HOME + GARDEN
CROSS
BUILDERS
FOLKESTONE ART DECO DESIGN PROJECT
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: JAY CROSS
Based in Folkestone, Cross Builders have specialised in renovating Victorian and older buildings for over 36 years. Bringing a refined knowledge of traditional building techniques, the dedicated team work closely with clients across Kent to help restore and repair their homes, carrying out a wide range of renovations, as well as award-winning interior design projects.
Please tell us about the project you were undertaking. Kevin Searle and Jay Cross were asked to submit an entry for the Architects Design Community in March 2026, and we decided to send details of an Art Deco-style interior we devised for a contemporary living room in a house in Folkestone that we were renovating.
What was the client’ s vision for the project and how did Cross Builders go about bringing that vision to life? We are not interior designers, so as far as any kind of vision is concerned, we simply selected a Dulux colour for the walls that complemented the turquoise pattern on a Louis De Poortere rug that took centre stage in the room. Neither Kevin nor I have any formal interior design training, but in the past we had done a church conversion and were also featured in a Channel 4 TV renovation programme hosted by the inimitable Phil Spencer, who spent three days filming one of our renovations in Kent. Neither of us got to meet Phil, but he was so brilliant and full of praise for our quality and attention to detail in the programme.
When did the project really start to come to life? As soon as we opened the tin of Dulux paint, we both looked at each other and we knew from that moment on we were on the verge of creating a stunning design. The aqua colour evoked a seaside ambience without being too cliché. Over the past 40 years we have often found that green is the hardest colour to get right, but this particular shade is incredible. It’ s like the 1930’ s era crammed into a can. There is sometimes a risk element to introducing antique and modern furniture together, and this also goes for installing contemporary solid oak doors finished with on-trend matt black handles, but on this occasion, it works.
Were there any particular challenges involved in the project and how did you overcome them? Cross Builders specialise in structural crack repairs and like many homes that have been affected by weeks of dry weather, cracks appeared in the wall and the ceiling. The structural repairs had to be carried out and completed first before we could even start thinking about being creative. After doing the‘ heavy lifting’, the living room design just came together naturally and because there was no structured design brief, we were allowed full licence to do what we wanted.
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