The Oak & Limestone Orangery

Some projects are led by architecture. Others by interior design. This Wiltshire orangery was led by materials.
Designed as a green oak garden extension by Prime Oak, the brief was to create a relaxed family space that felt naturally connected to the garden while sitting comfortably alongside the character of the main house. A room for everyday living, built around texture, warmth and longevity rather than trend.

A design story that started with One Piece

Interestingly, the direction of the scheme didn’t begin with the stone or even the structure, but with a single antique cupboard sourced by the client.
With its softly aged timber and understated European character, it established a natural, honest material palette that would shape every decision that followed. From that moment on, the ambition became clear — create a space that felt authentic, relaxed and quietly timeless.

Creating Warmth through Natural Finishes

To help bridge the interior with the surrounding landscape, the walls were finished in a limewash paint from Bauwerk Colour, chosen in a muted earthy green. The gentle movement within the limewash adds depth and softness, preventing the new extension from feeling stark or overly refined.
Combined with the exposed oak frame, the palette creates a room that feels settled and established rather than newly built.
A wood-burning stove adds both atmosphere and practicality, creating a natural focal point and ensuring the space works just as beautifully in colder months as it does when the doors are open to the garden.

The foundation of the scheme

Underfoot, Aquitaine limestone from France provides the foundation for the entire design. Selected for its beautifully weathered finish and natural tonal movement, the stone brings both texture and quiet sophistication to the space.
Typically supplied in a 600mm width with random lengths, the original intention was a more traditional layout. However, due to the proportions of the orangery and the relaxed nature of the brief, a more organic installation was developed on site.
Working carefully with the material, the installer re-cut and composed the stone into a more informal arrangement. This approach required additional edge finishing but allowed the floor to feel completely at ease within the architecture.
Its soft earthy greys and subtle warming undertones bring a natural softness to the space, balancing the richness of the oak and allowing the architecture to feel grounded rather than formal.

Bespoke details that make the difference

As with many projects, it is often the quieter details that elevate the overall result.
Our bespoke workshop produced custom window copings in Tora Blue limestone from Belgium, supplied in a honed finish to contrast subtly with the textured Aquitaine floor. These details introduce another layer of material depth while reinforcing the natural stone story throughout the room.
Stone skirting was also profiled to match the detailing used throughout the original property, ensuring the extension felt cohesive and architecturally integrated.

Softness through furnishing

Furniture choices were intentionally restrained, allowing the materials to remain the focus. Linen sofas by Sophie Conran for John Lewis introduce comfort and tactility, while carefully selected pieces from OKA reinforce the relaxed European character of the scheme.
Nothing feels overdesigned. Everything feels considered.

A space designed to last

What makes this project particularly successful is its material honesty. Rather than relying on decoration, the design is built on natural materials chosen for how they will age and improve over time.
Stone, limewash, oak and linen — materials that have proven their longevity for centuries.
Here, the limestone floor quietly anchors everything. It connects the architecture, the furnishings and the palette, creating a room that feels calm, grounded and timeless.
Because when you start with the right materials, good design tends to follow.