By Alex Macaulay
At Kinland, we believe a home should feel both crafted and calming. Much of our work as a property development and design studio addresses the need for family houses that marry craftsmanship with environmental integrity.
Starting in London in 2021 and now working across France and Portugal, we focus on natural materials and close collaborations with artisans. Our work draws on the quiet elegance of Japanese minimalism and the warmth of Scandinavian living to create homes that feel timeless and grounded.
This six-bedroom farmhouse, currently on the market for £2.17mn, already has character, but with a few carefully chosen interventions, it could be elevated further. Here are five ways I would look to introduce Kinland’s ethos into the kitchen and dining room of the property.
Artisan paint for softness and depth
In Scandinavian homes, walls are often used to create a cocooning sense of comfort. Rather than flat emulsion, we prefer natural finishes such as Bauwerk’s Limewash paint in Nougat, applied in handworked layers that add depth and variation. The result is breathable, zero-volatile organic compound (VOC) and tactile — healthier for the body and softer on the eye. Subtle tones like chalk whites, earthy greys or muted greens would sit well with the coach house’s generous natural light.
Lighting and colour in the heart of the home
The kitchen is the social heart of the house. Scandinavian design favours convivial, light-filled palettes, while Japanese spaces often introduce the sculptural. Here we might consider repainting the cupboards in soft, natural hues and replacing the existing pendant lights with brass fittings. Fritz Fryer’s Parlous Linear Pendant Light — designed by Fritz Fryer in collaboration with Inglis Hall — would work well, incorporating natural colour and sculptural light.
Polished concrete floors
Concrete has long been elevated in Japanese architecture for its purity, restraint and ability to reveal subtle imperfections over time. Scandinavian homes are known for making hard materials feel warm and liveable. We often specify polished concrete at ground level — it’s contemporary, tactile and compatible with underfloor heating. In the kitchen, a specialist such as Lazenby could deliver polished concrete in subtle warm tones and colours.
Textured furniture for tactility
Scandinavian interiors are often defined by tactile pieces that invite touch, whilst Japanese craft traditions celebrate precision and honest materiality. The Staved Dining Table from Jan Hendzel Studio brings these qualities together with its sculptural three-legged design in English ash with cylindrical legs and a timber top with unique grain patterns. The result is a piece that engages the sense of touch as much as the eye.
Bespoke joinery in the dining area
In the dining area we would opt for bespoke cabinetry with cupboards below for storage and open shelving above to display ceramics or glassware. Makers such as Hux London are able to create the right balance between function and artistry — with the invitation to showcase everyday objects adding a sense of homeliness.
Alex Macaulay is the founder of Kinland, a European property development and design practice specialising in artisanal, craft-led homes
Photography: Kinland; Knight Frank; James Retief; Jan Henzel Studio; Hux London; Leigh Simpson
