Standing proudly in the lush Devon countryside, a post-war water tower has been transformed into a luxury four bedroom home, complete with Lusso fixtures and fittings. We talk to Robert Hunt, the ambitious owner who renovated the tower into a highly desirable property, capturing the attention of the UK press and Grand Designs.
Standing proudly in the lush Devon countryside, a post-war water tower has been transformed into a luxury four bedroom home, complete with Lusso fixtures and fittings. We talk to Robert Hunt, the ambitious owner who renovated the tower into a highly desirable property, capturing the attention of the UK press and Grand Designs.
What attracted you to the water tower?
I was on the lookout for a property that had potential, and maybe even something special or different about it. The water tower was 20 miles from where I lived and I just came up one evening while scrolling through property sites.
Can you tell us about the renovation?
The tower was built in 1949 and supplied the local villages until late 1990s when it was decommissioned. The local water board sold it in the early 2000s to someone else who just sat on it and used it as storage until it came up for sale again with planning permission in 2019.
It’s taken just shy of four years in total to transform it. I quit my full time job six months into the project, and worked on the tower 24/7, living onsite for the first half.
The rich matte black of the Water Tower's ensuite bathroom creates a striking contrast with the lush Devon countryside
Shop The Look
What interior style have you used throughout the property?
The interior style is quite contemporary and minimalist, but I've kept a number of original features like the dome concrete ceiling on the top floor, brickwork on the ground floor and some polished concrete. I've chosen interior features and colours that would not necessarily be chosen by the majority, but I felt the tower deserved bold choices and that's what gives it its uniqueness and value.
Where did you source inspiration for the interior design?
Inspiration came from lots and lots of online research, visiting various stores, collecting samples, etc. The tower definitely evolved through the building process and became less industrial and more contemporary.
The transformed property offers incredible views of its surroundings
To preserve its character, the Water Tower has retained a number of original features, including its concrete dome ceiling
Why did you choose Lusso for your bathrooms?
I went with Lusso mainly in the black ensuite, as the colour of the charcoal Picasso freestanding bath and basins complements the black tiling and other features within that room. White Lusso floating shelves were also used in the main bathroom.
The Lusso products that I have, I'm very happy with - I felt that the combination of style, quality and price was right for me.
What’s your favourite aspect of your unique home?
It has to be the large open plan top floor with the exposed original concrete dome ceiling and 360° views over the countryside and coast. I'm also super happy with how the all black ensuite has turned out - it was a bold decision to make and run with, but it worked out great.
To create a bold aesthetic within your own bathrooms, explore the Picasso Charcoal collection, exclusively available via Lusso.com
