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February 2019

90 COVER STORY

inspiring homes 16

E X P A N S I O N P L A N S How one couple

46

HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS

56 A new build in north London has been given a dramatic makeover with stunning results (page 60).

66 77

4 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

doubled the size of their Gloucestershire abode Eastern style meets country charm in an artist’s West Sussex cottage R H A P S O D Y I N B L U E Shades of azure enhance a Georgian property in west London M A K I N G H I S T O R Y Carefully planned renovations have given a Victorian villa in Hertfordshire timeless style S E E I N G T H E L I G H T A simple Scandi look and swathes of glass panelling make this period property in London modern and bright

82 96 100 109 127

R E T U R N T O F O R M One owner

discovered her childhood home in Lincolnshire was the perfect place to live B R I G H T S P A R K This period property in Lincoln has gone from dark to light-ďŹ lled SOF T TOU CH Pared-back style allows the character of a cottage in County Durham to shine L E S S I S M O R E Decluttering and an unexpected use of colour created a relaxed and vibrant family home in east London H E R E T O S TAY Original features in this Hertfordshire Edwardian semi enticed the owners to settle down

unique 10 52 104

H I D D E N D E P T H S A glamorous makeover brought

this Victorian terrace in Northern Ireland back to its best R O O M T O B L O O M One clever London couple turned a ramshackle of bedsits into a beautiful home and shop for their floristry business R I C H P I C K I N G S Vintage treasures combined with a great eye for detail bring a sense of individuality to a Victorian terrace in West Yorkshire

16

replanned 72 86 90 112 123 134

P I C T U R E P E R F E C T Contemporary art sits

beautifully alongside the original architecture of a restored villa in southeast London F R E S H E L E G A N C E This stunning remodelled terrace in west London has gained two extensions and a sophisticated new look G R E Y M AT T E R S Preserving original features and adding shades of grey gave this Reading home a new lease of life M O D E R N M O V E An ambitious renovation turned a turn-of-last century home in Nottingham into a real gem C A P I TA L G A I N S A west London end-of-terrace ripe for renovation is now a spacious and stylish home A L L C H A N G E Taking on a massive building project proved the right move for this London family

96

distinctive 30 36 41 118

O U T O F T H E O R D I N A R Y Imaginatively planned

spaces along with brave colour choices transformed a Thirties semi in south London S U N S H I N E A F T E R T H E R A I N After a disastrous flood nearly three years ago, a converted chapel in Surrey has been painstakingly revived into an idyllic retreat R I O T O F C O L O U R Taking a fun approach to decorating resulted in a vibrant home in West Sussex C A L I F O R N I A D R E A M I N G A Sixties bungalow in East Sussex gets a West Coast-inspired makeover

new build 23 60

66

134

A C A L M I N G I N F L U E N C E Painted in pale greys

and soft whites, this extended house in Leicestershire has evolved into a relaxed and stylish haven C H A R A C T E R B U I L D I N G A ‘plain white box’ in north London is now full of atmosphere thanks to a visionary approach to design

r e g u l a r f e at u r e s 132 141 146

T R AV E L O F F E R Luxury river cruises in Europe W H E R E T O B U Y Find stockists listed in this issue here R O O M E N V Y The scheme that has inspired us this month 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019 | 5

25bh | e d ito r ’s le t te r 25 BEAUTIFUL

HOMES EDITORIAL

WELCOME I find this month’s cover story very inspiring (page 60). I love the beautiful decorative mural in the dining area and am impressed by the spatial wizardry in the sitting room (a Crittall screen sections off a snug TV zone). It’s a home packed full of ideas. But it is much richer than just that. Riddhi and Mick’s story brings colour and context to an interesting design. It really is hard to imagine that this London new build was a plain white box when they bought it. Here at 25 Beautiful Homes we hope to offer you much more than straight-up projects every month. The homes we share are all a reflection of the owners’ personalities. Take the boho pad of Peggy Bell and her partner, Phil, as another example (page 10). Their coastal terrace reflects a love of India and flowers; see the abundance of foliage and flamboyant prints. Peggy’s passion is evident in every room. It’s all in the detail and it’s those teeny, tiny touches that make a big difference. You may well be in the throes of planning your next home project. Be sure to make it just right for you.

SARAH SPITERI, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

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HIDDEN DEPTHS

When Peggy Bell saw a terraced house overlooking the sea, she knew it had the potential to be a special family home FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL | PHOTOGRAPHY ASHLEY MORRISON

10 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

c oa s ta l t e r r ac e | 25bh UNIQUE

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace L O C AT I O N Bangor, Northern Ireland R O O M S Sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner/snug, four bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had a bungalow in Belfast, which we renovated,’ says Peggy.

KITCHEN

Peggy opted for a design that is both functional and striking.

Ikea’s Savedal kitchen painted in Pitch Black dead flat and Wimborne White estate eggshell, both £60 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

SITTING ROOM

‘I was going for the old-world feel of a gentlemen’s club,’ says Peggy.

Gosford sofas, £1,350 each, Next Home. Vittsjö coffee table, £35, Ikea; sprayed with Rust-Oleum gold paint, £2 for 0.02L, B&Q. Walls painted in Railings estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Cushions, from £50 each, Amy Scott Design

SNUG

Shortening the legs of a dining table made an ideal coffee table.

Bjursta table, £140; Landskrona sofa, £495, both Ikea. Afaw Berber-style rug, from £99, La Redoute. A similar chandelier is the Searchlight Hale, £1,052, Ocean Lighting

Eager to leave her native city of Belfast for the coast, Peggy Bell went to view a Victorian terrace in Bangor with her partner Phil. ‘It was love at first sight,’ she says, ‘but it was out of our price range and I wondered if it was too good for the likes of me.’ But negativity isn’t in Peggy’s vocabulary. ‘I’m a Law of Attraction convert, so I set about getting myself in the right mindset. I attuned myself to the house – every night I visualised living there.’ Sure enough, just before Christmas 2015, Peggy and Phil, together with their children Sia, five, and Ben, three, moved into their new home.

For Peggy, the first few months in the seafront house was spent perusing Pinterest for home decor inspiration and she soon found herself being hooked on the dark, dramatic style of Abigail Ahern.

‘I’m also inspired by India with its bold, vivid colour, rich pattern and profusion of gold,’ says Peggy. ‘If I find myself stuck for ideas with a room, I think of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of abundance and prosperity, and try to envisage what she 12 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

would do. I imagine she wouldn’t settle for anything less than the sumptuous opulence of colour, nature and gold – and it’s this vision I try to realise.’

Inspiration of a more earthly nature is derived from another one of Peggy’s passions – flower shops. ‘They are like a celebration of the beauty of nature, which I think we all resonate with on a very primal level,’ she says. ‘Every time I’m in a flower shop, I’m drilling down into why the displays work and scrutinising colour combinations, sizes and shapes.’

It has to be said, however, that the beauty of the building itself provides its own inspiration. The three-storey, Victorian terrace is filled with elegant original features, such as tall doors, ceiling roses, cornices, deep skirting boards and traditional banisters. With its high ceilings and large bay windows taking in the sea views, the house is awash with natural light, a quality that wasn’t lost on Peggy. ‘The abundance of light allowed me to indulge myself in the dark, moody palettes I love,’ she says.

The practical aspects have been taken care of, too – since the family occupied the

DINING ROOM

Flamboyantly framed prints create an eclectic display.

Muhammad Ali ‘Fist’ canvas, £14.99, Amazon. Flower Skull print, £40, Rockett St George Mirror, £198, Exclusive Mirrors.

Ingatorp table, £250, Ikea. Chairs, price on request, Used Unique Boutique. Louis Philippe Crystal 11 light chandelier, £480, Lights2go

c oa s ta l t e r r ac e | 25bh

BATHROOM

Florals, in pattern and plants, help bring this room to life.

Artificial cherry blossom, £12.99, Floristry Warehouse. For a similar rug try the Asiatic Reef, £149, Rugs Direct. Nisha mirror, £195, Next Home. Bravur wall clock, £45, Ikea

house, it has been transformed. There was also some child-proofing involved.

‘Ben was learning to crawl in the early days and we wanted soft carpet or smooth floors so he wouldn’t hurt himself,’ says Peggy. ‘We also replaced the stonecovered path in the garden with paving and installed enclosed decking.’

But the real wow factor is indoors and nowhere more so than in Peggy’s favourite space, the kitchen. ‘Two rooms have been knocked through here so it’s dual aspect – you can see both the south-facing garden and the view from the bay window,’ she says. ‘This room works hard – it’s got a dining area at one end, the kitchen in the middle and the snug at the other end.’ It’s also the area of the house that’s the most restrained, and once you step out of the cooking zone, you enter a world that’s been described, somewhat perceptively, as ‘boho-gothic’.

‘I’m a fan of the boutique hotel look,’ says Peggy. ‘I adore clean lines and functional furniture combined with opulent and luxurious decoration.’

When furnishing her home, Peggy hasn’t taken the easy route and restricted 14 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

herself to buying from just a few selected stores – her sources are as diverse as her influences. Many of the cushions are one-offs from local designer Amy Scott, while much of the furniture is from Ikea.

‘It’s low cost and hard wearing, which is exactly what you need with two small children in the house,’ she says.

It’s clear that Peggy is content with her home. ‘At my age, you should be able to tune into what makes your heart happy and give yourself permission to enjoy more of it. I think in some ways, our homes reflect more than our tastes; they can reflect our innermost selves. Chaotic or organised, opulent or utilitarian, they speak volumes about what we feel we deserve. My home is luxurious because I believe we are here to enjoy ourselves.’

It comes as no surprise to learn that designing her own interior isn’t the only creative outlet for this force of nature – Peggy is penning her autobiography. ‘I’ve had an eventful life so there’s no shortage of subject matter,’ she says. ‘Finishing this home has been one more achievement in this adventure we call life – and it’s also one more thing to write about!’

MASTER BEDROOM Gold detailing provides the requisite glamour here.

Marie-Therese five-light chandelier, £109, Litecraft.

Hemnes bed, £215, Ikea. The Bergen Curved Armless is a similar chair, £139, eBay

c oa s ta l t e r r ac e | 25bh

DESIGN INSPIR ATION

‘My style, in one word, is maximalism, which I see as luxurious, glam and eclectic.

I love pairing bold colours and mixing patterns with a liberal dose of metallics’

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

E X PA N S I O N PLANS After spotting the potential of a small house on a large plot, Lydia Robinson and Lawrence Grigg doubled its size while retaining its authentic feel FEATURE STEPHANIE SMITH | PHOTOGRAPHY COLIN POOLE

f i f t i e s d e tac h e d | 25bh

INSPIRING

home truths THE PROPERTY Detached Fifties property L O C AT I O N Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire R O O M S Open-plan kitchen/ dining/living space, four bedrooms, family bathroom, two en-suite bathrooms P U R C H A S E D October 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Two former miner’s cottages in Bristol, which we turned back into one house,’ says Lydia.

SITTING AREA

A woodburning stove and one exposed brick wall have created a warm and inviting corner in this open-plan space. The terracotta hearth tiles match the ones on the original windowsills.

Tatu stove, £599, Greymetal.

Terracotta tiles, £125sq m, Cawarden. Stua Costura sofa, £2,742; B&B Italia Clio armchair, £2,402; Stua Solapa coffee tables, from £258 each, all L’una Design

2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019 | 17

25bh | f i f t i e s d e tac h e d favo u r i t e r o o m ‘The new triple-aspect kitchen is very light, with large sliding doors to the garden and a vaulted ceiling which gives the space a lofty feel’

KITCHEN

‘We wanted a design that tied in with the gorgeous ash floors and didn’t overwhelm them, so we went for plain white handleless units with plenty of pale bamboo, which works so well,’ says Lydia.

