Where Proportion Meets Emotion: Inside Newlands Reverie with Philip Tyers

At Newlands Reverie Town House, timeless Georgian symmetry is reimagined through a contemporary lens by Philip Tyers, Founder and Creative Director of Philip Tyers Studio. Known for his sculptural approach to interiors, Tyers brings together balance, material richness, and quiet restraint to create a home that feels both grounded and serene – a space designed not just to be seen, but to be felt.

In this conversation, Tyers reflects on the design philosophy behind the project, from proportion and light to the dialogue between heritage and modern minimalism, revealing how a contemporary classic is born.

Q: Newlands Reverie is described as a “contemporary classic Georgian home.” How did you interpret and evolve the Georgian influence to suit a modern lifestyle?

A: Traditional Georgian homes have incredible symmetry and proportion. In a contemporary context, that means keeping the formal, balanced façade but opening up the back – larger apertures, more light, more connection to outdoor living. I often describe it as a mullet hairstyle: business up front, party at the back.

Q: From the warmth of oak and stone to the calm of linen and light, every material seems to speak. How did you approach your material selection?

A: Good interiors work like an orchestra – every material has a part to play. I lean toward natural, neutral elements with texture and tactility. Light is always the conductor; materials must converse with it, and with one another.

Q: You’ve described spaces such as the firelit hearth, kitchen island, and bedroom retreat. Which of these resonated with you most during the process?

A: Always the kitchen – it’s the heart of the home. Beyond its function, it defines the rhythm of family life and informs how surrounding spaces connect and flow.

Q: There’s a sculptural quality to your interiors. How do you balance form and function?

A: Good proportions make good living. Architecture should accommodate movement and intimacy in equal measure; the tug between grandeur and comfort is where the magic happens.

Q: You’ve mentioned “proportion in marble.” How do you approach scale and contrast in bold materials?

A: It’s about knowing your hero pieces. Bold materials need room to breathe. Contrast of scale creates drama, but it must always serve harmony.

Q: Your studio blends heritage and contemporary design. How do you find equilibrium between the two?

A: Heritage offers grounding, contemporary design brings clarity. When the transition between them is seamless, that’s good design – it feels inevitable rather than imposed.

Q: Your environments are emotional yet highly curated. What role does emotion play in your process?

A: Emotion is everything. Ask: what do you want to feel here? For me, it’s calm and balance achieved through restraint and intention.

Q: Stillness and calm are recurring in your work. How do you design for serenity in a noisy world?

A: The home should be the internal world – quiet, nurturing, reflective. It’s where you regain control from the chaos outside.

Q: You often collaborate with architects and developers. How do you preserve your vision within broader frameworks?

A: Design is a dialogue, not a dictatorship. The goal is to align creative ideals with practicality, to find elegant solutions that serve the whole project.

Q: Your pieces feel like functional art. How do you view the relationship between furniture and interior space?

A: Interiors are like theatre. The furniture are the actors – each must perform its role in harmony. I prefer pieces with narrative, not just utility.

Q: Many designers chase ‘timelessness.’ What does that mean to you?

A: Timelessness comes from simplicity and integrity – honest materials, good proportions, and meaningful restraint. Those never date.

Q: Would you describe your interiors as sanctuaries, galleries, or something else entirely?

A: Always sanctuaries. Art should have personal resonance, not just visual impact.

Q: What inspires you most right now – a material, a movement, a mood?

A: Mood. The quietness of space – that’s what speaks loudest.

Q: Was there a project that shaped your identity as a designer?

A: Homes I built for myself. They were deeply personal, raw expressions of instinct and self-discovery.

Q: And if you had to distil your design ethos into one line?

A: Follow your instinct; design with authenticity.

Philip Tyers Studio blurs the line between art, design, and decoration. The studio produces handcrafted furniture, sculptural interiors, and collectable pieces that celebrate both craft and concept. Each creation, whether a one-off masterpiece or an immersive space, carries its own narrative, honouring heritage while challenging convention.