Project Overview
As part of the extensive renovation of a 16th century country house in West Sussex, Lancaster & Tomkinson were commissioned to deliver the majority of the bespoke joinery package throughout the property.
The traditional brick-and-tiled house had evolved over centuries, including significant additions during the 1930s. Internally, the building retained much of its original character, with exposed wall and ceiling beams, historic architectural details and a magnificent fireplace at the heart of the kitchen.
Working alongside Mitchell Berry Architects and Elston Developments, the objective was to sensitively modernise the property for contemporary family living whilst preserving the character that had developed over hundreds of years.
Our involvement extended across approximately fifteen rooms plus foyers, hallways and landings, requiring a coordinated package of bespoke furniture and architectural joinery tailored to the unique conditions of the building.
The Challenge
Older buildings rarely follow modern rules.
Centuries of movement had left the house with uneven floors, irregular wall lines and traditional lath-and-lime plaster surfaces throughout. Very little could be considered truly straight, level or square.
Unlike a new-build property, where furniture can often be designed around predictable dimensions, every piece within this house needed to respond to the building itself. Walls, ceilings and floors all required careful measurement, shaping and scribing to achieve a seamless fit.
The challenge was not simply to create furniture that worked within the available space. It was to ensure every element felt as though it belonged to the house, despite being designed and manufactured centuries after the original building was constructed.
Our Approach
Each room presented its own requirements and constraints, demanding individual solutions while maintaining a consistent standard of craftsmanship throughout the property.
The scope of works included:
- Bespoke radiator covers with polished and woven timber panels designed to complement the period character of the house whilst maintaining the performance requirements specified by the radiator manufacturers. Secretly removable front panels were incorporated to allow future servicing and adjustment.
- A shaped bay window seat in a complimentary style with concealed structural supports beneath an upholstered top.
- Drawing room bookcases and display units featuring adjustable shelving, concealed lighting and deep storage.
- Fitted media and home office furniture designed to accommodate televisions, cinema equipment, computers and printers whilst concealing all visible cabling.
- A substantial four-poster bed featuring integrated lighting, hidden storage, shelving, concealed fabric tracking and a bespoke aluminium support structure.
- Conservatory seating with hidden storage, seamlessly integrated into surrounding panelling.
- Bespoke boot room furniture designed specifically for the space and finished in spray lacquer.
- Dressing room furniture shaped to follow curved walls and tailored storage within a particularly complex room layout.
- Custom shelving for a secure strong room used for the storage of valuable items.
Although each piece served a different purpose, the objective remained the same throughout: to enhance the functionality of the home whilst respecting the architecture around it.
Problem Solving Through Craftsmanship
Projects of this nature are often defined by details that are never seen once installation is complete.
One such example was the four-poster bed. The design incorporated decorative openings and substantial framing, however before final dimensions could be finalised we needed to establish how the mattress would actually be installed. Consultation with the mattress manufacturer allowed us to understand exactly how much flexibility could be achieved without causing damage, enabling the design to be refined accordingly.
Elsewhere, irregular walls, changing floor levels and centuries of settlement required constant adjustment during manufacture and installation. Each element was individually shaped to the fabric of the building rather than forcing the building to conform to the furniture.
This is often the difference between furniture that looks fitted and furniture that feels as though it has always belonged.
The Outcome
The completed project delivered bespoke joinery throughout approximately fifteen rooms within the property, forming a significant part of the wider renovation programme.
Despite the challenges presented by a building that had evolved over hundreds of years, every piece was successfully manufactured, installed and integrated into its surroundings.
The result is a home that supports modern living whilst retaining the character, atmosphere and architectural integrity that made the property special in the first place.
Years after completion, the furniture remains in daily use, continuing to serve the home exactly as intended.
Project Team
Architect: Mitchell Berry Architects
Main Contractor: Elston Developments
Bespoke Joinery & Furniture: Lancaster & Tomkinson