The Yorkshire Dales is famous for many things, in particular, its spectacular scenery. The owners of Fountain’s House, an 18th century barn located near Pateley Bridge in Nidderdale, North Yorkshire, have a breath-taking view to die for.
Stylesmith Interiors of Harrogate were appointed by the owners to help them create a luxury boutique feel for the property and make their stunning view over Gouthwaite Reservoir and the Dales a real focus. As their design guide throughout the entire process, Stylesmith consulted closely with Lapicida and specified several of our finest porcelain surfaces for the project.
LIVEABLE LUXURY
Built from solid local Yorkshire stone to endure the harsh Dales winters, Fountain’s House needed a lot of work and rethinking by Stylesmith’s co-founders Justine and Rachael.
The brief was to create a comfortable, but luxurious, welcoming home that was highly practical and liveable.
Starting with the hub of the home, the kitchen, Stylesmith and their client decided to unite the kitchen and living areas into one open space.
After an inspiring visit to our showroom, Lapicida Montpellier Beige porcelain, which perfectly recreates the look of natural stone, was chosen to not only flow through the kitchen and living space, but also to complement to the exposed Yorkshire stone interior walls.
It was an excellent choice for many reasons. New-generation porcelain production techniques give it an uneven surface and edges that make it look incredibly natural. Its inherent durability and also its affordability, especially for large expanses of floor, make it such an attractive choice.
THE HEART OF THE HOME
Kitchens are probably the highest traffic area of any home, particularly those out in the countryside. Warm and inviting, they also need to be highly practical day to day.
Porcelain is incredibly hardwearing and today’s new generation Italian porcelains, such as our Montpellier Beige, are as beautiful as they are tough, stain resistant and easy to clean.
LOW MAINTENANCE SOLUTION
Porcelain tiles are also virtually maintenance free, unlike natural stone. Drop something or spill fat on a porcelain floor and the floor will emerge unscathed. This makes them highly suited to busy, functional areas like a family kitchen.
THE HEART OF THE HOME
Kitchens are probably the highest traffic area of any home, particularly those out in the countryside. Warm and inviting, they also need to be highly practical day to day.
Porcelain is incredibly hardwearing and today’s new generation Italian porcelains, such as our Montpellier Beige, are as beautiful as they are tough, stain resistant and easy to clean.
LOW MAINTENANCE SOLUTION
Porcelain tiles are also virtually maintenance free, unlike natural stone. Drop something or spill fat on a porcelain floor and the floor will emerge unscathed. This makes them highly suited to busy, functional areas like a family kitchen.
PET-FRIENDLY PORCELAIN
The owners also have two wonderfully loyal and good-natured dogs in their family who are free to roam the house. Stylesmith’s designers also had one eye on their furry friends when specifying floor surfaces.
Carpeting wasn’t really a realistic option, but porcelain tiles combined with underfloor heating, can provide the ideal combination of practicality and warmth.
The final effect of the kitchen and open living space floor is a luxurious and naturalistic expanse that flows seamlessly from one area to another. It leads the eye to the superb vista of the Yorkshire Dales through a timber-framed glass wall.
MASTERPIECE OF DESIGN
For the master bedroom ensuite, Justine and Rachael created a bright, modern and opulent design that featured a large statement bath, a beautiful curved vanity and contemporary brushed brassware.
Enveloping it all is Lapicida’s award-winning Antique Marble Calacatta Oro porcelain marble. Designed to replicate timeworn marble, this new-generation Italian porcelain features the marks and nuances similar to those found on genuine antique stone.
“We loved visiting Lapicida’s inspiring showroom with our clients. The Sales Team listened carefully to our brief, made many excellent suggestions, presented several exciting options and provided us with samples for our mood boards. Their advice helped us come to the right decision for the individual spaces in the project.”
RACHAEL WEBBER, CO-OWNER & DESIGN DIRECTOR, STYLESMITH INTERIORS
THE PERFECT INSETTING
The advantage of specifying Montpellier Beige is that it makes so many options available to the designer. It is available in a wide range of formats from flags, brick style tiles and skirtings to supplementary items such as edgings, mosaics and step treads.
So as the floor flowed into the hallway, the interior designers opted for Montpellier Beige tiles. These featured small square black inserts which enabled the floor to segue into a more formal look whilst delivering durability for this high traffic area for the owners and their two dogs.
