Case study
When Hannah and her partner moved into their house, they had never so much as picked up a paintbrush. Their first home together was a nearly new flat that needed nothing doing, so taking on a full renovation, complete with a new kitchen and bathrooms, was an entirely new experience. Exciting, but daunting.
Rather than full project management, Hannah worked with Topology through our design packages, with additional support along the way via our Hybrid+ service. We designed the schemes, planned the layouts, appointed the tradespeople, sourced the pieces and guided the big decisions, while Hannah ran the project on the ground in person with us on the sidelines as her cheerleaders.
With a whole house to tackle, there were paint colours, fabrics, woods, flooring and tiles to choose for every room, and neither Hannah nor her partner had decorated before. The risk was not a lack of taste but a surplus of choice: too many samples, too many options and the creeping doubt that comes with every decision.
“If I were choosing everything on my own, I would have ordered too many samples and then felt paralysed by having too much choice,” Hannah told us. “Athina gave me a shortlist of great options and most of the choices felt clear on the day.”
Our samples meeting gave Hannah a curated shortlist for each space, and most decisions fell into place there and then.
Hannah wanted a home that felt warm, layered and finished, with every room working as hard as it looks. The brief covered the whole house, from a new open-plan kitchen and living space to bedrooms and bathrooms, all grounded in Hannah’s own taste. Her Pinterest boards became the starting point for every scheme, so the finished home would feel like hers, only more considered.
The biggest wins in this home are the ones that are hardest to spot in a photograph: layout and scale. We created distinct zones within the rooms so every corner earns its keep, and specified the right size and proportion for furniture, rugs and fittings throughout. We also layered in a proper lighting plan, with multiple light sources in every room to bring warmth and atmosphere after dark.
As Hannah put it: “Without professional input, the spaces would have been under-utilised. The optimal size and scale of fittings and furniture is not obvious to non-professionals, but it makes a huge difference to the end result.”
The open-plan kitchen and living space has been the most spectacular change, and it is the room guests always comment on first. The dark oak kitchen island paired with taupe cabinetry from Harvey Jones anchors the space, with clearly defined areas for cooking, dining and relaxing.
Upstairs, the bedrooms continue the calm, layered feel: plaster pink walls, rich walnut furniture, velvet headboards and pattern used with a light touch. Throughout the house, Hannah discovered brands and pieces she would never have found on her own, all sourced with Topology’s trade discounts, which covered a good portion of the design fees.
“Looking back, I now feel I couldn’t have done a project of this size without professional help. Having design help doesn’t mean the house feels any less like your own. Athina based her designs on my Pinterest boards and the process is collaborative, so I still felt able to express my tastes.”
Although this wasn’t a full project management service, Hannah never felt left on her own: “I did contact Athina a few times throughout the project to ask her opinion on decisions that came up, and she always gave me a thoughtful reply. Without this support I may have made decisions which I later regretted.”
Her advice for anyone planning a similar renovation? Budget properly for the finishing touches. The lamps, artwork, rugs and cushions all add up, but they are what make a space feel finished.
If Hannah’s home has struck a chord, we’d love to hear about your project. Whether you want a full design scheme or a little expert guidance to get started, our packages are designed to meet you where you are. Get in touch and we’ll point you in the right direction.