Handleless gloss and bamboo units including worktop and appliances, £30,000, L’una Design. Ash flooring, from £44sq m, Sand collection at Kährs

KITCHEN

‘The pendant lights were good value for money,’ says Lydia.

‘Their simple, slightly industrial lines are timeless and so they will work with lots of different interiors.’

Muuto Unfold lights in black, £149 each, Scandinavian Design.

Ondarreta Don bar stools, £360 each, L’una Design

DINING AREA

Black furniture contrasts well with the pale ash flooring.

Molteni Filigree dining table, £4,416; Stua Globus dining chairs, £247.50 each, all L’una Design

HALL

The couple designed the new simple and functional staircase.

Bespoke staircase, Intech GT Smith Engineering

Moving to the Cotswolds from Bristol, architect Lydia Robinson and her husband, project manager Lawrence Grigg, wanted a property that they could get their teeth into. ‘One of the reasons we moved here was to be nearer where my horse, Mandela, was stabled, but we also love the countryside and just fancied a change. Our design practice, Design Storey, is based in Cheltenham, so the Cotswolds is an easy commute.’ And, when the couple spotted a well-built 1950s two-bedroom house online, they could see it had enormous potential.

‘It was right in the middle of a quarter-acre corner plot and we knew we could make huge improvements,’ says Lydia. ‘It had been decorated in a typical country style, with carpet and floral fabrics, which weren’t very us. But the basic structure was sound.’

The couple were keen to make more of the property’s Arts

and Crafts roots. ‘Although people think about the period from the late 19th century into the Twenties when they think of the Arts and Crafts movement, it did continue into the Fifties, particularly in the Cotswolds and other country areas. Simple design and robust construction are very much part of it, and we kept other touches, such as the terracotta tiles on the windowsills, which we extended into the fireplace with reproduction tiles.’

To start the renovations, Lydia and Lawrence applied for planning permission for three extensions, the main one being a large single-storey extension on the ground floor to replace the garage and provide an open-plan kitchen/dining/living space.

‘The garden of the original house was on the wrong side for catching the sun, and the garage faced south west, so this large extension makes the most of the views and the light. Then we added a two-storey extension on the other side to form a carport below 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019 | 19

EN SUITE

As cork flooring is suitable for bathrooms, it has been continued from the main bedroom into this space for a streamlined feel.

D Code basin, £110, Duravit.

Casablanca hexagon tiles, from £40.89sq m, Mandarin Stone.

Cork flooring, from £30sq m, The Cork Flooring Company

and two new bedrooms and bathrooms above. The third extension creates an entrance porch and hallway.’

With planning permission approved in November 2016, the nine-month build was completed a year later. ‘There was no way we could live in the house while the work was going on,’ says Lydia.

‘The builders were basically extending on three sides, so we spent the first three weeks here, making sure they knew exactly what was required, and then we rented locally.’

The windows were very important to the couple, and they put a lot of effort into keeping as many of the original Crittall designs as possible. ‘We had them taken out, cleaned, double glazed, powder-coated in the same colour as the new extension windows, then put back in. They were in good condition and it was important to us to preserve them,’ says Lydia. ‘All the windows, guttering and doors now match. I can’t bear it when you see black guttering 20 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

MAIN BEDROOM

This room, with its cocooning headboard, unusual diamond-shaped window and walk-in wardrobe, is in the two-storey extension.

Window, £1,000, Ideal Combi.

B&B Italia Husk bed, £5,572, L’una Design. Knot cushions, £79 each, Skandihus

with white windows. For me these elements need to harmonise.’

The flooring was also a major consideration. ‘We’ve laid gorgeous ash floors from Kährs throughout downstairs and in the new extension. People tend to think of oak when they think of the Cotswolds but the predominant tree here is actually ash and we wanted to stay true to that. All the doors are ash as well. Upstairs, all the flooring is cork, which is warm underfoot, easy to care for and simple to lay.’ Ash was also used to mask the steel lintels the renovation work required. ‘We had to use a lot of steel work to give us the open-plan look we wanted,’ Lydia explains.

With everything finished and the rooms furnished in simple Scandinavian style, and after enjoying the house for a year, the couple now have itchy feet again. ‘We’ve seen an old barn a few miles away which has no central heating and needs underpinning,’ Lydia says.

‘So we’re very tempted to do it all over again.’

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

f i f t i e s d e tac h e d | 25bh

design tip ‘If you have a 1950s house, celebrate it and don’t pretend it’s a cottage. Include as many original features as possible, such as tiled windowsills and Crittall windows’

BEDROOM

‘This room was the main bedroom in the original part of the house,’ says Lydia. The couple added an ash panel behind the bed to conceal wardrobe space.

Kopardal bed frame, £115, Ikea. Bronte

by Moon has a selection of wool throws in this style, from £75 each

The Foxcote Sofa or Sofa Bed from £1,189 OVER 240 FABRICS | LUXURY SOFA BED MATTRESS OPTIONS | FREE UK DELIVERY | FREE 30 DAY RETURNS

January sale now on 10% off design your own sofas, sofa beds & beds & up to 50% off clearance

w i l l o w a n d h a l l . c o .u k 020 8939 3800 | London showroom

m o d e r n tow n h o u s e | 25bh

A CALMING INFLUENCE Emma Scrase’s beloved townhouse has evolved and expanded over the years to become a relaxed and tranquil family home FEATURE AMANDER MEADE | PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH

DINING ROOM The twinkling glass droplet chandelier adds a sense of occasion to this elegant entertaining area.

Try Harriet chandelier, £225, Laura Ashley. Table and chairs painted to order, price on request, Pixie Green Interiors.

White carved bookcase, £775, Swagger Incorporated

2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019 | 23

25bh | m o d e r n tow n h o u s e

NEW BUILD

home truths THE PROPERTY Three-storey townhouse L O C AT I O N Leicestershire R O O M S Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner, family room, office, utility room, cloakroom, three bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2006 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before this, I lived in a detached house nearby,’ says Emma.

KITCHEN When her budget would not stretch to new cabinetry, Emma replaced the cupboard doors with a Shaker design and repainted them. Leaving natural wood worktops adds depth to the pale scheme.

Cabinet doors, price on request, Cupboard Door Company.

Walls and doors painted in French Grey intelligent eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Little Greene.

Victoria Aesthetic TR93P cooker, £2,000, Smeg. Marrakech Mabrouka tiles, £721.23sq m, Fired Earth HALL A partially glazed front door combined with muted walls and furnishings ensures the entrance feels light and welcoming.

The console table was bought at a car boot sale and upcycled

by Emma in French Grey intelligent eggshell

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Emma Scrase was searching for a property she could afford on her own when a friend mentioned a newly built townhouse in her local area. On her first viewing, Emma was pleasantly surprised by the generous size of the plot and immediately recognised the potential to extend to the rear in the future. ‘I relished the thought of gradually putting my own stamp on the house,’ she recalls.

After moving in, Emma’s first job was to have the garage converted into a therapy room for her beauty business, but she took her time in planning how the rest of the house might eventually look. Three years later and married to Gary, the arrival of their daughter Megan, now 10, meant more flexible family living space had become a priority. Following a bequest from Emma’s late grandfather, which boosted their savings, the couple went ahead with the extension Emma had initially visualised.

‘We had plenty of rear garden so we added a substantial two-storey extension,’ says Emma. ‘The new layout includes an additional family room on the ground floor, a sitting room on the first floor, and an enlarged kitchen. Gary is a plasterer and my father is a decorator, so we were able to call upon friends in trades who undertook the work in their spare time.’

The building work took 12 months, which gave Emma ample time to plan

F A M I LY R O O M The artwork was the inspiration for the palette in here.

Woman ‘Afraid of the Mouse’ framed artwork, £139.95, Mulberry Moon. Cabinet painted to order, price on request, Pixie Green Interiors. Snowdrop chaise sofa, from £1,900, Sofa.com. The padded settle, from a car boot sale, is reupholstered in Natural Meggernie, £75m, Cabbages & Roses

FAVOURITE ROOM ‘I love the sitting room for its cosiness in winter, and the family room in summer when we open up the doors to the garden’

SITTING ROOM This light-filled space is Emma’s favourite place to relax and catch up with her friends.

Bluebell sofa, £1,460, Sofa.com. Elliot footstool, £475, Laura Ashley. Try the Claude sofa, £455, Sofa.com, for a similar love seat. Cushions, from a selection, Cabbages & Roses

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MAIN BEDROOM French-style furniture and linen in subtle tones lend an elegant feel to this tranquil space.

Provencal Louis XV double bed, £977, The French Bedroom Company. Try the Carpentras bedside table, £189.99, Wayfair. Brompton quilt, £240, The White Company

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MEGAN’S BEDROOM A dramatic mural filling a wall in Megan’s room reflects her love of horses.

Mural by MuralsWallpaper, £36sq m. Somerset single bed frame, £525; cushions, from £48 each, all Laura Ashley GUEST BEDROOM Emma’s fondness for animal-themed accessories is evident in the decor.

Majesty swan head wall decoration, £48, Graham and Green. Find a traditional hand-carved wooden rocking horse, around £2,000, at The Rocking Horse Shop EXTERIOR Spacious decking overlooks the garden and provides the perfect place for alfresco entertaining.

Winchester garden furniture set, from £900, Homebase

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her schemes, choose colours and start ordering pieces of furniture ready for completion. ‘It was important to me that our home had a comfortable flow to create continuity from room to room,’ says Emma.

Drawn to neutral shades and the paler tones of grey and white, Emma incorporated distinctive, individual artwork and accessories that reflect her personality.

Defining her style as part Scandi and part French farmhouse, Emma describes her design process as an evolution. ‘I often start with one item, usually a piece of furniture or a picture, and build up the rest of the room in layers around that,’ she says. ‘I believe it’s the finishing touches like blinds and soft furnishings that are really key to pulling a room together.’ Emma also delights in changing accessories with the seasons.

‘I tend to use pinks and blushes in the summer, lots of yellow at Easter, and a flurry of silver and white at Christmas,’ she says.

With the exception of a bathroom revamp, Emma feels the house is almost finished and is delighted that friends have begun asking for her styling advice. ‘Helping others satisfies my passion for interiors and is a wonderful creative outlet for me,’ she says.

The family couldn’t be happier with their home and the flexibility it gives them.

‘We can all be together in the family room for movie nights, or spread out and have our own space when we need it,’ concludes Emma. ‘I wanted our home to be a haven of calm and I think we achieved that.’ ` FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

WINTER SALE NOW ON

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0800 389 6938

OUT OF THE ORDINARY

DISTINCTIVE

home truths THE PROPERTY Semi-detached house, built in the Thirties L O C AT I O N South London R O O M S Hall, sitting room/ kitchen-diner, study, utility room, cloakroom, five bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in a Georgian upper maisonette in nearby Kennington,’ says Ed.

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KITCHEN-DINER A built-in cupboard, shelving and drawers break up the run of windows and frame views of the garden.

Pamono sells similar mid-century dining chairs, from £140 each. Hay AAS bar stool, £209, Made In Design. Laura Ashley Artisan white wall tiles, £66sq m, British Ceramic Tile

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A clever redesign looked beyond the obvious to maximise the space and style of Ed and Sarah Burgess’ pre-war home FEATURE JO LEEVERS | PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH

E

xpanses of shag carpet and an avocado bathroom suite are not top of every house-hunter’s wish list. But for Sarah and Ed Burgess, the raw state of this Thirties house presented a great opportunity – even with its time warp decor. When they bought it, the ground floor was a cramped patchwork of small rooms. But on the upside, it also had a large attic space that was ripe for converting, was in a great location and came with a longed-for garden. As an architect – his practice is Burgess Architects – Ed could envisage ways to make this bland, boxy house into something more inspiring for himself, his wife Sarah and their children Clive, 16, Nell, 14, and Ralph, 11.

