The Show Home at Water Lilies Eco Development

Porter & Gold take pride in crafting interiors for our clients that tell a story, and our latest collaboration with Steffie Broer and her eco development, Water Lilies, is a perfect example.  

 

Nestled on the edge of a conservation area in Kingsweston, near Blaise Castle and Kings Weston House, Water Lilies (33 new homes) has the countryside on its doorstep with easy access to the city. Steffie is the founder and director of Bright Green Futures, an innovative business that prioritises sustainability without compromising on style.  

 

Porter & Gold were tasked with designing a show home that reflected these values, we turned to the timeless beauty of mid-century furniture to create an interior that is as environmentally responsible as it is visually compelling. 

 

 

From the outset, it was clear that Steffie shared our passion for sustainability and design. Water Lilies isn’t just a housing development—it’s a movement toward better living, embracing eco-friendly practices and community-centred design. There's a purpose built hub / cumminity centre for all the residence, with a beautiful floor and large glass doors opening to the shared garden space. The cars are parked underground in what was the reservoir, making the whole development traffic free. For the show home, our goal was to ensure that the interior would embody these principles, while also capturing the imagination of the potential buyers and leave a lasting impression. 

 

We began by understanding the target audience for Water Lilies: eco-conscious families and individuals looking for homes that align with their values. People wanted to get out of the inner city and have more space, inside and out. From there, we curated and sourced a selection of mid-century furniture and decor that not only spoke to timeless design sensibilities but also aligned with the project’s sustainability goals. 

 

 

The show home’s interior is a celebration of mid-century elegance with a contemporary twist. At its heart are iconic Ercol pieces, including a dining table and chairs, complemented by a pair of low Ercol armchairs that are an invitation to relax. These British-made pieces, with their clean lines and enduring craftsmanship, were sourced for their aesthetic appeal and long-lasting quality. 

 

A vintage black leather sofa anchors the living space, paired with a G Plan coffee table—a classic example of functional mid-century design. Over the kitchen island, a pair of 1960s glass Holophane lights sourced from an antique dealer in Somerset add a touch of glamour and soft illumination, while a carefully chosen rug from Penzance’s East of Here injects warmth and texture into the space. The large rattan lampshade over the sofa area was sourced from an ex display selection in Bristol. By the way! we always get our vintage lighting rewired and pat tested at Fraser Besant's lighting house on Zetland Rd in Bristol. This enables us to provide truly unique feature lighting for our clients, whilst being compliant with safety regulations. 

 

Every piece in the show home was selected to create a cohesive yet approachable interior that families could envision themselves living in. By incorporating vintage furniture, we achieved a look that is both stylish and sustainable, further reducing the environmental impact of the project while creating a unique selling point for Water Lilies. 

 

 

1. Environmental Benefits: 

In today’s housing market, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a priority for buyers. By using vintage furniture, we significantly reduced the carbon footprint associated with sourcing new items. Each piece of furniture had a story, a history, and, importantly, a low environmental impact. This approach aligns seamlessly with the eco-values of developments like Water Lilies, appealing to environmentally conscious buyers. 

 

A show home isn’t just about looking good; it’s about helping potential buyers see themselves living in the space. The use of mid-century furniture in this project created an inviting, aspirational atmosphere that speaks directly to the target audience. By blending timeless design with a warm, lived-in feel, we crafted a living environment that resonates emotionally, making buyers fall in love with the home. 

 

The imagery created within the Water Lilies show home is a marketer’s dream. The carefully styled interiors offer stunning visuals for use in brochures, websites, and social media campaigns. For developers, this not only drives interest in the current project but also builds a portfolio of compelling imagery to attract buyers to future developments. The images and video footage from this project is by Leighton James (The Property Photographer) his drone video footage was incredible too - if anyone would like to see it you can email us and we will send a link. 

 

 

While the furniture served as the backbone of the design, the finishing touches brought the vision to life. Every accessory, from the stone pestle and mortar to the books, was selected to create a narrative of thoughtful, comfortable and stylish living. The Holophane lights are a timeless investment, and the rug from 'East of Here' is a total one off that adds unique character and texture, demonstrating how sourcing from local and independent suppliers can elevate a project. 

 

Working with Porter & Gold means you are partnering with a team that understands the intersection of sustainability, design, and marketing. By choosing antique, vintage and pre loved furniture and thoughtful design, we can help you: 

 

 

The Water Lilies show home is more than just a beautifully designed space—it’s a testament to how sustainable design can be aspirational and commercially effective.  

 

 

If you’re a developer looking to create a unique show home interior that will make a lasting impression on your buyers, while aligning with sustainable values, we’d love to hear from you. Porter & Gold aim to bring individuality, creativity, and environmental responsibility to your projects. Get in touch to discuss how we can help you create a show home that truly sells.