A contemporary home on the edge of a village in rural Kent, England, a short drive from the coast, is a family holiday home that blurs the line between minimalist and maximalist design. The two-story home has a large entrance hall, kitchen with breakfast banquette area, dining room, and living room. Upstairs there is a master suite with dressing room, a guest suite and three further bedrooms (one used as a playroom) and a family bathroom.
At first glance, this modern home looks like a playground full of design. Bright colors, contemporary shapes, modern art. But if you look closely, you'll notice that the decor follows minimalist principles of curation, space, reduction, quality, and tranquility. It just happens to be finished in bright colors.
As for the look, interior designer Charlotte Beaver created a suite between homeowner Monica Gibb's love of rustic, modern farmhouse and Scandinavian design vibes and partner Simon Lamb's more colorful, architectural style. We were eager to find a spot. “One of my specialties is merging couples' different tastes,” says Charlotte. One thing her whole family appreciated was that she loved cuddling together and watching TV and movies. “They like to share the same space, both as a family and as friends, so they decided to open up their two living rooms as her one super room”-sized space.
You don't have to choose between a functional family home and a well-designed home; you can achieve both with the right furniture and materials.
charlotte bieber
living room
(Image credit: Future)
In the main family area, yellow and gold seem to take center stage. But notice that there is nothing here except what is needed. It's actually a pared-down, minimalist living room. Proving once again that minimalism can mean color.
Here you will find a large, low and very comfortable sofa, as well as a chaise longue and a reading chair, perfectly placed to create a versatile option. “It functions as one big social space, or Monica can hang out on the chaise lounge and chat,” says Simon, who prepares dinner on the kitchen island while his son plays a game. Charlotte explains.
She worked hard to source the most comfortable and aesthetically pleasing furniture. She says, “The right colored walls and great sculptural furniture can elevate any room.”
breakfast area
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Charlotte created an extra-deep breakfast settee with a fluted edging designed to appear as if it were floating, and upholstered in a luxurious fabric to create a buzz. “My background is in textiles, so I'm dedicated to using interesting and high-quality fabrics,” says Charlotte.
kitchen
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Again, this colorful space is actually – at first glance – a minimalist kitchen. There is nothing superfluous here, no handles or unnecessary decorations. A bright color that emphasizes clean lines.
In fact, Charlotte remodeled an existing modern kitchen by color blocking with paint, using teal on the cabinets that flow down the back wall for maximum impact, and a contrasting lime green on the island. Did.
She hangs three colorful hand-blown glass pendants above the kitchen island. “The way it lights up is beautiful and creates a special atmosphere when people are wandering around the island,” says Charlotte.
(Image credit: Future)
dining area
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Taking inspiration from the owner's favorite weekend getaway, Charlotte wrapped this dining room space in colored cladding to create a contemporary log cabin effect. It creates a calm, minimalist space with a texture that does not spoil the landscape.
Charlotte worked hard to source the most comfortable and aesthetically pleasing furniture. “Any room can be elevated with the right colored walls and great sculptural furniture.”
corridor
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Color is a lifelong passion for Charlotte. For her, the key to working with such big, bold colors is a carefully curated process that considers each space in turn and how it relates to adjacent rooms.
Meanwhile, Simon loves lighting, so Charlotte found a number of eye-catching pieces, including a pink glass chandelier hanging in the double-height entryway. “With glass walls, the atmosphere changes as soon as you enter the driveway,” says Charlotte.
Bedroom
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Charlotte reupholstered the bed and placed it on blocks to increase the height of this modern, high-ceilinged bedroom.
Wimborne white walls and ceilings by Farrow & Ball.
(Image credit: Future)
Millwork's scalloped edges are another way to add subtle embellishment without being too statement. This home is a shining example of what minimalism means and how it is evolving to embrace more individuality than ever before.