Sarah and Ed kicked off their redesign by agreeing what they didn’t want. ‘The standard conversion – a large impersonal 32 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

space speckled with downlighters and sliding-folding doors – held no appeal,’ she says. Instead, Ed took a more creative approach, reimagining the jumble of rooms as a series of overlapping spaces. ‘Each area has its own character, but there is a strong connection between them,’ he says.

Dividing walls were removed to create an L-shaped kitchen-diner and sitting room, with a utility room and cloakroom hidden behind oak cladding. ‘The planks blend with the doors to these areas, while subtly guiding you into the space,’ says Ed. He also designed this timber section so that it resembles a box, leaving a gap at the top, rather than a solid wall. ‘This means you still get a sense of the back of the house as an entire space, with a box in one corner.’

The dining area wall is covered in flooring planks, but with the timbers

DINING AREA Inexpensive wide oak flooring was used to clad the wall, adding warmth and texture.

For a Sixties armchair, from £300, try Pamono DINING AREA The circular bespoke table is echoed by the organic pendant light shape.

John Lewis & Partner’s Talia ceiling light, £95, is a good alternative. The bespoke table and patterned screen are by Burgess Architects KITCHEN-DINER Light bulbs suspended from colourful wires bring an element of fun to this space.

Creative Cables sells lamp holders, from £3.50 each; light bulbs, from around £14 each; coloured cable, from £2.20m KITCHEN Some of the cabinets have been sprayed in orange. ‘We wanted to be bold,’ says Sarah.

For a similar kitchen, try the Metod, £23 for a base unit; Haggeby doors, from £4 for a drawer front; Tyda handles, £9 for two, all Ikea

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SITTING AREA The fireplace was reconfigured to accommodate a woodburner, making this a warm and welcoming space.

Try Munich velvet sofa, from £1,199, Swoon

d e c o r a t i n g t i p ‘Be brave with colour. When you look at swatches, it’s tempting to shy away from strong shades, but you’ll never regret being bold’ STUDY A mid-century teak storage unit with movable shelves and an integrated desk is both beautiful and practical.

Everything But The Dog sells Ladderax shelving, from £280

CLIVE’S BEDROOM Inspiring quotes are chalked onto a wall painted in colourful blackboard paint.

Rust-Oleum blue matt chalkboard paint, £8 for 250ml, B&Q. Ikea’s Melodi white pendant lamp, £12, is a match

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running horizontally. ‘Surprisingly, this actually accentuates the height of the space, drawing your gaze up towards the roof light, while letting in light,’ says Ed. This natural surface now provides a backdrop to a play of sunlight and shadows throughout the day.

Sarah didn’t want ordinary bifold doors along the back wall, so instead Ed created what he describes as ‘a structure that is more like a long piece of furniture with several components’. It includes ample glazing, but is punctuated by a window seat, storage, shelving and bespoke shutters.

Ed used birch ply for the cabinetry: ‘It’s lightweight and the large format lends itself well to bespoke shapes,’ he says. Along with a bamboo ply island and oak cladding, this made for a space that is rich in timber.

‘As well as being versatile and robust, wood also adds warmth and homeliness.’ That 34 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

aesthetic continues in the converted attic, where the birch ply treads of a cleverly designed staircase extend into shelving on one side. ‘It’s practical, and also a visual device to lead you upstairs,’ Ed says.

Being his own client meant that Ed could experiment a little more with the design here, but it remains very much a family home. To that end, spaces facilitate time together, but also celebrate moments of quiet contemplation with the window seat or armchair overlooking the garden.

Colour also adds to the family-friendly, easy-going mood. ‘Localised areas of colour help to define each space and give it a slightly different character, without disrupting the flow,’ says Ed. ‘By thinking outside the box, I hope we’ve created a comfortable home that has maximised space in an original yet enduring way.’

B AT H R O O M Patterned wall tiles have been laid randomly to create an interesting effect.

Batik patchwork tiles, £48.39sq m, Topps Tiles S TA I R S A bespoke birch ply staircase with integrated shelving is a clever design feature.

This design is by Burgess Architects EN SUITE Installing a window in the roof means the bath comes with a bird’s-eye view.

For decorative floor tiles like these, try Istria, £89.70sq m, Fired Earth. The Noir 600 Veneto basin, £332, Bathstore, is similar MAIN BEDROOM A rocking chair adds vintage character.

Try the slat rocker, £249.60, Turnbull & Thomas MAIN BEDROOM Wardrobes with backs clad in wood planks separate the bed from the dressing area.

Look at Mala bed, £495, Feather & Black

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

SUNSHINE

AFTER THE RAIN Julie Light has triumphed over disaster to recreate her perfect home FEATURE SHARON SMITH | PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID GILES

SITTING ROOM The blue-green tones of the rug provided the starting point for the colour scheme.

Rug, £3,400, Tribe. Dixie sofas, from £1,345 each, Loaf. Vittsjo nest of two tables, £60, Ikea. Green and white striped knitted cushions, £46 each, Nordic House. Glass sculpture (on coffee table), from £250, Julie Light Art & Glass. Oak flooring, £60sq m, V4 Wood Flooring

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DISTINCTIVE

home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y Former Baptist chapel, built in 1875 L O C AT I O N Surrey R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen, dining room, office, two bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, I lived in a Victorian terraced house in London,’ says Julie.

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25bh | c o n v e r te d c h a p e l DINING ROOM Salvaged wooden church chairs are a nod to the building’s origins.

Antique Church Furnishings sells old chapel chairs, from £60 each. Besta storage unit with white gloss doors, £370, Ikea. Designers Guild Issoria Jade cushion, £90, Brewers

KITCHEN Julie added a breakfast bar and seating under the window so she can sit and enjoy the view of the garden.

Cabinetry, price on request, Habitat. The Matrix white tiles, £23sq m, Topps Tiles, are a good alternative. Franklin bar stools, £25 each, Ikea

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hen Julie Light gave up her career in human resources to become a glass sculptor, she also had to change her home. ‘I owned a Victorian terrace in London, but when I decided to become an artist I needed a kiln,’ she explains. ‘I wanted a studio in the city but everything was too expensive, so I had to find a house with room to build a kiln in the garden.’ Julie realised she would have to look further afield and followed a friend’s advice to extend her search into Surrey.

‘It was difficult to find a big garden without a large house attached, which I had no need of,’ she says. In June 2014, Julie viewed a former Baptist chapel in a village in Surrey. ‘The estate agent said it was perfect for an artist. I’d not thought of a village, but I liked the idea of living in a converted chapel and this one had a garden big enough to build a studio in and good transport links.’

The property had been empty for a year and, with an Eighties fireplace dominating the sitting room and magnolia woodchip on the ceilings and walls, was in serious need of an update. Julie found the layout awkward, with poorly designed rooms and a panelled mezzanine corridor overshadowing the living area downstairs. ‘Nevertheless, it was a lovely, quirky place in a quiet location on a beautiful road,’ she says.

After Julie’s offer was accepted, friends recommended builder Stuart Collison and the process began. The day the sale was finished,

i n s p i r at i o n ‘I don’t have any favourite shops or designers; for me it is about liking and buying each item on its own merit’ 38 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

MAIN BEDROOM Pure white is teamed with rich wood for a restful scheme.

Walls painted in Crown Pure Brilliant White matt emulsion, £10 for 10L, Homebase. For a comparable bed throw, try the toile French bedspread, The French Bedroom Company

Stuart started work. The project took five months to complete and included removing the mezzanine corridor to open up the living area and installing a spiral staircase up to it. Downstairs, a wall was removed to turn a family bathroom into an en suite to the main bedroom. A false ceiling in the en suite was removed to open up the vaulted ceiling and a boiler and cold water tank were relocated.

‘Stuart was brilliant and had lots of good ideas, including installing windows in the mezzanine roof, which bring in plenty of light, and replacing some of the internal doors with arches, which has opened up the whole space,’ says Julie. The roof was retiled and the garage replaced with a timber-framed studio. In March 2015, Julie moved into her newly renovated home. ‘It felt like the perfect house. I’d get up each morning and think how lovely it was.’

But in June 2016 disaster struck. ‘It was raining very heavily. I woke up at 5am and went into the en suite and saw a growing pool of water on the floor. I went into the sitting room and there was water coming up through the floor and in from the walls. Within ten minutes I was wading through it, up to my knees and wondering “is this really happening to me”?’ she says.

The chapel lies in a dip and had flooded due to blocked drains and poor foundations. Julie moved out for 14 months while the property was dried out and renovated. The work included relaying foundations, rebuilding the interior walls, replacing the wood floor, spiral staircase, bathrooms and kitchen. ‘Every time we peeled back a layer we found more damage – it was like skinning an onion,’ she recalls. ‘I lost a lot of family heirlooms, which was heartbreaking.’

Julie moved back into the chapel in August 2017. ‘I fell in love with the property all over again,’ she says. ‘I can’t tell you how much I hope I will never have to go through all that ever again.’

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

EN SUITE A false ceiling was removed to restore the original height and lend a touch of glamour.

Cambridge roll-top bath with traditional resin feet, £449; Edwardian 610 basin, £399, both Bathstore. Pompeii porcelain floor tiles, £30sq m, Topps Tiles

GUEST BEDROOM A pretty quilted throw adds a bohemian feel.

Bedspread, £150, Anthropologie. Ikea’s Hemnes double bed, £175, is a match. Try Marks & Spencer’s chenille pencil pleat curtains, from £89

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RIOT OF COLOUR After years of living in bland rental properties, Jana Reinhardt and Ross Cutting had fun decorating their new seaside home FEATURE KAREN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY FIONA WALKER-ARNOTT

SITTING ROOM A mixture of vibrant prints, paintings and photographs makes for an eclectic gallery wall.

Jed armchair, £295, Habitat. Pina Colada luxe golden cushion, £25, Perch & Parrow, has the same look.

The Dream by Henri Rousseau, £175.99, Alexandra House at Wayfair

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SITTING ROOM The large bay window provides space for a cosy reading area.

Cult Furniture’s Bronte wingback velvet chair, £249, is similar. Chunky knit yellow pouffe, £75, House by John Lewis range, John Lewis & Partners, has this look

KITCHEN ‘Now the wall has been knocked down, the light shines through from the conservatory,’ says Ross.

Ikea’s Voxtorp 60x80cm doors, £60 each, share this style

HALL The vibrant stair runner was created from discounted carpet offcuts.

Audrey stair carpet in Sunrise, £160sq m, Crucial Trading, has a similar look

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DISTINCTIVE

home truths THE PROPERTY Thirties semi-detached house L O C AT I O N West Sussex R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner/family room, conservatory, four bedrooms, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before buying this house, we were renting a modern townhouse nearby,’ says Jana.

I

t’s been just over a year since jewellery designers Jana Reinhardt and Ross Cutting finally bought the home by the sea they’d always dreamed of. The couple, who have two children, Matilda, nine, and Frankie, four, relocated from London, where they’d built up a successful jewellery business (janareinhardt.com), to Worthing six years ago. As much of their business is online, they were able to rent a new workshop and home, while still being able to commute to London for occasional meetings with clients.

‘We had wanted to buy a place for ages, but being self-employed we struggled to get a mortgage,’ explains Ross, who first met Jana in Torquay, where they discovered a mutual love of the ocean. ‘However, when my family came into some money and offered to help us with the deposit it was the break we needed.’

