Designing Nexus: A Q&A with Suna Interior Design 

From clever space-enhancing techniques to practical tips on adding personality to a new-build home, this Q&A offers valuable insight and inspiration for anyone looking to make the most of their space. 

What was the vision when designing the Nexus show apartment?

The vision centred on creating a sense of vibrant, bright living. It was important that the Show Apartment and Sales Suite felt cohesive, so we drew directly from Nexus’s branding. Graphic shapes, stripe details, and a soft palette of blues and blush tones became key features throughout the space.

Texture was equally important. We introduced intricate beading details to the walls to add depth and interest, while also demonstrating the creativity and flexibility that a new-build home can offer.

How did you make the space feel spacious and welcoming? And how can homeowners achieve this themselves?

We focused on creating a strong sense of flow and visual calm. Open sightlines, a consistent material palette, and carefully considered scale all contributed to making the space feel both expansive and inviting.

In the open-plan living and dining area - the heart of the home - zoning was key. We used subtle design techniques, such as a low-backed sofa, to define the living area without interrupting views across the space. Modular bench seating helped create a more intimate and cohesive dining zone.

For homeowners, the key is to be intentional. Multifunctional furniture - like wall-mounted dining benches, modular sofas, or open wardrobes - can help define zones without breaking the flow, making the most of every square metre.

What are your top tips for adding personality to a brand-new home?

A new-build home is a blank canvas, full of opportunity to create something truly personal. While paint and wallpaper are a good starting point, we recommend looking beyond these and incorporating architectural texture - such as wall panelling, beading, or contemporary cladding - to add depth and character.

Panelling, for example, doesn’t have to feel traditional. With the right proportions and finishes, it can feel clean, modern, and refined.

Adding personality can feel overwhelming, especially at the beginning. Even as designers, we experience decision paralysis. My advice is to live in the space first - notice what draws you in naturally and build from there. The most characterful homes are developed over time, layered gradually rather than completed all at once.

What’s one simple change that instantly transforms a space?

It’s rarely just one thing, but a combination of finishing touches that truly elevate a space.

Curtains, rugs, art, and plants are some of the most effective additions:

• Curtains soften a room and create a sense of completeness

• Rugs help ground seating areas and define zones

• Art introduces personality and reflects the people living there

• Plants bring life, texture, and movement

A home doesn’t feel finished with furniture alone - it’s these final layers that make all the difference.

What inspired the design of Nexus specifically?

The design was heavily influenced by its setting in Stevenage, one of the UK’s post-war New Towns.

Its modernist planning, clean lines, and civic landmarks - particularly the iconic clock tower - informed the overall direction. We developed a palette of softened blues and blush tones to reflect this heritage in a way that feels contemporary and residential.

The geometric forms seen throughout the town centre were translated into structured prints and graphic detailing within the show apartment, allowing the design to subtly reference its context without feeling overly thematic.

What were your favourite parts of the project?

The principal bedroom is a standout space. It feels calm and tranquil, yet layered with thoughtful details - from the grid and ridged panelling behind the oversized bouclé headboard to the soft pink velvet curtains that echo the tones in the bedding. It’s both restful and richly considered.

I’m also particularly fond of the living room armchair with its wide stripe. It adds a bold, graphic moment and brings a sense of personality into the space.

Can you tell us about the marketing suite design?

The marketing suite was designed as an immersive introduction to the development - a space that immediately communicates its identity and focus on connectivity.

A feature reception desk sits against fluted panelling and illuminated signage, subtly referencing movement and flow. We wanted to move away from a purely transactional environment, so we introduced a bespoke banquette seating area to create a more relaxed and welcoming setting for conversations.

The stripe motif continues through the upholstery, reinforcing the branding and visual language of the development. Every detail - from materials to layout - works together to tell a cohesive story.

Ultimately, it’s not just a place to pick up a brochure; it’s a space designed to bring the lifestyle to life from the moment you step inside.

Click here to find out more about the development and book your private viewing today.