A home conversion project in Northern Ireland

Kris Turnbull is one of the best known and most highly regarded interior designers in the UK. Based in Northern Ireland’s capital Belfast, he and his multi-talented team specialise in the renovation and interior design of exclusive, upscale residences. An example of this kind of project was the transformation of a Tudor home near Moira, a village southwest of Belfast in County Down, into a modernist and eco-sustainable contemporary dwelling. The original building featured traditional architecture, with numerous, dimly lit rooms with small windows that barely let in light – a stark contrast to the bright, spacious interiors popular today. The clients wanted a home suited to a modern, refined lifestyle, a place where they could live comfortably and host and entertain guests, and would be readily adaptable to changing trends and lifestyle needs.

To fulfil this vision, Kris Turnbull and his team redesigned the floor plan to create a logical and convenient layout. The focal point of the home is now a bright open space, illuminated by large, energy-efficient sliding windows that offer views of the garden, also designed by the practice. This central space features an exquisitely detailed custom kitchen island; a snack counter illuminated by gold-plated pendant lights, each slightly different from the others; a dining area that channels a mid-century vibe with chairs upholstered in Basquiat-inspired fabrics; a wall clad with leather squares and rectangles; and a storage unit from Minotti, one of the many Italian brands chosen by Turnbull. The adjoining living area features a coffee corner leading to a multimedia room for games and home cinema, complete with a separate pantry and storage area. The home’s allure is heightened by a stepped ceiling, two Lady armchairs designed in 1951 by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, now produced by Cassina, a Pols Potten Zig Zag stool, an eye-catching multi-level coffee table, and a large, asymmetrical silk and wool rug with a colour gradient effect. To give a cohesive aesthetic to this large and vitally important living space, Turnbull selected onyx-effect porcelain stoneware slabs from La Fabbrica Ava’s Aesthetica Wilde collection for the floor, an Italian product he admires for its exceptional technological qualities. Another highlight of the home is the master suite with private bathroom and dressing room. The bedroom features a Fendi Casa bed upholstered in iguana-print leather and designer fabrics in an unusual yet highly effective colour combination of midnight blue, blush pink and mustard.

The bathroom also showcases Italian excellence, creating a magical atmosphere with the use of Bronze Amani veined marble-effect porcelain stoneware tiles, also from La Fabbrica Ava.

The success of the conversion project carried out by Kris Turnbull Studios owes much to the meticulous customisation of textures and furnishings, many of which were created by the studio itself, and the effective lighting design that seamlessly blends natural and artificial light, avoiding any fluctuation in brightness. This approach ensures that the interior exudes a sensual, physical and emotionally-engaging atmosphere, making it a vibrant and liveable environment that epitomises a lifestyle where luxury merges with beauty and culture. As Kris Turnbull explains: “Our ethos is to design for the client and not for ourselves. The design approach and styling takes an eclectic mix of period, mid-century and modernist flavours, creating a unique design composition for every project.”