They Turned an “Empty, All-White Shell with No Flooring” into a Plant-Filled Dream Home

published about 4 hours ago

They Turned an “Empty, All-White Shell with No Flooring” into a Plant-Filled Dream Home

published about 4 hours ago

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

About this tour

Explore More House Tours

Home Type

House

Location

Keynsham, United Kingdom

Style

Bohemian

Organic Modern

Bedrooms

Square feet

1176

Sq ft

1176

When a house starts out as an “empty, all-white shell with no flooring,” the renovation can go one of two ways: either safe and minimal, or vibrant and completely transformed. For Mariné Andrea Lee and her husband, Jonathan, they very much went bold when they purchased this 1176-square-foot house in Bristol four years ago.

Credit: Mariné Andrea Lee

When the couple moved in, the house came without ANY flooring, so not only did they have to add some in, but they also took the opportunity to "install underfloor heating throughout. My husband, who has an engineering background, also installed a heat pump, which allowed us to go fully renewable and remove gas from the house entirely. It was a significant project, but completely worth it for sustainability and long-term efficiency. We then laid the wooden flooring ourselves and tiled the kitchen, utility room, and bathrooms. In the kitchen, I wanted to avoid a traditional splashback and introduce more personality, so I designed and installed the herringbone tile pattern myself — it completely transformed the space and became a focal point."

Mariné is Chilean and Jonathan is English, and after many years of working in engineering fields, they both shifted to more creative, self-employed careers. Mariné is a content creator and runs an online business, and Jonathan works as a product designer. Because they spend a lot of time at home, creating a space that supported creativity and wellbeing was vital to the couple.

Credit: Mariné Andrea Lee

Mariné loves where their home is located, near some woods where they take Luna on walks. "One of my favourite design features is the view from the entrance straight through to the garden; it makes the whole house feel bigger and more open. The open kitchen and dining space means I never feel isolated while cooking, and having a south-facing garden in the U.K. is such a bonus because it lets us enjoy the sunlight whenever it appears. Near the French doors, there’s a cosy snug corner with a loveseat and a large coffee table — the perfect spot to sit in the sunshine as it pours in from the garden. It creates a gentle transition between indoors and outdoors."

“Bringing nature indoors through design felt like a natural extension of how we live,” writes Mariné, who describes herself as drawn to unexpected color combinations. “I have a deep love for the outdoors and feel very connected to biophilic design, so I try to weave those principles throughout my home — always with a bold twist,” she continues.

Credit: Mariné Andrea Lee

Mariné loves the visual power of oversized ceiling lamps, and there's a huge rattan one that "brings beautiful drama and softness" to the living room. "Small touches of green through plants and decor, alongside hints of burgundy, complete the palette. The remaining walls are a warm off-white with subtle yellow undertones to enhance that cosy feeling, especially in the evenings. A large tapestry introduces nature motifs and creates an interesting focal point to observe and enjoy," she continues explaining of the living room's decor.

“My palette is inspired by nature, with natural motifs appearing across the house,” she explains. “I also have a bit of an obsession with birds — you’ll find them everywhere, from plant pots and artwork to little decorative birds perched on plants or frames. I have a growing collection of textured plant pots too; I love layers because they tell a story and make a space feel lived-in and personal.”

Credit: Mariné Andrea Lee

Mariné even uses oversized pendant lights in small rooms! "Large pendants add a sense of grandeur and intention, making a space feel designed rather than simply decorated. A friend once joked that my lights were far too big … but once installed, they completely changed their mind. They elevate each room and bring boldness and cohesion throughout the house."

The couple’s home might have started out looking more like a stark new-build, but it’s now layered with richly limewashed walls, oversized lighting, statement tapestries, and — perhaps most noticeably — plants in nearly every room.

Credit: Mariné Andrea Lee

Another brilliant design element Mariné has used a few times in the space is large wall tapestries. "The Lena Tapestry in the dining area and the Luella Tapestry in the living room have softened the rooms instantly while tying together the colour palettes beautifully. They’re bold (I love a statement), easy to move, and incredibly effective at framing a corner or creating a focal point without committing to permanent changes. People always comment on them — they bring warmth, texture, and personality in a way that paint alone simply can’t."

For Mariné, plants are “at the heart of everything, bringing energy, movement, and life into the space. From the moment you step in, you can feel that creative people live here.” Today, the four-bedroom house (which is also home to their pup, Luna, is full of colors derived from nature and rich textures. It’s colorful and modern but also a little bohemian, too. Most importantly, it doesn’t just look lovely — it actively reflects the people who call it home.