A living room with two green sofas with throw pillows facing each other, a wooden coffee table in the center, a dark marble fireplace with a painting above, decorated with candles and a vase on the mantle, a lamp on the side, and a patterned rug on the floor.

clifton family home

Client
Private

Overview
Location: Bristol
Project Status: Completed 2025
Listing Status: Grade II

Services
Interior Fit Out Design
Interior Furnishing
Furniture, Fittings & Equipment (FF&E) Sourcing
Art Sourcing
Dressing
Photography Direction

Team
Interior Design: San Stae
Principal Contractor: Berkeley Place
Photography: Keith Kaselampao

Situated in the historic heart of Clifton near Bristol, this handsome Grade-II listed townhouse from around 1850 became home to a young family of four and one of our most special projects to date.

Our involvement began, as it so often does, with art. Through artist studio and gallery visits we built each room around artworks and objects that felt deeply personal to the family. We sourced original paintings and sculptures from artists around the world, alongside commissioning a beautiful heirloom games table by Birmingham-based maker Jan Waterston - crafted from walnut and oak, with hidden puzzle compartments tucked inside. From there, the project grew into a full interior renovation alongside esteemed local contractor Berkeley Place. We introduced rich parquet flooring across the ground floor, restored lost architectural details including cornicing and ceiling roses, and designed bespoke joinery throughout the home.

The children’s spaces became some of our favourites - playful, practical and designed to evolve alongside family life. Bunny-shaped cut-outs, hidden toy storage, circus-inspired details, and soft patterned wallpapers brought a sense of imagination without ever feeling overly precious.

Across the four-storey home, we developed the lighting and electrical schemes, sourced all furnishings and fabrics, and carefully layered each room so the house felt warm, lived-in, and quietly collected over time.

A family home full of character, creativity and the beautiful chaos of everyday life.

A cozy living room with a marble fireplace, shelves on either side, a large mirror above the fireplace, and a wooden slide toy with a pink octopus hanging decorations in front. There is a small table with chairs on the right and a beige rug on a herringbone wooden floor.

A living room corner featuring a black marble fireplace with a wood-burning stove, stacked firewood underneath, a large landscape painting above, two tall lit white candles on a gold holder on the mantel, and part of a green armchair with a throw pillow visible in the lower left.

A wooden toy race car resting on a beige and white patterned rug, with a hardwood floor nearby.

Living room with two large abstract paintings on the wall, a wooden coffee table with game pieces, cushions on a beige rug, and a large green potted plant near a window.

A cozy living room with pink and white striped furniture, a beige area rug, a green plant, and built-in white shelves with decorative items.

“Working with San Stae has been an absolute pleasure. Aly played a pivotal role in bringing our dream family home to life, infusing it with personality, warmth, and a sense of fun. One challenge we had faced was finding the perfect artwork, but thanks to Aly’s expertise in art, she not only sourced stunning pieces but also used them as the foundation for designing each room. This thoughtful approach has resulted in spaces that feel truly cohesive, with the artwork seamlessly integrated as a central element rather than an afterthought. Aly and her team have been incredibly approachable, always understanding and attentive to our vision and needs. Their dedication to making our home reflect who we are has made all the difference. Thank you, San Stae!”

- Private Client

Modern kitchen with a marble island, gold pendant lights, a gold faucet, and minimal decor including plants and artwork.

Sunlit dining room with a wooden table, three wooden chairs, a white cabinet, and built-in shelves with decorative objects and plants. A large window with white framing and shutters allows sunlight to cast shadows on the wooden floor.

A bedroom with a bed that has beige bedding and a rust-colored pillow, a potted plant, and a window with cream curtains, reflected in a tall arched mirror, with a retro orange chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

Light blue kids room in Clifton, Bristol. Design by San Stae Interior Design and Art Studio.

Three abstract geometric paintings with bold colors on a wall with floral wallpaper, partially visible small house roof in the foreground.

A bed with a canopy, plush pillows, and a stuffed bunny toy in a cozy, decorated bedroom with floral wallpaper.

Interior view of a bright, elegant hallway with a staircase, ornate ceiling moldings, a chandelier, and a large vase with greenery near a window.

Interior view of a white staircase with a dark wood handrail, white walls with decorative crown molding, and a large abstract painting on the wall.