HOMES 25 BEAUTIFUL MORE INSPIRATIONAL HOMES THAN ANY OTHER MAGAZINE
SMART & STYLISH
CLEVER REDESIGNS Colour and pattern transform a period terrace Twists on tradition bring a Tudor-style home up to date A daring conversion sees a villa turned into an on-trend warehouse
BEST OF BRITISH From city to coast, UK houses to inspire
SPACE MATTERS Ideas and inspiration for making the most of every inch of your floor plan
HOMES SEPTEMBER 2021
25 BEAUTIFUL
MORE INSPIRATIONAL HOMES THAN ANY OTHER MAGAZINE
2
no. A Victorian terrace has been infused with beautiful jewel hues (p14)
7
3
4
no. no. With kids soon flying the Art informed the nest, this couple were ready for a renovation challenge (p20)
upgrade of this charming Dutch townhouse (p26)
5
no.
1
Colourful and eyecatching interiors bring warmth to this Georgian home by the sea (p8)
6
no. no. Creative design has Former renters needed
made the most of every expert help to furnish inch of space in a bijou their blank canvas new build (p36) apartment (p32)
8 9 10 11
no. no. no. no. no. Sustainable and This couple called on The intense overhaul With no kitchen, this A coastal apartment
their family to help of this Victorian home Victorian villa was a big upgrade their seaside has given it a stylish doer-upper but the end cottage (p40) new identity (p44) result is amazing (p50)
has been given an exciting maximalist makeover (p56)
eco-friendly features are at the heart of this new build (p60)
25BH SEPTEMBER 2021 | 3
12 13 14 15 no.16
no. no. no. no. Contemporary touches A formerly nondescript Punchy colours and A multitude of add a fresh note to this Victorian villa has been patterns helped turn historic San Francisco given an industrial-style a bland terrace into a home (p66) update (p72) vibrant home (p76)
The owners set out to global influences have preserve the 1930s style inspired the decor in of their home, but with this new build (p84) a modern feel (p88)
17 18 19 20 21
no. no. no. no. no. Pale, natural textures Proof that it is possible The style of this Good teamwork was The need for more
create a relaxed feel at to have four children revamped cottage key to the successful entertaining space was this seafront American under nine and a shows the owner’s love refurbishment of this the driving force behind beach house (p94) stylish home (p98) of nature (p104) 1950s home (p110) this renovation (p116)
22 23 24 25
no. no. no. no. A clever redesign has The refresh of this listed A wonderful dark Chequerboard tiles
Room Envy
Expect traditional given this home’s and cosy haven has apartment pairs its and antiques add Moroccan design with kitchen-diner a heritage with modern been created in this character to this home’s a French twist at this luxury hotel (p138) clean-lined look (p120) Edwardian house (p128) bathroom (p132) touches (p125) 4 | 25BH SEPTEMBER 2021
editor’s letter
HOMES
| 25bh
25 BEAUTIFUL EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Sarah Spiteri Homes Editor Fiona Mace Group Creative Director Emma Williams Group Chief Sub Editor Jennifer Spaeth Content and Product Development Director Michael Holmes Brand Development Director Laura Crombie Homes Content Team Editorial Director Rhoda Parry Group Art Director Alison Walter Art Editors Melanie Brown and Paula Jardine Senior Designer Hannah Bennewitz Head of Subs Operations Maxine Clarke Hub Chief Sub Editor Carly Rigley Senior Sub Editors Marian McNamara and Karen Wiley
MANAGEMENT
Chief Content Officer Angie O’Farrell Managing Director of Homes Jason Orme Chief Audience & Ecommerce Officer Aaron Asadi Finance Director Mags & Subs Dan Jotcham SVP Global Operations & Marketforce Adrian Hughes
SYNDICATION CIRCULATION Circulation Manager Katie Greenan
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ADVERTISING
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Head of Art Production Nicola Tillman Art Production Designers Chris Saggers and Phil Dunk Group Production Manager Clare Scott Production Controller Bill Argent Advertising Production Manager Nick Williams (nick.williams@futurenet.com) Senior Ad Production Manager Jo Crosby
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(+44(0)330 333 1113) magazinesdirect.com Vol24 No 9 ISSN 1369529 © Future PLC, . Distributed by Marketforce (UK) Ltd, 3rd Floor, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP ( 8 )
WELCOME
Septemer will always e te ack-to-scool mont, ut it’s also wen a lot of us turn our tougts to omework of a different kind as summer as given us time to plan out ideas for updating our spaces. Many of te omeowners in tis issue ave taken on amitious projects. In Wales, Caty Colston ad een looking for er dream ome y te sea for 10 years and finally found te ouse tat ad all te potential to fulfil er wises. Take a look at te results on page 8. Anna Lintorst and Jo Kuipers faced te daunting task of reconfiguring a property tat ad een student accommodation for years, and ave transformed it into an elegant townouse (page 26). We’re so grateful to all of tese omeowners for allowing us to see te fruits of teir laours. Do get in touc if you ave a ouse tat deserves to e seen.
FIONA MACE, HOMES EDITOR
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25BH SEPTEMBER | 7
CHARACTER STUDY
Vintage pieces, contemporary designs and a good dose of colour have brought personality and warmth to Cathy Colston’s semi FEATURE RACHEL LEEDHAM | PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS SNOOK
8 | 25BH SEPTEMBER 2021
SITTING ROOM Grey walls let the statement pieces stand out. Chair, £120, Swivel UK. Patsy large round mirror, £175, Habitat. Jake corner sofa, from £3,432, Love Your Home, is similar
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SITTING ROOM A sleek table and two chairs have created a corner for contemplation. Curtains made by Diamond Interior Furnishing. Curtain fabric in Carnival in Indigo from the Tango collection, £54.90m, Linwood. Round terrazzo
10 | 25BH SEPTEMBER
table, £309, Hay at Nest. Etta chairs in blue velvet, £150 for a pair, Habitat DINING AREA Vintage pieces, including a set of 1950s stacking chairs, add character to the new extension, where an oversized skylight
ensures the space feels open and bright. The vintage Remploy stacking chairs were sourced on eBay. Woven rattan shade, £175, Cox & Cox. Hiba metal two-tier console table, £120, La Redoute. Still Life #1 print by Maxime Rokus, £40, PSTR Studio. Try Vinterior for a similar table
HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY Grade II-listed semi-detached Georgian house LOCATI O N Pembrokeshire ROOMS Sitting room, kitchendiner, snug, four bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2020 PREVIOUS PROPERT Y ‘We also have a Georgian house just outside Bath,’ says Cathy.
KITCHEN Patterned tiles enliven the matt blue cabinets. Architecture, WA Spees Architects. Contractor, Kurys Construction. Ezra Green porcelain tiles, from £40.80sq m; Breton Blanc porcelain floor tiles, from £34.80sq m, both Mandarin Stone
I
SNUG A teal velvet sofa strikes a luxurious note in this space, where the walls and the woodwork were painted the same blue hue for a cocooning feel. Walls in De Nimes estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Try the Bluebell sofa, from £1,620, Sofa.com. Sofa in Plush velvet in Kingfisher, £20m, Warwick. Sandisfield lounge chair, £325.99, Wayfair
12 | 25BH SEPTEMBER
t was always our desire to find something by the sea,’ says Cathy Colston of the Grade II-listed Georgian house in a coastal village in Pembrokeshire that she and her husband, Alistair, purchased last spring. She continues, ‘Alistair and I live just outside Bath but we are both originally from south Wales and my late father had a connection with this town as he spent time here during the war; he passed on a real love of this area to our family.’ It took the couple 10 years to find the right house as Cathy, who runs her own property business, was very specific about their requirements. ‘We were keen to be able to use the house with our friends and our two grown-up sons, but we also wanted to share it with others by renting it out, so it needed to be an appropriate size,’ she explains. She adds, ‘A lot of the characterful features of the building had been removed and the layout, which included two staircases, was awkward. We were lucky to work with a fantastic local architect, Wesley Spees, who has a deep empathy for historical buildings.’ Cathy saw the opportunity to reconfigure the layout, removing the back staircase to create a utility room on the ground floor and an extra bedroom upstairs. A new rear glazed extension enabled the kitchen to be opened out to an open-plan dining and sitting area, while the first floor was also extended and reworked to create four bedrooms and three bathrooms. ‘It now has a lovely flow,’ comments Cathy, who enlisted Grace King of Studio Rey (studiorey.co.uk) to devise the interiors. ‘Grace had worked on two other projects with me and we really clicked,’ she explains, adding, ‘I was keen to be creative in the choice and use of colour in this house.’ Grace used shades of blue – one of Cathy’s favourite colours – throughout much of the ground floor, suggesting contemporary midnight blue cabinetry for the kitchen and an inviting denim hue for the walls of the snug. The doors, architraves and skirting boards were all picked out in a rich shade of blue-black that was also used for the bannister of the elegant new staircase. ‘It’s a lovely way to link all the rooms,’ observes Grace, who also came up with the palette of dusty pink and dark grey for the main suite, as well as a plaster pink for the family shower room. ‘I needed a bit of persuading with that colour but I now absolutely love it,’ Cathy confides. Textiles bring a sense of luxury to the spaces and include designs by Welsh weavers Melin Tregwynt. ‘It was important for Cathy to have some Welsh designs in the mix,’ explains Grace, pointing out a set of 1950s chairs that were sourced on eBay and hail from the Remploy factory in South Wales. These vintage pieces, together with antiques purchased from local Pembrokeshire shops, have been teamed with savvy high-street buys to create a home that is both practical yet full of personality. ‘When we first saw the house, it was the appealing façade that really won us over and now I feel that the interiors properly do it justice,’ says Cathy, adding, ‘It’s a house that is designed to be enjoyed, in a very special part of Wales.’ For more details on renting Cathy’s Pembrokeshire home, visit blackdoorstays.com
MAIN BEDROOM Painted a purplish grey, the panelling makes a feature of the velvet bed. Ciao bed, from £995 for a kingsize, Loaf. Panelling in Drakensberg architects’ eggshell, £71 for 2.5ltr,Paint & Paper Library. Metalwork bedside table in hot rolled steel finish, £319, West Elm
BEDROOM complement the plaster pink walls. Painting the walls in two shades from the Ravenna porcelain tiles, from £42sq m, same tonal palette is a clever choice. Mandarin Stone Aamu Dhurrie cushion, £75, Projektityyny. Ernst throws in Saffron, £61 each, Nordic Nest BEDROOM An oversized floral print wallpaper suits BATHROOM the mid 20th-century style furniture. Black accents beautifully Helleborus wallpaper, £131 a roll, Farrow & Ball
HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace LOCATI O N North London ROOMS Sitting room, kitchendiner, snug, five bedrooms (three en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2003 PREVIOUS PROPERT Y ‘We lived in the downstairs maisonette and later bought the upstairs maisonette and turned them into one home,’ says Lisa.
POLISHED GEM
Lisa Gordon craved a chic interior-designed home and found the answer in a jewel palette of blues and golds FEATURE JANE CRITTENDEN | PHOTOGRAPHY SIOBHAN DORAN
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KITCHEN-DINER ‘We swapped our kitchen and dining area around so we could enjoy eating while sitting by the window,’ says Lisa. The rich blue kitchen looks smart and modern. Kitchen cupboards, from £335 for a single cabinet, Naked Kitchens; in Hague Blue estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Dulwich extending table in oak, £2,615, The Conran Shop
25BH SEPTEMBER 0 | 15
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hen architects and interior designers, The Vawdrey House, showed Lisa Gordon their suggestion of dark blue floor tiles shot through with an eye-catching gold pattern for the hallway, it resonated with her immediately. ‘I’ve always gone overboard with too many swirls and curls in my design ideas,’ says Lisa, ‘and I needed expert help with this house,’ she says. ‘My husband Guy and I both loved their suggestion and knew they’d be perfect to guide us through the project.’ Lisa and Guy moved here when Lisa was pregnant with their eldest daughter, Mae, now 18, buying the maisonette on the ground and lower ground floor. Four years later, Lisa was expecting their second daughter, Scarlett, now 14, and the chance arose to buy the maisonette above. The couple reinstated the building back into one house, but Lisa says money was tight back then and the conversion had always felt disjointed. ‘The top two floors didn’t inform the bottom two floors and my design ideas were the wrong side of quirky,’ she says. ‘As the years went on, things started to break and fall apart, and the house became really depressing to live in.’ Lisa and Guy considered moving but decided to stay with a focus on fitting a new kitchen, better storage and decorating throughout. While browsing an interiors magazine for ideas, Lisa spotted a project by The Vawdrey House. ‘I particularly remember one picture – a window seat with a bright pink, HALLWAY ‘Replacing the old floor with these blue patterned tiles inspired the colour scheme in the whole house,’ says Lisa. Mosaic del Sur patterned tiles 10521 BF/ M3/M7, £98sq m, The Vawdrey House. Burmese teak parquet is similar, £55sq m, The Antique Oak Flooring Company
16 | 25BH SEPTEMBER
SITTING ROOM The mustard armchair contrasts with the rich grey wall and follows the colour thread that runs throughout the house. Gladstone armchair in Dijon, £1,295, Love Your Home. Walls in Lead 117 absolute matt emulsion, £53 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Kala tribal cushion is similar, £55, Graham and Green
BEDROOM A small stud wall separates the storage from the sleeping zone. Walls in Parma Gray estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Anglepoise Type 1228 wall light in copper lustre, £147, Made In Design
velvet cushion that looked unpretentious yet had a gorgeous touch of glamour,’ she recalls. ‘I wanted our home to look magazine-worthy too, and this project seemed to capture it all.’ After meeting with The Vawdrey House to discuss their modest ideas, the team offered to return with plans that would show the full potential of the couple’s house. ‘Once I saw the concepts and the floor tile sample, I couldn’t unsee them,’ says Lisa. ‘I decided there and then to spend the money to transform our home.’ Space planning formed the backbone of the project, enabling the girls to have their own large bedrooms and bathroom on the top floor, while two bedrooms with en suites were added to the first floor, adjoining the main bedroom. Lisa also suggested moving the wall in the sitting room to make the adjacent kitchen bigger. ‘We’d been struggling with how to fit in an island but once we’d come to terms with the need to remove the sitting room fireplace, everything fell into place,’ she explains. Decoration and furnishing followed, guided by The Vawdrey House’s interior designer Sophie Chapman, who drew on blue and yellow tones inspired by the beloved floor tiles. The combination of a navy blue kitchen, brass fittings, ochre walls, and teal and turquoise bathroom tiles all delight Lisa. ‘The whole project is a wonderful, restrained version of my excessive taste,’ she says. ‘Sophie has transformed all the rooms into beautiful and comfortable living spaces.’ BATHROOM A wet-room shower was included in this compact space. Claybrook’s Confiserie Triangle tiles in Jade are similar, £80sq m, The Vawdrey House
BEDROOM Bespoke storage around the bed is practical and stylish. Delissa quilt is similar, £148, Anthropologie. Margot bed in Blush Pink, £649, Made
18 | 25BH SEPTEMBER
STARTING OVER
Lucy and James Clippington chose a charming Edwardian home as the setting for the next phase of their lives FEATURE MARISHA TAYLOR | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH
20 | 25BH SEPTEMBER 2021
no. LIVING AREA Located in one of the two new extensions, this space sums up the ‘modern and fresh look with traditional elements’ that Lucy wanted. Eva armchairs in Hugo Millet, £1,435 each, Neptune. Helmsley three-seater sofa, £2,506, Sofas & Stuff. All cushions made from a selection of fabric at Indigo & Wills
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HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY Detached Edwardian house, built in 1910 LOCATI O N Berkshire ROOMS Sitting room, kitchen/ dining/living area, utility room, office, six bedrooms (three en suite), dressing room, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2018 P R E V I O U S H O M E ‘We lived in an 18th century cottage a few miles from here,’ says Lucy.
