Inspiration
A study in quiet craft and enduring materials
Interior designer Hannah Llewelyn explores the restoration of a listed riverside cottage, where craftsmanship, restraint and natural materials create a timeless interior
A grounding in place and material: Hannah Llewelyn’s journey into interior design
“I have always been drawn to homes and how they feel to live in, not just how they look.”
Growing up in Herefordshire, surrounded by landscape, history and characterful buildings, Hannah developed an early appreciation for texture, antiques and the quiet integrity of older architecture. With grandparents who were antique dealers, and a childhood spent in period homes, that sense of continuity and respect for the past became instinctive.
After several years working on residential projects with local interior design studios, she established Hannah Llewelyn Interiors in 2018. The studio has since evolved steadily, with a continued focus on creating calm, personal interiors designed to be lived in and to last.
Devon River Lodge: responding to setting and history
The River Lodge is a listed, thatched cottage set beside the River Exe - an environment that naturally led the design direction. Hannah’s brief was to create a relaxed home that feels in keeping with the building and its surroundings.
The scheme draws on Arts and Crafts principles, favouring natural materials, honest detailing and a focus on craftsmanship. A subtle contemporary layer ensures the interiors feel relevant, but never at odds with the building’s heritage.
The palette remains intentionally restrained: soft neutrals form the base, enriched by deeper greens and earthy tones drawn directly from the surrounding landscape. The result is a home that feels settled, as though it has always belonged to its place.
Crafted from a rustic terracotta biscuit with an organic finish, Kennet White Horse adds texture to the walls and creates a beautifully imperfect aesthetic. The shower walls are completed with our Half Round border pieces, providing a soft, tactile finish.
Balancing practicality with quiet design integrity
For Hannah, practicality and aesthetics are inseparable: “If something works well, it usually looks right too,” she explains.
At River Lodge, the approach centres on liveable layouts and materials that will age gracefully. Working within the constraints of a listed building meant careful consideration respecting original fabric while introducing only what is necessary.
Natural, solid materials were chosen throughout to maintain cohesion and simplicity. Where possible, Hannah prioritised British makers and suppliers, reinforcing a design ethos rooted in longevity, responsibility and craft.
A bathroom designed for calm continuity
The shower room continues the language of the wider house - quiet, considered and restrained.
“We kept it simple, calm and in keeping with the building.”
Attention was given to proportion, balance and subtle texture, softening the space without unnecessary decoration. While referencing traditional bathrooms in its detailing, the result remains fresh, functional and easy to use day to day.
Kennet White Horse is a chalky white with cool undertones that pairs beautifully with patinated brass taps, creating a balanced contrast to its cooler hues. Here, the shower niches have been finished with our Quarter Round edging piece, allowing for a seamless look throughout the shower.
Material detail with purpose
The selection of tiles played a key role in refining the bathroom’s character. Hannah notes: “The slimmer format gives a bit more interest than a standard metro tile but still sits comfortably in a more traditional setting.”
The Kennet White Horse skinny metro tiles were chosen for their subtle variation and handcrafted quality, bringing depth without distraction. Quarter-round trim pieces were used to finish the shower niches, ensuring edges felt resolved rather than abrupt.
The handmade nature of the tiles aligned naturally with the wider project ethos; an emphasis on British suppliers, enduring materials and visible craftsmanship. Their soft white tone responds gently to natural light, keeping the space bright yet calm.
Craft, restraint and the art of editing
Much of the success of Devon River Lodge lies in what has been left out as much as what has been included. “The cottage already has so much character, so we let that lead,” Hannah describes.
A muted palette, natural materials and carefully selected details allow the architecture to remain at the forefront. Antiques, handmade objects and British-made elements add depth and quiet individuality, avoiding the sense that everything has been newly introduced at once.
Ultimately, the project is defined by a series of small, considered decisions - each one contributing to a home that feels settled, cohesive and effortlessly liveable.
A sincere thank you to Hannah Llewelyn, for sharing the story and thoughtful process behind Devon River Lodge. A study in quiet craft and enduring materials, the project reflects a considered approach where natural materials, craftsmanship and a deep sensitivity to place come together in harmony. Find out more about Hannah’s work over on her Instagram: @hannahllewelyninteriors
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