After a year of house-hunting, during which time six potential sales fell through, the couple were delighted to discover a four

bedroom property in Worthing that had been reduced and was within walking distance of their workshop and the children’s school. It had been owned by an elderly couple who hadn’t touched the decor in years, but Jana and Ross loved its size, including the unusually spacious landing, and could see through the dated interior. ‘Most places we had seen had two double bedrooms and a small box room, so to get four bedrooms within budget was a real bonus,’ explains Jana.

‘It’s ideal for when my parents and sister come to visit twice a year from Germany. And although we’d lost money on previous surveys and felt disappointed at the time, it turned out for the best in the end.’

After getting the keys in September 2017, the couple continued renting until Christmas so they could start knocking together the kitchen, a windowless dining room and another small reception room at the rear to create a family space where they could all hang

f u t u r e p l a n s ‘The next thing on our wish list is to work on the garden.

We’d love to add a new patio and build a tree house for the children’

DINING AREA A colourful collection of artwork enlivens the monochrome colour scheme.

Gothenburg glass dining table, £95, Lakeland Furniture, is similar.

Molecular pendant £195, House Doctor at Scandinavian Design Center, is comparable

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out together. ‘We were keen to get started so asked my uncle, a structural engineer, to come and do his calculations before the sale went through,’ says Ross. ‘He told us that we’d need a steel beam to replace a supporting wall. Once the work started, I enjoyed helping out as a labourer and getting to wield a sledgehammer!’

The pair wanted a clean and simple look, with pops of colour through accessories. As the kitchen is Ross’s domain, he had final say on the design. ‘I really wanted the hob on the island as it’s more sociable for cooking, but Jana felt it would be too much money and hassle to build an extractor canopy around the steel beam,’ he explains. ‘I held my ground, though, and after lots of research we installed a brilliant extractor that sucks everything out of the building rather than recirculating it.’

Changing the awkward layout of the L-shaped first-floor bathroom was another major job, but it needed to be done as the door had to be open outwards because of it. ‘We

ended up removing a cupboard that housed an old chimney flue. We then moved the bath and the toilet around, which meant that the door could open inwards,’ says Ross. ‘It took a while to find a shorter bath to fit the space, but we eventually found a design that was wider and deeper to compensate.’

Although Ross’s favourite room is the kitchen, Jana’s is the front sitting room. ‘I wanted a proper adult room with a colourful jungle feel,’ she says. ‘Every rental property has magnolia walls, which I dislike, so I went for dark green instead. I would have chosen a bright patterned wallpaper, but this works well with all our pictures.’

Despite spending almost double their initial renovation budget and working 14-hour days for several months, the couple feel it has all been worth it. ‘We don’t plan on moving any time soon,’ says Jana. ‘So we’ve put everything into this house and decorated it exactly how we wanted to.’

f a v o u r i t e i t e m ‘We love our collection of plates on the landing, including one by Cosmo China that illustrates our family’s new life by the sea’ F A M I LY R O O M By knocking together three rooms, the kitchen-diner now has a separate space for the children to play.

Try Nidi Design’s shelving system, £540, Nubie. LED wooden star, £19.99, Notcutts, is a match

t h i r t i e s s e m i | 25bh M AT I L D A’ S BEDROOM Fairy lights in a house shape frame the gallery of pictures.

Walls painted in Grecian Spa 3 flat matt, £27.56 for 2.5L, Dulux

LANDING Jana likes how her wall displays aren’t completely symmetrical – it adds to the house’s laid-back feel.

Tema e Variazioni wall plate No 78, £125, Fornasetti at Amara

MAIN BEDROOM The tapestry made by Jana’s grandmother in the Seventies was the inspiration for the look of this room.

Artistic Accents stripe throw, £16.99, TK Maxx, is similar. Kelim Ikat cushion, £50, John Lewis & Partners, is a match

B AT H R O O M Finding a shorter than average bath enabled the couple to rejig the layout.

Kent bath, £139.95, Victorian Plumbing, would work in this scheme. Kudos straight towel radiator, £65, Wickes

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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INSPIRING

home truths PROPERTY Former woodman’s cottage L O C AT I O N West Sussex R O O M S Two halls, sitting room/dining room, kitchen/ breakfast room, study, snug, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, dressing room P U R C H A S E D 2011 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving to this place, we lived in part of a Gothic mansion nearby,’ says Rachel.

HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS

With a mix of Eastern style and rural charm, this woodman’s cottage is a tribute to its owner's creativity FEATURE MAGGIE COLVIN | PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT SANDERSON

v i c t o r i a n c o t tag e | 25bh SITTING ROOM

‘A woodburning stove and large bay window with spectacular views makes this space perfect all year round,’ says Rachel.

Frond table lamp, £185; Tinktoria Empire shade, £105, both Oka. The Portman ottoman, £1,235, Oka, is comparable

HALL

This area links the old house with the new extension.

Country wooden seat, £899 (painted), Scumble Goosie.

Harley pendant light, £65.99, Wayfair, has this look

W

hen Rachel and Tim Redfern bought this woodman’s cottage five years ago, they were turning a new page. Tim had left the navy and Rachel had quit her job in the city to start an art foundation course at West Dean. ‘We sold our home – part of a large Gothic mansion – to buy this place, which is small and cosy with a relaxed vibe,’ explains Rachel. ‘Being an artist, I feel more at home here. However when we moved in, the interiors were very dated and the kitchen had room for just one person, a stove and a sink.’

After rewiring and plumbing, the couple set about creating a new kitchen, knocking three tiny rooms into one. ‘I have always invested in freestanding kitchen furniture, because you can take it all with you when you move,’ says Rachel. ‘So as soon as the walls came down and a new stone floor was laid, our freestanding island unit, larder and dresser arrived from storage. ’ Merging their dark teak Oriental furniture with Rachel’s new soft country look was the biggest challenge. ‘Tim and I collected 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019 | 47

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KITCHEN

Freestanding pieces reflect Rachel’s relaxed country style. She brought the large island unit with her from her previous home.

Four-oven Aga, from £12,110, Aga. Bespoke sink unit, Grover Furniture; painted in Cornforth White estate eggshell, £25 for 750ml, Farrow & Ball

BREAKFAST ROOM

At one end of the kitchen is the informal dining area, complete with painted furniture and complementing pretty crockery.

Chairs painted in Charlotte’s Locks and Pavilion Gray, both estate eggshell, £25 for 750ml, Farrow & Ball. Table, £850, Anthropologie

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MAIN BEDROOM

Rachel brightened up this colonial-style scheme with fresh white fabrics and striking contemporary lighting.

Try Lazy teak occasional chair, £595, Lombok. Recycled glass lamp base, £129; Stormy Sea shade, £100, both Home of My Heart

GUEST BEDROOM

Painted wood panelling creates a soft, cocooning feel.

Cowdray Polo cushions, £75 each, Home of My Heart.

Landscape paintings, £800 for set of four, Rachel Redfern

BATHROOM

An ornate mirror gives this room an Eastern flavour.

Samba mirror, £194, Wayfair, is a match. Try the Cambridge roll-top bath, £499, Bathstore.com, for a similar look

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

these pieces when we were first married and living in Hong Kong,’ Rachel explains. ‘Tim was stationed at the naval base there.’ The Eastern furniture was a perfect fit in the Gothic mansion, but not the cottage. ‘We sold several of the larger pieces and gave some away,’ she says. ‘And wherever possible, I have softened the dark wood with pretty fabrics and cushions.’

More recently, the couple built a wood-clad extension intended to house a new kitchen and family room linked to the cottage by a hall. ‘But as the building progressed, I had a change of heart,’ recalls Rachel. ‘As the original house on the site dated back to the early 1700s, I thought about how a kitchen had been in the same spot for centuries and, as ridiculous as it sounds, I got upset with the idea of moving it. So instead we decided the new extension should house a new main bedroom, dressing room, study and bathroom.’

In the dining room, Rachel has offset the Chinese teak chairs and table with white curtains and duck-egg blue china. She found aubergine-coloured sofas and jade accessories for the sitting room, blending them with neutral walls and textured stone. Her paintings line the walls, each celebrating the surrounding countryside.

Rachel exhibits her work at Studio Tuesday in Haslemere, Surrey, and her most recent artistic adventure has been designing a range of home accessories celebrating the beautiful West Sussex landscape, called Home of My Heart. ‘I can’t help but be inspired by the countryside,’ she enthuses. ‘Our boys, Samuel, 16, and Marcus, 14, adore it, too, and I enjoy long, leisurely walks in the woods and scouring antique shops, which abound in this area.’

The couple are still putting the finishing touches to their home.

‘I guess it’s an ongoing project,’ muses Rachel. ‘We love adding treasures picked up on our travels. Many pieces mark happy events in our lives and they give us a great deal of pleasure.’

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ROOM TO BLOOM When Rachel Toler and David Weldon went looking for a florist shop with residential space, they hit the jackpot first time round FEATURE RENÉE GREEN | PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID GILES

UNIQUE

home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y Terraced house with retail premises L O C AT I O N North London R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, library, cloakroom, four bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in an apartment in central London,’ says Rachel.

KITCHEN-DINER ‘Everything happens around this table – from my flower workshops to meals with friends,’ says Rachel.

Highgate Flowers runs a variety of flower arranging courses throughout the year (highgateflowers.co.uk)

r e va m p e d te r r ac e | 25bh

A

djacent to an elegant florist shop on a busy north London road is a discreet doorway. This street entrance is deceiving, as it leads to a recently renovated and surprisingly spacious home belonging to Rachel Toler and David Weldon.

The creative duo – Rachel is a jewellery designer; David a landscape gardener – recently joined forces to open Highgate Flowers, converting the property from a series of bedsits into a single residence, plus a store front for their business. ‘We’d been working together with flowers for a while, renting a space in a community centre, but felt it was time to open our own shop,’ explains Rachel.

‘David searched online for mixeduse properties for sale in the area and this was the first one listed, so we came to see it straight away,’ she continues.

‘I thought the shop space was fantastic but was worried about the house, but David felt the complete opposite.’

Luckily the couple trusted each other’s instincts, put in an offer, and as

cash buyers they moved in almost immediately. While they returned one of the bedsits back to commercial use and set up shop the very same week, turning the rest of the property into a home took longer to resolve. They lived in it – freshly painted but otherwise ‘just about okay’ – for around a year: ‘We had a vision of what we wanted to achieve but needed to work it through,’ says Rachel.

Although the couple were more than qualified to undertake the task themselves, having renovated their previous home together, assistance with their design concept came via a customer, who turned out to be a local architect. ‘We discussed our plans with him, went to see his home and loved it,’ recalls Rachel. ‘We started working with him and from that moment everything fell into place.’

Throughout the process, Rachel and David lived a nomadic existence on site, camping in whichever part of the house was not undergoing building work. The refurbishment began at the top of the property, working downwards,

GARDEN The new side return gave the couple a chance to experiment with different materials – it blends well with the verdant outdoor scheme David created.

Acapulco string chairs, £300 each; string table, £150, all Highgate Flowers

DINING AREA A bespoke bookshelf cleverly conceals ugly pipework. ‘We were going to house our fridge freezer there, until we opted for a larger one,’ says Rachel.

Case cross extending table, £2,495; Kartell Masters chairs, £168 each, all Heal’s

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design inspir ation ‘We visited Frida Kahlo’s house in Mexico and the

textures, colours and materials had a big influence on our decorating choices’ LIBRARY ‘This is where we come to read, research and listen to music,’ says Rachel. A vintage sideboard makes a handsome media unit.