25BH SEPTEMBER | 21
FAVOURITE ROOM
‘The multifunctional kitchen, dining and living space – it has SITTING ROOM An amazing bar area was built into one of the alcoves. Try the distressed leather club chair, £695, Designer Sofas 4U
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ucy and James Clippington’s recently renovated Edwardian home lies along a pretty tree-lined avenue, surrounded by the beautiful Berkshire countryside. It is a quintessentially English setting and one that stole the couple’s hearts when they were looking for a new home in 2018. ‘We were immediately struck by the sense of space when we first viewed the property,’ recalls Lucy. The impressive red brick house was set back from the road, within six acres of gardens. ‘The house felt secluded, but with only a short walk to the charming nearby village and its small selection of shops, local pub and parish church, we knew we wouldn’t ever feel isolated.’ The family had spent the previous fifteen years living in an 18th-century cottage a few
22 | 25BH SEPTEMBER 2021
miles down the road, which they’d completely renovated. With eldest daughter Beth, 19, about to leave for university, and youngest daughter Isabella, 16, starting college, it was time for a new challenge. The property hadn’t been touched in years and the original room configurations were not suitable for modern day living, but with high ceilings and grand proportions the potential was clear to see. After the couple’s offer had been accepted, they enlisted the help of James Fowler from Fowler Architecture and Planning. ‘James was brilliant at helping us look at ways the property could be developed, using the space in a way that worked for us,’ says Lucy. The couple also engaged the help of interior designer Jo Calver from Isla James
changed the way we spend time together as a family and is great for entertaining’ DINING AREA Beautiful lighting zones the space. The curved lines of the table and lights soften the rest of the straight lines in the space. Sheldrake extending table, £1,610; Shoreditch chairs, £285 each, Neptune. Halo chandeliers in Painted Antique Brass, £399 each, West Elm
HALLWAY Originally this was the formal dining room and the spacious dimensions make a grand entrance space. Balmoral four-seater round table, £1,790, Neptune. Large urn, £45, Isla James Interiors KITCHEN The generous island allows space at one end for four bar stools and acts as a natural division between the cooking and relaxing areas. Kitchen cabinetry from the Henley range with the Buckland cooker hood, price on request, Neptune. Try the Williamsburg high stool in tan leather, £395, Cox & Cox. Percy pendant lights, from £200 each, Pooky
FAVOU R I T E F E AT U R E
‘The relationship between house and garden – the floor to
BEDROOM A French-style bed and a muted palette give the room an understated elegance. Try the Annecy bed, £1,549, Feather & Black. Bluebell love seat, from £940, Sofa.com, is a close match
EN SUITE Creating a sleek walk-in shower was possible with the metal-framed panel. Soho Matt Black double shower panel, £899, Drench, is a close match; Milano Nero shower fittings in Black, £599, all Big Bathroom Shop
OFFICE Going bespoke ensured the work space met the family’s needs. The large cabinetry hides all of the paperwork. Beckton dining chair, £125, Barker & Stonehouse BATHROOM A classic white roll-top bath set in front of a bold, fun wallpaper certainly gives this room the wow factor. Rasch Lucy in the Sky Parrot wallpaper, £12.99 a roll, World of Wallpaper. Burlington Harewood freestanding slipper bath with white legs, £637, Victorian Plumbing
ceiling doors make the garden feel part of the house and create a sense of unity’ MAIN BEDROOM The headboard, designed byinterior designer Jo, and painted doors introduce colour to the scheme. Headboard upholstered in Carnival, £135m, Christopher Farr Cloth
Interiors. ‘With so many decisions to make all at once, it was reassuring to have Jo on board,’ says Lucy, ‘She was able to work alongside the architects on the plans and also created lighting designs and beautiful bespoke joinery.’ A generous single storey extension was added to the left side of the property to create a large kitchen, dining and living area. To the rear of the house, a double height extension provided an extra sitting room and space upstairs to reconfigure the bedrooms into more suitable sizes with en suites. In the grounds, plans were made to build a swimming pool and summer house, ‘We love entertaining and it was important to us to connect the inside and outside spaces,’ Lucy says, ‘We spent ages mapping the path of the sun to ensure the pool was built in the sunniest
spot.’ The large south-facing doors now lead out onto the terrace and the swimming pool beyond, and from the thoughtfully placed dining table, the family enjoy beautiful views out over the gardens. When it came to the furnishings and decor choices Lucy looked again to Jo for advice. ‘Lucy had clear ideas on how she wanted her home to look,’ says Jo. ‘The plan was modern and fresh, with traditional elements to honour the building’s heritage.’ Working together, Jo and Lucy have given the house a new lease of life, with timeless pieces of furniture, carefully chosen fabrics and well-planned decor that embraces the natural light flooding into every room. ‘We couldn’t be more delighted with the results and feel an exciting new chapter in our lives has just begun,’ says Lucy. 25BH SEPTEMBER 202 | 25
DINING AREA Keeping the art minimal enhances the pared-back elegance. Crown Minor pendants in Gold, £1,065 each, Holloways of Ludlow. Photograph (by fire) is Monarch by Desirée Dolron
Restoration PIECE
Once student accommodation, Anna Linthorst and Job Kuipers’ townhouse is now the epitome of elegance FEATURE RACHEL LEEDHAM | PHOTOGRAPHY DENISE ZWIJNEN | STYLING LOTJE DEINUM/COCO FEATURES
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HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY Townhouse dating to 1885 LOCATI O N Netherlands ROOMS Sitting area, dining area, conservatory, kitchen, utility room, study, cloakroom, cellar, four bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms, dressing room, gym, sauna P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERT Y ‘We were living five kilometres from here,’ says Anna.
KITCHEN Interior designer Maaike van Diemen created the kitchen design, working with Dutch company Mio Home on the handleless cabinetry. For similar bespoke cabinetry, try Aldous Lamont. Similar marble surfaces, from £215sq m, The Marble Group
25BH SEPTEMBER | 27
S SITTING AREA The pale gold of the textured wallcovering and accents is a luxurious choice. Walls in Marsh 31503, £137.56 a roll, Arte. Portraits by Serge Labégorre Lucena coffee table with Jura marble top, €795; and with fabric top, €748, both Duran Interiors STAIRCASE A pendant adds drama. Try Jim Lawrence’s Ava seven pendant rose light, £1,093 CONSERVATORY This space contains a lovely reading area. Magenta bergère and footstool, price on request, Casamilano
28 | 25BH SEPTEMBER 22
ituated in the heart of the city of Haarlem, 20 kilometres west of Amsterdam, this elegant townhouse has been painstakingly restored by its owners, Anna Linthorst and Job Kuipers. ‘For around 30 years, the building had been used as student accommodation and before that as offices, so it looked very different when we first saw it,’ recounts Anna. ‘We knew it needed a lot of work, but we could see the fabulous proportions, which gave us a sense of how it could look if we restored it to its former glory.’ The building is classed as a national monument and so the couple had to work closely with the authorities when it came to making changes to the interiors. ‘The biggest problem we had was that the kitchen was located on a half level that was partly subterranean,’ explains Job. ‘We had a lot of discussions in order to obtain permission to raise the level of this floor and also to improve the extension at the back of the house.’ The revised layout has resulted in a wonderfully convivial kitchen that flows into a grand dining space, which in turn leads to the main sitting area at the front of the house and a light-filled conservatory at the rear. This open-plan layout is given a sense of cohesion thanks to an engineered oak herringbone floor that flows throughout all the spaces. The couple brought very little with them in terms of furniture: ‘We had lived in our previous home for 14 years with our two children – who are both now at
DESIGN TIP
‘For the gallery wall in the staircase, we pinned up pieces of newspaper to work out how we would arrange the art’
MAIN BATHROOM An oversized pendant is a striking decorative element. Large Crown pendant light in Gold, from €1,179, JSPR BEDROOM The large-scale headboard was created using a textured wallpaper. Headboard in Matrix 54064, £158.89 a roll, Arte. Paintings by Emily Hildebrand DRESSING ROOM A charcoal drawing pops out against a geometric wallpaper. Charcoal artwork by Nicola Hicks
30 | 25BH SEPTEMBER 22
university – as well as two cats and a dog, and so most of the furnishings were ready to be renewed; we also felt that the proportions of this house called for pieces on a larger scale,’ says Anna. The couple worked with interior designer Maaike van Diemen (maaikevandiemen.nl) to devise the schemes. ‘We discovered that her tastes are aligned with ours, right down to the colours she likes to work with,’ says Anna. Maaike has helped the couple select furniture and lighting designs, most of which are by Dutch creatives. Of key importance was their art collection, which is again primarily by home-grown talents. ‘We have been collecting art together for the last thirty years and our collection shows how our tastes have developed during that time,’ says Job. ‘We now tend to buy only from contemporary artists we have got to know, as we like to learn the story behind the piece.’ As a backdrop to their collection, Maaike suggested various textural wallcoverings in hues that pick out the colours in the paintings. ‘The ceilings are very high and if we had left the walls white, the rooms could have felt rather empty,’ says Anna, ‘A carefully chosen backdrop can improve the artwork.’ The couple are enjoying seeing their art in a different light, and they also love entertaining in their new home: ‘The layout makes it fantastic when we have friends over, as we never feel shut off in the kitchen,’ says Anna. ‘It’s wonderful to share this amazing house with our friends.’
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Worth waiting for
After 22 viewings, Danielle and Matt found their new home – a flat in a Victorian conversion where they have made the most of every inch of space FEATURE KAREN JENSEN-JONES | PHOTOGRAPHY BRENT DARBY
32 | 25BH SEPTEMBER 2021
HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY Split-level apartment in a Victorian house LOCATI O N Southeast London ROOMS Sitting room/ kitchen-diner, bedroom, shower room, walk-in wardrobe P U R C H A S E D 2013 PREVIOUS HOME ‘We lived in a flat in southwest London,’ says Danielle.
SITTING ROOM
A new steel staircase replaced blocked-in stairs to bring in more light and increase the sense of space. Bluebell sofa in Slate Highland Tweed, £2,045, Sofa.com. Prism pendant light in Copper, £135, French Connection
KITCHEN
Exposed brickwork adds an industrial edge to the sleek white units. Smeg fridge freezer, £1,169, John Lewis & Partners. Ringhult high-gloss units, £1,073, Ikea. Black and white chopping board, £19.99, Homesense
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t took two days and 22 viewings for interior stylist Danielle Kelly of Frida & The Hermit (fridaandthehermit.com) and her husband Matt to finally find a characterful property with good proportions for their first owned home. ‘We’d set our hearts on Blackheath because of the vast green space and we can travel back home to Norfolk to visit our parents in two hours,’ explains Danielle. ‘The first time we came to the area it was snowing and everywhere looked beautiful. When it came to finally viewing in the summer, each property either lacked character or was too modern, while I was still hopeful for something old with original features and longed-for high ceilings.’ Thankfully the couple found what they wanted at the very last viewing. Structurally sound, with original sash windows, curved walls and high ceilings, the property was in good repair, however they did find dangerous electrics and two ancient water tanks taking up lots of unnecessary space upstairs. ‘It’s not a big conversion so every bit of space counts and after the second viewing I literally drew where everything we owned could go,’ remembers Danielle. By removing the old water tanks and installing a new combi boiler and shower room, the old bathroom has been transformed into the walk-in wardrobe that Danielle had always wanted. Once the electrics and the boiler were sorted, the couple started to enjoy the process of transforming the property and the discovery of two old fireplaces brought great excitement. ‘We also commissioned a new steel staircase to replace the existing boxed-in stairs bringing much needed light into the
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living area, says Danielle. ‘We’re fortunate that Matt’s dad is an incredibly talented engineer and he was able to make and install it, which saved us a fortune.’ As an interior stylist, Danielle has a strong sense of personal style and admits it’s all about confidence when designing your home. ‘There are very few rules when it comes to home styling as everybody has different taste but having confidence in your decisions is key to success,’ she explains. ‘Organising the space and flow of a home is important. How do you want your space to make you and others feel? I’m drawn towards natural, raw materials and old, authentic pieces such as our beautiful sash windows.’ In the downstairs space, exposed brickwork, whitewashed floors and floor-to-ceiling wooden window frames endorse Danielle’s authentic preferences and upstairs, whitewashed brickwork, a beautifully hung reclaimed door to the shower room and the dark steel staircase are inspired by the warehouse conversions also favoured by Danielle. ‘We found the door in a reclamation yard in Norfolk, and as a space saver, we opted to create a sliding door,’ she says. ‘The burst of yellow on the bed throw draws the scheme together adding just enough colour to keep things minimal.’ This beautiful home has been thoughtfully restored with care and imagination alongside many original creative touches. ‘It actually feels like we are living in a mini house rather than a flat,’ says Danielle. ‘Every day I’m grateful we persisted in viewing so many properties as we eventually did find the high ceilings and secret fireplaces that bring us so much pleasure every day.’
