Member Article

Leading interior designer appointed for Steenberg's Yard development

A TYNESIDE-based interior designer, known for her work in championing northern creativity, will be making her mark on an exciting new housing development.

Karen Nairstone of Studio KIND, who has worked for more than 17 years on collaborations for both commercial and private projects, has now added her name to the wealth of local talent involved with the Steenberg’s Yard project.

The scheme, from PfP Igloo, will see 28 two and three bedroomed luxury duplex apartments built at Newcastle’s Lower Ouseburn.

And any potential buyers can now get a real feel for the exciting new homes, thanks to the two CGI show houses that Karen has created.

The designer, who set up and ran the Northern Design Festival for 14 years, has designed the homes “to reflect the qualities and values of the Ouseburn Valley” while “making the most of the natural light and reflecting the vibrancy of the area.”

Mindful of the changes that many people have made to their lifestyle over the past year, Karen’s work has also ensured that the homes have a multi-functional element.

“The apartments are very much about open plan living but at the same time they have been designed so there are distinctive zones which is even more important as so many people have been, and will probably continue to be, working from home,” she said.

“We’ve also made sure that we maximise the outdoor terrace space, which again is so important to people particularly when we’ve been in lockdown.”

Karen has used natural colours and materials in creating the virtual apartments, which can give would-be buyers a real feel for the potential the homes offer.

“I also wanted to reflect the craftsmanship and the craft community that is here in the Ouseburn Valley,” she added.

“It is such an exciting and unique place to live and Steenberg’s Yard reflects that.”

Karen has worked on a number of projects for PfP Igloo and her unique understanding of the Ouseburn Valley is one of the reasons she was the perfect choice.

PfP Igloo has set out to use local people as much as possible on the scheme, with everyone from marketing company to the architects – along with Karen’s company – based in the immediate area.

And the look created by the designer is obviously paying off, with around 80 per cent of the apartments already sold.

“We have tried wherever possible to use the expertise of people who work in or near to the Ouseburn,” said Lowri Bond, Development Manager at PfP igloo

“They have a real understanding and affection for the area and its community along with providing their professional services, which was a really important consideration for us.”

Steenberg’s Yard is being created by PfP Igloo – which was also behind the multi-award winning Malings development near-by in conjunction with Homes England and Newcastle City Council.

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