Design Buy Build Issue 46 2020 | Page 36

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