DNNG
Mixing materials creates a luxe look. Midas chair, £125, Rockett St George. Wooden ladder, £59.99, BPS Access Solutions
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Danielle has curated a gallery wall here. Bespoke steel staircase, handmade in Norfolk by Tim Harris. Lampshade, £39, Rockett St George
FAVOURITE SHOPs ‘I love Rockett St George for unique finds that are often beautifully sophisticated and Labour and Wait for the most tasteful household objects’ MN BDM
A reclaimed door has been transformed into sliding room divider. Antoinette bed, £1,295, Loaf. Pair of bedside tables, £250, Quirky Dovetail
A REAL JOINT EFFORT
Valeria and Daniel Vinogradov used expert help when faced with the task of furnishing their new-build flat
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FEATURE JULIET BENNING | PHOTOGRAPHY ULIANA GRISHINA
hen it came to kitting out their new home, like so many renters Valeria and Daniel Vinogradov had to start from scratch. ‘Our previous rental flat was furnished so we had very little to bring with us,’ says Valeria. When confronted with the brand-new empty flat Valeria felt daunted by the task ahead so on the advice of her parents, she and Daniel sought out help from Oksana Butman, an interior designer and fellow Russian. ‘My parents are friends
with Oksana (butmandesign.com) and I’d seen some of her work so the relationship started very naturally,’ Valeria explains. The couple’s move was prompted by the desire to get out of the rental trap and the flat, as part of a new development near Greenwich, offered them easy access to the vast green spaces of the Royal park and Blackheath – ideal for walking their dog, a German Pointer called Bars. ‘We were immediately struck by the floor-to-ceiling windows as well as the layout. We liked the
HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY New-build flat LOCATI O N Southeast London ROOMS Kitchen-diner/living area, study, cloakroom, two bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2020 PREVIOUS PROPERT Y ‘We were living in a much smaller rental flat nearby,’ says Valeria.
no.
S TP ‘We
swapped the silver kitchen unit handles for brass – it’s a small, easy change but it’s made a big impact’
6
LIVING AREA
Valeria and Daniel opted for leather furniture that would be easy to keep clean. Cape leather armchair, £1,249; Cape leather sofa, £1,649; Belle marble side table, £199, all John Lewis & Partners. Triston rug, £229.99, Hykkon at Wayfair
DINING AREA
An elliptical dining table ties in with the splashback tiles while making great use of space, seating six people comfortably. Bryce marble dining table, £1,279, Great Furniture Trading Company. Hamilton dining chairs, £254 for two, Next
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fact the bedrooms were allocated on differing sides of the flat rather than being next to each other,’ says Valeria. Oksana, a member of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID), has been designing interiors since 2008, and is known for her use of colour and timeless furnishings. ‘I’ve always been inspired by my favourite Fauvist artists like Matisse and Gauguin. I learnt from them a way to communicate through colour almost like musical harmony,’ she says. Given the crisp white blank canvas of the new flat, it was Oksana’s grasp on colour that Valeria was especially drawn to. ‘We were eager to move into the flat shortly after the sale as we
didn’t want to spend more money on rent and we knew Oksana would be able to help us find furniture quickly,’ she says. ‘Of course, being in the midst of a global pandemic it wasn’t easy,’ Oksana admits. ‘I wasn’t able to visit the flat due to lockdown so I relied on photos, videos and measurements to get an idea for what was needed. Our plans were also disrupted by faltering supply chains and we only got some pieces last minute.’ Given the couple had to buy all the furniture for the flat, Oksana was resourceful with the budget. ‘I’ve tried to choose pieces that are both timeless and elegant yet represent good value. Materials
like the marble in both the coffee and dining table really elevate the space.’ The plain white kitchen was quickly given a new identity with brass handles and black hexagonal tiles. ‘We had so many samples we took quite a while deciding over all the wall colours,’ says Valeria. Choosing a palette of spring-like tones, Oksana added in modernist geometrics in the form of fabrics and rugs. ‘Of course, I’d love to have our own house one day but for now we are really happy here,’ says Valeria. It’s a sentiment echoed by Oksana. ‘Whenever I come here, the light coming in from the windows is so blissful I just want to stay all day.’
L W ‘I always opt for classic/contemporary furniture – it’s timeless and won’t outdate quickly’
MAIN BEDROOM
A dramatic mirror makes a focal point above the bed, which was the cue for the serene pale pink scheme. Walls in Crushed Cotton 4, £33.31 for 2.5ltr, Dulux. Stella Ottoman storage bed, from £699, Next. Tylar sunflower mirror, £149.25, La Redoute. Alila crystal glass chandelier, £119, Lights & Lamps, is similar
GUEST BEDROOM
The dark and saturated colours of the velvet chair and statement cushions bring an added dynamism to this pale scheme. Walls in Calluna estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Stiletto console table, £269.99, My Furniture, would work here. Lule office chair, £199, Made
STUDY
The geometric print rug and curtains correspond to each other, while the shelves and desk bring an understated mid-century glamour. Iso hexagon hand-tufted rug, £629.99, Puik at Wayfair, is similar. Watford Vintage shelving unit, £525, La Redoute. Optical Geo Ochre made to measure curtains, from £100, Next
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DINING ROOM
Standout tiles enliven the passageway to the cook space. Heritage star tiles in Navy, £29.64sq m, Porcelain Superstore. Stockholm mirror, £50, Ikea. Kyla stools, £99 each, John Lewis & Partners
Family affair
When Debbie and Geoff Grantham decided to buy their daughter’s cottage by the sea, they worked with her on an ambitious classic-meets-contemporary makeover FEATURE KATHERINE SORRELL | PHOTOGRAPHY ANYA RICE
KITCHEN
Opting for just one wall unit helped retain a feeling of space. Fairford units in Dove Grey, price on request, Howdens. Bianco Assoluto quartz worktop, from around £2,700, Everything Stone
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no.
7
DINING ROOM
The streamlined console table gave another surface for small decorative touches. Rebecca oak dining table, £495; Rebecca oak dining chairs, £390 for two, all Perch & Parrow. Try the 17 Stories Caserta console table, £149.99, Wayfair
HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY Detached cottage, parts of which date back to the 19th century LOCATI O N Cornwall ROOMS Sitting room, dining room, kitchen, utility room, three bedrooms, three bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2019 PREVIOUS PROPERT Y ‘We were living on a farm in West Sussex,’ says Debbie.
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SITTING ROOM
Having a chair on each side of the opening evokes a pleasing symmetrical feel. Ekenaset armchairs, £179 each, Ikea. Ahana 170cm swing-arm floor lamp, £123.99, Wayfair
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ransforming a dark, cramped cottage into a comfortable home is the ultimate in satisfying renovation projects – and in the case of Debbie and Geoff Grantham’s Cornish house, the makeover was achieved with the help of their daughter, interior designer Hollie Milne, and her husband Will, a builder. ‘We talked together a lot about the house,’ says Debbie. ‘Geoff and Will had most of the ideas for the structural improvements, while Hollie had free rein over the interior. It worked really well.’ It was Hollie and Will who first bought the cottage, back in 2016, attracted by its potential. Two years later, however, when the opportunity arose to do a self-build nearby, they decided to sell. In stepped Debbie and Geoff, who had always wanted a cottage in Cornwall and were looking to spend more time with family. ‘It just made sense,’ says Debbie. ‘We’d always loved the cottage.’ With Will project-managing the building team, the upgrade began in
earnest. The damp gable end was pulled down and rebuilt to a larger footprint and with glazed floor-to-ceiling patio doors added, a bathroom was turned into a new bedroom with an en-suite shower room and, in another bedroom, the ceiling was stripped back to expose the roof trusses. The downstairs floor plan was reconfigured, all the windows were replaced with double-glazed, conservation-style sashes and, in a quest to introduce as much light as possible, skylights and light tunnels were added upstairs. Lastly, the exterior was landscaped, and a large, sun-trap patio created – perfect for family gatherings. When briefing Hollie for the interior, Debbie and Geoff initially felt that the style should complement the cottage’s original features. ‘I wanted to show them that a happy medium could be created, using traditional finishes and features but done in a contemporary way,’ Hollie says. ‘I think great refurbishments are ones that nod to the history and location of a place. I was
inspired by the coast and chose quite cool colours predominantly, but complemented them with the warmth of the wooden finishes so it feels fresh but also cosy.’ Downstairs, white walls and wooden floors keep the focus on interesting furnishings, a number of which Hollie sourced from vintage and antiques shops, balanced with high-street pieces and the occasional boutique buy. Upstairs, meanwhile, she decided to opt for more playful colours and patterns. During the renovation, which took 18 months to complete, Geoff and Debbie were still living in West Sussex so Hollie and Will were there to oversee most of the work. ‘They trusted us to do a good job,’ says Hollie. And when they saw their finished home, were they happy? ‘We loved it!’ says Debbie. ‘The cottage is now so light, so pretty and so much bigger. It’s very peaceful, too. I get such a lovely feeling every time I come through the front door. I still can’t quite believe it’s ours.’
‘We put in skylights and light tunnels upstairs to ensure that part of the house was as bright as the downstairs’
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SITTING ROOM
An L-shaped sofa creates a sociable gathering space. Vallentuna sofa, £1,280, and seat module, £170, both Ikea. Symple Stuff log rack, £36.99, Wayfair
BATHROOM
The star tiles used throughout the house are continued here. Heritage star tiles in Navy, £29.64sq m, Porcelain Superstore
BEDROOM
Bold blue and sandy yellow makes a vibrant combination. Fine Little Day Swimmers print, from £30; cushion covers £45 each, all Alice in Scandiland
BEDROOM
No headboard is needed with this statement paper. Columbus wallpaper, £100 a roll, Cole & Son
MAIN BEDROOM
Panelling brings more decoration. Albany Bamboo Palm wallpaper, £19.99 a roll, Wallpaper Direct
SHADES OF GREY A calm, neutral colour palette and striking wallpapers gave this lovingly restored Victorian terrace a stylish new identity FEATURE JULIET BENNING | PHOTOGRAPHY BRENT DARBY
KITCHEN The pendants and bar stools tie in with the industrial look of the steel-framed windows. Kitchen designed by Emma and manufactured by Anthony Paulo Interiors. Try the Victoria stools, from £99 each, Cult Furniture. Try Flatiron chevron floor tiles, from £36sq m, Porcelain Superstore
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no. DINING AREA Chairs from an antiques market were repainted to fit into the colour scheme. Panelling in Railings estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Nuvolette wallpaper by Cole & Son, £350 a roll, Jane Clayton. Reclaimed table, Mrs Robinson. Chairs, Crystal Palace Antiques
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25BH SEPTEMBER 1 | 45
HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY Renovated terraced house LOCATI O N South London ROOMS Sitting room, kitchen-diner, utility room, cloakroom, snug, five bedrooms, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2018 PREVIOUS PROPERT Y ‘We lived in a smaller Victorian house in EastDulwich,’ says Emma.
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hen they were given the keys to their future home, a Victorian terrace house in south London, Emma and Lee Masters felt especially lucky. With several other buyers vying for interest, the sale had gone down to sealed bids. ‘The house hadn’t been touched and you don’t find many properties like that in the area so there were lots of people competing. It was all a bit tense but we were thrilled when we found out that our offer had been accepted’, says Emma, who has just set up her own interior design firm (emmamastersinteriors.com). The couple, who have a six-year-old son, Alfie, were only in possession of the keys a few short hours before handing them straight over to the builders. ‘Because it was a probate sale there were several months before taking ownership and that gave me the time to plan, get quotes and create job lists,’ recalls Emma. Despite the accumulation of many years’ worth of furniture and decay, the couple could see the potential. ‘Our motivations for moving were for more space and to get into a better catchment area for schools. We knew fairly quickly that we wanted to buy the house. The rooms had a really nice sense of proportion and character so we made an offer at the end of the viewing,’ says Emma. SNUG Walls in Cornforth White A round mirror estate emulsion, £49.50 provides a contrast to for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. the horizontal shelves Chiltern mirror, £295, and panelling. The White Company. Wallpaper in the Bespoke sofa, Loungin alcoves match the Interiors. Hudson floor paper in the kitchen. lamp, £150, Cox & Cox
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SITTING ROOM Continuing the wallpaper above the picture rail increases the sense of height. Herringbone weave rug in dapple with charcoal border, from £43.10sq m, Fibre Flooring. Grey chevron pouffe, £175, Cox & Cox
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MAIN BEDROOM Rather than hang art, the wallpaper lends drama. The low headboard ensures it makes maximum impact. Nuvolette wallpaper by Cole & Son, £350 a roll, Jane Clayton. Mallorcan fabric cushion, £92, The Mews Fabrics & Furnishings
D E C O R ATI N G T I P
‘Stick to a tight palette – for me it’s perhaps only five colours – then add texture and pattern within that’ After handing the house over to the builders in May and renting nearby, it wasn’t until December that Emma, Lee and Alfie finally moved in. ‘According to the neighbours, the house had always been owned by the same family. The builders found all sorts of relics from the past including a book of buttons from 1917 that had been stuffed up the chimney. We think the owner had put it up there to stop the draft. He’d also added layers and layers of carpets over the years, under which were floorboards and tiles in fantastic condition,’ Emma notes. Emma and Lee’s overhaul of the house involved a new full-width kitchen-dining area built out 4.5 metres from the original house. The old galley kitchen was turned into a utility room and downstairs cloakroom. Upstairs the family bathroom was enlarged and, above that, a loft extension with two bedrooms and a bathroom were added. New windows, roof tiles and the renovation of the front door gave the property a curb-side facelift. ‘I’m not one for a huge amount of colour so I opted for a tight, neutral base adding blue accents with accessories and artwork,’ says Emma. ‘eBay was a brilliant resource for us. We bought lots of furniture which we then reupholstered. We also found lovely accessories, like a set of Georgian door handles that were in keeping with the house. The two wallpaper prints also bring a characterful cohesion.’ After such an epic overhaul of their home, the family are keen now to slow down the pace and relax. ‘Thankfully we bit the bullet and re-landscaped the garden at the same time as the builders were here so now we’re just determined to enjoy the fruits of our labours.’ BATHROOM Farrow & Ball paint Emma moved one finish, The Cast Iron wall slightly to allow Bath Company space for both a tub and generous ALFIE’S ROOM shower. The grey veins An accent wall with of the marble gently glow-in-the-dark unite the scheme. stickers brings a Misty Fjord herringbone magical feelafter dark. marble mosaic tiles, Stockholm rug, £149, £14.95 per tile, Topps Ikea. Play Teepee, Tiles. Bath tub in £58.50, Great Little custom Railings by Trading Co
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Picture PERFECT
Art consultant Anna Kirrage’s eye for detail has resulted in a beautiful home where her beloved art collection takes pride of place FEATURE KAREN JENSEN-JONES | PHOTOGRAPHY NICK SMITH
SITTING ROOM
New panelling with cubbyholes provides character, display space and storage Panelling in Purbeck Stone estate emulsion, £49.50 per 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. For a similar Italian enamel ceiling light, try Pamono. Picture between armchairs by Steve Macleod, try Black Box Projects for similar
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no. HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY A Victorian villa LOCATI O N Southwest London ROOMS Sitting room, kitchendiner, TV area, five bedrooms (one en suite), three bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERT Y ‘We lived in a cottage in Barnes,’ says Anna.
