Redefining Shared Living

Charlene Turkington, the creative force behind BUNKR, is on a mission to transform the landscape of shared living for young professionals. Here she invites us inside one of those properties in East Belfast.

- EDITORIAL BY EMMA DEIGHAN.

This home, a recent project in partnership with local investor and developer Chris Clarke, really shows Charlene's approach. 'Chris was keen to bring a fresh and exciting look to shared living,' she continues. We wanted to challenge the typical idea of what shared accommodation looks like. The goal was to design something bold, refined, and full of warmth.'

The house features five bedrooms, three of which are ensuite, along with carefully considered communal areas. We aimed to create something that felt as curated as a boutique hotel but lived-in and welcoming. The vision was driven by lighting, textures, rich colours, and contrast, all underpinned by practical design choices.'

Charlene begins her design tour in the hallway, where simplicity reigns, accented by some artwork. 'We used a marble tiled flooring with a warm oak tone that flows into the communal space,' she explains. 'It's durable and stylish, perfect for a high-traffic area. The artwork is a mix of online prints that match the floor tones and the aesthetics of the house."