This project was one of the most fun and imaginative we’ve worked on — a Surrey interior design commission for a unique and quirky family home that needed to be both highly functional and an incredible party house. Our clients wanted a space that could seamlessly shift between daily family life and entertaining friends, filled with bold design choices and thoughtful details.
Rethinking the Flow
The clients came to us with initial architectural plans, but the flow wasn’t right. The kitchen blocked circulation, the utility was open to the entertaining space, and the garden access felt awkward. During our Drill Down Chat, we explored how the family really wanted to live, cook, and entertain.
The reconfigured layout moved the kitchen to a more accessible part of the home and created a hidden corridor of essential working rooms — a pantry, utility, breakfast station, and cocktail bar — each concealed behind a row of doors. To reinforce the connection between indoors and outdoors, we aligned three sets of striking Crittall doors so that the cooking, dining, and dancing zones all opened directly into the garden.
Concepts with Personality
Layouts and concepts were developed together, ensuring that function and aesthetics worked hand in hand. With three energetic children, noise management was high on the wish list. That’s how we landed on cork — one of our first bold material choices. We sourced incredible cork cladding that not only created a magical wall of hidden doors but also reduced sound transmission. Behind these sliding pocket doors, the breakfast station and cocktail bar could be revealed at different times of day — blending practicality with a sense of playfulness.
A Kitchen Made for Parties
The kitchen became the heart of the home — a space designed for both cooking and celebration. A large central island was crafted in warm quartz with a bronze vein, transitioning seamlessly into a liquid-metal breakfast bar that set the stage for entertaining. A gold-leaf cocktail cupboard with integrated lighting glows like jewellery at night, while rich green cabinetry, decorative shelving for plants, and rustic brick slips added warmth, depth, and connection to nature.
Designing for Family & Flow
One of the most common mistakes in open-plan homes is trying to fit in too much. Allowing circulation space — or in this case, a dance floor — is just as important as furniture. We placed the dance floor at the centre, with the dining area positioned off to one side, striking the right balance between function and fun.
The living room was designed as a flexible retreat: connected to the kitchen but with concealed floor-to-ceiling pocket doors so it could be closed off when needed. The palette echoed the kitchen but used richer fabrics and layered textures to create a more intimate, cosy atmosphere. The children’s living space at the front of the house embraced colour and play, with patterned window treatments, vintage furniture, and a vibrant palette that reflected their personalities.
Hidden Practical Spaces
Behind the cork-clad doors, we designed a sequence of highly practical but beautiful rooms: a boot room, utility, office with a hidden bed, and an additional shower room. These functional areas were given just as much attention as the entertaining zones, ensuring that the home worked effortlessly for busy family life.
Bedrooms with Personality
Each child’s bedroom was designed around their individuality, with bold finishes and playful details. The family bathroom continued this theme with bottle-green metro tiles, daffodil-yellow accents, and a statement bath beneath a globe pendant.
The principal suite provided a deliberate contrast — a calming retreat away from the vibrancy of the rest of the home. With a rich, cocooning colour palette, Moroccan-inspired lighting, and hidden wardrobes to remove clutter, the space embraced tranquillity. The spa-like ensuite featured a large walk-in shower and double sinks, creating a sanctuary for relaxation at the end of the day.
✨ Sensational Surrey Hills captures the essence of what we do at Sadie Pizzey Interiors — transforming a house into a home that is practical yet joyful, bold yet timeless. By weaving together bespoke craftsmanship, playful design details, and a strong architectural foundation, we created a family home that works beautifully for everyday life while transforming effortlessly into a space for celebration.
We are proud to be a luxury interior design studio in Surrey, working across Surrey, London, and throughout the UK. If you’d like to discuss your own project, get in touch with us — or follow along on Instagram and LinkedIn to see more of our behind-the-scenes process.
