15 Apr 26
Set within the Hampshire countryside, the owners of a large, detached house undertook a comprehensive renovation with the help of architects MMKM and Interior Designer Hollie Bowden. Seeking to bring harmony to the property’s previously irregular layout, the ground floor was reconfigured for improved flow and functionality. Hollie specified
Lapicida, a leading expert in reclaimed antique stone, to supply flooring throughout, creating a cohesive foundation across the entrance hallway, kitchen, boot room, pantry, garden room and outdoor patio.
“When restoring the old house, we chose Reclaimed English flag stones because we wanted something that would feel sensitive to the history of the house, and as if it had always been there,” says Hollie. “The areas we chose to lay these stones (the entrance hall, kitchen, pantry, utility, bar, conservatory and garden terrace) were all high traffic areas and so we needed something durable and long lasting. The aged patina of the stones caused by the many footsteps that had already passed over them in previous centuries also meant that any small new scuffs or scrapes would blend in seamlessly and only make them more beautiful with time.”
Lapicida’s English Flagstone is carefully sourced from locations across the UK and transported to its Harrogate headquarters, where each piece is expertly brushed and milled to achieve a consistent finish, making it suitable for modern living and compatible with underfloor heating systems.
Both client and designer travelled to Harrogate where Sophie Cooper, Project Consultant at Lapicida, worked closely with Hollie to select the desired tone and character of the stone. To refine the scheme, the flooring was dry laid at Lapicida’s warehouse, allowing Hollie to review and approve the composition to ensure the final result aligned with her original vision.
The English flagstone complements the home’s subdued colourway and vintage elements, perfectly bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary styles. “The clients wanted the character, charm and inviting homeliness of an English country house but, very importantly, nothing that felt like it was from your grandmother’s house. We tried to balance everything feeling interesting, storied and beautiful without being too odd or jarring against a carefully restored historic envelope,” says Hollie. “We wanted to put unexpected twists on classic country house elements by blending modern contemporary works, eclectic vintage furniture and art, and classic antiques.”
Rich in character, the flooring delivers the desired sense of continuity and authenticity − ready to begin a new chapter and age gracefully alongside the home.