Walls painted in Hague Blue estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball.

Mini Lounge floor lamp, £345, Heal’s HALL As many original features as possible were retained, such as the ornate architrave and banisters.

‘I like working with the nature of a building rather than stripping it all back,’ Rachel says.

GUEST BEDROOM Rotten floorboards and windows were replaced and the original fireplace restored, in what was once a bedsit kitchen.

Hana II console table, £275; Patsy wall mirror, from £195, both Habitat. Wool wall hanging (used as a throw), £2,000, Elizabeth Clayman

54 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

r e va m p e d te r r ac e | 25bh

and while the pair inherited a modern loft conversion, plans were drawn to extend it further, creating a dormer and opening up to the eaves.

There was also the construction of a side return to increase the size of the kitchen and dining space. ‘The idea for the square window and the skylights came from a desire to have more light at the kitchen end of the room, as did the Crittall windows and doors, which are the only feature repeated from our previous home,’ says Rachel.

Otherwise, she was keen make a fresh start and go for a completely new look, especially with the decor. ‘Our last place was very contemporary, with a lot of white, and I felt disheartened when things got bashed about and didn’t look so perfect,’ says Rachel. ‘I’ve enjoyed experimenting with colour here, especially deeper tones.’

Indeed, the rich, dark patterns of the reclaimed Panga Panga parquet flooring (hand-restored, block by block) beautifully complements the couple’s tour de force – the kitchen.

‘Our friends live round the corner and

we’d both always loved their kitchen, so it made sense to head straight to Lauren Nicholas, the company they had used,’ says Rachel. ‘We really enjoyed the whole design process; our vision and Lauren’s suggestions completely matched. It’s now the perfect space, from the kitchen through to the garden, and makes us so happy.’

The actual construction of the garden was strictly David’s domain.

The former tiered and overgrown area was levelled to make the relatively small plot feel more spacious. ‘He raised the beds, created seating and a barbecue, and made sure that we’re not overlooked at all,’ says Rachel.

With the renovation complete, the couple believe they now have a home that works well both aesthetically and practically. ‘It’s liveable, enjoyable but not too precious, and we’ve managed to keep as much of the original house’s character as possible,’ says Rachel. ‘We regularly get told that it’s a real haven, inconspicuous and tucked away. It’s fair to say that creating this home has exceeded all our expectations.’

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

MAIN BEDROOM ‘My friend Peter Cassell made our bed – it was so lovely working with him, sourcing the raw wood together,’ says Rachel.

Bed, from £2,000, Peter Cassell Design. Velvet duck egg bedspread, £340, The French Bedroom Company

EN SUITE Former stained-glass doors to the garden have been recycled. ‘They’re quirky and full of character – you can smell the history in them,’ says Rachel.

Dandy Star encaustic floor tiles, £3.60 each; paper basket, £19, all Milagros

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RHAPSODY IN BLUE

Copenhagen-born Julie Simonsen is happiest surrounded by blue, which is why her London home is delicately tinted with azure shades FEATURE JESSICA DOYLE | PHOTOGRAPHY JONATHAN GOOCH

INSPIRING

home truths

SITTING ROOM A vintage trunk that Julie’s mother gave her doubles as a coffee table.

Thala sofa, from €2,680, Caravane.

Louis Poulsen PH 5 mini pendant in Blue, £470, Made In Design

56 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

THE PROPERTY Georgian townhouse L O C AT I O N West London R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, study, three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a self-contained basement flat.

P U R C H A S E D 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, I lived in a chalet in Switzerland,’ says Julie.

P

opping into one of her favourite antiques shops on a visit to London, Julie Simonsen walked away with more than a vintage heirloom – she ended up buying a house.

After casually enquiring if the owners of the shop knew of anyone selling a house in leafy Holland Park, she was amazed to discover that they did.

‘I was moving back to London after living in Gstaad in Switzerland,’ says Julie, who is an interior designer. ‘And I was looking for a new challenge.’ She found one in the shape of the property tipped by the antiques dealer: a four-storey, Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse in need of major renovation. ‘The bones of the house were there, but the whole place had to be reconfigured,’ says Julie. ‘The side wall was giving way, the kitchen was inadequate and the basement had been turned into a flat.’

Moving temporarily into a cottage along the street, Julie set to work, enlisting the

help of architects Studio Indigo and fellow interior designer Gemma McCloskey. Due to the property’s listed status, and its location in a conservation area, they had to be faithful to its original style. ‘We weren’t allowed to change the exterior of the house at all,’ says Julie. ‘But we did get permission to open up and extend the rear to create a kitchen-diner with a glazed wall and roof.’

The new extension flows seamlessly off the sitting room and study. In an inspired touch, the original brickwork is visible behind the glass roof of the extension, which adds an urban element to the design.

An internal staircase was also added to link the basement with the rest of the house.

A self-contained flat, complete with a TV room, it makes a spacious bolthole for visiting friends and for Julie’s son during university holidays.

The work took more than a year, and included finessing details such as replicating cornicing and shutters that had fallen into

KITCHEN-DINER ‘I love the extension,’ says Julie. ‘You can now sit down to breakfast and have a wonderful view of the garden.’

Gubi chairs, £222 each, Nunido. Paris Blue range cooker, £4,433, La Cornue. Douglas fir flooring, from £100sq m, Dinesen BASEMENT TV ROOM The lower floor is a self-contained flat with its own bedroom, kitchen and entrance, for when family and friends come to visit.

One-arm Hamilton sofa, around £6,000, Minotti. Try the aluminium trunk set of three, £134.99, Wayfair. The Hempy jute rectangular rug has this look, £109, La Redoute

STUDY The paint colour in this space was inspired by the Gustavian bureau.

Walls painted in Skylight estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Union Jack cushion, £31, Zazzle, has this look

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MAIN BEDROOM The blue elements in this room are warmed by the sandy hue of the wallpaper.

Woodwork painted in SC264 absolute matt emulsion, £38.40 for 2.5L, Papers and Paints

LANDING Glass ornaments arranged on clear shelves at the window add sparkle.

Antique chandelier, price on request, No. 1 Lewes GUEST BEDROOM Julie was inspired by the painting of the girl in a silk dress – found in an antiques shop in Paris – for the colour scheme in this room.

Poppy & Butterfly wallpaper, £82 a roll, Colefax and Fowler. The Mariposa duvet cover and pillowcase set, from £19, Dunelm, has this look

decay. But, with the build complete, Julie could indulge her love of all shades of blue and turn her hand to the decoration.

Walking through the sky-blue front door, you are immersed in the cerulean hall, where the subtle sheen of the polishedplaster walls bounces light around. Towards the rear, the newly opened-up kitchen has been fitted with off-the-shelf units that Julie found at Laurence Pidgeon in a serendipitous shade of blue and a similarly hued range cooker from La Cornue. Pale wooden floorboards throughout are a nod to Julie’s Scandinavian origins.

Upstairs, the main and guest bedrooms are decorated in painterly shades of blue and pink, inspired by artwork Julie discovered in France, where she sources much of her

furniture. In the main bedroom, a painting that she unearthed at a flea market in Nice, which now hangs above her bed, set the tone for the soft powder-blue scheme. ‘And, while browsing antiques in Paris, I fell in love with a painting of a girl wearing a pink silk dress and decided to use that colour as the basis for one of the guest bedrooms,’ says Julie.

‘You have to be careful with pink, but when thoughtfully used, it can be beautiful.’

Pink is just a small dab of unexpected colour on the azure palette Julie has used as the unifying theme throughout the rest of her home. ‘A love of blue is a Scandinavian thing,’ she says. ‘There is so much blue in my home, but it all works together. It’s a colour that, in its many shades, brings me happiness, peace and serenity.’

B AT H R O O M The polished plaster of the hall is repeated here, but in a slightly different shade.

Arndale bath, £2,295, Country Cast Baths

d e s i g n a d v i c e ‘Make the best of the furniture you already own. Mixing and matching is more challenging and exciting than just buying new pieces’ 58 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

The home of the

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CHARACTER BUILDING

Disenchanted with the stark white box they had bought, Riddhi Bhalla and Mick Collins set about giving it a dramatic dose of personality FEATURE CLARE ENNIS | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES MERRELL

NEW BUILD

home truths THE PROPERTY Terraced townhouse built in 2012 L O C AT I O N North London R O O M S Hall, sitting/dining room, kitchen, TV room, study, utility room, cloakroom, three bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom, dressing room P U R C H A S E D 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before, we lived in a maisonette in north London, says Riddhi.

SITTING ROOM

‘A Belgian artist who specialises in steel sculptures did the artwork,’ says Riddhi. ‘He took a picture of the sea, then rendered it in steel.

When light reflects off it, it glows like it’s on fire.’

Artwork, price on request, Bob Takes. Profile sofa, price on request, Roche Bobois

m o d e r n tow n h o u s e | 25bh SITTING ROOM The open-plan living area was divided using Crittall windows and a sliding door to create the mezzanine TV room beyond.

Fleur de Fer cocktail table, price on request, Roche Bobois. Quantum rug, from ÂŁ1,037, The Rug Company

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SITTING ROOM

‘The chairs are from an antiques shop in Grenoble.

Mick and I hesitated over Daniel’s idea of yellow arms with black-and-white seats, but we love them now.’

Marco Zanuso Senior armchairs for Arflex, upholstered in fabric by Dedar and Gastón Y Daniela, price on request, Daniel Hopwood

KITCHEN

As the space did not allow for an island, the couple chose a functional workbench table.

B2 table, price on request, Bulthaup. Walls painted in Hague Blue estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Floor tiles, price on request, Patricia Urquiola for Mutina. 3D counter stools with wood base, €449 each, Gubi

A

t this time of year, after the busyness of the holidays, Riddhi Bhalla and her husband Mick Collins will usually be found getting back to nature with their extended family in the countryside. ‘We always enjoy a change of scenery in the winter months,’ says Riddhi. But to see the welcoming and luxe interior of the new-build London townhouse that the couple call home is to wonder how they could bear to leave it behind in the first place.

This jewel of a house was not always such an alluring prospect. ‘It was a plain white box when we bought it in 2012,’ says Riddhi. ‘At first, its sense of sparseness appealed to us, as we thought we’d love the pure, minimal aesthetic.’ However, soon after moving in, Riddhi and Mick realised that, for all its fresh, contemporary newness, the house was just too stark and open plan to be practical. ‘The dimensions were wonderful, but the reality was just a lot of white walls, with no storage, no shelves and not even a mantelpiece to put your keys on.’

Weekends spent browsing furniture shops for storage solutions started off enjoyably, but soon became a dreaded chore.

‘We had so many ideas and, for a long time, we thought we could do it all ourselves,’ says Riddhi. ‘But the fruitless searching was just so dull and was beginning to demand too much of our time.’

Finally, the couple admitted defeat and hired interior designer and judge of BBC Two’s The Great Interior Design Challenge Daniel Hopwood, who had no trouble interpreting the brief to build character into a house that had none. Daniel’s challenge was to turn what was essentially a series of developer-built boxy rooms into a home with edge and personality. ‘The first thing he suggested was to paint the kitchen dark blue, which we thought was a crazy idea,’ says Riddhi. ‘Our understanding was that a small, poorly lit space needed to be made light, not dark. But

m o d e r n tow n h o u s e | 25bh

f a v o u r i t e f e a t u r e ‘The mural in our dining space was the only piece we initially agreed on – it went on to set the tone for the whole home and now makes a great backdrop to dinner parties’

DINING AREA

Drama reigns here, with a mural on the wall, artistic lighting and sumptuous seating.

