Interior design


Bringing it all to life: Claremont Manor Care Home One of our most recent projects was Claremont Manor Care Home, designed for Maria Mallaband Care Group (MMCG). The brief was clear: deliver a state-of-the- art luxury care home that could cater to a wide range of physical and cognitive needs while still offering residents and families a sense of comfort, warmth, and ease. Special attention was needed to meet dementia- friendly design principles, ensuring that orientation, wayfinding, and autonomy were at the forefront. A central hub was created that opens out to the community, including a bistro, private dining room, hair salon, and therapy suite. These were not just aesthetic spaces – they were places for real engagement, encouraging social connection between residents and visitors. The activity room includes a working oven and servery, supporting residents who wish to retain key living skills in a supported environment. We also developed a dedicated


Grandchildren’s Room – a joyful, interactive space designed for intergenerational play. This small but mighty addition has had a remarkable effect on family visits, encouraging laughter, movement, and more meaningful time spent together. Aesthetically, we focused on creating interiors that feel familiar and domestic, rather than institutional. Fireplaces, chimney breasts, bookcases, and soft furnishings add character and comfort. All fabrics used were soft to the touch but met stringent healthcare-grade requirements. Throughout the dementia unit, destination areas were created in


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corridors to support social interaction and independence. Orientation pieces like grandfather clocks, rummage drawers, and hat stands were placed carefully throughout.


Colour and pattern were used


deliberately – minimising visual stress while supporting cognitive function. We selected bedroom furniture specifically designed for people living with dementia, featuring clear sightlines and intuitive storage. A consistent LRV (light reflectance


value) contrast of 30 was applied across key surfaces – between doors and walls, floors and furniture, and especially in bathrooms – to help residents easily identify what they need. Toilet doors were painted a different colour from others to aid wayfinding. The result is a care home that feels


elegant, welcoming and deeply attuned to the needs of its residents. One that supports dignity and independence while fostering daily joy.


According to MMCG’s Annelli Chatfield:


“We have seen first-hand the difference that the careful design and attention to detail throughout makes to our lives everyday – both for staff and those living in the homes. We use the design to ensure our homes are a pleasure to work in, and a comfortable, happy home to live. “People living in the homes feel engaged and enabled by their environment, using the space to promote independence and create a healthy lifestyle.”


Not just a ‘nice to have’


Luxury in care home design is not just a ‘nice to have’ – it is essential. It is what helps people feel respected, valued, and


Rebecca Hartley


Rebecca has spent over 15 years designing interiors for the care sector – a field she is deeply passionate about. She works closely with her clients to understand their unique needs and challenges, and takes pride in delivering designs that are both luxurious and practical. As a dementia design specialist, Rebecca pays particular attention to how people experience a space, carefully choosing colours, textures, and finishes that not only look great but also support the sensory and emotional needs of residents.


comfortable in their daily lives. It does not need to be excessive or


expensive. But it does need to be intentional. It is in the tactile softness of a cushion. The dignity of a private dining room for family visits. The joy of a salon, or a cinema. The pride in welcoming guests to a space that does not feel clinical, but lived in and loved.


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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com September 2025


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