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DESG P ‘Consider your storage before you start a renovation so you can plan
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it in. You’ll be amazed at how much extra room you can extract’
hen art consultant Anna Kirrage and her husband Nick bought a run-down Victorian villa with no kitchen and a dated 1970s decor, the big appeal was planning how and where to put her eclectic art collection. ‘I was nine months pregnant with my second child when we found the house so we gave it a lick of paint, bought an Ikea kitchen and moved in,’ remembers Anna. ‘I could genuinely see the potential as there’s so much character in the property and I knew we could create a beautiful family home with plenty of interesting spaces for my art collection.’ While running her busy consultancy (annakirrage.com) and looking after two small children, Tabitha, now 10, and
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Jake, eight, Anna and Nick lived in the house for four years before embarking on a major renovation with the property design and build company Joyner & Mason (joynerandmason. com) who completed the transformation within a year. ‘We made changes to the layout to create a bigger kitchen and larder space and added striking metal-framed doors and windows across the back of the house, which really have changed the outlook – they’ve provided so much extra light,’ explains Anna. ‘We also reinstated some of the cornicing and ceiling roses in the sitting room and bedrooms in order to stay true to the period of the house.’ Anna has impeccable taste, which is evident throughout the house with a decor of calming greys and blues in the
KITCHEN-DINER
‘I will never tire of these beautiful pendant lights,’ says Anna, who also loves the sunken wine cellar (above right) that was put in. Cirque pendant lights by Louis Poulson, £978 for all three, Skandium. Stools, £460 each; kitchen cabinets in Pantry Blue, price on request, all deVOL. Hay J77 dining chairs, £149 each, Skandium
HALLWAY
The lampshades tie in with the herringbone pattern of the floor. Verne chest of drawers, £799, Swoon, has this look. Linen Ikat lampshades, £93 each, Pooky. Walls in Inchyra Blue estate emulsion, £49.50 per 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Swanson Pebble stair runner, price on request, Roger Oates Design
MAI BEM
The panelling in here also conceals storage. Joelle kingsize bed, £1,295; Mimi bedside tables, £245 each, all Loaf. Wisteria table lamps, £174 each, Pooky. Pink oakleaves cushions, £115 each, Wicklewood. Panelling in Light Blue estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
DCORN ‘Continuity in a house creates a calm atmosphere so use your palette wisely and carry it through every room with different complementary tones’ kitchen set against natural elements including marble, wood and stone. ‘I’m a minimalist at heart and find muted colours and natural materials leave me feeling calm, whereas anything too bright is jarring,’ she explains. ‘However, I couldn’t resist the Leopard Walk wallpaper in the downstairs cloakroom,’ explains Anna. ‘I do think it’s important for a home to flow and that was something everyone on the project was aware of.’ Planning out space for her art collection was at the forefront of the design even in her kitchen. ‘Quite often kitchen cupboards or shelves dominate the walls and it leaves very little space for artwork. We built a wall of cupboards with room for a beautiful contemporary piece by German photographer Elger Esser, which is the focal point of the dining area.’ 54 | 25BH SEPTEMBER 0
Similarly in the hallway, Anna has made the most of what can be a difficult space to fill and has curated a stunning gallery wall. ‘I don’t buy pieces to fit in a certain space, as I’ve been collecting art for over 17 years, so it’s about working with what I’ve already got,’ says Anna. With such an eye for detail, Anna has meticulously chosen everything from paint colours and fabrics to radiators and brass door hinges. ‘I really don’t like chrome and door hinges are just the sort of detail I would want to get right. The radiators and door handles all make such a difference, too, so I spent time sourcing the right look. The builders used to laugh because I took so long making a decision but when I look around, it was well worth the effort.’
BEDROOM
‘This room feels like a sanctuary which we’ve achieved through using a warm pink paint colour,’ says Anna. Walls in Setting Plaster estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Karaikal quilt, £250, Oka. Hollyhock blind fabric, price on application, Clay McLaurin
LANDING
Painting the lower walls in a striking colour lends a modern touch. Dado rail, lower wall and skirting boards in Inchyra Blue estate emulsion, £49.50 per 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
BATHROOM
Using the Metro tiles across the bath gives added impact. Retro metro wall tiles, £74.98sq m; similar Abbey Waverley floor tiles, £94.50sq m, all Fired Earth
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BOLD MOVES
Self-confessed maximalist Carey Mann has skilfully breathed life and energy into her compact apartment FEATURE MARISHA TAYLOR | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH
DINING AREA A raised table provides a natural divide between the kitchen and the rest of the living space. Try the Norse metal bar stool, £89, Cult Furniture. The Mira pendant light in Smooth Storm Grey, £99, Swoon, would work
HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY Apartment in a Grade II-listed Georgian house LOCATI O N Kent ROOMS Living room/kitchen, one bedroom, one bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2019 PREVIOUS PROPERT Y ‘We rented in Hackney Wick, before moving down to the Kent coast,’ says Carey.
LIVING AREA The walls are two-tone and match the kitchen units for a cohesive look. Topista’s Ginger Cats & Houses lidded basket, £110; sisal baskets, from £25, all Artisans & Adventurers
KITCHEN The bespoke design features high wall cabinets so a shelf could be put in to display pretty tableware and accessories. Bespoke kitchen units, designed and built by Stuart Brotchie. Try the Edmonton Modern Black kitchen mixer tap, £89.95, Victorian Plumbing. Marseille White Mix Gloss tiles, £49.98sq m, Victoria Plum, have a similar look
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ired of their busy city life and looking for a new adventure, Carey Mann and her husband Johan had relocated to Margate back in 2015. ‘At the time we wanted to get on the property ladder, which was something we couldn’t afford to do in London,’ says Carey, a freelance interior stylist. ‘We were drawn by the inspiring views, sandy beaches and the artisan vibe of the seaside town. There is something so special about Margate; it has an energy you can’t help falling in love with!’ The couple bought a Victorian two-up, two-down and fully renovated it over the following four years. Growing up in Sweden, Johan had learnt to build from an early age and was able to skilfully turn his hand to most of the work, going on to build his own music studio in a warehouse near the old Margate train station, while Carey opened a cafe along the Margate harbour wall. ‘These were all dreams we wouldn’t have achieved if we had stayed in London,’ she says. Keen to expand her property portfolio at the end of 2019, Carey decided to buy an apartment as an investment, somewhere she could rent out, but that could also be enjoyed by family and friends. Her search led her to this charming, one-bedroom apartment on the third floor of a Grade IIlisted building overlooking a leafy Regency square. ‘I loved the facade and the gorgeous views of the rooftops and sea from the window in the bedroom. Its central location meant 25BH SEPTEMBER | 57
BATHROOM Tiles were used to spell out a message on the shower floor, which is raised to mark it out. Floor in Shapes Hexagon mosaic tiles in Matt White and Black, £7.40 a tile, Topps Tiles
BEDROOM Panelling and a plum headboard add depth to the pale green colour scheme Habitat Botanical Floral double duvet set, £26, Argos. Tanzanian hand-woven throw, £85, Artisans & Adventurers. The Green Amy by Msdre Art, from £16.95, Etsy. Similar vintage bamboo drawers can be found on eBay, from £75
it was close to the beach, cafes and galleries. It had just been beautifullyrenovated by an interior designer friend Mairead Hayden who worked with Helen Leask at Leask Architecture and as I didn’t have the time for a place that needed lots of work, it was perfect for me.’ The apartment, with its open-plan living and kitchen area, one double bedroom and a bathroom, is compact but has good proportions and big windows that flood it with light. As all the electrics and plumbing had just been replaced, the original windows refurbished and the bespoke kitchen made and fitted by friend and local carpenter Stuart Brotchie, Carey could focus on cosmetic changes. ‘I love vintage furniture, clashing fabrics and using baskets and plants to create warmth,’ she says. ‘I thought the main living space could take bold colour choices, but I went for calmer shades in the bedroom.’ Here the pale green decor and light from the bay window created a completely different atmosphere. ‘It is so tranquil and you can watch the sea from the comfort of the bed,’ she says. The apartment was a gem of a find and it couldn’t have worked out better. The couple’s next adventure takes them full circle back to the shores of Johan’s family property in Sweden, to build a summer house by the lake. ‘Exploring new places and building new things is something we love to do, but Margate has captured our hearts,’ says Carey. 58 | 25BH SEPTEMBER
F A V O U R I T E I T E M S ‘The two bold
prints on the chimney breast in the living area – they are old Ikea prints’
Made with care
Liz Sower-Lewis and her husband Anthony built their own bespoke property that puts sustainability first FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS PHOTOGRAPHY POLLY ELTES
HALLWAY Liz’s antique pieces add further character to this new-build home. Industrial iron console table, £495, Cox & Cox. Walls in Dusted Moss 2 matt emulsion, £22 for 2.5ltr, Dulux. Find a similar vintage milk churn at Etsy
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KITCHEN The beams were made from sustainable green oak, which chimes with the colour of the flooring. Bespoke units, The Cabinet Room; painted in Railings estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Cooker, price on request, Smeg. Cohen copper pendant lights, from £95 each, Heal’s
HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY A brick and timber-framed new build LOCATI O N Cheshire ROOMS Sitting room, kitchen-diner, snug, study, utility room, four bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom, dressing room PURCHASED Moved in in 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERT Y ‘We were renting a house nearby,’ says Anthony.
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SITTING ROOM Wood flooring was used in here to differentiate this space from the kitchen diner. Similar Cora sofa, from £2,449, Sofology. Large linen Anta patterned cushion, price on request, Mulberry Home. Painting by Rob Pointon. Bree tripod lamp, £159, French Connection Home
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very home has its story, but this one started long before a brick was laid – with a saga of planning permissions. ‘It took three years before we could break ground on the build,’ says Liz Sower-Lewis. ‘But the wait was worth it.’ Liz and her husband Anthony had inherited land in Cheshire and, after considering whether to rebuild an existing – and very run-down – Georgian farmhouse on the plot, decided to start from scratch. ‘The farmhouse was in too much of a state of disrepair,’ explains Anthony. ‘English Heritage examined the building to see if it should have been listed, but they supported our plans as all the original features of the farmhouse had gone.’ The couple chose a standard design from Border Oak, but the planners wouldn’t pass it. ‘As we were taking down the old building, the ruling was that we had to replace it with similar – a red-brick farmhouse,’ says Anthony. ‘The house had to be comparable from the front, but the back could be different, so at the rear we went 62 | 25BH SEPTEMBER 0
for an open-plan layout and glass doors. Border Oak’s alternative design enabled us to secure approval from the planners. The build was relatively quick once it started and took 15 months to complete.’ Anthony is passionate about sustainable building and alternative energy. ‘We used a ground source heat pump and the beams are all sustainable green oak,’ he says. It was also important to the pair that they supported local talent, so the tradespeople were all from nearby. When it came to the interior, Liz knew how she wanted it to look. ‘I work in Sweden a lot and their style inspired me,’ she says. Liz completed a mood board for each room. ‘I have a less-is-more approach,’ she says, ‘but I like a mix of Scandi and industrial. I also have lots of vintage pieces as I love the history of things.’ The couple love their new home. ‘It is cosy in winter and we can see the snow on the hills, but in summer it’s amazing when the doors are open and we can watch the birds for hours,’ says Liz. ‘We’ve taken our time and done it well – that was important to us.’
DINING AREA The characterful storage is perfect for tableware. Similar table, £1,800; chairs, £100 each, Pine Farmhouse Table. Basket, price on request, Okells Garden Centre. Shutters, price on request, Shropshire Blinds & Awnings
‘It’s about the “Fabric First” principles, making sure you build a house with walls and windows designed for energy conservation’
D E S I G N I N S P I R ATI O N
SNUG Red brick was chosen for the fireplace as it’s a nod to the original farmhouses in the area. Walls in Radicchio estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Sofa in Byron fabric, £100m, Sanderson. Dina floor lamp, £150, Cox & Cox, has the same look
BATHROOM Skylights were put in so bathers can look up at the stars at night. Walls in Urbane Grey absolute matt emulsion, £48 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Similar Butler & Rose Catherine pedestal sink, from £176, Drench. Try the Ronda round hanging wall mirror, £110, John Lewis & Partners
D E C O R A T I O N I N S P I R A T I O N ‘We wanted the house’s interiors to feel open and fresh with lots of Scandinavian-inspired colours and clean lines’
BEDROOM As this is a narrow room, Liz chose a more open cast-iron bed to enhance the feeling of space. Chest of drawers, Ikea; painted in Plummett estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. For similar drawer knobs, try French Grey
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BEDROOM The rocking chair is for reading and holding clothes for the next day. Ralph Lauren Homeport Novelty wallpaper, £78 a roll, Designer Wallpapers. Similar anchor cushion covers, £7 each, La Redoute. Hemnes chest of drawers, £110, Ikea
HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY A Tudor-style home built in the 1920s with updates made in the 1960s and 1970s LOCATI O N California ROOMS Sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast area/ family room, five bedrooms, two bathrooms, playroom, workout room, annexe with office P U R C H A S E D 2011 PREVIOUS PROPERT Y ‘We lived in a modern converted loft in West Oakland,’ says Susie.
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TRADITION WITH A TWIST
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SITTING ROOM ‘We wanted the space to feel saturated with blue,’ says Susie. ‘The art by Petros Koublis reminds me of the coast of northern California.’ Walls in Cotton Balls, $79.99 per gallon, Benjamin Moore. Rug, $2,600, Stark Carpet. Customised pouf, $250, The Inside
In the San Francisco Bay Area, interior designer Susie Novak gave this Tudor-style house a facelift to fit the contemporary style her family loves FEATURE KARINE MONIÉ | PHOTOGRAPHY THOMAS KUOH PHOTOGRAPHY
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L E S S O N L E A R N T ‘I’ve discovered so much about traditional interiors and what is so warm, whimsical and quirky about them’
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DINING ROOM ‘Adding wainscoting created a European feel,’ says Susie. ‘I love this room’s mix of modern and traditional.’ Walls in Cow Parsley wallpaper, £100 a roll, Cole & Son. Panelling in Sulking Room Pink estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Sideboard, $900, Article KITCHEN ‘We designed the island to give the feeling of a farm table, with open storage below,’ says Susie of this room, which includes dining and bar areas. Walls in Alpaca Grey, price on request, Sherwin-Williams. Stools, $800 each, Serena & Lily. The Knoll Saarinen Tulip oval table, from £4,512, Heal’s, is similar to this one
P
urchasing this 1920s-era English Tudor-style house in northern California was a true challenge for interior designer Susie Novak, founder of Susie Novak Interiors. Her personal style usually leads her towards a much more modern look. However, the convenient and charming location in the Trestle Glen neighbourhood of Oakland — close to San Francisco, restaurants and nature for hiking — convinced her that it could become the perfect home for her, her husband Matt and their two young daughters. Before making the property their own, Susie had to carry out some significant work to provide more functionality. The necessary changes to the two-storey, fivebedroom house (plus a casita in the backyard) involved opening up the new kitchen, relocating and widening the staircase, and creating a main suite as a sanctuary for the couple to escape to.
