Harlequin fabric. The dining table and chairs as well as the two sofas were all sourced through Interior Nation.

Glass doors open out onto a raised garden area further reinforcing the light and airy feeling. Timber decking and specialist synthetic grass provide a low-maintenance ground covering, whilst raised planting beds integrated within the external fabric of the building offer an easy to maintain space for green-fingered residents.

The kitchen area has been designed to enable the easy insertion of an additional partition wall allowing homeowners the flexibility to close off the kitchen from the rest of the living room if a more traditional layout is preferred. In the showhome the wood-effect wallpaper continues through to the kitchen area which comes complete with fabulous high gloss units in white from Roundel.
The second floor features a master suite with en-suite bathroom and integrated storage also from Roundel. Further full-height glass doors open out onto spacious and useable timber decked balcony. The additional bedroom upstairs once again utilises Ralph Lauren wallpaper and, in my opinion, could make a perfect study or home office area.

The master bedroom features splashes of ruby red in a crushed velvet headboard and silk bedding and curtains, the fabric sourced once again from Silk Weavers UK Ltd. The ensuite features unique wood grain-effect tiles as well as the latest bathroom range from CD Tiles.

The interior design certainly didn’t fail to impress when the showhome opened, recording record numbers of 200-plus visitors through the door on the first day alone! Potential buyers all commented on the unique Amytis Gardens and took away an idea of how to create their own dream home.

On April 3 I shall be continuing with my series of interior design talks at Kirkley Hall. The talk will focus on antiques and I will be joined by my TV personality friend David Harper. I hope to see some of you there.