Anyone with a family home knows that things can quickly descend into chaos, with toys, clothes, food and clutter of every shape and size suddenly turning your living space into an indoor landfill site.
Therefore, the sleek minimalism of classic Scandinavian interior design is always a fantasy, a counterpoint to the madnesses of children and one which would in some way quell their passions and encourage a bit of, yknow, tidying...
It is with some admiration then, that we turn attention to this family home in Barnes, which employs the expertise of award-winning architect practice UHA London to deliver a prestige Scandi design that soothes on sight. It is on the market with Wilfords for £4-4.25m.
The current owners, Ashlea, 37, who runs her own company, and Kasper, 47, who is a climate tech entrepreneur, purchased the property in 2019 after falling in love with the “cosy neighbourhood vibe” of Barnes, and began the project in October 2020, completing it in March 2022.
They selected UHA London through a mutual friend, both sharing Danish roots. Says Ashlea, “With Kasper being Danish, Scandinavian design is practically in his DNA, and I share a love for its clean and intentional aesthetic. I’m a minimalist myself, so the simplicity, functionality, and warmth of Scandinavian design felt like a natural fit for us.”
With a budget of over £1.2m, the couple worked closely with the architects, they ensured that their love for Scandi was reflected throughout the home, while also breaking away from traditional norms.
“Our vision centered around creating an open, flowing space that naturally drew people towards the garden, which became a focal point for the entire home,” says Ashlea, “After living in flats with smaller, terraced gardens, we really wanted a space that highlighted the beauty of an open-plan design, where from the moment you open the front door, your eye is guided straight out to the garden, creating a sense of depth and amplifying the room's volume.
We both love to entertain, so it was important that the layout allowed for hosting larger gatherings and dinner parties comfortably, with rooms that seamlessly connect to the garden. This design lets us extend our indoor space outdoors, making the entire home feel more spacious and inviting.”
The design focuses on creating a light, airy atmosphere with an open-plan concept. Standout features include the kitchen and bathrooms, where they used materials like Arabescato Grigio marble in the kitchen and Onyx in the bathroom, sourced from Italy and Belgium respectively.
The four to five-bedroom house offers superb contemporary living and entertaining space with premium custom finishes and fixtures throughout, including full height Crittall doors which extend the entertaining space out to a large natural stone terrace and onto a landscaped garden.
“I absolutely love our kitchen island and the unique joinery details that cleverly enclose our utility, pantry, and powder room,” says Ashlea, “I wanted to create something really different here — something you don’t typically see — and it’s become one of my favourite features in the house. And the garden — I love spending time out there pottering about working on my green thumb.”
Westmoreland Road is a sought-after road in the heart of Barnes village which offers a range of shops, restaurants, bars and the Olympic Cinema, as well as Barnes duck pond, green and common and the River Thames towpath walks.
“The home has a very non-traditional design, so it’s perfect for young professionals with an international outlook who appreciate unique design and love to entertain,” says Ashlea.
