A rural colour palette
‘Natasha collaborated with the Papple team and the wonderful architects to create something very different’
Why did I get involved?
The idea behind Papple Steading was to create a rural holiday retreat, using local and UK-made products.
We restored and developed the original steading and the main house as holiday retreat accommodation, and I worked alongside the architects and client to help bring their ideas to life, creating a colour palette as well as choosing textiles and furniture.
The design team was led by Cameron Webster as project architect, with Ian Parsons as conservation architect. It was a great collaboration across the team from start to finish.
How did I help?
I created a colour palette by taking photographs of the area. Then I worked with the client to choose the types of fabrics and the feel he wanted in the finished rooms.
I sourced all the fabrics, with the correct flame-retardant and Martindale requirements for the project. This led to using William Morris wallpapers in the bedrooms and sourcing all the fabrics from UK manufacturers. In line with the client’s vision, all the furniture, beds and soft furnishings were made or sourced in the UK, right down to the velvet curtain fabrics being woven here.
Another lovely touch was using the wood from the Ash trees on the site that needed felling due to disease. I had the idea of having them cut and dried to use as stools, side tables and bedside tables in each of the rooms, and I also designed bespoke lighting features for the kitchens and hallways. These were made using natural willow and leaves, which were dried and created with the florist Planet Flowers.
What was the impact?
Papple Steading won the RIAS Award 2023. The judges called it one of Scotland’s best buildings, recognising the high quality and detailed restoration of listed buildings to provide luxurious, stylish and eco-friendly corporate and holiday retreats.
Papple Steading was also a Civic Trust Award Regional Finalist 2024.
