Persian and British Influences in a Cotswolds Family Home

Nestled within the picturesque landscapes of Oxfordshire lies House No.4, a colorful family home designed by Christopher Cooke and Samin Sahabi of Studio November, inspired by cherished family memories and the cultural heritage of the two designers.

This project, House No. 4, was the official launch of the couple’s design studio. Cooke and Sahabi wanted to create a family home that seamlessly blends modern countryside aesthetics with functionality, spanning interior architecture, interior design, and complete re-landscaping and planting schemes.

Inspiration can be found in many places; for Studio November, the inspiration for their Cotswolds house came from their son’s favorite children’s book, featuring an image of Vincent van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night.’ They decided that the music book their son loved so much when he was a baby was the ideal starting point for the design of their new home.

interior design by Studio November (follow the design studio on Instagram) and photography by Christopher Horwood

The living and dining room walls are painted in ‘Cromarty’ by Farrow & Ball, complimented by the skirting which is painted in ‘Studio Green’.

‘Find something you love, like a painting, that can give you a basis for the colors of any home and it helps guide you forward when designing pieces within the home such as furniture, art, and textiles.’ – Christopher Cooke, designer at Studio November

The vibrant color palette, classic fabrics, and traditional William Morris wallpapers bring together the two cultures of Christopher and Samin. The hand-knotted silk and wool Persian rugs directly imported from Iran inspired the color scheme of the house.

The entrance and stair hall are painted in the vibrant ‘Babouche’ by Farrow & Ball. The stairs are painted in Studio Green.

The walls in the house are painted in beautiful Farrow and Ball and Edward Bulmer hues, and the classic and colorful William Morris wallpapers added to the bedroom walls showcase English design at its finest.

The master bedroom is decorated with the ‘Blackthorn’ wallpaper from William Morris.

For House No.4, Studio November collaborated closely with skilled craftspeople and specialists, curating a diverse array of suppliers and product designers, from furniture by Vitra and Gubi to premium fabrics from brands like Pierre Frey, Schumacher, and Lizzo. Artworks from celebrated Iranian artist Reza Abedini, Swedish weaver Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Scottish artist Mooie Scott, and Jamjar Flowers complete the rooms with creative and unique touches.

The second bedroom is decorated with the William Morris ‘Willow Bough’ wallpaper in Tomato/Olive.

The children’s bedroom is painted in Pitch Blue by Farrow & Ball.

The toilet is painted in Bancha by Farrow & Ball.

Thanks to Studio November’s meticulous attention to detail and deep comprehension of how people inhabit spaces, they created a beautiful family home that combines personality with innovative and sophisticated design solutions.  

Attention to detail and a profound understanding of human interaction within spaces form the base of each design project taken on by Studio November. Inspired by their travels, the rich design traditions of their respective cultural backgrounds, and close collaboration with skilled artisans and experts, the studio creates interiors that seamlessly blend aesthetics with practical functionality.

Christopher brings nearly 16 years of experience as an architectural designer to the studio having worked with some of the most esteemed design studios in London and The Cotswolds.

Samin has over a decade of design experience, primarily gained from working with smaller studios in the UK, and she is also enriched by her involvement in projects in her native Iran.

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