Richard Found, head of design practice Found Associates, talks to us about his award-winning home in the Cotswolds.
Based between London and the Cotswolds, Founder of architectural and interior design studio Found Associates, Richard Found was fortunate to spend lockdowns with his family tucked away in a rural landscape. Surrounded by rich woodlands, his RIBA National Award-winning home is an idyllic haven nestled in the countryside. An architectural masterpiece that seamlessly marries integral historical elements with a dramatic and contemporary series of interconnected pavilions. We caught up with Richard about his obsession with natural light, solving the toilet seat battle and why he’s covering his house in mistletoe this Christmas.
Where is home for you?
In between London and the Cotswolds.
(In normal times) what does your daily routine look like?
Up at 5.45am, Instagram 5.50am, yoga from 6am – 7.30am. Then a quick run 7.30am – 8.15am, after which I take my daughter to school. At 9am I start work, (often with a breakfast meeting which I find to be the most productive meeting of the day). I have a quick lunch at my desk and walk Rosie the Cavapoo (Cavalier spaniel and poodle cross) three times throughout the day. 6pm is dinner with the family followed by more work until. I stop working around 10pm to watch TV with my wife and then from 11pm I read a book until I can’t keep my eyes open!
What’s the style of your home interiors?
Very minimal – concrete and glass! The interiors are contemporary and use natural materials. I’m obsessed with natural daylight.
Where’s your favourite room/spot in your home?
The living room, because I can either stare into the roaring fire or fix my view on nature beyond the glazing. Also, it’s a space we love to entertain in and often dance in depending on the alcohol consumption of our guests!
Please can you share your top tips for how our readers can easily refresh their interiors for the colder seasons?
Make the fireplace the focal point of the room, if it isn’t already. You can make good use of the smaller rooms in the house by turning them into snugs or TV rooms.
You’ve got a day to spend at home with no obligations or distractions. What would we find you doing?
Yoga, meditation, table tennis, reading, fishing or walking in the woods.
The lockdowns have caused everyone to spend more time at home than ever, which renewed everyone’s interest in their interiors and gardens. What design changes, if any, did you make to your home to improve your home environment?
I added a sign to my study door which said ‘Zoom call in progress, keep out and keep the noise down!’. We made a laundry chute, which deposited dirty clothes in front of the washing machine. We also added another loo in the master bathroom, so that I so I can leave the seat up all year round without being screamed at! Outside, we bought a birdbath and bird feeders for our garden.
What have you learnt from spending so much time at home and what do you think we can all take away from this period?
I’ve learnt to respect other family members’ need for their own space both physically and mentally. It’s important to stick to a routine or laziness sets in. I appreciate the mundane tasks in life, like washing the car or jet washing the patio, and meal times have become even more important and enjoyable as a family. Our appreciation of nature has gone through the roof during lockdown, which is fabulous.
What exciting projects are you currently working on?
Found Associates is working on a house in Alderney, as well as houses in Mayfair, Notting Hill, Surrey, Cheshire, France and the States. My new start-up FoundPop (a furniture rental company for pop-ups) is expanding across Europe and seems to be in demand due to this new retail world we find ourselves living in.
What has been your form of escapism during lockdown?
Long walks, yoga, meditation…and chocolate!
Where do you hope to be for Christmas this year?
In our house in the Cotswolds, extremely grateful to be surrounded by my immediate family.
What does Christmas at home look like for you?
The only two decorations that I intend to put up at Christmas is the wreath on the front door and masses of mistletoe dotted around the house (as my wife hasn’t kissed me for 10 months for fear of catching Covid!).
Real or fake Christmas tree?
Without a shadow of a doubt real. The smell of the tree in the living room, along with the mulled wine, means its unmistakably Christmas!
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