Country meets Modern at Willow Tree Apartments

Hello everyone, and welcome to my latest blog post. I am excited to report that Porter & Gold are currently working on the showhome design and staging at Willow Tree Apartments. I am creating a design to blend the timeless elegance of vintage and antique pieces with the sleek lines of modern design. This simple combination creates a unique and inviting atmosphere, which feels perfect for capturing the essence of 'country meets modern'. Working on the interior design and staging for this project is already a thrilling journey, it is a pleasure to breathe life into these newly developed spaces, especially while collaborating with the Willow Tree team, James Adams (Fairholm Estates), Ed Morgan (West Country Partnerships) and the incredibly talented Shane Traynor (a2b3d) on the CGI renderings (the main images above is from Shane) that are bringing the vision to life.  

 

One of the foundational elements of design is the selection of paint colours for the walls in a space. Together with the Willow Tree clients we’ve chosen a classic from Farrow & Ball called School House White. Known for their rich pigmentation and depth, these colours provide a perfect backdrop for our interiors. Whether it's the calming hues of their dead flat range, or the earthy warmth of setting plaster, each shade can add a layer of sophistication and tranquillity to the spaces we live in. For Willow Tree we are colour drenching, a current trend that's here to stay due to its spacious calm vibe and how it sets off statement areas in a home.  

 

 

Incorporating natural materials is crucial to achieving the 'country meets modern' aesthetic, and is at the heart of what Porter & Gold stand for. At Willow Tree Apartments, I am using a variety of natural materials to infuse warmth and texture into the interiors. Wood, metal, clay, glass objects, linen drapes, wool and art on canvas and a collection of bespoke furniture will dress the space, while the developers install wooden floors with a limed finish, beige wool carpets and simple classic countertops to create a grounded, organic feel. These elements not only enhance the visual appeal but also promote a sense of well-being and connection to nature. 

 

 

Antique pieces hold a special place in my heart and designs; alongside my 20 years in antique costume and textiles, both my uncles on my mum's side were antique dealers, and my aunt is a French Polisher / furniture painter. Each item I find, be it a weathered oak dining table or a pot belly clay vase, brings with it a story and a touch of history and adds visual texture to the space I am working on. Integrating these pieces into modern settings creates a captivating contrast that enriches the overall aesthetic. For example, placing a linen vintage armchair in a contemporary living room setting not only adds character but also serves as a conversation starter. 

 

Using vintage and antique pieces within a design, as well as natural and sustainable materials, is not only a design choice but also an environmentally conscious decision. By repurposing and reusing furniture and decor, I reduce waste and the demand for new resources. This enables the developers I am working with to measurably lower their C02 in their projects scope 3 emissions. Natural materials like wood, stone, and linen are not only long lasting, they are also renewable - and have a lower environmental impact compared to synthetic alternatives. This approach helps in creating eco-friendly homes that are beautiful and sustainable, contributing to a healthier planet, and is a popular choice for home buyers too. 

 

 

The key to successfully marrying modern and antique elements in a modern show home lies in keeping a balance. At Willow Tree Apartments, I’m planning to achieve this by ensuring that neither style overwhelms the other. Modern furniture with clean lines and minimalist designs will compliment the intricate details of the added antique decor. This approach will allow both styles to shine, creating spaces that are both stylish and comfortable. 

 

 

Working on the interior design for Willow Tree Apartments has been an exhilarating experience so far, most recently with the collaboration with Shane on the projects CGI. His expertise has been instrumental in visualising the blend of vintage and modern elements. The detailed renderings are so exciting to see and really help refine the concepts and ensure that every detail aligns with the vision for the Willow Tree team. These will be available to view soon on the property brochure with CJHole and I will add a link asap. 

 

 

Moving forward with this gorgeous project, I am particularly looking forward to collaborating with Sean and Jade from CJhole New Homes. Their insights and experience in new home developments are invaluable, and together with them and the whole team at Willow Tree Apartments, I’m aiming to create a living space that exceeds expectations for the dvelopers, the whole team and most importantly, the future owners of these wonderful homes.  

 

 

The continuing journey of designing the interiors for Willow Tree Apartments will be a testament to the beauty of combining the old with the new (my favourite skill). By integrating Farrow & Ball’s timeless paint colours, natural materials, and cherished antiques into modern settings, I create homes that are both stylish and full of character. This project is a celebration of creativity and collaboration, and I am excited to see it come to life with the developers James and Ed, and the rest of the team, Shane, Sean, and Jade. Willow Tree Apartments aren't just building homes; they are crafting stories and experiences, blending the best of the past with the innovations of the present and creating a truly unique living environment, and it's a pleasure to work on their show apartment to bring this to life for their buyers. 

 

 

If you are a property developer in Bristol looking to create desirable show homes for your upcoming developments, I would love to help bring your vision to life. Please get in touch here to discuss your upcoming projects. Porter & Gold love to create living spaces that are not only beautiful but also sustainable and full of character - at the same time as appealing to your target audience. 

 

Thank you for reading this post, you can follow @porterandgold on instagram, or link with us on LinkedIn too! 

 

Have a wonderful day, 

 

 

Samaya  

(Director, Porter & Gold) 

 

 

The mood board: Porter & Gold have put together a few moodboards for how the show apartment will look at Willow Tree Apartments: The style is: Country meets modern, and they have sourced pieces that made in the UK with sustainable materials, as well as some vintage and antique pieces, alongside current trends that we feel are designed to become modern classics. We got our Inspirational moodboard images from: 

 

Main bedroom: Inspo from https://www.shopltk.com/explore/halfway_wholeistic 

 

The stylist Rignell Ranch inspired the styling for the twin beds, and the sofa style idea is from elegant-classics.tumblr.com (Our sofa is from Sofa.com ) and our breakfast bar lighting is still TBC, but we love these from: caliberiowa.com