Interior and exterior confidence
Create Academy has been such a great resource. I'm in the middle of renovating a bungalow with a very large garden and the courses have offered a wealth of inform...
Harvey
Jun 10, 2026
Subscribe to watch
Beneath the main room are a series of smaller rooms with much more of a cottage feel. Previously derelict, these rooms were renovated to be habitable in the 1960s by David Hicks.
From the Lesson Workbook
The Undercroft
You are now joining me in the cottage part of The Temple, underneath the main room. These rooms were renovated to be habitable in the 1960s by David Hicks.
- This section comprises a dining room, which has a bar at one end and a small kitchen at the other.
- From the dining table, you can look straight out the circular 'oiel-de-boeuf' window to enjoy views of the canal.
- As the rooms are small and low, I have decorated them very simply. Rush matting covers the floor, and the colour palette has been kept neutral.
- While it is not my first choice, due to the very low ceilings, we had to have downlighters.
- The kitchen is small but perfectly formed, and completely functional for one person - I have even cooked Christmas dinners for ten people in there!
- Shutters saved from the old house have been turned into clever room dividers, and I have mirrored the look of these by using louver shutters on the windows.
- The dining table has a banquette you can sit at, but the rest of the chairs are positioned away from the table against the wall, which I think helps the room to feel less like it's waiting for guests and more inviting for one person to use.
- Much like the rest of the home, I have included lots of potted geraniums down here - the modesty of a geranium works in any situation.
Get the full workbook, video lessons, and more with a Create Academy subscription.
Subscribe to access the full workbookAlready a member? Sign in to watch
Rated 4.6/5 on Trustpilot
479 reviews
Read moreAbsolutely love Create Academy
Absolutely love Create Academy! The instructors are extremely informative, and it is beautifully filmed. Create Academy is great value for money and plan on renew...
SG
May 31, 2026
Magic in small spaces
Butter's creativity is stunning! Her ability to incorporate brilliance in small gardens is magical!
Carla
May 30, 2026
The best adventure
The best adventure. I like all the courses, but my favorite are both Rita Konig interior design courses and Anna Jones. Excellent!
Karolina Kluczewska
May 20, 2026
Interior and exterior confidence
Create Academy has been such a great resource. I'm in the middle of renovating a bungalow with a very large garden and the courses have offered a wealth of information to dive into and explore new ideas. I'm...
Harvey
Jun 10, 2026
Absolutely love Create Academy
Absolutely love Create Academy! The instructors are extremely informative, and it is beautifully filmed. Create Academy is great value for money and plan on renewing my subscription yearly because there are ...
SG
May 31, 2026
Magic in small spaces
Butter's creativity is stunning! Her ability to incorporate brilliance in small gardens is magical!
Carla
May 30, 2026
Your Instructor
Veere Grenney
Esteemed New Zealand-born UK-based decorator
For more than three decades, Veere Grenney has shaped the landscape of international interior design with an eye for timeless elegance and a deep respect for tradition. Having begun his career under Mary Fox Linton, and later serving as a director at Colefax and Fowler, Veere went on to establish his own company in central London in 1996, one that continues to define the art of classic contemporary living.
His work has been consistently recognised at the very highest level with Veere holding a place in House and Garden’s Directory of 100 Leading Interior Designers for the past seven years, alongside being named one of Veranda’s ‘Magic Makers’ in 2013, and additionally is a proud member of Architectural Digests prestigious ‘Top 100’.
Access to all courses