Creating a Home Together: Collaborative Design at Cocklebury Farmhouse Homes
At Cocklebury Farmhouse Homes, we believe that a home should be more than just a place to live—it should reflect the personalities, preferences, and needs of the people who reside there. That’s why we continuously strive to improve our services, designing our care and environment around the individuals we support.
To ensure everyone has a voice, we hold weekly meetings where we discuss current events, community happenings, and—most importantly—gather feedback in our housemates' meetings. This feedback is invaluable, as it allows us to understand firsthand how people feel and make meaningful improvements to their living spaces.
Care is not just about safety and well-being; it’s also about creating a home that feels personal and inviting. Designing interiors collaboratively ensures that each space is not only functional but also a true reflection of the individuals who live there. From choosing new kitchen worktops to selecting the perfect front door colour, our housemates play an active role in shaping their home.
This case study highlights one such project—our journey in selecting and painting a new front door, showcasing the importance of shared decision-making in making a house feel like home.
Choosing a New Front Door Colour
Background
During our housemates' meeting, Christopher raised the idea of changing the colour of the front door. He felt that the door was in need of a refresh, and the rest of the household quickly agreed. This initiated a collaborative process to select and apply a new colour that everyone would be happy with.
Exploring Colour Options
To begin the process, we consulted a colour chart to explore potential options. This allowed us to visualise various colours and discuss what would work best for the house. Christopher expressed a strong preference for a green front door, an idea that was met with enthusiasm by Jim, who noted his fondness for green due to its association with Eddie Stobart lorries.
Selecting the Right Shade
Having settled on green as the colour of choice, the next step was to determine the exact shade. To make an informed decision, we obtained a range of green paint samples and applied small test patches to see how they would look in natural light. Once the samples were up, we held a house-wide vote to decide on the final shade.
The Winning Colour & Painting Process
After tallying the votes, the winner was clear: "Willow," a soft and welcoming shade of green. With the decision made, it was time to get to work. Christopher and Andrew, eager to see the transformation through, took the lead on painting the door.
Outcome
The newly painted door not only gave the house a refreshed and inviting look but also reflected the collaborative spirit of the household. By involving everyone in the decision-making process, we ensured that the final result was something that each housemate could take pride in.
This experience highlighted the importance of shared decision-making in communal living spaces and demonstrated how a simple change, like a new front door colour, can bring people together.
