Lucy Goldbart
Interior Designer
The story of how trust, expertise, and a passion for Italian design created this contemporary Spareleaze Hill residence.
Our client, a successful business owner, initially visited our showroom in search of a few carefully chosen furniture pieces. A sensible starting point. As discussions developed, it became clear he was also planning a long-term family home in Loughton for himself, his partner and their two sons - and that a more considered, joined-up approach would serve the project far better.
What began as a relatively straightforward furniture brief evolved into a long-term collaboration, ultimately shaping the majority of the home’s interiors over the course of two years.
Entrusting a single studio with such a significant project is never a decision taken lightly. Cost was understandably front of mind at the outset, but confidence grew through transparent pricing, measured advice and a genuine sense of partnership. Our designers worked closely with him throughout - advising on colours, fabrics and finishes, and even accompanying him to other showrooms when useful - ensuring every decision felt cohesive, well judged and right for a family home designed to last.
A dramatic book-matched marble fireplace wall anchors the space, seamlessly integrating a linear fireplace and recessed television. Bespoke shelving with integrated LED lighting adds refined elegance without competing for attention.
High-end pieces from Gallotti & Radice furnish the room - a modular sofa, sculptural armchair, and coffee table all work together to create layers of comfort. A glass globe chandelier adds sculptural interest above.
The room's real brilliance lies in its relationship with the outdoor furniture. Expansive glazing frames views of the patio, where outdoor seating and a matching fireplace mirror the interior arrangement. On winter evenings, with both fires alight, the boundary between inside and outside dissolves entirely.
Of all the spaces we worked on in this home, the master bedroom remains our favourite.
Carefully selected luxury bedroom furniture works in harmony with complementary lighting, creating a sanctuary that feels both restful and refined. The room benefits from a unique wood-structured balcony that adds architectural interest and connects the private quarters to the outdoors.
Our client fell in love with Gallotti & Radice at our showroom, and frankly, so had we long before meeting him. Our passion for the brand - the craftsmanship, the design language, the attention to detail - clearly resonated. Much of the house became Gallotti&Radice as a result: their famous side tables and benches, armchairs, and various other pieces throughout. When you believe in a brand that deeply, it shows. And when a client trusts your expertise, they follow your lead.
The open-plan living and kitchen area is the real wow moment when you enter the house.
Natural stone, matte black joinery, and sculptural lighting create visual cohesion. Gallotti&Radice pieces anchor the dining area, whilst the luxury designer kitchen functions beautifully for both daily family life and entertaining. Every space flows naturally into the next, united by restraint, quality, and attention to detail that reveals itself slowly.
The layout works hard - accommodating a household with two active sons whilst maintaining the sophisticated aesthetic envisioned from the start.
What started as a furniture brief expanded organically as our client realised we could support him across the entire project.
"The client loved every step of the process and now the family are really loving everything. We recently connected and they mentioned that the guests who visit consistently ask who did the interiors. Our client has already mentioned doing more properties as investments, having genuinely enjoyed the process. For someone who initially just wanted to build their forever home, that's quite the endorsement."
We aren't just a store; we are a design landmark. We are practical, pragmatic, and we will absolutely talk you out of a boring decision.
We might nudge you out of your comfort zone, but we’ll make sure your glass is topped up while we do it.
People rarely just "pop in" to FCI.
Exploring 30,000 sq ft of design excellence takes hours, if not days.
You will uncover the very best of European design - hidden gems we’ve spent years hunting down that are simply not available elsewhere in the UK. Because looking for the extraordinary is our passion.
Wander through galleries of sumptuous leather sofas that demand to be sat on, dining tables that look like sculpture, and bedroom suites so beautiful you’ll want to hibernate.
From the grandest chandelier to the smallest accessory, every single piece has been chosen to stop you in your tracks.
So, expect a delicious Italian coffee (or a glass of bubbly) while you explore.
We promise it’s worth the trip.
The movers, the shakers, and the taste-makers.
We bring the biggest names in global design into the studio to discuss what’s next, what’s over, and what actually matters.
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