Storey’s Way, Cambridge — A Quiet Study in Bespoke Craftsmanship
Storey’s Way is one of Cambridge’s most architecturally distinguished residential streets — a place shaped by Arts and Crafts influences, generous proportions, and a deep respect for material honesty. Many of the homes here carry heritage protections, and the street’s architectural rhythm invites design that listens rather than imposes. This project unfolded across two interiors on Storey’s Way, each requiring a different kind of sensitivity, precision, and poetic restraint.
What began as a consultancy engagement evolved into a series of bespoke interventions — crafted to honour the architectural character of the homes while supporting the functional needs of contemporary living.
A Grade II Listed Wardrobe — Precision Without Fixings
One residence required a wardrobe that could sit within a Grade II listed interior without disturbing the original fabric of the home. The Conservation Office imposed strict rules: no screws, no visible fixings, and no contact that could compromise the historic surfaces.
“Working within a Grade II listed interior required a heritage‑sensitive approach grounded in technical precision and reversible installation.”
This demanded a design process rooted in respect and ingenuity.
Every joint, proportion, and material choice was considered with the same care as the heritage architecture itself. The installation strategy was fully reversible, allowing the piece to sit confidently within the room while remaining completely sympathetic to the building’s protected status.
The result is a wardrobe that feels inevitable — a quiet continuation of the room’s geometry rather than an addition imposed upon it.
Concept board for a bespoke wardrobe designed to honour the constraints of a Grade II listed interior
Front elevation and technical drawing of a bespoke wardrobe designed for a Grade II listed Cambridge interior.
“This sensitivity echoes the approach we brought to our Water Lane project, where the architecture itself shaped joinery and proportion.”
A Bespoke Office Desk — Sculptural Functionality for a Contemporary Workspace
Technical drawings of a 4‑metre bespoke office desk designed for sculptural clarity and functional precision
In another Storey’s Way interior, the brief shifted from heritage sensitivity to workspace clarity and sculptural presence. Here, we designed a 4‑metre bespoke office desk, accompanied by a full‑height filing cabinet — a pair of pieces that balance material elegance with everyday practicality.
The desk was crafted in a grey Sottssats wood veneer, chosen for its calm tactility and its ability to hold presence without overwhelming the room. Its organically shaped legs and gently contoured top were modelled to support the posture and comfort of the person working at it, while also echoing the soft geometry of the surrounding architecture.
Material for Bespoke Cambridge office desk in Sottsass Grey veneer, designed for sculptural clarity and functional precision
Functionality was as important as form.
We considered:
the ergonomics of height, reach, and daily use
the durability and warmth of the wood veneer
the spatial rhythm of the room
a concealed cable‑management system to handle high‑volume cabling and computer security requirements
At the centre of the desk, we designed a mobile divider unit — a sculptural piece on discreet wheels, intentionally shaped to hold an additional computer screen and a hidden printer. This allowed the workspace to remain visually calm while supporting the client’s technical needs. The unit could be repositioned easily, adapting to different working modes without disrupting the overall composition.
To soften the workspace and connect it to the garden, we also designed a bench for the bay window — a place where the family could sit nearby, or where the client could pause for a moment of quiet, looking out into the greenery.
“This commission sits at the heart of our bespoke furniture practice, where sculptural form meets functional clarity.”
A sculptural workspace designed for clarity, comfort, and quiet connection to the garden.
A sculptural desk in Sottsass Grey veneer, designed for clarity, comfort, and poetic integration into the Cambridge home
Services Provided
Grade II listed compliance and installation strategy
Bespoke furniture design and technical drawings
Material specification and spatial coordination
Visual storytelling and poetic messaging
This was a commission where craftsmanship, technical precision, and emotional intelligence met seamlessly.
A Process Defined by Sensitivity
Across both interiors, the design process was shaped by listening to the architecture, to the constraints of heritage protection, and to the functional needs of the spaces. Materials were chosen with care, finishes were refined through iterative modelling, and every detail was coordinated with specialist makers to ensure both compliance and beauty.
This project reflects the heart of our Cambridge practice:
design that is technically rigorous, emotionally attuned, and deeply respectful of the spaces it inhabits.
“Like our Henslow Mews renovation, this project began with consultancy and unfolded into a deeper, more crafted collaboration.”
“This project reflects the heart of our Cambridge practice — design that is technically rigorous, emotionally attuned, and deeply respectful of the spaces it inhabits.
It echoes the sensitivity we brought to our Water Lane project, and deepens our commitment to poetic craftsmanship across Cambridge’s architectural landscape.”
“True craftsmanship is not what we add to a space — it’s what we allow it to become.”
Whether you’re restoring a listed home in CB1, transforming a new build in CB2, extending a family home in CB22, or reimagining a compact space in CB5, Pinterior.space is here to craft interiors that tell your story with clarity and soul.
Cambridge is a city of stories. Let us help you write yours.
If you’re searching for a Cambridge / Cambridgeshire Interior Designer who blends practical solutions with poetic detail, this is where the journey begins.
Ready to design with intention? Book your consultation today.
