Riverside Country House

Set within the gently rolling landscape of North Yorkshire, this newly built riverside home takes its cues from the local country house vernacular. While contemporary in construction, its architecture is rooted in tradition, favouring balanced proportions, enduring materials and an understated elegance that sits comfortably within its landscape. Designed, procured and project managed by Stephen Neall Group, the interiors build on this architectural foundation with spaces that are carefully planned, richly detailed and intended to feel as though they have always belonged.

Although built from the ground up, the bathrooms were approached with the same care often reserved for the restoration of a period house. Every room was planned from first principles, allowing layouts that feel intuitive, generous and highly resolved. "The brief was for a luxury, high-quality, no-compromise design," explains the design team. "The client also had a strong preference for symmetry, concealed WCs and, in the principal bathroom, a shower enclosure completely free of glass."

That sense of order defines the principal ensuite. At its centre, the freestanding Meon bath sits directly opposite the double Crake vanity suite, establishing a balanced composition that immediately draws the eye. Beyond, the walk-in shower is framed by two identical openings, creating an architectural focal point while allowing the room to remain open and uninterrupted. Practical elements are discreetly concealed, with the WC and storage housed within a separate room so that nothing disturbs the calm rhythm of the space.

Materiality is equally considered. Honed Volakas marble wraps the room in delicate veining and soft, luminous tones, lending a quiet classical character that feels both elegant and inviting. Against the pale stone, unlacquered brass fittings introduce warmth and depth, their living finish gradually developing a rich patina that will continue to soften with time.

Luxury is expressed through texture as much as material. Walls upholstered in hand-washed silk, stretched over timber battens and finished with a silk cord border, introduce an unexpected softness more commonly associated with reception rooms than bathrooms. Natural pigment paints by Argile complete the scheme, their muted tones responding gently to the changing light reflected from the river beyond.

The Drummonds pieces were chosen following a visit to the London showroom, where the client and design team from Stephen Neall, refined every detail together. The aim was to find fittings that felt entirely at home within the architecture while offering the craftsmanship and quality to serve the house for decades to come.
"We required timeless, classical products that would age gracefully with the new home," the designers explain.

That quiet confidence runs through every bathroom. Rather than relying on ornament, each space is defined by proportion, finely judged materials and an unwavering attention to detail. Like the house itself, the rooms feel settled from the outset, their classical language sitting naturally within a contemporary home that looks towards the future while remaining firmly rooted in tradition.