Slightly Quirky, Wokingham.
Interior design firm Slightly Quirky transforms a dated reception area into a Japanese-inspired, inviting living space by utilising A104 Upland Oak from the V4 Alpine collection.
Slightly Quirky is an experienced bespoke interior design firm based in West London, specialising in residential home projects that reflect clientsâ personalities and lifestyles. With a combined experience of 45 years in the industry, the Managing Director, Caroline and her team were no strangers to bringing their clientsâ vision to life, and this reception room project was no exception. The clientâs reception room hadnât been redecorated in over 35 years since the home was built, and needed a refresh. To rejuvenate the space, Caroline used our A104 Upland Oak European oak plank to create a warm, welcoming environment as you entered the home, inspired by the clientâs travels, as Caroline went on to explainâŠ
âThe client wanted to achieve a fresh new look for a room which hadnât been touched since the house was built 35 years ago and the clients disliked it so much they never even used the room. Their reference point, and our inspiration, was a photograph of a bamboo grove they visited in Japan some years ago. They wanted to reference the Japanese aesthetic without it being overly literal. They wanted to achieve a calm, organic feel with natural tones, which also accommodated the clientâs own artwork and needlepoint.â
When speaking to the client to understand their aim for the space, it became clear that the space needed a total renovation. Caroline explains how they totally rethought the space by âremoving a large brick-built fireplace, building a new bespoke fireplace, changing flooring, decor, lighting and furnitureâ. And when it came to drawing inspiration for the interiors, the client told Caroline how they wanted the design to reflect their recent travels, as Caroline went on to sayâŠ
âThe client was inspired by a trip to Japan, so they wanted to incorporate the essence of some of what they had experienced without creating a literal version. They wanted a bright, fresh space with emphasis on movement of light, texture and natural materialsâ.
To fully embrace this design concept without being overly literal, the team incorporated natural textures that enhance the desired aesthetic, including A104 Upland Oak from our Alpine collection. Milled from rustic European Oak, which has been lightly brushed to remove any softwood, this beautiful, engineered oak plank features a tactile, grainy finish that not only supports the nature-inspired design but, thanks to the hardworking UV finish, also provides a durable flooring solution, ideal for a busy home.
âWe felt the natural wood gave an authentic feel; it was another texture in the room, making the design more layered and interesting. Also, the colour was sympathetic to natural bamboo.â
The final design was a fresh, modern and tranquil style that used a combination of colours and textures to completely transform the once outdated living room and turn it into a space where the client could relax and reflect on their travels. A particular highlight of the final design is the acoustic panels, complete with LED lighting, which, as Caroline explains, âadds another dimension to the schemeâ.
âThe relief of the wall panelling adds depth to the wall, making it feel bigger; it also helps zone the space as itâs quite a long room and we wanted to define the areas. They are acoustic panels so they do also have a practical purpose as they help absorb some of the sound and balance the other hard surfaces in the room. The lighting adds a layer of ambient light to the room, giving a lovely feel in the evening. We chose the wood finish of the panels to match the wood floor to ensure the scheme flowsâ.
If you are looking for the perfect floor for your clientâs project, why not get in touch with our Commercial team today? Alternatively, why not meet your client at our Surrey Design Centre, where you can share with them our entire collection of flooring and wall panelling solutions, whilst one of our flooring experts can be on hand and ready to help with any questions you may have, giving you and your client peace of mind.
Featured Flooring
A104 Upland Oak
A104 Upland Oak is a micro bevelled plank that is classically proportioned to suit any interior space, milled from rustic grade oak which is lightly brushed to remove the soft grain from the top layer of the wood. This leaves a surface which is hard and more resistant to scratches. 4 Coats of Danish oil are machine applied and and buffed into the brushed grain, each coat is cured under a low voltage UV light. The result is a natural oiled stain resistant surface which allows the floor breathe and is simple to maintain.
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