Tom Raffield - Crafting a Home from Timber | Feature Article

Nestled in the enchanting woodland of Cornwall an addition complete with steam bent timber cladding fits handsomely into the surrounds. Curvaceously hugging the home this is the masterpiece of Tom Raffield, a renowned local timber furniture and lighting designer.

After residing for some years in the adjacent listed Gamekeepers Lodge the needs of Tom and his wife Danielle changed as his family size grew. The dynamic duo set out to create an addition that offered space for the future and reflected their love of all things wood. Chris Strike, their Architect, assisted with the framework design of the extension while the pair lovingly pieced together the external steam bent timber. With a brief to create a studio and a home while also considering their landscape this was no small feat. To design with connectivity in mind the old and new buildings are joined with a connector structure allowing for a generous light filled hallway between the two. Externally, ribbons of timber cascade to cleverly form a seating area capturing the picturesque outlook. This is a home of thoughtful, interesting design and genuinely good craftsmanship.

Moving inside, the timber theme follows that of the external. Material palette changes and bespoke timber lighting throughout provide a kinetic vigour, while the concrete floors and original stone in the extension ground and provide texture. The bespoke kitchen,a highlight, is cleverly fitted with a reveal enclosing the working area. Upstairs, the home’s bedrooms are bright and warm – much like the Raffield’s themselves. Colour is selectively dotted throughout adding small and happy gestures.

The Raffield’s have left no creative stone unturned in their house made from wood. The marriage of inside and out, of home and house, of old and new – it really is genius.