TIMBER / MINERAL / TEXTILE / METAL

Good things
to live with.

Explore eight material directions.
Save a shortlist, read the practical notes, and bring it into your brief.

Timber

Oiled oak

A warm, open grain that records daily use rather than concealing it.

Joinery · floors · furniture
Care & specification notes

Wipe dry after cleaning. Test the chosen oil and schedule a maintenance sample before specifying.

Movement, fire performance and finish must be checked with the supplier.

Timber

Smoked oak

A deeper timber tone for spaces that need contrast without a gloss finish.

Library walls · cabinetry
Care & specification notes

Use a sample board in both daylight and evening light; colour varies across boards.

Use responsibly sourced boards and verify the actual finish specification.

Mineral

Warm limewash

A diffuse surface with gentle tonal movement, kept secondary to the room.

Walls · quiet backgrounds
Care & specification notes

Test the substrate and application. Repairs may remain visible and become part of the finish.

Not every limewash system suits wet or high-contact areas.

Mineral

Honed limestone

A soft stone with a readable grain, chosen for depth rather than polish.

Thresholds · tables · ledges
Care & specification notes

Agree sealing and cleaning instructions with the stone supplier before installation.

Porous stone can stain or react to acids; mock up spills and wet zones.

Textile

Natural linen

A light-filtering textile that makes a room feel inhabited rather than staged.

Curtains · upholstery
Care & specification notes

Check cleaning, shrinkage and colourfastness against the intended use.

Contract upholstery and curtains need the relevant local fire and durability checks.

Textile

Undyed wool

A dense, tactile surface for softening a place to read, sit or meet.

Rugs · upholstered panels
Care & specification notes

Follow the supplier’s care guidance and establish a cleaning plan for busy spaces.

Acoustic and fire performance are product-specific, never inferred from a mood sample.

Metal

Brushed steel

A precise edge against softer finishes; a working material with a quiet sheen.

Hardware · service counters
Care & specification notes

Clean along the grain using the specified method; avoid abrasive cross-grain marks.

Check grade, corrosion resistance, edges and fixings for the actual application.

Metal

Aged brass

A small point of warmth, used where a hand meets the room.

Handles · lighting details
Care & specification notes

Decide whether to retain patina or maintain the original tone before selection.

Coatings and alloys vary. Confirm maintenance, safety and contact requirements.

Digital swatches illustrate colour and texture only. They are not supplier samples. Confirm actual finish, safety, care and product performance with qualified local professionals.

A PLACE TO BEGIN

What should your
space make possible?

Build a thoughtful brief

Gather ideas, choose a direction, and take a useful document away.