Colour, too, plays a crucial role, making each room sing with a different range of complementary tones, resulting in spaces which feel warm and welcoming. “Colour is a huge source of inspiration for us,” reveals Pip. “Throughout Sona we played with traditional heritage colours in a modern way, like the green of the kitchen, which was inspired by the original olive metal shelving in the bank safe.” 

Much of the original, rickety, hardware was there, but given Sona’s fate was to become a holiday let, the team needed to balance practicality with heritage. TradCo offered the perfect solution. “We had debated as to whether we would keep the original hardware on the doors as the colour was so beautiful and in keeping with the design and our tapware choices,” says Pip. “That was until we discovered TradCo. The colour and style were almost a perfect match to the original hardware that had developed a beautiful patina over the years. It was a no-brainer. It would give us that exact same look, however our guests would have a much better user experience when they stayed. ” 

TradCo, then, was used extensively. “We had many different types of doors and windows and they all needed something specific,” states Pip. The Antique Brass finish features throughout, on the Richmond Door Knob with Long Backplate and Victorian Lever with Long Backplate. It appears again on the Concealed Fix Door Stops, Hook and Oval Door Stops, as well as Double Robe Hooks and even the Flat Plate Switches. The only exception to the finish is the Classic Sash Fastener, for which Antique Copper was employed. “We loved that we could honour the heritage of the bank, whilst creating a seamless useability by the guests who come and stay,” says Pip. “We wanted something that was hardwearing and great quality, and we loved the depth of the range, allowing us to use TradCo through the entire bank.” 

The town may have lost a bank, but it has gained a building which celebrates its history, and with unparalleled charm.