Dumbreck House: Reimagining an Arts & Crafts Home for Modern Family Living
A Project By: Jill Simpson Interiors
Location: Northumberland, United Kingdom
Project Summary:
Shortlisted for the BIID Interior Design Awards 2026, this sensitively extended Edwardian home in Northumberland draws inspiration from the Arts & Crafts movement while embracing contemporary family life. Through honest materials, bespoke detailing and collaboration with local craftspeople, the project balances heritage and modern living while maintaining a meaningful connection to the home’s architecture, history and Northumberland setting.
Project Detail:
This project began with a simple ambition: to modernise and extend a much-loved Edwardian home while preserving the character, craftsmanship and authenticity that made it special in the first place.
The house already possessed many of the qualities associated with the Arts & Crafts movement — a connection to nature, strong architectural character and an emphasis on craftsmanship. The aim was to understand the spirit of the house and create interiors that felt like a natural evolution. The design sought to balance the practical requirements of contemporary family life with a deep respect for the building’s heritage.
The brief was to open the family home to the garden at the rear and reconnect the kitchen with the main house. The design reflects the forms and materiality of the existing Edwardian Arts & Crafts home while introducing contemporary open plan spaces that maximise light and flow. The scheme redevelops the former kitchen and separate conservatory into one spacious kitchen and dining area. Crittall style glazing opens to a west facing garden and simple slate roof pitches replicate those of the main house.
Central to the project was a belief in the value of craftsmanship. The Arts & Crafts movement championed the beauty of well-made objects, honest materials and skilled makers, and these principles became guiding influences throughout the scheme. Bespoke joinery, carefully considered detailing and high-quality materials were selected not only for their aesthetic qualities but also for their longevity and authenticity.
Collaboration played a significant role in bringing the project to life. Working alongside North Found Architecture, the design sought to create a seamless relationship between architecture and interiors, ensuring that the spaces felt cohesive and integrated rather than treated as separate disciplines.
A team of highly skilled North East craftspeople and specialists contributed to the project, including JP Leonard Joinery and Building, Chapel Kitchens & Furniture, Floorcraft North, MC Plumbing and Heating, and Malcolm Yoxall Painting and Decorating. Their expertise, attention to detail and pride in their work were instrumental in translating the design vision into reality.
The project also reflects a wider commitment to celebrating regional craftsmanship. Northumberland and the wider North East possess a remarkable community of talented makers, artisans and tradespeople, and this home provided an opportunity to showcase the exceptional quality of work being produced within the region.
For Jill Simpson Interiors, the project embodies the practice’s core philosophy of creating spaces that make the ordinary feel extraordinary. It demonstrates how thoughtful design can enrich everyday life while respecting the history, character and craftsmanship of a building.
Shortlisted for the British Institute of Interior Design Awards 2026 in the North and North West region, the project highlights the enduring relevance of Arts & Crafts principles in contemporary design and the power of collaboration between designers, architects and craftspeople to create meaningful, lasting spaces.