Clever conversion
At the back of the property, an old garage with a cracked foundation was transformed into a beautiful annexe, which is now being used as a home office space. All these developments, however, didn’t happen overnight. ‘We purchased the home in 2011 and have been in various phases of remodelling since then,’ explains Susie, who became her own most demanding client. ‘I like working with people on their homes and being given style and budget parameters — it helps rein in options and you’re given a
timeline to work to.’ Throughout the process, Susie had to adapt her contemporary aesthetic to a more historic home where she aimed at preserving its charm and quirkiness while giving it a new twist. The different materials – such as stucco, plaster and marble, to keep things classic — combine with several blue elements such as the tiles, paints and carpets, reflecting Susie’s taste. For sources of inspiration, she looked to British interiors, the natural beauty of the California coast, as well as French deco and French countryside. ‘I really wanted the home to feel collected, curated, eclectic and personal — to preserve and add more character,’ she says.
Creative displays
The couple’s collection of art adorns the spaces, including pieces by Petros Koublis and Christopher Rodriguez in the sitting room; Hadas Tal in the bedroom; Gray Malin in the kitchen and family room; Rachel Hall in the playroom; and Erin Eastabrooks and Emu Emw in the casita. ‘I am not the type of person who has a set place for everything,’ she explains. ‘I think a certain amount of clutter warms up a space and makes it feel like a home — favourite artwork, as well as treasured antiques and bespoke furniture that you can’t buy off the shelf, add so much to a home.’ Having put so much work into the house, Susie is happy to enjoy it for now. ‘In many ways it’s my dream home,’ she says, ‘but I look at interiors so much that it’s hard to pin all my desires on one place.’
PATIO ‘We wanted this covered outdoor area to have Palm Springs and French countryside influences so you felt like you were on a vacation just by walking outside,’ explains Susie. Dining table, $1,550, Palecek. Tiled flooring, $15sq ft, Arto. Planters, $725 each, Kolonna MAIN BATHROOM The shower area is cleverly marked out with a half wall. Walls in Light Blue estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Clawfoot tub, $2,000, Signature Hardware. Foundations marble vase, from £79, West Elm
MAIN BEDROOM A palette of moody greys and pale blues is rich and serene at the same time. Rug, $2,000, Loloi. Upholstered bed, $2,000, RH
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AMAZING SPACE
Gary Marshall and Keith Hirst turned a nondescript Victorian house into a home that’s designed to astound
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FEATURE AMY MOOREA WONG | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES MERRELL STYLING MARY WEAVER
hen city-dweller Gary Marshall decided to move from London to the coast, he was looking for a property that was slightly out of the ordinary. Quite by chance, he happened upon the Victorian villa that’s now his home. ‘Finding the house was a real stroke of luck, as it’s in Ramsgate’s conservation area, but isn’t listed,’ says Gary. ‘It meant I could be brave with the space. It didn’t have anything of architectural or historical merit, so tearing it apart didn’t feel too sacrilegious. It was always a quirky
HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY Victorian house, now a warehouse-style home LOCATI O N Kent ROOMS Sitting room/kitchendiner, three bedrooms (one en suite), one bathroom, roof terrace P U R C H A S E D 2018 PREVIOUS PROPERT Y ‘I was living on a large houseboat in Canary Wharf, which I also renovated,’ says Gary.
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building that looks more east London than east coast. Taking a leap of faith, Gary moved into a rental property nearby and began reconfiguring the layout. He emptied the box-like building of many internal walls, replaced the staircase and sacrificed two bedrooms for high ceilings and structural surprises. ‘I wanted to create volume in the house and do something interesting,’ says Gary. ‘I ended up taking away 350 square feet of floor space, but uncovered some interesting features along the way as the structure of the
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LIVING AREA Exposed brickwork combined with soft textiles creates an interesting contrast. Blush velvet floor cushion, £48, Perch & Parrow. For a chair like this (right), try the Arne Jacobsen-style Egg, £565, Stone Butterfly Interiors DINING AREA ‘The view from the table is of the staircase running the entirety of the other floors – it has a beautiful sculptural feel to it,’ says Gary. Similar Park table, £1,695, Oka. Try Cult Furniture’s Haines chair, £129
KITCHEN ‘This green-black space allows other colours to pop,’ says Gary. Walls and surface in micro-cement, price on request, H|F-K. Studio Green estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball, is a similar wall colour
BATHROOM Deep-toned Venetian plastering adds texture and visual impact. Vetrina black stone resin freestanding bath, £2,895; matching basin, £295, both Lusso Stone
MAIN BEDROOM This space does double duty as an office. ‘It’s a very restful place to sit and work, one of the most calming rooms in the house,’ says Gary. Brass bedside table, £222, House Doctor at Connox
BEDROOM A light well runs to the top of the house and gives all the bedrooms a view of the monkey lights, framed like pieces of art. Monkey light, £205, Graham and Green. Hanging rail, £389, Maisons du Monde
house was revealed.’ Decadesworth of time-worn plaster was carefully uncovered, a tactile chalky finish preserved in jagged-edged blocks atop the exposed original brickwork. ‘I wanted it to be rough and hoped that once I brought in other materials, it would feel welcoming,’ he explains. With the structural works nearing completion, Gary began designing the decor. He chose a warm palette that echoes the colours of the plaster and brickwork. Luxe materials and deep, rich hues were added to help combat the interior’s industrial harshness. There’s a plethora of metalwork, from the exposed copper piping to the fretwork covering the staircase and kitchen units, all of which will take on a patina over time. ‘I wanted a contrast, but ultimately it was about creating an environment
that felt warm and relaxed,’ says Gary. He then added textiles for a feeling of comfort. ‘I find it really restful and centring,’ he says. ‘It’s a great space for clearing my head.’ What began as a solo venture also became a home for two along the way. Structural engineer Keith Hirst was working on the project – masterminding the staircase among other areas – before he and Gary, who’s the co-founder of playful beauty brand Anatomicals, became a couple. They now live together in the house, along with their rescue dogs Sniff, a terrier cross, and Labrador, Ruby. The sense of history is one of the things that Gary and Keith really appreciate about the house. ‘I find the idea of embracing the passing of time quite charming,’ says Gary. ‘I think it suits the nature of the building to reveal the historic marks and indentations it carries.’
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14
no.
THE ART OF
COLOUR
Interior designer Jessica Buckley is a master at bringing beautiful hues together as this striking home shows FEATURE JO LEEVERS | PHOTOGRAPHY MARY WADSWORTH | STYLING MARY WEAVER
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HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY Victorian terraced house LOCATI O N South London ROOMS Sitting room, kitchen-diner/living area, study, cloakroom, four bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERT Y ‘The owners were living in Battersea before moving to this house, which they renovated,’ says Jessica.
KITCHEN Green-painted units draw the eye towards the garden. Similar kitchen cabinetry, price on request, Bulthaup; painted in Invisible Green water based eggshell, £80 for 2.5ltr, Edward Bulmer. Armchair and footstool covered in Anoushka fabric, £150.50m, Blithfield
I
nterior designer Jessica Buckley (jessicabuckley.co.uk) is the first to admit that she adores decorating with colour. So when she was asked to design the decor for a family house in south London that was in the process of being refurbished, she seized the opportunity to create a vibrant and eye-catching interior. Jessica trained as an interior designer in Sydney, Australia, having previously worked in property in Asia and Australasia. ‘I was very lucky to learn my craft under the Australian sun, where saturated colours come to life,’ she says. After relocating back to the UK, however, she soon discovered that she needed to adapt her approach, in order to accommodate the flatter light of the northern hemisphere. Having mastered the art of working with both bright and darker colours, Jessica was ready to tap into the full potential of the colour spectrum. When she was commissioned to create a new look for her clients’ south London home, she immediately saw what was needed. ‘The house was Victorian and the owners were retaining key architectural elements and period features, but they also wanted a bold, contemporary interior,’ says Jessica. ‘I was greeted by wall-to-wall white emulsion, which felt rather chilly, so I decided to use colour to reflect the owners’ personality. I also wanted to make this a home that the owners genuinely look forward to returning to at the end of the day – a place that feels warm, interesting and
SITTING ROOM The boldness of the colours Jessica chose immediatelygave the period home a contemporary feel. Interior design, price on request, Jessica Buckley. Cabinets in Calke Green estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Gaia wallpaper, £120 a roll, Robert Kime. Ottoman in Fez Weave, £210m; curtains in Olive Sacking in Rosewood, £40m, both Guy Goodfellow Collection. Similar Sheki rug in Multi, £1,495, Oka. Tall urn lamps, £410 each; lampshades from £138 each, both Penny Morrison HALLWAY Victorian-style floor tiles were laid to match the period look of the door. Similar lampshade in Red Wicker, £220, Fermoie. Metal console table, £425, Cox & Cox, has this look
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inviting.’ Jessica took the colour green as a starting point for the decor, and it’s a thread that runs throughout all the living spaces, in tones ranging from earthy, heritage paint shades to the vibrant emerald colour used for the cupboards and built-in shelving. A toned-down version is echoed in the ikat- and block-printed cushions, which Jessica has teamed with garnet and deep magenta fabrics. Vibrant accents – like canary yellow and fuchsia pink – are used here and there, but carefully and in small, judicious doses. The owners had not yet finished furnishing their home, so Jessica was also able to help with choosing some bespoke pieces. She integrated existing items, such as a set of Ercol dining chairs, into her decorating schemes. The sleek contemporary kitchen had already been installed, but Jessica added an allimportant ‘green zone’ at the far end. ‘This draws the eye beyond the white cabinetry to the seating area and then on to the lush leafy garden beyond,’ she says. Mixing patterns was another key element of Jessica’s approach. ‘The balance of colours means that several small-scale patterns – stripes, dots, dashes and diamonds – can co-exist,’ she says. ‘Pattern adds interest, but I make sure it doesn’t overwhelm.’ She has also used pattern to throw in the odd curveball, such as the sitting room curtain fabric. ‘I chose a very simple rustic stripe to deliberately undercut the grandeur of the room, so the space feels relaxed,’ she says. ‘I wanted every room to be full of the right kind of surprises.’
MAIN BEDROOM ‘The balance of colours means that several small-scale patterns can co-exist – stripes, dots, dashes and diamonds,’says Jessica. Osmunda Silhouette wallpaper, price on request, Soane Britain. Bowood table lamp, £195, Sophie Conran. Rug, price on request, Luke Irwin. Similar Contemporary two-seater sofa (just seen), from £3,040, David Seyfried; covered in Alicia fabric, £136.80m, Pierre Frey CHILD’S BEDROOM Jessica suggested the green wallpaper as it is a timeless choice for a kid’s space. Dandaloo wallpaper, £24 a roll, Rapture & Wright. Try the Aldwych dressing table in Snow, £525, Neptune. Izzy petite accent chair, £528, Anthropologie
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15 ALL AROUND THE WORLD
A multitude of global influences have inspired the look of Paul Firmin and Niko Dafkos’ eclectic home FEATURE EMMA J PAGE | PHOTOGRAPHY SARAH BATES
DINING AREA Despite a relatively neutral palette, this space has a sense of depth thanks to its multiple textures, including woven seating, warm wood and tactile ceramics. Table and stools custom-made by Fred Rigby. Artwork by Hugh Holland. Sinnerlig day bed by Ilse Crawford for Ikea
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SITTING ROOM Mid-century wood pieces complement the ochre tones in this space. Walls in Muga pure flat emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library. Realism No. 49 oak-framed print by Atelier CPH, £149, Earl of East. Modular sideboard, £2,400, Habitat
HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY New build LOCATI O N East London ROOMS Kitchen-diner, sitting room, cloakroom, three bedrooms (one en suite), home office, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERT Y ‘We moved here from a one-bed in Hackney,’ says Paul.
GARDEN Paul (left) and Niko (right) designed this outdoor sanctuary with entertainment in mind. Leopold chairs, £100 each, Habitat
KITCHEN Two characterful bar stools lift the neutral space. Cabinets in Matchstick estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Leather bar stools, £160 each, Everything But The Dog
E
verything from relaxed LA interiors to the simple but thoughtful approach to design found in Japan have influenced the look of Paul Firmin and Niko Daos’ east London home, from. ‘We are a really curious couple and we’ve picked up so many ideas from our travels,’ says Paul, who along with partner Niko founded lifestyle brand Earl of East in 2014, known for its design-led homeware and own-brand fragrances. They moved to this Leyton home from a flat in Hackney, discovering it by chance after six months of searching. Located on a street of Victorian teraces, the new build is part of an eclectic mix of houses and apartments on the site of a former factory. But its interiors were less appealing. ‘When we moved in, the schemes featured an ubiquitous mix of white walls and beige carpets with a patch of mud passing for a garden,’ says Paul. Unfazed, the couple took time to watch the house ‘settle’ before making their mark, at first adding greys and off-whites before
gaining the confidence to go all-out, influenced by their appreciation for the warm, earthy tones found in some of their favourite LA interiors. As a result, walls, ceiling and skirtings in the sitting room have been treated to a cocooning ochre tone, complemented by woven textiles. The main bedroom, anchored by a midnight blue, is colour blocked to draw out the tones of the couple’s favourite quilt. ‘We needed time to understand the house and the play of light within it,’ reflects Paul. ‘Once we did, we grew bolder with our design choices.’ Over time, the pair also invested in some heirloom pieces, including solid-wood cylindrical storage stools and a low-slung dining table by Fred Rigby, designed to complement the low-sitting, woven daybed by Ilse Crawford for Ikea. In the sitting room, a weighty marble table by Soho Home adds post-modern appeal. ‘We enjoy that eclectic mix of old and old,’ says Paul. Many of the couple’s finds were spontaneous, such as the woven stool in the
sitting room, which they spotted kerbside on a Paris street. ‘There was nothing wrong with it so we picked it up and lugged it home on the Eurostar,’ says Paul. ‘Our approach – both in our stores and at home – is that good design should be democratic.’ The existing kitchen has been enlivened by a tactile, glazed splashback and a soft putty finish to cabinetry. But it’s the link between this room and the garden that the couple prize most. ‘We wanted to design an outdoor room that felt calming, green and cosseting,’ says Paul. The pair planted the garden with plenty of mature bamboo and created a generous deck. ‘I love that you can see the terrace from the front door,’ says Paul. Of course, as befits this globetrotting pair, there are more changes afoot. Next, they’d like to install cork flooring upstairs and add a slatted wardrobe wall to the main bedroom. ‘We’re also toying with the idea of fitting a metal-framed glass wall downstairs,’ says Paul. ‘But we’re not in a rush – this is our forever home and we’re enjoying taking our time.’
