Quick kitchen update - remove doors on upper cupboards to create an open shelving look. Customise further with strips of colourful Washi tape along shelf edges. As featured in the book Home for Now by Joanna Thornhill (Cico Books, 2014). Photography: Emma Mitchell

This is an example of a contemporary gender-neutral kids' study room for kids 4-10 years old in Kent with medium hardwood floors and multi-coloured walls.

Need some inspiration for the Childs bookcase? Problem to store all toys and keep them in order? Check out Alvar's room! There are shelves and trolleys to display favourite toys and books always keeping them at and hand, while the rest is hidden in cabinets. Alvar has a classic Elfa bookshelf with a deeper shelf as desk adjusted to his height. The toy trolley can easily be rolled anywhere it's needed, or you just take a mesh basket with today's play with you.

This bookshelf was designed by Sigmar, along with the ladder. It needed to house the owner's large collection of books, as well as accommodate the existing radiators. The backdrop for the interior is various grey shades, while the green and red provide bright accents. The walls and bookshelf are painted in London Cloud from the Damo collection, available at Sigmar. The woodwork is Cocoa, also from Damo.

Exteriors of DDB Design Development & Building Houses, Landscape Design by Nathan Burkett Landscape Architects, photography by Urban Angles. The trees at the back are ficus Hillii and the Bamboo is slender weaver clumping bamboo.

The bookcase serves as a room divider and functional place to display art, plants and of course books.
Mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Canberra - Queanbeyan with a library, grey floor and white walls.

Our clients wanted a space where they could relax, play music and read. The room is compact and as professors, our clients enjoy to read. The challenge was to accommodate over 800 books, records and music. The space had not been touched since the 70’s with raw wood and bent shelves, the outcome of our renovation was a light, usable and comfortable space. Burnt oranges, blues, pinks and reds to bring is depth and warmth. Bespoke joinery was designed to accommodate new heating, security systems, tv and record players as well as all the books. Our clients are returning clients and are over the moon!

Eclectic bedroom in London with multi-coloured walls and carpet.

Master bedroom featuring a statement tree bookshelf and walnut and Calacatta marble bedside tables both designed by Ensoul Bespoke.
Photo of a master bedroom in London with blue walls and carpet.

Built in library bookshelves. Cayford Design. photo: Will Ekersley
Inspiration for a contemporary home office in London with white walls and medium hardwood floors.

Set within an airy contemporary extension to a lovely Georgian home, the Siatama Kitchen is our most ambitious project to date. The client, a master cook who taught English in Siatama, Japan, wanted a space that spliced together her love of Japanese detailing with a sophisticated Scandinavian approach to wood. At the centre of the deisgn is a large island, made in solid british elm, and topped with a set of lined drawers for utensils, cutlery and chefs knifes. The 4-post legs of the island conform to the 寸 (pronounced ‘sun’), an ancient Japanese measurement equal to 3cm. An undulating chevron detail articulates the lower drawers in the island, and an open-framed end, with wood worktop, provides a space for casual dining and homework. A full height pantry, with sliding doors with diagonally-wired glass, and an integrated american-style fridge freezer, give acres of storage space and allow for clutter to be shut away. A plant shelf above the pantry brings the space to life, making the most of the high ceilings and light in this lovely room.

Garden lawn and trimmed trees
Design ideas for a traditional backyard full sun formal garden in Other with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Inspiration for a contemporary wood straight staircase in London with wood risers.

Styling your books in this way is a controversial move, some people really dislike it and it seems to evoke strong opinions. My client was initially concerned that she wouldn't be able to locate her books, which she refers to regularly. She was keen to try it though and says it has been a very easy adjustment and she loves the way they have now become a feature, rather than a necessity for her work within the home office. The shelves were sanded and painted dark, using Farrow and Ball Downpipe. When you organise your books in this way, black and white will dominate and it's always worth thinking about putting your prettiest book covers or colours at eye level.

This is an example of a transitional living room in London.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun garden in London with natural stone pavers.

Refurbishment of a Grade II* Listed Country house with outbuildings in the Cotswolds. The property dates from the 17th Century and was extended in the 1920s by the noted Cotswold Architect Detmar Blow. The works involved significant repairs and restoration to the stone roof, detailing and metal windows, as well as general restoration throughout the interior of the property to bring it up to modern living standards. A new heating system was provided for the whole site, along with new bathrooms, playroom room and bespoke joinery. A new, large garden room extension was added to the rear of the property which provides an open-plan kitchen and dining space, opening out onto garden terraces.

Modern home office in London.

Oak tree book case and floating shelf unit
Photo of a modern dining room in Manchester.