Textured Individuality

This unique Hillsborough renovation was led by light, custom detail and the design skills of a 13-year-old Minecraft enthusiast! We talk to homeowner David.

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When David, his wife Donna and son, Coby took over a dilapidated equestrian farm outside Hillsborough, Co. Down, in the wake of the lockdowns, their first instinct was to knock the large bungalow down and start from scratch. But that plan changed thanks to an unexpected source of inspiration – their son.

‘We decided to completely gut it out and redesign from scratch and self-build,’ David begins. ‘Before reaching out to an architect, my son was heavily into Minecraft on the Playstation, so we both sat down and designed the layout and all the new features. Of course I thought this was such a unique idea and I’m very proud of his work.’

And he has every reason to be proud. This home pushes past the ordinary, proving how personal vision can shape a space that confidently stands apart from fleeting trends. It is a striking home shaped by light, symmetry, and spatial flow. From the moment you step into the hallway, the structure feels intentional and cohesive, a space where a modern monochrome palette, softened by natural wood, often with geometric silhouettes, creates a look that feels entirely unique to this home.

‘We've always been drawn to all things monochrome and geometric,’ says David. ‘It began with essentially a blank canvas and on a large scale, it was exciting to see how it would finally look, combined with all the natural wood.’

Nowhere is this signature style more apparent than in the open-plan living space. In the main sitting room, the ceiling was extended to reflect David's desire to create distinct focal points. ‘I wanted to have the fire and the TV as separate options to enjoy, so built the ceiling feature to suit,’ he explains. That architectural addition subtly zones the space without closing it off.