‘We’ve always liked to take a risk with colour – if we go for it, we’re all in rather than just adding a feature wall’
DESIGN ADVICE 86 | 25BH SEPTEMBER
MAIN BEDROOM Paul and Niko decided to do a feature wall in here to match the quilt. Panelled wall in Scotch Blue estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Shay patchwork blanket in Mustard, £155, Ferm Living BEDROOM The beaded wall hanging and vintage desk create a relaxed, eclectic feel. Wild Swim framed photography, £35, Ana Kerin OFFICE A slimline but long console gives plenty of work space. Walls in First Dawn matt emulsion, £28 for 2.5ltr, Dulux. Terrazzo pot, £98, Serax
BEDROOM A mixed colour palette, from bolds to neutrals, is underpinned by a relaxed, vintage feel throughout. Grey metal bed frame, £180, Ikea. Graphic print, €40, HeyShop
Clear vision
When Gemma Mahabeer and her husband Navin began renovating a 1930s house, they were determined to combine period style with a modern approach to design FEATURE ALISON GIBB | PHOTOGRAPHY DOUGLAS GIBB
KITCHEN This space used to be small four rooms. The new units were just what Gemma was looking for – sleek yet with a period feel. Cabinetry, price on request, Handmade Kitchens of Christchurch; a similar layout would be around £13,500. Victoria bar stool, £99, Cult Furniture, is similar. Callisto mixer tap in Satin Brass, £602, Perrin & Rowe. Island in Down Pipe estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
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no.
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HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY Detached 1930s house LOCATI O N Buckinghamshire ROOMS Sitting room, family room, kitchen-diner, cloakroom, utility room, office, five bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2018 PREVIOUS PROPERT Y ‘We were living nearby when we spotted this house,’ says Gemma.
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G DINING AREA An extension was added to get this space. Metalframed doors were chosen as they suit the 1930s house. Madrid dining table, from £1,849, Heal’s. Wishbone Y dining chairs, £146.25 each, Mobelaris. Brass mobile chandelier, from £299, West Elm. Katana sideboard, £549, Swoon
emma Mahabeer was already settled and living in Buckinghamshire when she spotted her present home. ‘We noticed the house as soon as it came up for sale and saw it had lots of potential,’ she says. ‘My husband Navin and I knew we could preserve the period 1930s feel, while improving the interior. The house was in reasonable condition internally, but I couldn’t live with the decor as it was.’ Having sealed the deal, Gemma and her family, including son Arlo, now four, were fortunate enough to be able to stay in their previous home for eight months while they renovated the new property. ‘I’m not one to live in a house for a year while I think about what to do,’ she says. ‘I already knew exactly what I wanted, so why wait? I just wanted to crack on!’ Reconfiguring the layout was the key to
the renovation. ‘The loft had already been converted, but the layout was rather awkward,’ says Gemma. ‘The kitchen had originally been four small rooms, so we knocked them into one large space. We also added a dining room extension and relocated the utility room.’ Elsewhere, she and Navin changed the roof to a gable end and moved the staircase and dormer window to allow a sitting area in the bedroom, plus a landing and shower room. ‘Previously, the en suite had been totally open plan,’ says Gemma. ‘We lost a window to the downstairs stairwell as a result of the renovations, but happily I found a large mirror that helped compensate for this and also echoed the industrial-style glazing downstairs.’ Gemma had a clear vision for the renovation, yet there were still some anxious moments. ‘Navin was very calm
‘Find good tradesmen through recommendation – your architect can help. If you’re working full-time, you need people you can trust’ SITTING ROOM The couple created a media storage wall for books, their TV and sound system. Storage in Down Pipe estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Similar Cloud chaise sofa, from £2,295, Loaf. Rug, £175, La Redoute
BEDROOM Gemma made the throw herself at a local workshop. Penn bed, £199, Made. Grafik table, £33, Maisons du Monde
throughout the whole process,’ says Gemma. ‘But when at one point there was no back or roof on the house, I did wonder, “What on earth have we done?” On the plus side, we avoided waste by salvaging the original kitchen and internal doors, and sold them on eBay.’ Floor-to-ceiling black-framed windows were installed along the back wall of the kitchen and the dining area extension. ‘I thought they were perfect for this house,’ says Gemma. ‘It was an ideal way to gain the best of both worlds; to update our period home in authentic 1930s style, while giving it a modern feel.’ When it came to the decor, Gemma had plenty of inspiration. ‘I’ve always loved art and design and studied History ARLO’S BEDROOM An inspirational quote was put on the wall. Gravity mural, £37sq m, Hovia. Ballpit, £69.90, Kiddy Moon
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MABEL’S BEDROOM The pattern of the paper is bold but the serene colour is soothing. Vector wallpaper, £60 a roll, Scion
of Art at university,’ she says. ‘My sense of style is largely intuitive, but it’s been influenced by my work for a luxury fashion brand. I travel a lot for work and have been lucky enough to stay in some lovely hotels in various beautiful cities, so travel is also a great source of inspiration. When the renovation project was nearing completion, Gemma decided to launch her Instagram account, @my_midcenturymakeover. ‘It was a fun distraction during my maternity leave with our daughter Mabel, which coincided almost exactly with lockdown,’ she says. ‘What started out as a hobby has become a great way to connect with other lovers of design and has opened up exciting new opportunities.’
EN SUITE Scallop tiles are a subtle decorative touch. Vanity unit, £1,009, Parker Howley & Co. Fan tiles, £78.89sq m, Tiles-Direct
MAIN BEDROOM The wall light opened up space on the table. Raffaella bed, £1,397, Sweetpea & Willow. Hemnes table, £50, Ikea
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HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY Detached new-build LOCATI O N Long Island, New York State ROOMS Sitting area, kitchendiner, cloakroom, four bedrooms (three en suite), bathroom B U I LT 2019 PREVIOUS PROPERT Y ‘The owners’ other property is a detached house in London,’ says designer Jessica.
MAKING
WAVES
All that was needed for Jessica Gething to create a coastal retreat with a difference was subtle hues and natural textures FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL | PHOTOGRAPHY GENEVIEVE GARRUPPO
KITCHEN-DINER
‘We were going to paint the ceiling boards but everyone loved this natural look,’ says Jessica. The picture window makes the most of the views. Tulip dining table with marble top by Eero Saarinen, £3,300, The Conran Shop. Try the Hampstead Scoop chair, £400 for two, The Farthing. Island painted in a similar colour to Bay Area Blue estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Bespoke cabinetry by Plain
English. Ship’s Double Well wall light, £685, Original BTC. LUbular sconce, £1,011, 1st Dibs. Semco flooring, price on request, Semco
EXTERIOR
Outdoor seating areas ensure that the spectacular sea-front location can be enjoyed to the full. Theodore Adirondack-style garden armchairs, £199 each, are similar
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GIRLS’ BEDROOM
Everything works hard – from the double-duty bed to the wall of storage. Try the Oahu Fringe pendant, £348, Anthropologie. The Kilim Malatya rug is a good match, £680, Rug Vista
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FAMILY BATHROOM
A double-basin arrangement provides a pleasing symmetry. Duravit Luv basin, £622, CP Hart. Kromatika Hexagon Bleu Clair floor tiles are similar, £39.95sq m, Tile Mountain
BOYS’ BEDROOM
The tongue and groove adds just the right amount of decoration. For similar beds, try Hand Made Bunk Beds. For custom-made blinds, try Hillarys
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hen Jessica Gething was asked to design the interior of a new-build beach house, she proved you don’t need blue stripes, driftwood ornaments and paddles on walls. Instead, this home on Long Island on America’s east coast is a picture of calm understatement. ‘It’s not a typical Hamptons home, and that was intentional,’ she says. The owners are a London-based couple with connections to this area, who wanted to recreate for their children the same idyllic summers they spent growing up on these shores. Realising this couple were after a look that was family friendly but also stylish, Jessica carefully thought through every aspect of this project, with practicalities as well as aesthetics in mind. While the homeowners leant towards concrete for the floors downstairs, Jessica thought it might not stand up to the
extreme changes in temperature as well as the humidity of this location, so she found a durable resin that is usually used for lining swimming pools. ‘It’s applied like plaster, but still has the look of poured concrete,’ she says. ‘It’s softer and more textured, and it won’t crack.’ To counteract the cool, edgy look of the flooring, reclaimed white oak floorboards were used on the ceiling. ‘We were going to whitewash the wood, but everyone loved it so it stayed natural,’ says Jessica. ‘It was one of those happy accidents.’ And elsewhere, especially upstairs, the warm timber theme continues on floors, stairs and shelving. Throughout, the aim was to create a fun, relaxed feel and the sitting area typifies everything that’s light and summery about this retreat. The all-important sofas at the heart of the scheme were found by the owner while in Paris. ‘They are Dutch and are covered in vintage linens, which makes
them look so rich and special,’ says Jessica. Overseas influences can be seen in every aspect of this interior. ‘The homeowners had fallen in love with zellige tiles in Morocco. These are characterised by rich colouration and intricate textures, so we used this as inspiration for the tiles in the kitchen and the family bathroom,’ she says. ‘I love using organic materials – the clay tiles are handmade and there are incredible variations and inconsistencies.’ Above all, though, this is a family home with all the practicalities that entails – from cleverly designed bunk beds to a TV room that doubles as a guest en suite and a study area that serves adults and kids alike. But it’s a visual treat, too, with subtle nods to the beach-front location, such as the blue island unit, rattan furniture with seagrass accessories and touches of decorative coral. ‘For all that it has to do, this house really pulls its weight,’ says Jessica.
UE EUE
‘The location of this house, directly on the water, is the most special aspect’
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KITCHEN Everything is robust but beautiful, including the Caesarstone on the island that has the look of polished concrete. A similar Bulthaup B3 kitchen costs from £60,000, Kitchen Architecture. York pendants, £395 each, Original BTC. Form bar stools by Normann Copenhagen, £290 each, Skandium
98 | 25BH SEPTEMBER 1
HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY A 1920s semi-detached house LOCATI O N London ROOMS Kitchen-diner/family room, sitting room, office, utility/ boot room, five bedrooms, (two en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERT Y ‘We lived in Notting Hill then rented in Barnes for three years before moving here,’ says Sophia.
THE FAMILY JEWEL Having four children didn’t stop Sophia and Patrick Johansson attaining the stunning – and practical – home of their dreams FEATURE KAREN WILSON | PHOTOGRAPHY NICK SMITH
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DINING AREA Bespoke cabinetry includes toy storage and display space. Dakota table base, from £3,400, Julian Chichester. Bespoke walnut table top with oak inlay, Fraser & Fraser Design
SEATING AREA There is a projector screen in the ceiling that drops down for family movie nights. Olympic artwork by Pure Evil, £300 unframed, Enter Gallery
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GARDEN The previously overgrown space now features a wooden pergola that tones with the Crittall doors. Try Amelia eight-seater dining set, from £1,999, White Stores
SITTING ROOM Sophia wanted a space that felt different to the rest of the house with dark colours. Tom Dixon Beat Stout pendant light, £845, Heal’s
25BH SEPTEMBER 202 | 101
MAIN BEDROOM A huge bed where the children like to snuggle on a Sunday morning is the focal point. For a similar wall colour, try Borrowed Light estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
LAST WORD
‘With young children of course you want a beautiful home but you also
HALLWAY Khaki walls and an off-black ceiling were chosen to showcase the impactful chandelier. Meurice rectangle chandelier, £1,595, Jonathan Adler
102 | 25BH SEPTEMBER
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fter Sophia and Patrick Johansson had their second child, renting in the southwest London suburb of Barnes seemed a sensible option while weighing up their next move. ‘We’d had enough of central London and had friends in Barnes,’ says Sophia. ‘It feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere but there’s a train station on the doorstep, so after three years we decided to buy.’ In contrast to their previous narrow house in Notting Hill, the pair chose a wider 1920s property with a large west-facing garden that could be extended. ‘It had a red hallway carpet, Japanese-style kitchen and overgrown garden with a pond,’ remembers Sophia, who now has four children – Casper, eight, Thea, six, Molly, four, and Iris, one. ‘Although it wasn’t to our taste, it was fine to live in. However, as we were planning a big refurbishment, we only spent
one night there before going to our second home in Sweden, then rented a flat in Barnes during the initial nine-month project.’ The first phase included a 40sq m ground floor extension to create a large kitchen-diner and family room. Versatile pocket doors were added to the front sitting room, and the large loft was split into two bedrooms and a bathroom. More recently the entrance hall was remodelled and the garage divided into a boot room, office and downstairs WC. Interior designer Chloe Cooke (fraserandfraserdesign. com) was recommended by Richmond Bell Architects to make the most of the new interior space. She incorporated many bespoke oversized elements to give the design impact, including lighting, flooring, joinery and a new front door. ‘The maximum standard sizes never seemed to be big enough,’ she says. ‘For instance the herringbone flooring we used is 80cm wide.’
GIRLS’ BEDROOM Bold wallpaper was the starting point for Molly and Thea’s room. Fôret wallpaper in Noir by Nathalie Lété (372x300cm), £412, Made in Design. OYOY art prints, from £26 each, Amara
want it to be very practical and that means having plenty of drawers and cabinets’ Built-in cabinetry throughout keeps the space uncluttered. ‘The boot room has the hardest working joinery in the house as we eeked out every centimetre for coats, shoes and bags,’ says Sophia. ‘It looks really cool but is also super practical.’ Decor-wise, a backdrop of pure white and off-black punctuated with small pops of colour sits alongside industrialstyle lighting and classic midcentury furniture brought back from Sweden. ‘Chloe was so enthusiastic and quite quickly got our style,’ says Sophia. ‘We like a mix of Scandinavian clean lines but also bringing in some warmth with darker colours, which aren’t Scandinavian at all.’ To avoid a show home look, much time was spent choosing bespoke pieces rather than rushing to buy everything at once. ‘It took a year-and-a-half to finally decide on the dining table - a bronze base with bespoke oval top,’ says Chloe. ‘Sophia even
came down to the sawmill and chose the walnut.’ Forming the hub of family life is the open-plan kitchen. ‘I was worried the units might be too dark, but there’s so much light from the Crittall doors it doesn’t feel that way,’ says Sophia. ‘It’s so functional - four kids have been banging their toys on it and there’s not a single scratch.’ Now due to Brexit, the family are moving to France for Patrick’s job in finance. ‘It’s bittersweet as we’ve spent so much time and money, but haven’t had a chance to enjoy the house fully,’ she says. Despite the distance, they are eager to utilise Chloe’s skills again for their next project. ‘I’ve loved designing the house but the decisions are endless and it can be overwhelming with so much to chose from,’ says Sophia. ‘Rather than me seeing hundreds of things, Chloe would narrow it down to under ten and managed the timing of everything. We would definitely use her again.’
