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A beautiful balance of modern and traditional design

For content creator and interiors enthusiast Kirsty Gore of KJG Home, renovating homes has become a passion. While her previous home embraced a contemporary Scandinavian aesthetic, her latest renovation, a two-bedroom 1960s bungalow, called for a softer, more characterful approach. Drawing inspiration from Nordic architecture, with timber cladding and a metal roof, Kirsty wanted to introduce a modern mid-century influence while remaining sympathetic to the surroundings.

The main bathroom perfectly captures Kirsty's vision of modern traditional design, with each element carefully selected to complement the wider home.

Inspired by the comfort of the roll-top bath in her parents' home, Kirsty chose the La Rochelle cast iron bateau bath, custom painted in Brinjal by Farrow & Ball. Its elegant traditional silhouette and rich aubergine tones create a striking focal point, while contemporary brassware introduces a beautiful contrast. Positioned to draw the eye as you enter, it establishes the room's understated sense of luxury. Kirsty was drawn to the warmth and character of living brass, particularly how beautifully it complements marble, oak and natural tones.

The contemporary Bayor brassware collection, finished in living brass, provides an elegant contrast to the traditional La Rochelle bath and will gradually develop a patina, deepening in colour and creating a unique, characterful finish.

I wanted the house to feel as though it belonged in its surroundings, with natural materials such as stone and timber beams adding warmth and character. Our last house was very angular and modern. This time I wanted to introduce curves and softer shapes. They add another dimension to a room and can make even the simplest pieces feel special.

Central to the bathroom is a beautifully crafted oak vanity, designed around Kirsty's vision. With its marble top and distinctive scalloped shelf detailing, the Palermo Double Vanity Unit, is bespoke painted in Smoke oiled. Its refined proportions and reeded detailing create a timeless yet contemporary feel.

Elegant living brass swan-neck taps with metal levers complement the shower fittings, bringing cohesion to the design. The walk-in shower combines contemporary simplicity with traditional elegance. Beautifully proportioned living brass shower fittings create a striking feature, while brushed brass accessories introduce subtle contrast.

For Kirsty, beautiful interiors are about more than statement pieces. It is the relationship between materials, shapes, finishes and smaller details that brings a home together.

I had a very clear vision of what I wanted, so I loved that Ashbee and Stone could accommodate that and make small adjustments to get the details just right. Everyone was so friendly and helpful, and it felt like a really personal service rather than simply being given product information. I wanted to love every element of the house. I didn't want people to notice just one big feature – I wanted there to be lots of different details to discover and appreciate. It's those layers that make a space feel really special. The quality is something you really notice. Solid materials and beautiful detailing make such a difference, and these are pieces worth investing in.

Designer: Kirsty Gore

Photographer: Keep Digital