A new build loft bedroom, with simple low bed and views to match

Peter Landers

The guest bedroom in our Broad Walk family home features a palette of deep navy and amber with wall lights by Heathfield in bronze and a large circular Drift mirror by Ecco Trading centered to the wall. Fur throws adorn the bed and provide a sense of opulence. Photography by Richard Waite

Photography: Werner Straube

Kevin M. Crosse/Arizona Imaging

Urban Angles

Tall Tree House is a multi-award-winning biophilic home nestled in the native bush of Queenstown. Designed by Carolin Friese – CF Architecture, the house has received national recognition for its innovative use of space, connection to nature, and outstanding energy efficiency. Most notably, it won the Biophilic Design Award from the Living Future Institute of Australia, celebrating its seamless integration of architecture and landscape. A true role model for sustainable design, the home demonstrates how Passive House principles, natural materials, and smart design can create a healthy, resilient, and inspiring living environment.

The brief in this tree top loft conversion in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire was chic boutique hotel. I honed the client’s inspiration down and we settled on a scheme which included lots of natural fabrics, texture, neutrals and wood.

Lancashire Farmhouse style GIA: 330m² / GEA: 433m² £865,260 interior £250,000 Self-build Philip and Judi's oak-framed home is a perfect blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern interior design. The double-height entrance hall, framed with honey oak beams, features a sleek walnut staircase with glass balustrades, setting a luxurious tone upon arrival. The heart of the home, an open-plan Shaker-style kitchen and dining room, offers a warm, cosy atmosphere with exposed oak ceiling joists, large islands with induction hobs, double ovens, and a spacious fridge freezer, ideal for family living. The mezzanine landing provides panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and leads to five en-suite bedrooms, each with vaulted ceilings, creating a bright and airy feel. The master en-suite boasts a stunning gable window, framing the exact view Philip fell in love with, while the bold statement bathrooms throughout the house add a sense of modern luxury. A hidden entrance leads to Philip’s contemporary man cave, a contrasting retreat that looks out over the serene lake and stables. With three walls of floor-to-ceiling glazing, the garden room offers a tranquil space to relax while keeping an eye on the horses in the fields below. The living room features oak floor joists, adding warmth and character, while the impressive fireplace, built using the door jams from the original longhouse, serves as a striking centrepiece. French doors open out to the fields, making it the perfect space to unwind in the evenings. The home’s design harmonises perfectly with the natural landscape. The eastern elevation captures the sun, while panoramic honey oak apex windows allow light to flood into the cosy bedrooms, creating a luxurious hotel-like ambiance with a countryside twist. The bespoke chandelier, commissioned specifically for the double-height entrance hall, adds a touch of grandeur and is perfectly framed by the surrounding oak and glass. Every detail has been meticulously considered, from the lighting choices and colour schemes to the hidden man cave and feature walls, creating a home that is both practical and aesthetically stunning. The home’s natural honey-coloured stone exterior blends seamlessly with the landscape, giving the appearance of a property that has stood in its location for centuries. This oak-framed masterpiece combines modern luxury with timeless charm, making it the perfect countryside retreat.