THE PERFECT INSETTING
The advantage of specifying Montpellier Beige is that it makes so many options available to the designer. It is available in a wide range of formats from flags, brick style tiles and skirtings to supplementary items such as edgings, mosaics and step treads.
So as the floor flowed into the hallway, the interior designers opted for Montpellier Beige tiles. These featured small square black inserts which enabled the floor to segue into a more formal look whilst delivering durability for this high traffic area for the owners and their two dogs.
BEAUTY IN UTILITY
Utility rooms are by nature functional, but that doesn’t exclude them from being beautiful. Justine and Rachael created a supremely smart utility room with intelligent design and a different incarnation of Lapicida Montpellier Beige porcelain.
By specifying a different shape, these smaller plank size porcelain tiles gave added interest and were more in proportion with the room.
A STYLISH SANCTUARY
The family bathroom is almost as important as the family kitchen. The main Fountain’s House bathroom most certainly has the wow factor.
Consistency is key here. The family bathroom not only features large format Antique Marble Calacatta Oro porcelain marble tiles for the walls, the floor has smaller square versions of the same tile, with perfectly set and aligned black inserts to echo those of the hallway floor.
COOL CONTINUITY
We really admire Stylesmith’s inspired design and continuity throughout the property. They understand how to use different formats of the same surface to achieve a truly holistic look.
A STYLISH SANCTUARY
The family bathroom is almost as important as the family kitchen. The main Fountain’s House bathroom most certainly has the wow factor.
Consistency is key here. The family bathroom not only features large format Antique Marble Calacatta Oro porcelain marble tiles for the walls, the floor has smaller square versions of the same tile, with perfectly set and aligned black inserts to echo those of the hallway floor.
COOL CONTINUITY
We really admire Stylesmith’s inspired design and continuity throughout the property. They understand how to use different formats of the same surface to achieve a truly holistic look.
ALL THINGS CONSIDERED
The devil is always in the detail and Stylesmith Interiors have exorcised any imperfections in the family bathroom. Take a closer look and every aspect of the materials and finishes have been carefully considered.
The subtle marks and nuances of the Antique Marble Calacatta Oro porcelain marble precisely emulate those found on genuine antique stone. The natural finish and wonderfully intricate veining of the porcelain marble. The warm tones keying perfectly with the brass. It all adds up.
“We are delighted to have collaborated with Stylesmiths Interiors on this project and the finish is simply flawless. Our product was perfected picked to celebrate the heritage of the building – stunning.”
MOLLY LAWSON, MARKETING MANAGER, LAPICIDA
GUEST APPEARANCE
Breaking from the extensive use of Montpellier Beige and Antique Marble Calacatta Oro, the floor and walls of the guest ensuite of Fountain’s House are clad in something entirely different.
Justine and Rachael selected Lapicida Style Onyx Bianco.
LIGHT & NATURAL
This new-generation porcelain tile precisely replicates the characterful natural look and feel of marble. The veining, tonality and texture are faithful to natural marble. Light and uplifting, they embrace the stunning view through the window.
GUEST APPEARANCE
Breaking from the extensive use of Montpellier Beige and Antique Marble Calacatta Oro, the floor and walls of the guest ensuite of Fountain’s House are clad in something entirely different.
Justine and Rachael selected Lapicida Style Onyx Bianco.
LIGHT & NATURAL
This new-generation porcelain tile precisely replicates the characterful natural look and feel of marble. The veining, tonality and texture are faithful to natural marble. Light and uplifting, they embrace the stunning view through the window.
SMALL ROOM. BIG IMPRESSION
Finally, for the downstairs cloakroom, Stylesmith’s designers chose one of our favourite new-generation porcelains… Antique Marble Macchia Vecchia porcelain. Opulent, warm and intriguing, this award-winning surface recreates the nuances and imperfections of age-old, antique marble. The effect is a dramatic and mesmerising.
INTRODUCING STYLESMITH
Stylesmith Interiors are a highly professional and talented team of interior designers and project managers based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Regular visitors to the Lapicida showroom, they create stylish and practical spaces that meet the demands of discerning residential clients and developers.
Find out more by visiting the Stylesmith website.
TALK TO THE LAPICIDA TEAM
If you are an interior designer, developer or homeowner with a forthcoming project, please do not hesitate to call in or contact our friendly and highly experienced Sales Team on 01423 400 100 or by emailing our sales team for expert advice.
