Meet the Designer: Creating the interiors at Abbots Vale
Stepping inside the curved terraced show home at Abbots Vale, visitors are greeted by interiors designed to do far more than simply look beautiful. Every room has been carefully styled to help buyers picture everyday life in a Hopkins home – from sociable family spaces to peaceful corners to unwind.
Behind every carefully considered detail is Interior Design Consultant Abbi Travers from Glasswells, who worked closely with Hopkins Homes to create a show home that reflects both the character of the development and the way people want to live today.
Having joined Glasswells two and a half years ago after completing her Interior Design diploma, Abbots Vale marked Abbi's first show home project – an opportunity she embraced with enthusiasm.
"Every project is different, which is what I love most about my role. No two homes are ever the same, so there's always a new creative challenge."
Designing for modern living
Rather than creating a home that followed the latest interior trends, Abbi wanted the show home to have lasting appeal.
Her aim was to create interiors that balanced timeless style with everyday practicality, allowing visitors to appreciate not only how beautiful the spaces looked, but how comfortably they could support modern life. Every room was designed to feel considered, functional and adaptable, whether for growing families, professional couples or those looking to downsize.
"I wanted people to walk through the door and immediately feel at home."
Throughout the launch weekend, visitors connected with different spaces in different ways – exactly the response Abbi had hoped for.
Inspired by the landscape
The design scheme takes inspiration from more than just interiors. Drawing on the natural surroundings of Abbots Vale, Abbi looked to the colours, textures and character of the local landscape to influence the overall scheme.
Muted greens, warm stone tones and soft neutral shades help create a calm, understated palette throughout the home, while natural oak furniture, woven accessories and layered fabrics introduce warmth and texture. Together, these elements blur the boundary between indoors and out, creating spaces that feel both contemporary and connected to their surroundings.
Each room was approached individually.
One bedroom was built around a striking Romo wallpaper and fabric collection, demonstrating how colour and texture can transform a space, while elsewhere neutral palettes, natural timber and layered textures create rooms that feel calm, versatile and timeless.
"Wallpaper can be difficult to visualise from a sample book, so a show home is the perfect opportunity to bring those ideas to life."
A favourite space
For Abbi, the standout room is the principal bedroom on the top floor.
Although its sloping ceilings presented the biggest design challenge, it also became the room she's most proud of. A king-size four-poster bed, bold wallpaper and natural timber furniture combine to create a dramatic yet inviting retreat.
"Hearing visitors walk upstairs and simply say 'wow' made all the effort worthwhile."
Beautiful and practical by design
While the interiors are beautifully styled, practicality remained at the heart of every decision.
Furniture was carefully selected to ensure each room feels spacious and functional, allowing visitors to experience how the home could work in everyday life.
"I always think about how someone might move around the home and use each room, so every piece was carefully chosen to create a home that feels both stylish and practical."
Glasswells' top tips for styling a new home
For anyone moving into a new-build home, Abbi recommends taking your time before trying to decorate every room at once.
"Start with your biggest pieces of furniture," she explains. "They're usually the biggest investment and they'll naturally dictate the rest of the scheme. Once those are in place, you can build everything else around them."
She also recommends embracing the blank canvas that a new home provides. By beginning with a timeless neutral palette, homeowners can gradually introduce colour, artwork, soft furnishings and accessories that reflect their own personality without feeling tied to short-lived trends. Layering textures, introducing natural materials and adding plants are all simple ways to make a new-build feel established and lived in from day one.
A collaborative partnership
Working with Hopkins Homes was an enjoyable experience from start to finish, says Abbi, who appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with another local business throughout the project.
Summing up the finished result in a single sentence, she describes the Abbots Vale show home as:
"A timeless, welcoming home that blends contemporary style with everyday comfort."
Visit Abbots Vale
If you're looking for inspiration for your own home or would like to experience the thoughtful design behind this beautiful show home, we invite you to visit Abbots Vale and explore it for yourself.
Discover more about the homes available at Abbots Vale, browse our latest house types or arrange a visit to see how considered design and quality craftsmanship come together in every Hopkins Home.
