The Bath Magazine meets the interior designer of Hallmark Midford Manor, a new £22m residential, dementia and nursing home on Frome Road.
Elodie Preston explains how the design is a blend of luxury and comfort and pays homage to Bath.
Why is it important that Midford Manor’s design is reflective of the local area?
Many Hallmark customers live within a 30-minute drive from the home so we wanted to ensure Midford Manor featured design references our prospective residents and their families would recognise and appreciate. This also helps ease the transition of moving into a care home.
How did you study the local area beforehand?
I spent months visiting the area and undertaking personal research to get an understanding of Bath’s history, landmarks, landscapes and its current style. For example, the facades of buildings were an inspiration in itself and this led to the creation of a bespoke motif which can be seen in some of the flooring, furniture and fabrics. I also undertook research on Georgian houses and interiors which helped us create a home which subtly nodded to the past, whilst also staying very much in tune with today’s design trends and colours.
What are your favourite design features of the home?
The café has a curved bulk head ceiling with roman columns and wallpaper which is a tribute to Bath’s architecture and a palace tapestry to give it an elevated feel. The upstairs Chadwick dining room with a baby grand piano has a bright colour palette which is inviting, vibrant and contemporary. The wellness suite which is supported by our in-house physiotherapist is also a lovely space. We have designed it so that is practical for exercise with easy-to-use equipment, but also inviting with plants and botanical aspects so it doesn’t feel like your traditional gym environment and is more akin to a yoga studio.
It’s also worth noting there are beautiful outside spaces and these are extremely important for resident wellbeing. Upstairs we have a garden bar and lounge which leads to a sun terrace which can be used for a multitude of events. We also have a garden room on our dementia community which leads to a terrace which will be used for growing herbs, bird watching and other sensory activities.
On the ground floor, many of the residents have their own patio areas. We also have our one-of-a-kind play garden which features a little’s one play area and gardening club which will be used by visiting grandchildren and St Martin’s Garden Primary School next door.
What areas do you think will be most enjoyed by residents at the home?
It largely depends on the residents’ interests, routine and daily ways of life. The cinema is widely enjoyed already as it’s a great place for residents to watch their favourite programmes, cult classic films and sporting events. Some residents enjoy a spot of pampering as well so they are already making use of their weekly treatments at the hair salon, therapy room and in our spa bathroom. Whether you’re into gardening, crafting, or just drinking your morning coffee and relaxing with family and friends there’s a space at the home for everyone to thrive in later life whilst being supported by our kind and dedicated team.
For further information about Hallmark Midford Manor visit hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk or call 01225 568314 for a friendly chat.