Bespoke haberdashery cupboard for a Norfolk cottage
The client had a top-floor studio space in her centuries-old cottage near Norwich where she indulged her lifelong passion for sewing. But years of collecting fabrics, tools and materials had created chaos across the room. She reached out to Feioi after seeing my joinery design at her son's Cambridge home, hoping I could design a solution to bring order to her creative retreat.
SERVICES
Remote interior design service
Bespoke joinery design including arched doors and fabric panel detail
Technical drawings for furniture maker
Comprehensive specification of all finishes
Furniture maker sourcing and project coordination
THE CHALLENGE
The studio floor was a sea of fabric rolls, bursting drawers and scattered supplies. The client needed everything from large bolts of cloth to tiny upholstery staples organised and accessible, but the challenge extended beyond simply creating storage.
The age of the cottage meant nothing was straight, with wonky floors and uneven walls throughout. Any conventional joinery would only highlight these imperfections. The client wanted the cupboard to feel intentional and beautiful, working with the building's charming quirks.
OUR DESIGN APPROACH
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The cupboard needed to sit comfortably in a space where floors sloped and walls curved. Rather than adding rigid lines, I designed elegant arched doors that echo the building's organic character. The curves sit naturally against other curves, creating visual harmony instead of highlighting imperfections. I matched the paint colour of the main unit closely to the walls, blurring the line between joinery and architecture and avoiding stark contrast.
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Working remotely, the client photographed everything she wanted to store and sent detailed measurements of the space. I designed each section specifically for her collection, from hanging rails for fabric bolts to small drawers for upholstery tacks and staples. A central display section with integrated lighting showcases the client’s favourite pieces and finished projects. Everything earned its designated spot, with careful labelling to ensure each drawer and hanging area served a clear purpose.
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The inner door panels feature stretched embroidered fabric, bringing texture and personality to the design while providing ventilation for stored materials. I selected a quality upholstery fabric with embroidered flourishes that feels both traditional and playful, perfectly reflecting the client’s artistic spirit and the cottage's quirky charm. Gunmetal grey handles add a subtle industrial contrast against the softer palette.
THE TRANSFORMATION
The client was delighted with her new cupboard, which brought complete order to her creative chaos. This remote design project proves that thoughtful furniture design can transform even the most challenging spaces, celebrating architectural character rather than fighting it.
This centuries-old cottage near Norwich now houses a haberdashery cupboard as beautifully considered as the work it stores, proving great design works at every scale.
Photography by: Studio Florere