Bespoke mural, Tres Tintas. 85 Lamps pendant, €2,695, Droog. Boston dining table, price on request, Timothy Oulton

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LANDING

A long light fitting draws the eye down through the tall stairwell.

Pendant lights, price on request, Flos.

Mellow 50 stool, price on request, Munna

MAIN BEDROOM

The large wall mural with a marble motif adds glamour and a feeling of fluidity.

Night wallpaper, price on request, Calico. Large Salperton lamp in Decayed Gold with Putty shade, price on request, Porta Romana. For similar velvet cushions, £45 each, try Heal’s

Daniel shot through that theory with his ethos of embracing the natural ambience of the space. We went for it and, of course, he was right – the blue, coupled with the bespoke dark walnut storage and the busy tiled floor, is inviting and full of atmosphere.’

A short flight of steps leads from the kitchen into the sitting/ dining room. Here, a vast bespoke mural covers a double-height wall. The couple bought it many months before hiring Daniel. ‘It arrived as five huge panels that we kept rolled up under our bed, keeping our fingers crossed that it wouldn’t look too bizarre,’ says Mick. On the contrary, the mural went on to serve as Daniel’s primary reference, as well as a blue velvet sofa and a pair of Marco Zanuso Senior chairs that the couple had brought from their previous home. Taking these pieces as his starting point, Daniel has used tactile and luxe elements throughout the house, from the fabric-covered bedroom walls and marble finishes to striking contemporary artwork.

‘It’s been breathtaking seeing it all come together,’ says Riddhi, who was particularly excited about plans for the TV room – a formerly open-plan mezzanine space overlooking the sitting room. Daniel closed it off with an oak sliding door and Crittall windows, creating a soundproof den where Riddhi can indulge her box-set habit. ‘It’s been great to no longer have noise echoing around the place,’ she says. ‘That’s something that doesn’t occur to you when you think about open-plan living.’

As they return home from their break in the countryside and settle into 2019, Riddhi and Mick still find it hard to recall the series of white cubes that previously comprised their home.

‘At the start of the process, we both had different expectations for the project,’ says Riddhi. ‘But we agreed that we didn’t want a white box and that we liked colour and a bit of drama. What we’ve ended up with has been surprising, but quite thrilling.’

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

m o d e r n tow n h o u s e | 25bh GUEST BEDROOM

Riddhi and Mick’s use of bold artwork and patterns lifts the rich colour palette they’ve chosen.

Artwork and cushion fabric, price on request, Timorous Beasties. Mid-century bedside table in Acorn, £299, West Elm. Try the London green velvet chair, £799, Oak Furniture Superstore

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KITCHEN ‘We love this quiet, versatile space where we cook, eat, entertain and relax,’ says Kellie.

Units spray painted in Borrowed Light estate eggshell, £60 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Milo bar stools, £79 each, House by John Lewis & Partners

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v i c to r i a n v i ll a | 25bh INSPIRING

home truths THE PROPERTY Detached villa built in 1850 L O C AT I O N Hertfordshire R O O M S Sitting room, family room, kitchen/diner, utility room, study, four bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We used to live in an Arts and Crafts house in the Hertfordshire countryside,’ says Kellie.

MAKING HISTORY Kellie and Rob Waterhouse sympathetically updated their city centre house to create a timeless family home FEATURE MARISHA TAYLOR | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH

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Living in a city centre had never been part of Kellie and Rob Waterhouse’s plan. They knew they wanted to move closer to the school to give their daughters, Hannah, now 25, and Clementine, 16, more independence, but with a long wish list, the hunt for their ‘perfect’ property was proving unsuccessful. ‘We had actually seen this striking, doublefronted house on the market the year before, but we discounted it quickly because it was on a busy high street,’ recalls Kellie of the Victorian villa where the family now lives. But with time ticking, the couple knew they had to compromise, so they eventually decided to view the property.

‘The house was cluttered with floor-to-ceiling furniture and the decor hadn’t been touched for 40 years,’ says Kellie. ‘However, we were struck by its sense of space. The rooms were huge, ceilings were high, and the tall bay windows were gorgeous. It was quirky, interesting and the potential was incredible. There was a cellar, with all sorts of nooks and crannies, perfect for Rob’s ever-growing wine collection. There was also a large adjoining storeroom at the back of the house and a good-sized garden, rare for a city centre property. By the time we left the first viewing, we were smitten and had a really clear vision of what we’d do with the space.’

Since moving in, Kellie and Rob, who is the director of a property development company, have sympathetically repaired and replaced every window, opened-up blocked fireplaces, fitted authentic fire surrounds and replaced old flooring. Upstairs, the family bathroom has been updated,

HALL The high ceilings and beautiful glazing create a wonderful sense of space.

Wilde Carnation vinyl wallpaper, £35lin m, Osborne & Little. Arroll Victorian cast-iron radiator, from £101, Period Property Store

KITCHEN ‘Hanging my favourite mugs on this rack creates an interesting focal point in this corner of the room,’ says Kellie.

Kitchen rack, £45, Rockett St George STUDY Traditional furniture and an eye-catching wallpaper combine perfectly here.

Silver Pine wallpaper, £81.50

a roll, Little Greene. Isaac brass chair, £110, Graham and Green. Newgate wall clock, £115, John Lewis & Partners. Elegant gold mirror, £195, Decorative Mirrors Online at Notonthehighstreet.com, has the same look

68 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

v i c to r i a n v i ll a | 25bh

design tip ‘Always surround yourself with

the colours and textures that you love, whether it’s the latest design trend or not’

F A M I LY R O O M ‘We all enjoy spending time together in this relaxing space,’ says Kellie.

Walls painted in Parma Gray, estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Bauhaus floor lamp in Ochre, £99, Pagazzi, is similar. Ikat cushion in Saffron, £15, John Lewis & Partners, is a close match

25bh | v i c to r i a n v i ll a final wor d ‘We are most proud of being

recognised by St Albans Civic Society, which awards houses in the city for sympathetic renovations’

MAIN BEDROOM This simple yet chic fire surround gives the room an elegant focal point.

Etienne sleigh bed, £1,299, John Lewis & Partners, has the same look. For a multi-aperture photo frame, try The White Company, £260

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FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

and space has been taken from a spare room to create an en suite and walk-in wardrobe in the main bedroom. ‘This is now one of my favourite rooms, especially with its freestanding bath, which sits perfectly in the large bay window,’ says Kellie. ‘It’s such a relaxing place to be.’

Kellie, an interior stylist and blogger, grew up surrounded by books and art. ‘My inspiration comes from everywhere,’ she reflects, ‘from the books I’ve read to the films I’ve loved. My father is an artist, so there were always sketches of places we’d been on holiday strewn around the house.

My grandfather was an incredible carpenter – I still have the beautiful doll’s house he made when I was a child. That’s where my love of interiors began. I would spend hours rearranging the delicate handmade furniture inside it. Everything in our home has history and tells a story.’

The biggest transformation was extending into the old storeroom at the back of the house to create an open-plan kitchen and dining room. The couple designed and fitted a new kitchen, choosing pale shades to maximise the light. ‘This room has much lower ceilings than the original house,’ explains Kellie. ‘It’s now a big enough space for a dining table and an old, comfortable sofa, where we can sit together and relax.’ Kellie added a feature wallpaper to inject some personality. ‘I love how it makes this area feel like a completely different room,’ she says.

‘We never thought we’d end up in a city centre, but what we have created is a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle,’ says Kellie.

‘This house tells our story and it is a pleasure to spend time in it.’

EN SUITE The freestanding bath sets the style for this glamorous scheme.

Bateau bath, £3,135, The Cast Iron Bath Company.

White six-panel wooden slat room divider, £86.99, Amazon, is similar

HANNAH’S ROOM Pretty wallpaper, furniture and feathered accessories create a dreamy look.

Flamingos wallpaper, £85 a roll, Cole & Son. Ellie tripod table lamp, £69, Very, is a good match. Provencal twodoor armoire, £1,240, The French Bedroom Company

CLEMENTINE’S ROOM A large feature wall mural injects a fun element.

Zebra Baby wallpaper, £127 a roll, Wayfair, is similar.

Mauricette faux fur chair, £94, Maison du Monde.

Walls painted in Dix Blue estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

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SITTING ROOM

Complementary accent colours add depth and interest to the neutral backdrop.

Walls painted in Worsted estate emulsion, ÂŁ45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Round Lartigue chandelier, price on request, Porta Romana.

Artwork by Wolf Kahn

Picture perfect Alicia and Graham Pierce have brought their renovated Victorian home to life with a shared love of modern art, earthy colours and statement lighting FEATURE FELICITY HAYLES | PHOTOGRAPHY FIONA MURRAY

REPLANNED

home truths THE PROPERTY Detached villa, built in 1835 L O C AT I O N Southeast London R O O M S Hall, sitting room, family room, dining room, kitchen, study, utility, boot room, cinema room, games room, six bedrooms (all en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in a Georgian terraced house in west London, which was beautiful but not quite big enough for our family of six,’ says Alicia.

A

licia and Graham Pierce have never settled in one place for long. After meeting in their home town of New York, they moved to Atlanta, then on to Berlin, Milan and, in 2013, west London. It wasn’t long though before they were on the move again as their home lacked the space for the family, which by this time included George, now 18, twins Felix and Eloise, 16, and Noah, 14.

‘I love London, and enjoy regular visits to galleries and exhibitions,’ reflects Alicia, ‘so finding an area from which it was easy to travel into town was a must.’

Eventually, the couple heard about a large period property in southeast London, but arriving to view it for the first time they were faced with a project of potentially epic proportions. ‘The house had been split into 11 bedsits, each with its own kitchenette,’ says Alicia. ‘It was gloomy and dated, with a really dark energy inside. Luckily, I’m not threatened by the sight of a run-down property, as I can always envisage the potential of a space.’

Permission had been granted for a private residence to be developed, and although in a conservation area the property wasn’t listed so there was plenty of scope to tailor it to suit the family’s needs. Local architectural company Creative Mass assisted with the project and explored the options when it came to the best use of space. ‘With four children, I had a strong sense of how the layout needed to

KITCHEN

The trio of pendant lights creates a striking design statement.

Beat black trio linear pendant system, £1,625, Tom Dixon.

Bulthaup b3 units, price on request, Kitchen Architecture

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25bh | p e r i o d d e tac h e d DINING ROOM

Surrounded by bold artwork and with a view of the garden, this is a perfect area for entertaining.

Walls painted in Drop Cloth estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Nemo Crown Major pendant light, £1,798, Paper Rooms. Mimi dining chairs, £255 each, Stollers, have a similar look

FAVOURITE ITEM

‘I love the console in the hall – it’s like a piece of art and a table combined. We brought it from our last home and it fitted the space perfectly’ 74 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

flow. As the children grow older, we all definitely need our own space to study, relax and socialise,’ says Alicia.

Keen to retain as many of the original architectural features as possible, the family kept the staircase and restored much of the cornicing and archways. Opting out of an open-plan kitchen scheme, they instead demarcated the downstairs living area, creating a cosy kitchen to sit in the heart of the space, with a black framed internal window partition between the cooking area and the breakfast bar. ‘I wanted to be able to enjoy meals without sitting in the kitchen, but still have the ability to cook and interact with guests and family,’ explains Alicia.

The family room was also cleverly tucked around another partition wall, yet still connects to the flow of the kitchen and dining space and has a view of the entire garden. ‘I figured that the more walls there

HALL

The bold red of the Venetian chandelier brings a modern touch to the space.

Traditional Venetian-style Murano glass chandelier, £3,314.85, Italian Lighting Centre, is comparable. Walls painted in Dove Tale estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

FAMILY ROOM

A large sofa and shelving filled with books (below right) make this a place for relaxing.

