GENERAL
PICTURESQUE VIEWS
FROM SANCTUARY HOUSE
Situated within the picturesque scenery of Devon, Sanctuary House is a phenomenal example
of dynamic architecture designed precisely for the owners’, Rosemary and Ian, needs.
Making the move was brought about by necessity after
Rosemary was diagnosed with macular degeneration,
meaning she is slowly losing her eyesight.
They had already decided to move and were considering
what sort of design choices to pursue on their new home
when, whilst driving up to Scotland, they were passing the
PORCELANOSA showroom in Braehead and decided to
pop in. “It was at this point we started to realise just how
wide the PORCELANOSA range is and that we could source
almost all that we wanted from just one place”, states Ian.
Rosemary first noticed something was wrong with her
eyesight when she realised that she could not differentiate
the edges of stairs. As such, controlling the effects of light
and contrast in their new home is essential.
“In the kitchen, which is all PORCELANOSA, we have a lot
of contrasting colours, for example the grout is all dark and
the STARWOOD™ planks are light. The kitchen is white with
dark rich brown wall units; everything is matt, and that’s
essential for my eyesight, so I don’t get reflective glare. The
use of KRION™ was also really important as the material is
completely matt. In addition, and for the same reason, the
sanitaryware is also mainly KRION™.”
Because of Rosemary’s deteriorating eyesight, they needed
the same surface to be on the inside as the outside and at
the same level, which is difficult to find within the market,
but PORCELANOSA can offer this.
By providing the same style tiles throughout but ensuring
the external tiles are anti-slip, Rosemary and Ian could
maintain a consistent design throughout the house without
mitigating practicality. “It’s great being able to have the
same products inside and outside, as well as on the walls
and on the floors. We’ve ended up with a house that is very
congruent throughout because similar products, all from
PORCELANOSA, have been used”.
The couple said that when they first applied for planning
permission, neighbours didn’t understand why they wanted
to change the house that was already there. Since seeing
their new home and the manner in which it effortlessly
blends in with the landscape, Rosemary exclaimed they’ve
received a number of compliments “We have a wildflower
meadow, and we have people stopping at the house to
come and tell us how wonderful the house looks in the
context of the wildflower meadow and the bird sanctuary
across the road!”.
36