Minoli & Castlethorpe Homes

Oxfordshire firms working in partnership

Castlethorpe Homes was established in 2020 by Chris Warner with a founding philosophy of taking a best practice approach to redefine the design, choice and quality standards of new build homes.

With over 25 years of industry experience gained with some of the preeminent plc and private housebuilders, Chris’s ambition is to put homeowners at the heart of everything they do, reflecting the ever-changing needs of house buyers, with a firm focus on three key pillars:

 Quality: To achieve the highest standards through thorough and insightful architectural and interior design, the materials specified, the internal and external kerb appeal of the properties, to the craftsmen, construction methods and the resulting aesthetics achieved.

Community: To consider the needs of the wider community, so the developed schemes go beyond just ‘fitting in’ with the local area, to actively enhance the environment, with improved services and facilities that leave a lasting legacy.

Sustainability: Consciously vetting supply chain partners to ensure they share Castlethorpe Homes Environmental, Social and Governance values and to help integrate the very latest innovations in sustainable techniques and materials.

Based in Finstock, Oxfordshire, within 20 miles of Minoli’s Headquarters in Cowley, Oxford, the relationship between Chris and Jonathon, Daniel and the wider Minoli team, spans more than 20 years and is forged on a shared ethos for seeking the finest products, operating with consideration for the local community and environment, and being purposefully focused on the positive outcomes of our businesses’ activities.

These ways of working have helped Minoli become a trusted supplier and advisor to Castlethorpe Homes, and are very evident in the intimate, sympathetic and select developments they deliver, creating homes that are somewhere truly special to live.

Serving some of the most attractive and historic villages, towns and cities across Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds and surrounding areas, Castlethorpe Homes distinctive designs are attuned to each individual setting, by using reclaimed local Cotswold stone, crafting beautiful oak staircases and exposed beams, or choosing slate roofs and timber cladding to harmonise with surrounding properties, for instance.

An excellent example of their empathetic endeavours can be seen at The Paddocks in Bramley, an exclusive development of just four substantial detached houses that feature ranges from Minoli’s porcelain and ceramic tile series in the beautifully appointed hallways, kitchens, bathrooms and ensuites.

On that site, within Farriers Barn, throughout the delightful, double-height entrance hall and impressive, open-plan kitchen, diner and adjoining utility room, Minoli Elysian Mediterranea porcelain tiles have been expertly laid to the floors in a rectified 80/80 size with a softly Brushed finish, providing a light, neutral canvas against which to showcase the oakwood doors and bespoke kitchen cabinets.

Creating a feature area behind the range cooker, Luminous Lume Green brings a splash of high-gloss colour and the downstairs cloakroom walls are clad in Baikal Blanco Matt Lined Décor, to bring texture as light plays across their sculpted, 3D surfaces.

Upstairs, the luxurious master ensuite floor is laid in De-Segni Osso Blend 11, with its traditional Majolica style, block-print pattern, the tones of which complement the Direction Pearl Matt 30/60 applied to the walls and full-height shower enclosure. In the family bathroom, we see the buff shades of Lagoona Moonbeam bring a welcoming warmth and in a further guest ensuite, the silver and steel of the marble-effect Minoli Marvel Moon Onyx creates a modern and mellow ambiance in which to refresh and relax.

Looking ahead, while the strategic direction for Castlethorpe Homes is to remain at SME scale and retain their focus on building distinctively individual homes, to highest levels of specification and environmental consideration, the allure of these properties is sure to bring organic growth as their reputation is further established.

Our sincere thanks go to Chris and the Castlethorpe Homes team for specifying tiles from Minoli’s collections, and you can see more of their design-led developments on their website here.