First House is a three-storey commercial property offering open-plan office space across all levels. Our brief was clear: to design an interior that excites, energises, and ultimately drives commercial viability. In a competitive letting market, first impressions matter. Tenants expect more than just a blank canvas — they want spaces that deliver excitement, efficiency, and excellence. These “three E’s” became the foundation of our design direction.
Designing for Commercial Viability
For our client, who owns the building, letting the property quickly and to the right tenants was paramount. This meant creating interiors that balanced flexibility with impact — spaces that potential tenants could adapt to their own needs, yet felt inspiring and memorable during viewings. Our design needed to be practical, cost-conscious, and hardwearing, while still reflecting the principles of luxury interior design that define our studio.
A Reception That Sets the Tone
The journey began at the reception. We know this space sets the tone for the entire building, so it needed to feel welcoming, intriguing, and professional. An oak-panelled wall treatment established a striking focal point, complemented by a built-in banquette, an olive leather chair, and a towering palm.
The result was an entrance that made an immediate impact — engaging visitors and hinting at the thoughtful design approach woven throughout the building.
Elevating Large Open-Plan Spaces
Large commercial spaces can easily feel cavernous and uninspiring. Our solution was to expose the ceilings, introducing an industrial edge that added height, rhythm, and architectural character. We then applied one of our favourite principles — repetition — to create a design “red thread.” Oak panelling from the reception was echoed in an oak divider on the ground floor, which added beauty while providing a subtle division between the open-plan office and the WC area.
Oversized faux planters brought privacy, softness, and a sense of calm through biophilic design, balancing the industrial backdrop with natural warmth.
Colour, Art & Atmosphere
To further energise the space, we introduced oversized artwork in the stairwells and communal areas. Bold, vibrant pieces lifted the atmosphere and created visual interest, while still allowing flexibility for tenants to customise office zones. Though the office floors were intentionally left unfurnished to appeal to a wider market, the art, panelling, and planters ensured the building felt far from empty.
Commercial Bathrooms That Inspire
Bathrooms are often overlooked in commercial projects, but we believe every space should be designed with intention. Here, we created new bathrooms on each floor to support flexible leasing by different companies. Striking waterproof panelling was used in key focal areas, balanced with cost-effective but stylish sanitaryware and a carefully curated colour palette. The result: functional, durable spaces with just the right level of design impact.
Commercial Bathrooms That Inspire
Bathrooms are often overlooked in commercial projects, but we believe every space should be designed with intention. Here, we created new bathrooms on each floor to support flexible leasing by different companies. Striking waterproof panelling was used in key focal areas, balanced with cost-effective but stylish sanitaryware and a carefully curated colour palette. The result: functional, durable spaces with just the right level of design impact.
✨At SP Interiors, we approach commercial design with the same integrity and creativity that defines our residential work. By blending functionality with beauty, we create spaces that inspire, enrich, and endure — whether it’s a family home or a corporate headquarters.
If you have a commercial space in Surrey that needs to be impactful, competitive, and a true representation of your brand, we’d love to collaborate. Get in touch with SP Interiors to begin the conversation.
