Invisible Softness

Dhilnawaaz Khan Trotman and her partner Annahita Samiri have reimagined the interior of a cleverly reclusive home in Warwickshire, England, aptly named Invisible House.

WORDS Steve Smith PHOTOS Vigo Jansons and Ingrid Tancredi

In the quiet countryside of Warwickshire sits one of the UK’s most enigmatic homes: the Invisible House. A deconstructed single-storey dwelling with eight separate pavilions, it gets its name from the fact that it’s completely clad in smoked, mirrored glass that reflects the foliage from the surrounding single-stem birch trees, creating the illusion of a house that ceases to exist.

Properties like this seldom come on the market – and when this one did in 2023, it understandably made headlines. Its new owner – an international sports personality – wasn’t that enamoured with the original stark and minimalist interior, which was more like a gallery than a place to live, and subsequently commissioned DKT Interior Design Studio to redo it.

DKT, founded by South African-born Dhilnawaaz Khan Trotman with Iranian-born Annahita Samiri, has reimagined the property as a sanctuary to experience, rather than an object to look at. “We wanted to turn it from an object into a home,” says Dhilnawaaz. “The exterior is so visually intense that when you walk inside, you expect to feel awe. What we felt instead was sterility. We knew we had to soft en it, to give it soul.”

Annahita recalls their first walkthrough vividly. “The Invisible House is so perfectly camouflaged, we actually walked into the house next door by mistake!” she says, laughing. “Once inside, it was clear: the bones were beautiful, but it didn’t feel like somewhere you could exhale.”

Working with the home’s ultra-precise finishes, geometric rigidity and minimal layering, DKT embraced restraint. “We couldn’t build upwards,” Dhilnawaaz says. “Every change had to be intentional; every gesture had to have purpose.”

The first clue to the transformation is in the entrance. Here, Annahita drew inspiration from the way the water danced on the ceiling, reflected from the pond outside. The result is a timber installation that behaves almost like drapery – fluid, sculptural and completely unique. No two curves are the same. Hidden cupboards are integrated into the design, their function invisible within the artistry.

“It’s the first time, to our knowledge, that this kind of joinery has been done,” Annahita says. “It’s timber that evokes memories of fabric. It’s so soft visually, you can almost imagine it swaying.” This entryway doesn’t just introduce the home, it also establishes the DKT philosophy: innovation with intimacy.

From there, the house unfolds in a dialogue between structure and softness. Where the architecture is sharp, DKT introduced curves. Where materials were cold, they layered in warmth. Rounded joinery, sculptural furniture and limewashed walls act as a balance to the home’s angular shell, creating an unexpected sense of comfort.

Art became the bridge between building and landscape. DKT collaborated with Studio Lawrence on a striking green piece designed to pull the surrounding woods indoors. Sculptural works by Emily Bourne and Zarefa of Studio London bring depth and texture, while Iranian artist Eisa Jabari created a bespoke piece that departsmfrom his usual aesthetic, inspired by the spirit of the Invisible House.

Layered into the design are rugs from La Soie, DKT’s own rug collection, handwoven in Iran using silk and wool. “It was important to me to bring in something of heritage,” says Annahita. “These rugs are rooted in tradition but translated for a space that feels futuristic. It’s old-world craftsmanship.”

One of the biggest and most surprising transformations is the kitchen. Previously stark and uninviting, it is now a study in balance. Stainless-steel cabinetry is paired with warm, veined stone, and slimline wine racks flank the cooking area like sculptural columns. Custom lighting softens the edges, turning what was once a clinical and cold space into a room with soul. “It’s a place to gather,” Dhilnawaaz says. “It’s still architectural – but now it has life.”

Beyond the shared areas, DKT crafted deeply personal spaces – including a dressing room that feels like a gallery rather than a closet. Illuminated shelving showcases an extraordinary collection of sneakers and luxury accessories, while the use of warm timber, smoked glass and precision lighting elevates it from storage to statement. “It’s about ritual,” says Dhilnawaaz. “Even the most private spaces deserve beauty.”

The project had its challenges. “We discovered that there was no insulation in the walls,” says Dhilnawaaz. “It was almost like bone without muscle.” DKT made the decision to replaster much of the structure, reinforcing it from within to ensure longevity.

“No matter how iconic a project looks from the outside, you have to check every single detail,” Annahita says. “This house taught us that design is as much about what you don’t see as it is about what you do see.” | dktinteriordesignstudio.com

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