Flos Spun black floor lamp, £1,255, Houseology.

Metal frame upholstered chairs, £699 each, West Elm. Orange Chiara cushion covers, £72 each, Oka

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MAIN BEDROOM

Alicia wanted standout lighting for a unique look.

Pasteur bedside lamps, price on request, Porta Romana.

Christopher Wray’s Rallo chandelier, price on request, has the same look. For a similar bed, try Bonham, £899, Swoon

BATHROOM

Bespoke mirrored units bounce light around the room and add a sense of glamour.

Colette freestanding oval bath, £10,492; Basketweave floor tiles, £525sq m; Paris Wave border, £120sq m, all Waterworks

ELOISE’S BEDROOM

The dusky rose headboard contrasts beautifully against the turquoise feature wall.

Rose bed in pink linen, £895, Button & Sprung.

Classic white mother of pearl bedside table, £489, Graham and Green

were, the more art we could have, and that is my true passion,’ reflects Alicia.

‘When it comes to colour schemes, I have always chosen according to the era of the property,’ continues Alicia. ‘I like to stick with neutrals and heritage hues for the communal areas, livening things up with colourful accessories and artwork. It’s different in the children’s rooms, where you want to inject some fun with wall colour.’

When they turned their attention to the outside space, Alicia and Graham had to replan this scheme, too. ‘It was quite a jungle, so we just decided to strip it back completely,’ says Alicia. ‘It wasn’t ideal to have to lose the established trees, so for every tree we took out we planted a sapling.’

Now the family has an abundance of space to socialise together or retreat to more peaceful areas. ‘I didn’t want a showhome, or to be precious about things,’ says Alicia.

‘When my children have their friends over, they are able to relax and enjoy a family home environment.’

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FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

v i c to r i a n u p g r a d e | 25bh KITCHEN Ideal for entertaining, this space sits between the dining room at the front and the garden at the rear, so gatherings can spill either side.

Yellow light fittings, £17.64 each, RS Electrical Supplies. Try Ines cake stand, £19, Oliver Bonas

INSPIRING

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian double-fronted house L O C AT I O N Northwest London R O O M S Sitting room/ playroom, dining room, kitchen, study, four bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before, we had a one-bedroom flat in Finsbury Park,’ says Emma.

SEEING THE LIGHT

By preserving original features and introducing glass panelling, Emma Paton has illuminated the interior of her period home FEATURE ABBI HENDERSON | PHOTOGRAPHY GEORGIA BURNS

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KITCHEN The whitewashed brick wall and co-ordinating worktops create a clean backdrop for decorative accents.

Wynter Hues tiles, £49.50sq m, Topps Tiles.

Try the retro mini radio, £69.99, My VQ

SITTING ROOM Simple shutters framing the window have an uncluttered aesthetic.

Hektar lamp, £45, Ikea. Ercol Originals coffee table, £580, Furniture Village.

Kolong rug, £169, Urbanara

F

DINING ROOM Neutral decor and simple pieces allow the period features to do the talking, while the oversized print draws attention to the fireplace.

Angle table, from £520, Unto This Last. Uno La Mela print, £214, twentytwentyone

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inding a suitable family home wasn’t an easy task for Emma Paton and her husband, Liam. But the issue was not agreeing on an area or finding a house that ticked enough of their boxes – rather, the problem was fighting off the competition. ‘We spent a good couple of years trying to secure a property in Stoke Newington, an area we were keen to settle and start a family in,’ says Emma.

However, they weren’t the only ones with their sights set on the location. ‘We bid on around 15 properties during that time, but kept being gazumped or having offers fall through.’

After years of losing out, the couple got their lucky break thanks to landing a viewing of a property that had not even hit the market. ‘We instantly fell in love with it,’ says Emma.

‘We were drawn to its great light and period features, plus, it was double-fronted, which is quite rare to come across in this area, so we knew we were onto something special.’

Heavily pregnant and in a race against time to exchange before the couple’s firstborn made an appearance, Emma put renovation plans on hold until after she had given birth to their son, Finlay. Three months later, the family began lodging with in-laws so that work – that would see their handsome yet modestly sized house extended to accommodate their growing family – could finally start. ‘We collaborated with an architect friend, Andries Kruger, to help us turn the house from a two-bedroom into a three-bedroom family home that had a modern glass backdrop at the rear, but was also sympathetic to the original features,’ says Emma.

Rooms were reconfigured to allow for a large kitchen, a generous sitting room-cum-playroom and an additional bedroom on the first floor, plus huge glass panels – one of

v i c to r i a n u p g r a d e | 25bh SITTING ROOM Emma lends character to her home by adding in vintage elements, such as her favourite armchair, which belonged to her grandfather.

Kolong rug, £169, Urbanara. Vintage Ercol nesting tables, £150, The Peanut Vendor. Hector large dome table light, £199, Original BTC

d e s i g n t i p ‘With a good simple base of white floorboards, cast-iron radiators and white or grey walls, you can easily create a great space by adding interest through furnishings’

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25bh | v i c to r i a n u p g r a d e EN SUITE ‘We wanted a sanctuary with a roll-top bath and statement floor,’ says Emma.

Double-ended bath, £875, The Cast Iron Bath Company. Moroccan encaustic hexagonal tiles, £58.87sq m, Best Tile

EN SUITE A vintage sideboard has been cleverly repurposed as a washstand.

Jenson sideboard, £499, Made.com.

Patsy mirror, £195, Habitat. Metro white wall tiles, £19.50sq m, Topps Tiles

VIOLET’S BEDROOM ‘This is my favourite room in the house,’ says Emma. ‘I would have loved a bedroom like this when I was little.’

Mosslanda picture ledge, from £5, Ikea

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which smashed to smithereens when it was first installed – along the rear of the house to let light in. ‘It was a big, stressful project in which the entire house was pulled apart and put back together over six months,’ says Emma.

Although stressful, the renovation did not deter the pair from further altering the property following the birth of their second child, Violet. In the past year, they decided to extend into the loft, creating a new main bedroom, complete with an enviable view of the city, and an en suite along with a study for Emma, who runs fashion and lifestyle blog Finlay Fox. Describing her style as Scandinavian-inspired with vintage accents, Emma has cleverly harnessed her decor preferences to enhance her home’s abundant natural light.

In the kitchen, light bounces from whitewashed walls and pale worktops, while white floorboards in the sitting room and the children’s bedrooms have the same effect. The couple’s bedroom, sporting charcoal grey walls and vibrant furnishings is the only decorative anomaly in the house. ‘It’s a spacious area with three large windows, so even though it’s a loft room, we aren’t short on light,’ says Emma. ‘We wanted a grown-up space with a hotel-like feel. The dark base made it feel luxurious, while colourful accents give it a global touch.’

Unsurprisingly, when asked which of her home’s qualities is her favourite, Emma returns to the light – its biggest and brightest asset. A close second is how much her family appreciates the space. ‘I love that the children enjoy spending time at home, and my sister has even said she wants to buy the house from us if we ever move out.’ But by far her proudest achievement is taking a house in need of TLC and reshaping it from the ground up to create a happy family home.

f a v o u r i t e s h o p ‘I love twentytwentyone and Goodhood for beautiful new homewares, and Chase & Sorensen is my go-to for vintage pieces’

MAIN BEDROOM Layering multiple textures makes this attic space feel indulgent.

Mid-century bedside table, £299, West Elm. Tends woven pendant lampshade, £55, Oliver Bonas. Extralong vintage boucherouite cushion, £140, Edit58

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RETURN TO FORM Lily van Lennep went back to her childhood home and infused it with colour and texture FEATURE HEATHER DIXON | PHOTOGRAPHY DAVE BURTON

SITTING ROOM:

The abstract painting inspired the pops of colour in the rich-hued soft furnishings.

Loving Nicola artwork, £800, Biddy Hodgkinson. Sofas, price on request, Wesley Barrell. Velvet cushion covers, from £54; Emilion Blue Tourmaline lamp, £235; Madura silk shade, £130, all Oka

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INSPIRING

home truths THE PROPERTY A converted 19th-century barn L O C AT I O N Lincolnshire R O O M S Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner, four bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 1990 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘While living in London I rented an apartment,’ says Lily.

DINING AREA

The handmade terracotta floor tiles were bought in France and provide a hard-wearing, rustic finish.

Similar terracotta tiles, £35sq m, Baked Earth. Wiltshire painted kitchen table is similar, £225, The Cotswold Company

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H

aving realised she couldn’t afford to set up her own studio in London, interior designer Lily van Lennep moved back to the family home in Lincolnshire with her parents, Nicola and Dirk. ‘I love living in the countryside, so it was the ideal solution,’ says Lily. It also sparked a winning partnership.

‘Mum and I are both creative, but being a skilled upholsterer, she’s very good with the technical details while I’m more of an ideas person,’ says Lily. ‘So we decided to work together to bring the barn up to date by introducing fabrics, paintings and plenty of bright colours, which we knew would work really well with the family furniture.

‘I started with my own room and it developed from there,’ says Lily. ‘Luckily, Mum shares my love of textiles and Dad appreciates our vision, so between us we added modern elements throughout the house.’

It is the latest in a series of updates, as the interior has evolved gradually, influenced by antiques, heirlooms and paintings from all over the world. Dirk’s family is from Holland and for many years he worked in South Africa and Australia. Nicola is South African, so together they have created a country home with a unique global personality.

‘When we bought the barn in 1990, it was in a derelict state,’ says Nicola. ‘For a year we lived with relatives, 15 miles away, while the

property was being converted. As well as creating a family home, we wanted it to be as versatile as possible so the spaces could evolve with our changing needs.’ The most recent structural change came last year, when an existing separate cart shed was transformed into Lily’s longed-for studio.

When it came to the revamp, Nicola used her upholstery knowledge to reinvent the chairs and sofas, while Lily’s colourful textile bird pictures have inspired entire schemes in the two main bedrooms. ‘It’s great to have that mix of old and new working side by side,’ says Lily. ‘Sometimes you can take a dated piece of furniture and, with a little bit of imagination, completely transform it. We’ve been extremely careful to reuse everything we can in order to avoid wasting money.’

With their combined skills, mother and daughter have gradually given each space a completely different look. ‘The sitting room used to have a very traditional feel,’ says Lily, ‘but, with a vibrant painting and an assortment of new colourful cushions, it now looks totally different.’

As for Lily, she is delighted to have had such a positive influence on her childhood home. ‘Between us we have combined bold colours, beautiful contemporary textiles and modern art with antique and traditional furniture to give our family home a simple, yet inexpensive, facelift.’

d e c o r a t i n g t i p ‘Traditional furniture can easily be transformed with modern accessories and splashes of bright colour’ MAIN BEDROOM

The iron four-poster bed was commissioned by Dirk’s mother as a gift and made by a blacksmith.

Safari Boutique bed is similar, £959, Houseology. Bedside lampshades, £80 each; cushions, £40 each, all Carol Bird Interiors. Chair, £65, Hemswell Antiques

EN SUITE

The painted seat is an old school chair bought at an antiques centre.

Similar bathroom towel rail, £145, The White Company. Towels from £5, HomeSense

GUEST BEDROOM

The colours of the room were inspired by an original abstract painting by Dan Feit.

Hemnes bedside table in white has this look, £55, Ikea. Chair upholstery fabric by Harlequin, the Azul design in emerald/tangerine/lime is comparable, price on request

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FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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FRESH ELEGANCE Once Morgan and Kim Ward found a period house in a lively yet leafy location, they set about turning it into a bright and spacious home FEATURE RICHARD WEBBER | PHOTOGRAPHY FINE HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY/MONICA JACKIEWICZ

REPLANNED

home truths THE PROPERTY Mid-terraced Victorian house L O C AT I O N West London R O O M S Sitting room/ kitchen-diner, snug, cloakroom, three bedrooms, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in an Edwardian terraced house a few miles away,’ says Morgan.

