Design & Build
“If we had to do it all over again, we would”
Anna and Jake had a long-term plan to
build their dream house on the River
Thames. But it took some time to find
the plot, acquire planning permission
to knock down an existing dwelling and
then build a new home to their exact
specification. One of the biggest challenges was
finding the right company to translate
their blueprint plans into magnificent
reality, and after checking the
credentials of half a dozen top end
housebuilders, they selected Octagon
Bespoke. Set well back from the road behind
period style iron railings, the white
rendered exterior walls, large sash
windows, elegant portico entrance, and
resin graveled drive emit a timeless
quality, paying deference to the original
villas nearby.
Five years ago they found the
perfect location, a 2/3 acre plot with
uninterrupted views of a pleasant
stretch of the Thames, complete with its
own pontoon. The couple and their two
children moved onto the plot, living in
the existing property there, and started
to think about creating their new dream
home. Comments Anna, Walking through the front door, after
taking in a most dramatic trompe
l’oeil decorated entrance hall, visitors
discover a contemporary, light flooded
open plan interior, where the rear of the
house opens up to an elevated decked
terrace, beyond which rolling lawns lead
to the floating pontoon and the clients’
beloved Thames.
Working with Exedra Architects’ Daren
Drage, they drew up initial plans with
some firm, clear cut ideas about living
areas, leisure and most essential,
touches of unexpected drama.
“With over forty years’ continuous
experience in the luxury property
market, along with reassurances from
friends who owned Octagon homes, we
felt we could entrust our lifelong dream
of building the perfect house to the
Octagon team, a decision we have never
regretted from day one.”
The front of the house has all the
classical good looks expected for an
imposing house flanking the Thames.
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The ground floor living space, with
its clever undulation of differing
floor levels, takes up a considerable
proportion of the 9,000 sq ft home.