Monday, 14 July 2025

Architect-Designed Home With an Urban Front Door

Adrian Small, partner at Cowper Griffith Architects, discusses the design of this special home in North Norfolk. 

He tells That's Home and Household:

"The property is designed as an upside-down house with primary living spaces on the first floor to make the most of the sea views. Each first-floor pavilion has a vaulted ceiling and glazed gable ends. 

The design is based on a trinity of elements, the three pavilions, three chimney stacks, organised within a classical proportioning system. Square shapes repeat throughout the design, with square windows, square flint panels, square door openings, etc. 

"The front door, which was our recommendation to the client, is made up of two squares, one on top of the other. We're impressed by the door's structural integrity for security and resilience to the North Norfolk coastal weather.

Rising from the masonry plinth are three expressive chimneys, each splitting into three stacks. They are intended as strong sculptural objects that help connect the upper storey 'pavilions' to the brick lower storey. They are functional too, providing an open fire to the sitting room, a wood-burning stove to the study, and ventilation to the kitchen.

The house employs sustainable technologies, chiefly by avoiding heat loss through the highly insulated deep cavity walls and first-floor steel-framed pavilions, which are insulated with carbon-neutral wood fibre. The house is heated throughout via underfloor heating driven by an air source heat pump, which also heats the domestic hot water supply."

FACTILE: Urban Front doors are beautiful, functional, and highly secure. All three of these elements are of equal importance when we design and make doors. We never compromise safety for design aesthetics.

The door pictured here is a Pivot Ridge in iroko finished in oil (1200mm by 2346mm) with matching side lights and a BZ5 handle. Photography by Andy Stagg @studiostagg.

Their bespoke doors are made in Britain and can be commissioned in a range of different designs and materials – various hardwoods, bronze, and steel. They offer a free moodboard design service to help clients choose the right door for their home.

For more information visit www.urbanfront.com.

Warm Up Your Home This Autumn With Stylish, Fuss-Free Wall Panels

As summer turns to autumn, there's nothing quite like retreating to a warm, welcoming space at the end of the day. 

Whether it's curling up in the living room, cooking in a cosy kitchen or relaxing in the bathroom, your home can become a haven of calm and comfort and with wall panels from Multipanel and Naturepanel, creating that seasonal sanctuary is easier than ever

Rich walnut tones bring warmth and natural elegance to kitchens and bathrooms with Naturepanel in Warmia Walnut and Multipanel Linda Barker collection in Salvaged Plank Elm finish brings a tactile feel to your home that is perfect for autumn.

Designed to mimic the natural beauty of wood, stone and tile, wall panels offer a stylish, grout-free alternative to traditional tiling and wall finishes. They're easy to install, effortless to clean, and the perfect way to give any room an instant refresh, just in time for the cosy season.

From rich, earthy tones to light, nature-inspired neutrals, both Multipanel and Naturepanel offer a wide selection of finishes to suit every style. They're designed to be mixed and matched, making it simple to create a look that's totally personal to you.

“Autumn is the ideal time to update your home interiors,” Lidia Kane, Marketing Manager at Multipanel told That's Home and Household.

 “As we spend more time indoors, we naturally crave calm and comfort. By layering textures, warming up your colour palette, and choosing wall panels with an organic feel, you can create spaces that are both on-trend and timeless.”

Lidia's tips for an autumn-ready home?

Go warm with your palette Choose soft neutrals, warm greys or wood-effect finishes to add depth and warmth.

Layer your lighting Add wall lights or candles for a soft, cosy glow.

Focus on texture Cushions, throws, rugs and natural accessories help create a cocooning feel.

Think natural Wall panels inspired by nature bring a calming aesthetic and are easier to maintain than tiles or wallpaper.

Multipanel Metro Tile Collection in in Sage Green and Naturepanel bring seasonal warmth to any interior, from bathrooms to living spaces

Whether you're refreshing a living area, kitchen splashback or bathroom, the latest panel designs from Multipanel and Naturepanel help bring the soothing elements of the season indoors. Prices are from £200 for a 598mm x 2400mm panel.

Explore the full collections at  www.multipanel.co.uk and www.naturepanel.co.uk or call 0131 290 286.