Interior — Hilton Marlton Design

Interior finishes

Internally, lime and chalk based finishes work in harmony with exterior and constructional lime products. They are among the most eco-friendly paints available and can significantly contribute to achieving a harmonious and authentic period feel.

Floors, stairs and thresholds

In the UK, vernacular buildings almost always had ground floors laid with stone, brick, tiles or compacted earth, and these often reflect the underlying geology. The use of locally available materials has resulted in distinct regional characteristics which add to a sense of place and belonging.

Until the depletion of native hard woods and the influx of cheaper Baltic and Scandinavian softwoods in the 18th century, floors were almost always planked with local oak or elm and frequently a combination of the two. In the 19th century, imports of New World softwoods and tropical hardwoods became commonplace. These materials are an important part of our national and building history.

There is a compelling argument for a return to traditional plank flooring. Aesthetics aside, it is one of the most eco-friendly flooring materials, typically having lower production energy input than most modern engineered/processed materials. Structural plank flooring contributes to thermal efficiency and is fully reusable/recyclable. Like other construction timber, it’s use contributes to the capture of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Reception rooms and hallways

Many of my projects have entailed the complete reorganisation of reception rooms to make them more spacious and light filled, without loosing a sense of intimacy or period scale. The way in which we interact with spaces is an important consideration in all of my work. Homes should offer a sense of ease and comfort.

Kitchens, pantries and cellars

In recent years there has been a social revolution in our relationship with cooking. Kitchens, pantries and cellars, once tucked away rooms, are now central to our lives and we are celebrating that with renewed interest in high quality design that not only makes these rooms efficient, but also a joy to be in. Finding an aesthetic balance between high tech appliances and traditional finishes is a challenge that I relish. Food brings us together and defines us and it is fitting that we have spaces that are a joy to be in.