How Just Shutters helped turn a historic Devon landmark into a calm, light-filled family home
Every once in a while, a project comes along that truly captures the imagination, one that blends heritage, heart and the joy of transformation. Totnes House is exactly that.
A memorable project that leaves a lasting impression
From beautifully shaped shutters to voice-controlled motorisation with Amazon Alexa, this project brought together everything we love at Just Shutters: thoughtful craftsmanship, clever problem-solving and designs that adapt to a family’s changing needs.
Built in 1889 as the Totnes Conservative Club, this grand Victorian building had stood empty for years before television producer, Jonney Steven and his family saw its potential. Together, they began an extraordinary journey to bring warmth and life back into the space and when it came to shaping the light inside, they turned to Just Shutters.
A Grand Old Building with a New Story to Tell
From the moment we stepped through the doors, we knew this was a home unlike any other. Tall arched windows, high ceilings and ornate features carried the weight of more than a century of history. But behind the faded paint and velvet panels was a home waiting for light, calm and a fresh chapter.
Our challenge was to design shutters that honoured the property’s heritage while giving the family the privacy, light and the comfort of modern living. Every room needed something unique, yet all had to flow beautifully together.
Crafting Calm from Character
In the children’s rooms, we softened the busy street views and created a sense of peace where they could rest and play with elegant full-height shutters. Upstairs, in a room destined to become a bathroom retreat, we designed café-style shutters, chosen to provide privacy below while keeping the upper windows open to the sky. They flood the space with soft natural light, creating a feeling of calm and connection with the outdoors that will be just as beautiful when the room evolves into its next chapter.
The living room, with its impressive arched windows, became the true showpiece. Our team measured every curve to craft shaped shutters that trace the architecture perfectly, creating symmetry and elegance without compromise. To make everyday living effortless, the panels were fully automated and connected to Amazon Alexa, a first in voice-controlled shutter design, with Just Shutters leading the way across the industry. This gives the family the freedom to open their shutters with a simple voice command. Every detail, every alignment, every angle was considered. Because great design doesn’t just fill a space; it transforms how you feel within it.
A Collaboration Built on Trust
Working with Jonney and his family felt like being part of something genuinely special. Their renovation has captured the attention of over one hundred and forty thousand viewers on line and that number continues to rise, but what truly matters is what happens inside those walls: a once-forgotten building becoming a joyful, light-filled family home.
As the family continue to share their story via Totnes House on Instagram, viewers can watch the transformation unfold, from forgotten clubrooms to beautifully designed spaces filled with character, craftsmanship and light.
And the story doesn’t end here. In the coming months, we’ll be returning to install our Fortitude Security Shutters, bringing the same style, innovation and attention to detail, but with the added benefit of discreet, high-security protection that will blend seamlessly with the home’s design.
A Home Reborn
Totnes House is more than a renovation. It’s a reminder that heritage and modern living can sit side by side, that good design can honour the past while lighting the way forward.
For us, it’s been a privilege to play a small part in that transformation, helping a remarkable family bring light, calm and character to a truly unforgettable home.