EN SUITE SHOWER ROOM Concrete, brass and black metal have given the couple the industrial look they love. Sienna double basin trough, from £2,080, Kast Concrete Basins
25BH SEPTEMBER | 103
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HOME GROWN
Everything about Joolz Abbs-Woodd’s cottage has a personal connection, including the plants and flowers that brighten every room FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL/ANN BROAD | PHOTOGRAPHY COLIN POOLE
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SITTING ROOM Orange accents complement the blue walls. Walls in Btwn Dog & Wolf, £51 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library. Lampshade, price on request, Vanessa Arbuthnott. Wreath, price on request, Posy Flowers. Landscape painting by Kieran Stiles REAR GALLERY HALL This space is part of an extension that was built with Cotswold stone (see Home Truths box left) taken from the property’s old outbuildings. Walls in Shaded White estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Try the Dominik table, £141.99, Wayfair. Hortology sells woven baskets, from £4.99
HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY An 18th-century cottage LOCATI O N Oxfordshire ROOMS Sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner, utility room, four bedrooms, three bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2001 PREVIOUS PROPERT Y ‘We moved here from a 1950s Arts & Crafts house in Oxford,’ says Joolz.
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oolz Abbs-Woodd has owned her Georgian home in the Cotswolds since 2001 but still feels lucky to have found it. ‘We were staying with friends in the village when we first spotted this house,’ she says. ‘It wasn’t for sale at the time, but we saw a glimpse of the house and its lovely long garden from the road and I remember saying to my husband Jonathan, “That’s the house I want.” How lucky we were to buy it a couple of years later.’ But there was much work to do before moving in – not least the building of a new extension at the rear. ‘Elsewhere it was in need of some TLC,’ says Joolz. Fully prepared for the work that lay ahead, the couple rented a cottage nearby for a year, while the building work took place, which also included replastering the whole house. ‘This enabled us to put in our signature curved walls on many of the corners, creating new features to complement the original characteristics,’ says Joolz. A huge positive for the couple was when the old outbuildings and garage were taken down, and they were able to reclaim all of the stone. ‘We built our whole extension, then sold on the excess Cotswold stone to build three neighbouring extensions, plus part of another house in the village,’ says Joolz. ‘It was very satisfying to see the materials reused.’ After a year, the build and renovations were finished and Joolz could finally turn her attention to the decor and combine her keen eye for detail with her love of nature and the changing seasons. ‘Having completed an interior design course back in the
‘Do as we did and reinvent your kitchen units by painting them’
D E C O R ATI N G T I P
DINING ROOM Like many of their items, the rug was bought on the couple’s travels. For Turkish rugs, from £50, try Vinterior. Claudine dining table, £599, Swoon, would work here. Dining chairs, price on request, The Real Wood Furniture Company. Try the Natural Ombre check throw, £80, Bronte By Moon SITTING ROOM A dark wall colour and layers of textiles create a welcoming atmosphere. Throws and cushions, from a selection, Louisa Maybury Textiles. Chandelier, price on request, Martha’s Attic. For a similar side table, try Asia Dragon KITCHEN Rattan stools, a reclaimed wood-covered wall and several plants lend a warm, natural feel. For Shaker-style bespoke cabinetry, try Harvey Jones. Units in Hardwick White estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Porcelain floor tiles, from £46.80sq m, Artisans of Devizes. Plants, from a selection, Posy Flowers. For similar rattan bar stools, try Garden Trading Company
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‘Moving things around in a room can give it a total refresh’
DESIGN ADVICE
MAIN BEDROOM In here, it’s the tables that introduce the warm wood that is used throughout the house to give an overall cohesive look. Walls in Cornforth White estate emulsion, £49.50, Farrow & Ball. Try the Emilia ottoman bed, £2,985, And So To Bed. The Duke chair is similar, £399, Swoon BATHROOM Sawn-timber walls add a rustic touch. Similar landscape wall tiles, £169.10sq m, Fired Earth. Walls in Shaded White estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Kennard wooden stool, £149.99, Wayfair, is a good match BEDROOM Shutters were chosen for the smaller windows to allow in as much light as possible. Lewes bedspread, £250, Laura Ashley, has this look. Poppy double divan bed, £775, Button & Sprung. Cushions, from £42, Tinsmiths. Campbell’s Soup Can print, £40, King & McGaw
108 | 25BH SEPTEMBER
1990s, I was adamant I wanted to get everything right for this house, from fixtures and fittings to decor,’ she says. ‘I kept a scrapbook with all our ideas – it’s fun to see how much of the house is similar to magazine cuttings and my sketches I made nearly 20 years ago.’ Initially the couple decided on a neutral palette for the walls and woodwork, introducing colour in accessories and textiles. ‘Over time, we’ve definitely become braver, in particular in the kitchen and sitting room, which now have more impact with stronger tones,’ says Joolz. ‘I guess it’s just a matter of finding a good background colour and also, not over-cluttering an area.’ This home is nothing if not relaxed, and part of this is undoubtedly down to the abundance of flowers and foliage that grace every space. ‘I have run my business, Posy Flowers (@posyflowersandgifts), from home since 2012,’ says Joolz. ‘I started by creating wreaths and arrangements and now I hold workshops and mainly grow small-scale for weddings and flower arrangements.’ The couple feel fortunate to have found their home in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside, which they share with their daughter Madeleine, 16. ‘We consider ourselves guardians of the property and have renovated sympathetically to respect its history,’ says Joolz. ‘The village has a wonderful community, good school and a great pub. We have considered moving to give ourselves another project, but when push came to shove, we weren’t ready to leave. We’re happy here – it’s our home and we love it.’
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COME TOGETHER
Collaboration was key to giving Peter Holmes’ house a space-enhancing update FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL | PHOTOGRAPHY TONY MURRAY
HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY A 1950s house remodelled in the 1980s LOCATI O N North London ROOMS Sitting room, dining area, kitchen, study, mezzanine floor, reading area, spa/gym, six bedrooms (four en suite) P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERT Y ‘I lived in a modern apartment in Stockholm,’ says Peter.
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SITTING ROOM
Characterful steel beams indicate where walls were removed. Rocal Barbara 90 fireplace, £4,074, Fireplace Products. Kilim rug, price on request, Liberty. Long Island sofa, price on request, Roche Bobois
3 1 & 3 PATIO Orange detailing on the garden furniture is a playful touch. Try the Kettler dining set, £519, Garden Furniture World. Fermob 1900 wrought-iron benches, £525 each, The Worm that Turned 2 ENTRANCE HALL Walls and ceilings were removed to create a bright, open-plan space. Chesterfield sofa, from a selection, Alfies Antique Market. For safari-themed cushions, try Safari Grey, £65 each, Andrew Martin
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4 1 KITCHEN Wine storage was built into the island. Drifted bar stools, £333 each, Finnish Design Shop. Bespoke units, Plain English 2 DINING AREA Spindle-back chairs and a farmhousestyle table create a rustic feel. Hay dining chairs, from £155 each, Made In Design. Try the Chester dining table, £799, The Cotswold Company 3 READING AREA A hanging chair is a good spot to relax. Globo hanging chair, €499, Amazonas. Windows, price on request, Westbury Windows & Joinery 4 BATHROOM The plant softens the bolder pieces. Babylon bath, from £5,508; Quarry floor tiles, £47.04sq m; Toledo wall tiles, £74.76sq m, all Fired Earth
112 | 25BH SEPTEMBER 22
MAIN BEDROOM
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hen Peter Holmes moved into his mid-century house in north London, it soon became clear that the property would benefit from a facelift. ‘The aim was to create an interior that made the home a more practical and pleasant place to live,’ says Peter. ‘I knew that renovating it would also add to its value.’ Subsequently, plans were drawn up for structural changes that included widening the hallway and removing walls and ceilings to create a more open-plan living space. Reconfiguring the interior was a major task as virtually no area in the home remained untouched. Oner Avara of All Done Design points out there were challenges along the way. ‘We replaced all the doors and windows – installing the huge panes of glass
A circular window makes a spectacular feature. King-size bed, price on request, Living Space. Chest, from a selection at Alfies Antique Market. Spotlight floor lamp, £69.99, Breeze Home Furnishings, is similar
at the top of the house was particularly tricky because of the sloping roof,’ he says. After completion of the building work, which also included laying new flooring and adding a main en suite and cloakroom, plus a spiral staircase, attention turned to the interior. ‘The brief was to create a homely house that was modern with rustic elements,’ says designer Emine Muslu of IG Design Studio. ‘Peter wanted a home that felt like he’d always lived there and to achieve that, pieces were sourced from antiques markets and reclaimed-furniture shops.’ Decor-wise, white walls accentuate the open spaces and natural light, with swathes of colour supplied courtesy of fabrics, such as curtains and rugs, as well as accents of differing hues, as seen in the furniture and bed linen. In the kitchen, red bar stools
provide a vibrant contrast to the blue cabinetry. Pattern also plays its part in this house’s sense of style and it comes into its own with the geometric selection of tiling in the spa room and bathrooms. But most of all, this is a home designed to reflect the owner’s tastes and sociable lifestyle and this can be seen everywhere, from the cosy sitting room with a woodburner at its heart to the bespoke wine cellar and the mezzanine floor, which Peter tellingly refers to as the ‘party hall’. The overall success of this project is down to good teamwork, according to Oner Avara of All Done Design. ‘Having an effective relationship with the owner and the designers is an essential part of the job,’ he says. ‘That collaboration is key to delivering a perfect end result.’ 25BH SEPTEMBER 2021 | 113
ROOMS IN FOCUS
We look at a specific project in five amazing houses to give advice and inspiration in detail
25BH SEPTEMBER 2021 | 115
SLICE OF HISTORY
Karen and Greg Bracken took inspiration from their home’s historic past to create a timeless kitchen that will last long into the future FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON | PHOTOGRAPHY DARREN CHUNG
PROJECT DETAIL S
O W N E R S Greg and Karen Bracken H O U S E A six-bedroom Tudor property in north Essex WORK After extending the ground floor kitchen by more than half again, the couple created a spacious kitchen-diner overlooking landscaped gardens
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or Greg and Karen Bracken, an incredible sense of history is what sealed the deal when they went house-hunting in ‘Constable Country’. Having dreamt of living in the countryside for many years, the London-based couple bit the bullet in 2015. ‘When we viewed this original Tudor house, built in 1483 and full of character with ancient exposed beams, ogee door frames and even a priest hole, we knew we’d found home.’
THE BRIEF
The couple were warned that the original kitchen was disproportionately small compared to the size of the house. Undeterred, they added an extension to their renovating to-do list and proceeded with the purchase. Working with the local listed building department and with the designers at Davonport, the couple wanted a generous space that would feel like a natural addition to the existing room that would also allow them to entertain more easily. FRESH LEASE OF LIFE Retaining the existing Aga and mantel was important for the couple. A full refurbishment of the Aga gave it a shiny new enamelled coat. Aga refurbishment, price on request, Blake & Bull AT YOUR SERVICE The top section of the customised pantry acts as an elegant bar area for entertaining. Cabinets in Pointing and Green Smoke estate eggshell, both £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
DESIGN SOLUTIONS
The main kitchen units are configured in a U-shape with the island centrally located within easy reach from all sides. Davonport’s Signature Pantry is positioned closer to the dining table to provide easy access to glassware and refreshments. An additional prep sink at the island allows hot drinks and hand-washing when the main sink is in use. By splitting the layout into three main zones for cooking, dining and entertaining, the new extension has really transformed the way the Brackens live. MATERIALS USED
For the cabinetry, Davonport’s Tillingham design, with its curved pilasters and beaded doors, was selected for its timeless, classic look. The hand-painted units in Farrow & Ball’s Pointing and Green Smoke connect beautifully with the surrounding countryside, while the exposed brickwork on the chimney brings visual warmth to the room. FINISHING TOUCHES
Positioned neatly above a prep sink in one corner of the island, the Quooker 3-in-1 boiling tap is already proving a firm favourite. ‘We make so much tea and coffee each day that we wonder how we ever managed without it,’ says Greg. The Wi-Fi-linked induction hob and extractor is also particularly clever. The extractor automatically reacts to changes in the hob temperature settings to ensure the kitchen is kept steam-free. LESSONS LEARNT
Although they could have been put off by the thought of planning issues and the challenges of extending an old building, the couple’s perseverance has paid off. ‘Our kitchen is now the true heart of our home and it allows us to entertain on a larger scale and with greater ease,’ says Karen. ‘We feel so lucky to have a home with such an amazing history as well as all the comforts of modern life.’ 25BH SEPTEMBER 01 | 117
MODERN CLASSIC
The cabinetry, with its curved pilasters and beaded doors, was chosen to chime with this Tudor home’s other period details. The couple love how the polished Angola Silver granite worktops help to reflect light back into this enlarged kitchen space. Kitchens start from £40,000; worktops in Angola Silver granite, from around £450sq m, all Davonport. Burlington Ivory porcelain floor tiles, £59.98sq m; Soho Crema ceramic wall tiles, £47.98sq m, all A&M Tiling. Ede light grey PU bar stools, £189 each, Fishpools. Main walls in Dimpse estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. H2860 BP single oven, £1,199; H7240 BM microwave combi oven, £1,749; KM7474FR induction hob, £1,269; DA2698 built-in extractor, £1,899; KWT 6321 UG wine conditioning unit, £2,499, all Miele. Icerock undermount sink, £332, Kohler. Flex Pro 3 boiling water tap in polished chrome, £1,150, Quooker. Butler 800 sink in white, £555, Shaws of Darwen. Juliet C-Spout mixer in chrome, £368.88, Perrin & Rowe
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CO-ORDINATED CHOICES A bespoke sideboard with builtin wine cooler helps to connect the dining area with the rest of the kitchen. Wall in Pigeon estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Deben pendant lights in nickel, £155 each, Jim Lawrence. Copeland dining chairs in Light Grey, £189 each; Colossus dining table, from £1,499, all Fishpools
PERFECTLY PLANNED By thinking creatively, Alice and John Turner reinvented their kitchen to make it work effortlessly for cooking, entertaining and relaxing FEATURE CATRIONA SUMMERHILL | PHOTOGRAPHY LINDA BUSSEY
PROJECT DETAIL S O W N E R S Alice and John Turner H O U S E A five-bedroom detached home in Cumbria WORK Redesign of an existing kitchen to create a spacious kitchen-diner with improved views of the garden
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no. IN GOOD COMPANY Thanks to new generous walkways and a table that can seat up to six people, the kitchen is now a much more sociable space. Bespoke cabinets, £30,000; bespoke table, £1,970, all Carvetii Interiors. Cabinets in Prussian elite emulsion; tall units in Mushroom elite emulsion, both £51 for 2.5ltr, Zoffany at Designer Paint. Octo pendant light in walnut, £675, David Lighting Village
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aving enjoyed their small holiday home in Cumbria for a number of years, Alice and John Turner finally decided to upgrade to a bigger property with the intention of retiring there from West Yorkshire. When they viewed a five-bedroom house near Lake Windermere, they knew they had found what they were looking for. However, the kitchen was in need of attention. ‘The layout didn’t work well and nothing flowed,’ says Alice. ‘We also wanted to incorporate a seating area that made the most of the garden views.’ THE BRIEF
When the couple spotted the work of local design company Carvetii Interiors in a magazine, they visited its showroom where they met designer Roy Sweetman. ‘We immediately felt he was someone we would enjoy working with,’ says Alice. He understood that the modern but relaxed kitchen-diner the couple wanted would require copious storage, generous walkways and clear lines of sight. The Turners also wanted to address the kitchen’s poor layout and electric underfloor heating, which struggled to warm the large room in winter. DESIGN SOLUTIONS
To shift the focus of the kitchen from the small garden at the back to the main garden at the front, Carvetii Interiors created plans for a 3x5m front extension with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors. The island now houses storage alongside two integrated freezers, a double bin next to the prep sink and an induction hob. The choice of a downdraught extractor, which is concealed in the island when not in use, removed the need for an industrial hood that would have interrupted the garden views. Wet underfloor heating, which works well in larger spaces and is energy efficient, was also installed, while a full-height larder fridge, ovens and a microwave were housed in the cabinets opposite the island. MATERIALS USED
A key component of the design was the inspired mix of painted cabinets and sawn cut eucalyptus veneer on the oven housing, which brings warmth to the pared-back scheme. The engineered wood flooring works well with underfloor heating, while the hard-wearing quartz worktop is scratch- and heat-resistant and doesn’t require resealing. FINISHING TOUCHES
As John and Alice enjoy relaxing with a coffee after walking the dogs, Roy suggested a special hot drinks cabinet with pocket doors that would slide neatly away when open. The cabinet’s interior includes sockets for the coffee machine, with drawers for cups and saucers, and a coffee pod organiser. LESSONS LEARNT
‘Working with a design team has helped us make the most of the space,’ says Alice. ‘From a practical perspective, it all works really well. I’m not confident we would have achieved this final look without professional input.’ 25BH SEPTEMBER | 121
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS Key to the clean, modern look Alice and John wanted is ample storage, which included this wide cabinet with handy door racks (above).
