Cotswold based interior designer Pippa Paton has created a tranquil villa in Barbados
Tell me abouth the property – The house was built circa 1970s as a split level villa with Spanish plastered white walls inside and out, set in an acre of grounds, four minutes stroll to the beach.
Who was the client and what was the brief – We were the client! Our brief was to create somewhere we could relax with family & friends but which would also appeal to the rental market, being a desirable space but to feel like a home with interesting pieces and art – effectively 21st Century Barbados rather than 21st Century Cotswold for which Pippa Paton Design is known.
The living room of the villa was originally divided with partitions and only had three bedrooms and two bathrooms (only one ensuite). We wanted to create highly functional spaces, packaged in a way that was beautiful, comfortable and supremely liveable.
We wanted a very usable and spacious open-plan kitchen, living and dining area and needed four good sized and equally sized bedrooms with walk-in dressing areas and four ensuites with good quality showers and brassware. Our brief was achieved by taking down all the internal walls and reconfiguring the spaces on the first and lower ground floor to incorporate the required spaces.
Did you face any particular challenges? – We needed to get the house finished in just a few months due to guests arriving and we had to manage the project remotely with just a couple of site visits once the project was underway.
Were you able to source furniture and furnishings locally? – Everything was sourced in the UK and shipped over, with the exception of a few pieces retained from the original house which were restored and also some ceramics and art which was made locally. But we used all local trades – contractor, kitchen and other joinery, plastering etc
What is your favourite feature in the house now that it’s finished? – The terrace! The original small terrace was extended at either end to allow a soft seating area for eight at one end and dining at the other. The stairs from the elevated terrace to the garden were relocated from the side to the centre of the front so that they now lead directly to the garden.
Click here to further explore Pippa’s villa in Barbados Harikoa Villa Barbados
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