House Style with Richard Found
After showing us around his modern country home in the Cotswolds, Richard Found, of Found Associates and Found Pop, shares his personal house style.
How would you describe the interiors of your house?
Calming, relaxing and full of daylight.
One of my main objectives when designing the house was to create interior spaces that blended with nature and the surrounding landscape. The hierarchy of views over the woodland and lake became an obsession for me, as did how the sun’s orientation would result in ever-changing tones and shadows within the building.
If there was a fire and you could only save one thing, what would it be?
Family aside, it would have to be my original Charles and Ray Eames EA217 Soft Pad chair, which dates back to 1969. It has been attached to me (literally) for the last 30 years and is one of the most comfortable chairs I have ever sat in. Hours of work and design have taken place in that chair whilst sitting at my concrete desk, overlooking the lake.
What was the last thing you bought for the house?
I designed our new bookcase in our TV room, which has changed the whole feel of the space. I was initially very reluctant to cover an entire fair-faced concrete wall with a bookcase and I was also concerned about introducing another material (oak) to the originally restrained palette of materials within the house, but I think it works.
Where do you shop for your home?
No single place. Upon moving in we purchased MDF Italia aluminium beds and Paola Lenti rugs, both through Viaduct, as well as the Kennedee sofa in the main space by Poltrona Frau. I am so particular about adding items to the house that I am in no rush; I would rather wait until I come across products that I fall in love with as opposed to rushing a purchase to fill the space.
Top three coffee table books?
Always a mixture of art and design and my wife, being an art consultant, has an abundance of great books. Currently, we have out Albert Oehlen, published by Taschen, a Richard Prince book about an exhibition he had at the Guggenheim Foundation in New York in 2007-8, and, lastly, my absolute hero, Donald Judd’s Architecture in Marfa, Texas.
If money was no object, what changes would you make?
A minor change externally. I would love to add a large fire pit, surrounded by seating. There is something great about staying up late, with a drink in hand, outside, staring at a roaring fire in the winter months.
Less is more or more is more?
What a question to ask me of all people!
I am at my most productive and focused when spaces around me are devoid of clutter or visual distraction as it allows me to think clearly; it may not surprise you to hear that I am not a fan of family photographs and memorabilia. Stripping the interior to the bare essentials only heightens the building’s relationship with its exterior surroundings and the beauty of nature.
The social media overload that we are all experiencing is yet another reason to simplify our environments and reduce the visual noise that Instagram and other social platforms are adding to our lives in a dangerously addictive fashion. It’s more important than ever to reclaim some sanctuary (and sanity!) in the calm and tranquil environments of our homes. Less is more!
Design classics or contemporary pieces?
Both have merit in my eyes.
Any contemporary pieces that have real integrity and functionality to them will eventually evolve into design classics, having stood their test of time. We collect both and have enjoyed the added challenge of furnishing the modern interior at the same time as selecting furniture for the period gamekeepers cottage. A varied approach adds interest and prevents a ‘furniture showroom’ outcome.
If you’re having people over for dinner, what do you cook?
Cooking, unfortunately, is not my wife’s nor my strong point.
We are boringly formulaic. We’ve stopped serving a starter (as everybody of a certain age, me included, is trying to eat less). The main course is nearly always chicken or salmon… followed by the obligatory tiramisu or Eton mess (which I convinced myself feels vaguely healthy because of the fruit content).
What are the best things about the neighbourhood?
Walks, pubs and friends. Often combined.
We are so lucky to be surrounded by woodland that provides great walking opportunities. It’s fabulous to walk along a sheltered canopied footpath surrounded by bluebells and then to find yourself in an open clearing in glorious sunlight. Our kids are usually less impressed and often distraught when any kind of remaining distance is discussed.
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