ALL IN THE MIX
The new extension created space for a comfortable seating area, which overlooks the garden. Mixing the finishes of the cabinetry gave a bespoke look. The unit with the banked ovens is made from sawn-cut eucalyptus veneer. Silestone Eternal Calacatta Gold worktops, £671sq m, Cumbria Granite. For a similar veneer, try Sawn smoked figured eucalyptus veneer, Reliance Veneer Co. Flex tap, £1,280, Quooker. Franke Kubus sink KBX 160 55-20, £800, Swift Electrical. Silver induction hob EX879FVC1E, £972, Siemens. Under-mounted integratedfreezer SUIGN 1554, £970, Liebherr. Built-in single oven HB678GBS6B, £1,290; built-in microwave CF634AGS1B, £870; built-in oven with steam function HS658GES6B, £1,730; built-in warming drawer BI630CNS1B, £555,all Siemens
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DESIGN MATTERS
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Rosie Ward was tasked with the job of ensuring this listed apartment’s aesthetic wed beautifully with its stunning city centre location FEATURE KAREN WILSON | PHOTOGRAPHY TARAN WILKHU
PROJECT DETAIL S
D E S I G N E R S Ward & Co P R O P E R T Y Grade IIlisted apartment in London’s Covent Garden WORK To refresh the apartment, including the sitting/ dining room, in keeping with its heritage location
CAPITAL CHARM Neutral curtains were chosen so they don’t detract from the impressive views over Covent Garden’s Piazza. Camaya Chinchilla curtain fabric, £75m, Romo. AJ floor lamp, from £156.75, Mobelaris, is similar
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hen Rosie Ward was asked to redesign a two-bedroom Grade II-listed apartment overlooking the famous Piazza in London’s Covent Garden, she was excited to incorporate materials, textures and colours that spoke to the area’s rich history. As creative director at Ward & Co (wardandco.com), Rosie had been asked to give the apartment a complete refresh. THE BRIEF
Built in the 1700s for Admiral Lord Oxford, former head of the Royal Navy, the building was later owned by retailer LK Bennett before being converted into luxury apartments. ‘Our brief was to create a space that reflected the listed status, the cultural heritage of the location and yet in-keeping with the archetypal Covent Garden resident,’ says Rosie. ‘Every element has been selected to celebrate these elements while considering the fabulous views.’ DESIGN SOLUTIONS
As the property was listed, the client didn’t want the space reconfigured too much. However an internal metal-framed window was installed in the main sitting/ dining room. ‘When you walk in, you can immediately see the lovely blue tones of the sitting room and across to the Piazza, giving it a dramatic sense of arrival,’ says Rosie. ‘It also allows lots of natural light to spill into the hallway, which was previously quite dark.’ A hand-crafted library was also commissioned for 400 books – one for each year of Covent Garden’s history. ‘It adds a real British element,’ says Rosie. ‘To overcome the uneven walls and floors, a straight back panel was painted in with the wall, and panelling was crafted in sections to allow for changes in depth.’ FINISHING TOUCHES
Rosie believes the details that elevate a design from good to great are often less obvious, like consideration of historical and geographical context or thoughtful space planning. ‘The project emphasises classical clean lines, bespoke joinery and lighting, layered with flairs of confident bold colour,’ she says. ‘The considered use of colour and layout also give a sense of continuity and flow, making the space incredibly liveable for future residents.’
BESPOKE TOUCHES
The made-to-measure metal-framed internal window(above left) allows light to flow into the hall and the walnut shelving has created a library of sorts. Rushes Driftwood (312494) wallpaper, £70 a roll, Zoffany. Hector glass globe pendants, from £1,002 each, Hector Finch. Gold stem chandelier, £5,409.60, Tigermoth Lighting. For a similar sofa, try large Pembroke in Cosmic Latte, £2,195, Arlo & Jacob. Oliver coffee table, from £1,128, Liang & Eimil. Charlotte Morgan collages, price on request, Trowbridge Gallery. Kyo brass bowls, from £29.95, Nkuku, are a match
DEFINED SPACES Different wall coverings create a dynamic look and also help zone all the separate areas of this open-plan living space. Feature wall in Hague Blue estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Try the Ritz chair in Turmeric, £569, Swoon. Similar Sisal rug with leather border, from £255, Crucial Rug Store
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MOODY HUES
By changing the layout and balancing dark walls with light curtains and floors, interior designer Rachel Laxer has fashioned a wonderfully cosy bedroom FEATURE MELANIE WHITEHOUSE | PHOTOGRAPHY AND STYLING MARY WADSWORTH
PROJECT DETAIL S
O W N E R S Rhian Stephenson and Richard Butland H O U S E A classic Edwardian house in north London WORK To rework the main bedroom to improve the layout and create a relaxing, tranquil space with a contemporary style
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hian Stephenson and her partner Richard Butland loved the light that flooded through the big windows of their Edwardian house, the open-plan kitchen/family room at the back and the classic living room at the front. What they weren’t so keen on was the layout of the main bedroom, where a massive walk-in wardrobe interrupted the flow of the space. ‘It was also old-fashioned and not fit for a modern lifestyle,’ says Rhian.
THE BRIEF
Rhian, a nutritionist and naturopath, had previously employed Rachel Laxer from Rachel Laxer Interiors (rlaxerinteriors.com) to renovate their ARTAH wellness retreat in Spain. Having loved the vibe she’d created there, she and Richard asked her to transform their bedroom. ‘I wanted a sexy, grown-up space with darker walls and a proper area for my dressing table,’ says Rhian. ‘I was pregnant at the time – in the middle of the pandemic in 2020 – so I was delighted that she could take this on for me.’ DESIGN SOLUTIONS
BEAUTY SPOT The dressing table has a handy folding mirror, while the window dressings provide privacy while also letting in lots of light. Dressing table by Bobby Berk; Habitat’s Moorlands, £180, is similar. Quant Swivel chair in Neutral, £645, Robert Langford
Rachel took out the walk-in wardrobe, which intruded on the room’s flow. ‘We flipped the bed to the opposite side, which is much more gracious when you walk into the bedroom,’ she explains. ‘We gutted and redesigned the bathroom and created a wall of panelling to hide the new wardrobe.’ Rachel painted and papered the walls in dark grey and blue and added light window treatments, skirting boards, and sanded and refinished the dark oak floor. ‘Deep, dark colours that saturate the walls create a mood and energy that’s different to a light wall: it’s edgier, sexier and riskier,’ she says. ‘With a deep colour, you definitely get a lot of design wow for your money.’ FINISHING TOUCHES
The result is a symmetrical room that oozes tranquillity and style, with flashes of dull gold on the lamps and the bedside tables adding subtle glamour. ‘I’d never have had the vision to remove the walk-in wardrobe and create such a beautiful, open space,’ says Rhian. ‘I love the contrast of the rich, moody greys with pops of colour and the clean white bed. Rachel understood how I wanted to feel when I walked into the bedroom and articulated it seamlessly through the design. It’s my favourite room of the house.’
WELL BALANCED
The layers of deep colours – from the dark blue textured wall in a polished stone-effect to the velvet seat at the end of the bed – bring depth to the scheme. Textured wallpaper in Slab SLA90, price on request, Tektura. Streamline mirror in antique bronze, from £299, West Elm. Lamp similar to Arteriors’ Fulton, £865. Stock Baxter bedside table in graphite, £1,135; velvet end piece, £1,800, both Robert Langford
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PROJECT DETAIL S OWNER Yasamin Feehily-Ghazizadeh H O U S E Detached Victorian villa in Cheshire WORK Re-planning a tired bathroom with no shower
PERIOD CHARM
Antique furniture, botanical prints and chequerboard tiles have ensured Yasamin Feehily-Ghazizadeh’s bathroom has the modern Victorian feel she wanted FEATURE KAREN WILSON | PHOTOGRAPHY DARREN CHUNG
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fter 10 years in London, Yasamin and Matthew moved back to the North West in summer 2020. With two daughters, Edie, two, and baby Mara, they wanted to be nearer family and found a four-bedroom double-fronted Victorian house in need of renovation (@overdale_house). ‘A couple had lived here for over 50 years,’ says Yasamin. ‘After tackling the re-wiring and central heating, the bathroom was the first room finished. It had a pink carpet, green marble-effect tiles and floral wallpaper – but no shower.’
THE BRIEF
Yasamin had a clear vision for a modern Victorian-style bathroom in keeping with the age of the house. ‘I wanted it to feel like an additional room, rather than a typical bathroom,’ she says. ‘So I designed it the same way as a living room, with artwork, wallpaper and real furniture rather than bathroom furniture. The starting point was the chequerboard floor and statement bath, which has a big chunky frame and soft edges. It’s great for the children and is so relaxing when I get to have a bath myself!’ DESIGN SOLUTIONS
By removing a large boiler cupboard, space was freed up for a new layout. The toilet position was flipped to the opposite wall and the bath moved towards the window, making room for a new walk-in shower. ‘By installing a wet deck, we could maintain the flooring throughout for impact,’ she says. ‘Tongue and groove panelling was a no-brainer to break up the high ceiling and a new sash window was installed and dressed with bespoke French linen cafe curtains.’ FINISHING TOUCHES
Striped blue and white wallpaper above the panelling adds an elegant touch. ‘I liked the idea of it clashing colour-wise and pattern-wise against the floor,’ she says. To complement the traditional feel, dark wood antique furniture was introduced, along with original botanical illustrations from a magazine dated the same year as the house. LESSONS LEARNT
‘The new layout works so much better,’ says Yasamin. ‘We probably could’ve gone for a more practical floor as the cement tiles have to be carefully sealed and cleaned regularly, but I love the design. With the rest of the house unfinished, it’s lovely having one room that feels like a hotel.’
ONE OF A KIND
Yasamin approached the decoration of this space as she would a living room, including wallpaper, artwork and real furniture. The result is a unique look. BC Designs Senator freestanding bath, £3,500; Roper Rhodes Cranborne bath shower mixer, £329; Rak Alexandra 85cm basin and legs, £544.55; Roper Rhodes Keswick basin mixer tap, £134, all Kitchen and Bath Roomers. Plain cement tiles, £123sqm, Otto Tiles. Farrow & Ball Closet Stripe wallpaper in Sky Blue/Cream, £70m, Wallpaper Direct
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FLOOR SHOW ‘By installing a wet deck underneath the floor tiles we were able to have the same flooring throughout,’ says Yasamin. Zellige Pearl wall tiles, £42.48sqm, Porcelain Superstore. Roper Rhodes Cranborne dual function exposed shower system, £600, Kitchen and Bath Roomers
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IDEAS TO SHARE
Each month we bring you a scheme that delights, dazzles and intrigues
nown as Morocco’s windy city, Essaouira boasts year-round sun and a laid-back vibe, making it an easy option for whipping off for a last-minute escape. Our favourite spot is Le Jardin des Douars, a family-friendly garden oasis about 20 minutes from the city centre. Though the property was built in the last few decades, the architecture was inspired by traditional kasbahs in the Atlas Mountains, which gives it a lived-in feel and sense of place, with many design ideas to emulate, particularly in the large private villas where natural earthy tones and handcrafted materials form the foundation. In Villa Béthanie, as with the other rooms and villas, tadelakt walls and niches, natural Bejmat clay tiled flooring and cedar 138 | 25BH SEPTEMBER 2021
wood ceilings connect the building to its location, while richly hued woven Berber rugs and Parisian club chairs upholstered in colourful traditional ‘beldi’ blankets inject vibrancy and offer a fresh modern take on Moroccan style. An open fireplace provides warmth when the temperature drops. This is surrounded by a wall of art and objects from Morocco and Sub-Saharan Africa, with a striking painting by Senegalese artist Diatta Seck placed over the fireplace, pulling the room together. Another beautiful feature has to be the magnificent floor-toceiling arched windows overlooking the luxuriant gardens, which meander and wrap around the estate, providing a home to chirping birds and the occasional fruit-seeking tortoise.
ENAHPETS NODSEUOL/SRAUOD SED NIDRAJ EL HPARGOTOHP REKRAP YKCAJ/YENTRUOC-NOTLIMAH KCIRTAP ERUTAEF
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A chic hotel with a bohemian feel, visit jardindesdouars.com