Case Study: Making Spaces

       

With wellness and creativity working in harmony, Karen Knox, founder of Making Spaces, designs spaces that nurture the lucky occupants through authentic personality, biophilic design, and architectural consideration. We caught up with Karen about her most recent project, the Eco House, and why Tom Raffield lighting designs were the perfect fit…

Can you walk us through the brief for the Eco House?

KK: “The aim for @from_retro_to_eco was to build an environmentally conscious, biophilic home. One that supported a healthy family and work life. The house has been designed to provide a large central open plan space visually connected to both the front and rear garden via large glass sliding doors. Upon initial contact, my lovely clients, Niki and Andrew had planned to be convert their newly bought 1950’s single storey dwelling into a two storey family home. What actually materialised was a complete new build, with just two of the original external walls remaining. With Rainwater Harvesting, MVHR, Air Source Heat Pump, Bio Roof and smart home technology with home automation, sustainability and low carbon design choices was at the forefront of all design decisions”.

Why did you choose Tom Raffield lighting?

KK: “I work collaboratively with all of my clients and Tom Raffield was a designer that kept popping up in conversation. The organic nature of Tom Raffield designs alongside your “heirlooms of the future” ethos fitted perfectly with both the aesthetic and aim of the Eco House project. Niki and Andrew wanted to purchase as many items from UK suppliers, especially those who used renewable energy or were or committed to being carbon neutral.

Several of Tom Raffield lighting designs were incorporated into the scheme quite early on in the process. We chose three Verso Pendants for the main entrance hall. In essence the first view inside the house as you enter sets the tone of what’s to come inside, so these asymmetric timber lights were perfect. Softly rotating in the space when the sliding doors are open it’s another fantastic connection to the front and rear garden. Neap Wall Lights feature in the open plan space and again in the Snug where we also have the Loer Pendant hanging above the reading corner by the entrance. The sustainability aspect of the project meant we also took advantage of the Tom Raffield seconds sale. My clients have also recently added more Tom Raffield to their home with a vase and hanging planter, also from the seconds sale.”

What role does lighting play in your project planning?

KK: “Lighting plays a huge part. As we were working alongside Potes, a smart home specialist, lots of lighting was seamlessly integrated into bespoke furniture, joinery and plasterwork. All fantastic for highlighting family treasures or creating subtle light and shadow. However, this style of lighting alone can leave a space feeling cold, static and clinical. All spaces, especially, these paired back minimally designed ones need the sculptural element that lighting can bring. A double height vaulted space is quite literally shouting out for something beautiful to be sat within it and the mixed size Verso pendant lights were perfect.”

Which room is your favourite?

KK: “Oh that’s difficult to say, but perhaps I’m most proud of the open plan space with its curved wall and bespoke curved bench seating. The matching radius of both curves (which on paper would actually slot together) makes me very happy indeed. Being in the very centre of the home you are only a few steps away from all the rooms in the property whilst also being surrounded by greenery at every turn.”

We love the cosy living room with our Loer Pendant. What is your top tip for choosing the right living room lighting design?

KK: “Every room should have at least five different lighting points, preferably one in each corner of the room and at different heights. There isn’t a central ceiling pendant in this room, instead we lit the perimeter of the room with an integrated LED wall wash. The snug is also used as a cinema room, so overhead lighting wasn’t really required in here. The integrated lighting only helps to showcase the visible lighting fixtures of which there are two Neap Wall Lights and the Loer Pendant positioned to hang directly above an armchair. Again, it’s the first thing you see as you enter the room. The view through any open door is the real money shot, framed by the aperture of the door, it’s an opportunity to create a little “moment.

The lighting plan for this space was drawn up 18 months in advance as the Snug was the very last room to be completed. All circuits are dimmable, so the lighting options are endless.”

Which is your favourite Tom Raffield design?

KK: “My dad was a carpenter. All our furniture in my childhood home was handmade by him so I’ve been spoilt growing up with solid oak, dovetail joints and handmade brass drawer pulls. It’s all as beautiful today as it was back when it was made in the late 60’s/ early 70’s. So, if I had to choose just one, it would be the Hylo Coffee Table in Ash, and I’d gift it to my dad as an apology for making him get rid of our beautiful bentwood and cane rocking chair in the 90’s when I didn’t know any better. Sorry dad!”

Photo credit: Esther Clow & UK Locations

Posted: 28.02.25
Updated: 28.02.25