The Brief
Located in South London, Garden House is a stunning Edwardian revival meticulously refurbished by architecture and interior design studio De Rosee Sa. The project was inspired by an Indigenous Australian artwork, reflecting the homeowner’s desire for a space that combined the warmth and texture of Australian interiors with the elegance of its English setting.
The house had undergone an unsympathetic renovation in the early 2000s, requiring significant reconfiguration to improve its layout and indoor-outdoor connection. De Rosee Sa undertook extensive structural work to create a harmonious flow between the home’s four storeys, featuring five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room, two living areas, a spacious kitchen, and a large dining area with views of the rear studio and landscaped garden.
A key element of the redesign was the removal of a raised terrace and the lowering of the rear half of the ground floor. This transformation enhanced the connection between the house, garden, and studio, which now includes a sixth bedroom, ensuite, and private gym. Slim-framed, full-width sliding doors further enhanced this seamless transition, extending the Australian-inspired interior palette into the garden’s guest and entertainment area.
The Project
Natural stone played a pivotal role in the transformation of Garden House, carefully selected to complement each room while maintaining cohesion throughout the property.
In the kitchen, Calacatta Gold marble takes center stage. Its warm veining and luminous surface add sophistication while maintaining durability, making it a practical yet luxurious choice. This same marble is echoed in the fireplace surrounds within the living areas, reinforcing the continuity of materials. Moving through the house, the striking Lanyon and Tora Blue chequerboard flooring in key spaces such as the hallway creates a bold yet timeless statement, lending depth and contrast to the home’s elegant aesthetic.
The bathrooms are designed as serene retreats, utilizing natural stone with subtle veining and warm tones to achieve a perfect balance of elegance and functionality. These materials reflect the home’s modern yet classic ethos, ensuring a sense of tranquility and refined luxury. In the main living areas, soft, neutral-toned stone surfaces provide a textured backdrop, allowing furnishings and decorative elements to shine within a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere.
Beyond the interiors, the collaboration with Ula Maria Studio seamlessly extends the design vision into the outdoor spaces. Thoughtfully selected paving and hard landscaping elements enhance the garden’s natural beauty while ensuring a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor areas. The planting scheme complements the warm and earthy tones of the Australian-inspired materials, creating an inviting and cohesive outdoor sanctuary.
Under the expert guidance of De Rosee Sa, Garden House has been reimagined as a space that marries timeless elegance with modern functionality. The careful selection of natural stone throughout the property underscores the meticulous attention to detail, resulting in a home that is both visually stunning and deeply functional. This project is a testament to the power of thoughtful design, where architecture, interior design and landscaping come together to create a harmonious living environment.
