Guest blog: We asked interior design experts Show Business Interiors to tell us how they came up with the intriguing interior design scheme for the Fordwood at The Choristers, a showhome brimming with character, colour, and individuality.
The Choristers is a stunning collection of two to five-bedroom energy-efficient homes located in the popular village of Streethay in Staffordshire.
Inspired in part by the BBC’s hit TV series The Traitors, The Choristers’ four-bed Fordwood showhome features an eclectically playful interior filled with personality, charm and cleverly curated iconography.
From a bespoke round table and turret-inspired study to tartan wallpaper and portraits of the ‘banished’ above the mantelpiece, playful nods to the series feature throughout – enough for Claudia Winkleman to shake her fringe at. But look beyond the theme, and there’s something much more relatable at the heart of the design.
Country influences sit alongside heritage references, deep colour palettes, patterns and collected pieces to create an interior that feels layered and established – qualities that can sometimes feel difficult to introduce when starting with the blank canvas of a new build home.
While we’re often encouraged to approach showhomes with cohesion in mind, there’s an increasing appetite for interiors with greater individuality; spaces that feel less prescribed and more reflective of the people who live in them.
But how can you achieve this in a new build home?
Start with a strong foundation
Despite its many references to The Traitors, there was much more behind the Fordwood’s interior design. The original brief centred around the character of a Scottish manor house and country aesthetic, influenced by the historic architecture of nearby Lichfield – including its iconic three-spired cathedral.
Sarah Hatfield from Show Business Interiors, explains: “The brief gave us a strong foundation to work from. We took the character of a traditional Scottish manor house and the heritage of the local area as our starting point, which gave the designers scope to introduce more playful references without allowing the theme to take over the interior. That foundation is what allows so many different elements to sit comfortably together.”
In the living room, deep tartan wallpaper sits alongside a traditional leather armchair and faux-antler chandelier, while floral patterns and tactile cushions soften the scheme. A record player, vinyl, books and collected accessories add another layer, making the room feel as though it has gradually evolved rather than everything arriving at once.
Curate rather than coordinate
Curated maximalism is one way of achieving individuality. It’s less about filling every available surface and more about bringing together pieces with meaning, allowing a home to feel as though it has developed naturally over time.
Artwork can sit alongside inherited ornaments; pieces collected on travels and objects chosen simply because you like them. Patterns don’t necessarily have to match, nor does every piece of furniture need to belong to the same period. What matters is having enough common threads to make the overall interior feel considered.
Layering can make such a difference in a new build home. Character doesn’t have to come from period architecture or years of accumulated belongings. It can be created by the way colour, pattern, texture, and personal pieces are brought together – allowing a completely new space to feel individual, comfortable, and, ultimately, lived-in.
Plan your visit now
We would love to welcome you to The Choristers to tell you more about the fantastic range of homes on offer and take you on a tour of this exquisite showhome. You can visit our sales centre from 10.30am to 5.30pm, Thursday to Monday, no appointment necessary.