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SITTING ROOM At the end of the day, Morgan and Kim love chilling out in their new extension.

For an L-shaped sofa, try the Hacienda Set 3, £3,192, Adventures in Furniture.

The whitewashed Streamline coffee table is similar to this, £399, West Elm. Conrad Pouffe, £69.99, Wayfair. Oak Natural wide planks, £70sq m, The Natural Wood Floor Company

p e r i o d te r r ac e | 25bh

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SNUG With its tactile fabrics and cosy seating arrangement, this space is the perfect spot for winter evenings.

Clever three-seater sofa bed, £3,552, Adventures in Furniture.

For a similar Persian rug, try the tufted Brunswick design, £230, Anthropologie. Lejongap linen curtains, £30, Ikea. For a similar

hammered metal side table try the Orrico, £130, Habitat KITCHEN-DINER A skylight helps maximise the amount of natural light at this end of the room.

English Rose handleless kitchen, £21,000, Kitchen Craft Design.

Vitra Eames DSW dining chair, £365, John Lewis & Partners

organ Ward and her twin sister Kim both had a clear idea of what they were looking for when they set out to find a new home in west London. ‘We wanted a larger living space, better transport links, a livelier area and a south-facing garden,’ says Morgan.

The sisters viewed around 20 properties before finding a house that fitted the bill. ‘We thought it had a great feel to it as soon as we stepped through the front door,’ says Morgan. ‘It offers so much in terms of restaurants, amenities and boutique shops. There are also lovely green spaces all around – for a built-up city like London, it’s a bit of an oasis.’

Although the property was in a fairly decent condition, it only had two bedrooms, a tiny kitchen and small living areas with no meaningful connection to the garden. With the help of Plus Rooms, which specialises in improving and enlarging

residential properties, Morgan and Kim added a loft extension and wrap-around rear extension.

‘It was essential that the new layout was suitable for three adults to live in comfortably, with each having their own private space,’ explains Morgan, whose mother regularly comes over on visits from South Africa.

Creating a natural sense of flow between living spaces was integral to the design. ‘With an open-plan kitchen-cum-living area, it’s very important that the kitchen blends discreetly into the space, just as a piece of furniture would,’ Morgan explains. ‘We achieved this by fitting built-in appliances and pale-coloured handleless units. Also, we used mirrored splashbacks as a way of reflecting light and making the space appear bigger.’

For the flooring, the sisters selected engineered oak, complete with underfloor heating. ‘We love the natural feeling of warmth that oak floors bring to a space. Once 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019 | 87

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you have such things sorted, the rest falls into place quite easily.’

Whereas some neighbours have opted to squeeze in a fourth bedroom, the Wards didn’t want to compromise on space. So with the renovation complete, Morgan and Kim now have a striking home with three double bedrooms and two generous bathrooms.

But downstairs is the star attraction. ‘With the garden facing south, light pours into the house all day, and the sliding doors link inside with outside,’ says Morgan. ‘When we were organising the layout of this place, we were inspired by light, modern homes we’d seen in Australia and South Africa. In warmer climates, houses seem to connect well with outdoor areas and we wanted to reflect that.’

The only significant challenge the Wards faced was sticking to their budget – as with most refurbishments, unexpected costs arose. ‘When buying a property, 88 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

you tend to take the drains for granted, but issues with them can be costly to fix – especially if you’ve just finished laying concrete over them!’ says Morgan.

‘The old clay pipe connections had shifted and collapsed in places, leaving large gaps in the pipe. This led to complications, such as rats entering underneath the house.’ Fixing the problem, which included relining the entire 12-metre pipe and fitting a rat blocker to the front manhole, ate into the budget significantly.

With their rodent nightmare a distant memory, Morgan and Kim feel they have created their dream home, and plan to stay long term. ‘The renovation has given us our much-needed living space so it’s now a home we can enjoy for a long period of time,’ says Morgan. ‘It’s open, modern and links with the garden. We love having this connection to green space, even in winter, and we couldn’t be happier.’

LOFT BEDROOM Morgan has kept walls neutral but added interest through gold accessories and soft furnishings.

For a similar rug, check out the Diamond Stripe wool dhurrie, £299, West Elm. See the Hanna II wooden side tables, £195 each, Habitat. For lustrous velvet cushions, try the

Houdini Pebble cushions, from £28 each, Andrew Martin GARDEN Comfortable seating makes this a sociable space to gather.

Corsica garden sofa, £270; Salsa garden chair set, £140, both John Lewis & Partners. Red cedar fencing, £1,400 for a 6x2m fence, West London Fencing

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

B AT H R O O M Gentle curves soften the look of this contemporary scheme.

Mode Carter bath, £1,299, Victoria Plum. Bauhaus Svelte 100 vanity unit and basin, £909, Drench For a modern bath seat, try the Scoop, £195, Lusso Stone

d e s i g n t i p ‘Make storage a priority and have plenty of it – it’s crucial when designing a clutter-free space where everything is tucked away out of sight’ GUEST BEDROOM Built-in cupboards in the alcove provide extra storage.

For a similar winged design try the Hemingway bed, from £870, The English Bed Company. The Piccadilly table lamp, £31.99, Wayfair, is similar to this one

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KITCHEN A wooden worktop and woven baskets add warmth.

Ruhi’s B&Q kitchen is no longer available, but you could try the Cooke & Lewis Carisbrooke, from £2,130, B&Q. Monmouth Slate luxury vinyl flooring, from £39.99sq m, Amtico

GREY MATTERS Ruhi Singh and Paul Unsworth have updated their forever family home using a sophisticated palette FEATURE RENÉE GREEN | PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID GILES

REPLANNED

home truths THE PROPERTY Detached Twenties house L O C AT I O N Reading R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, cloakroom, three bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2010 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we shared a Victorian mid-terrace house with one of our best friends,’ says Ruhi.

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DINING AREA ‘The bespoke joinery was a game changer – it ticks both the form and function boxes,’ says Ruhi.

All joinery by Brian McGowan.

Hitchcock three-arm chandelier, £119; Eames DSW chairs, £365 each, all Heal’s.

Radar dining table, £299, House by John Lewis range, John Lewis & Partners

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25bh | t w e n t i e s d e tac h e d SITTING ROOM ‘Comfortable seating and good lighting are key – we love this room,’ says Ruhi.

Viscount William sofa, from £2,175, Heal’s. Walls painted in Night Jewels 3 matt emulsion, £31.99 for 2.5L, Dulux. Luxe Egg coffee table, £295; Luxe side table, £195, both Oliver Bonas. Cushion covers, including Mongolian lamb, from £19.95, and silk hand-loomed, from £14.95, West Elm. Ikat print cushion covers, from £48, Oka

When Ruhi Singh and Paul Unsworth found their perfect family home it was, in fact, far from perfect.

Undeterred by the extensive work needed, the couple were instinctively drawn to the house. ‘It was a probate sale and the family that had lived here had owned it since it was built. It felt like it had been such a happy home for so many years and that was exactly what we wanted to create for ourselves,’ explains Ruhi.

The couple were keen to start renovation work as soon as the sale was complete and lined up a building company to instal new electrics, heating and plumbing. Interior walls were also removed to create a more family-friendly, open-plan kitchen and dining area – with a caveat to retain some lovely features throughout, such as the original fireplaces. The reworked space then became home to a new kitchen. ‘We were lucky to get help from Paul’s late dad, a 92 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

retired engineer, who was very used to creating detailed plans.

He drew out several different options for us and calculated space for worktops and units for each design – so each version had a score and we eventually chose the one with the highest storage mark!’

The project was completed within a swift seven-month timescale, and Ruhi and Paul were both delighted and relieved to finally move in and take a break from the refurbishment. ‘To be honest, we had simply run out of money and steam to continue with any more home improvements at that point – we wanted to be able to take holidays and also spend time raising our beautiful son, Shia, who arrived 18 months later,’ says Ruhi.

After a two-year hiatus, however, the couple were ready for round two. ‘Our to-do list included getting rid of the mishmash of handed-down furniture to create a homely space with beautiful but not necessarily precious items,’ says Ruhi. ‘We had quickly learnt

SITTING ROOM Woodburners were installed in the fireplaces.

The brickworth hearths are original to the house.

The Tulip side chair was an eBay purchase; source new for £1,140 at The Conran Shop

i n s p i r at i o n ‘Our interior designer provided so much creative influence and made such a difference to the end result’ HALL This wallpaper set the tone for the entire house – grey and ochre, with a fresh, botanical feel.

Cloud Garden wallpaper, £22m, Rapture & Wright.

The Dots set of five coat hooks by Muuto, £89, Heal’s

that small people and their things – especially the toys – require large amounts of space, so we needed plenty of storage.’

Enlisting the help of interior designer Stephanie Spero was a strategic move towards creating their dream space and helping declutter and organise their furniture and personal items. They wanted to keep some bedroom furniture and a beautiful Indian wedding chest but were ready to get rid of everything else.

‘Stephanie’s brief was to blend form and function, as we wanted our home to be practical and comfortable,’ says Ruhi. The couple also planned to use eco-friendly and locally sourced products where possible. ‘Stephanie persuaded us to work with a local joiner for bespoke carpentry and explore buying pre-owned furniture – we ended up getting our dining table and two Eames chairs from eBay.’ The house was already painted in shades of grey – inspired by the volcanic rock caves and paving stones in Santorini, Paul and 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019 | 93

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S H I A’ S B E D R O O M ‘We decided on an explorer theme for Shia’s room as he likes showing me where we’ve been on holiday,’ says Ruhi.

Atlas classic world map mural, £36sq m, Murals Wallpaper.

For a similar children’s bunk bed, try the Pongo, £595, Habitat

last word ‘Believe it or not, we need more space. We’re now looking to build an extension’ B AT H R O O M A towel and bath mat in citrus hues introduce colour and interest.

For similar travertine-effect wall tiles, try Salerno Ivory, £11.74sq m, Victorian Plumbing

MAIN BEDROOM The ornate bedside tables lift the simple scheme.

The Jade Green floral bone inlay bedside table, £475, Graham and Green is similar.

Margot bed, from £995, Loaf

Ruhi’s honeymoon destination, but Stephanie also encouraged the couple to be more daring. ‘We decided to use a dark grey in the sitting room. At first, we were worried that it may have been too much, but it makes the perfect backdrop for the Indian design, natural elements and bright colours we were keen to introduce,’ says Ruhi.

Indeed, yellow hues have always been Ruhi’s favourite and she welcomed Stephanie’s suggestion to opt for an ochre tone as an accent colour throughout. ‘I love the colour,’ says Ruhi, ‘it reminds me of Indian sarees and spices.’

There is another outcome that the family had not predicted – clearing out and donating items no longer needed has made them more discerning about new purchases. ‘We no longer buy random things – we actually think about how it looks and whether it does a good job. It may sound quite obvious but it makes a big difference to how our home feels, not just how it looks.’

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WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF

PHOTOGRAPHY SIMON BEVAN

The one-stop edit of the best modern style and design ideas.

BE INSPIRED.

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BRIGHT SPARK

Richard Wherry has transformed his dark and gloomy Victorian home into a beautiful haven that makes the most of its original features FEATURE AMELIA THORPE | PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL CRAIG

1 96 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

INSPIRING

home truths THE PROPERTY Four-storey semi-detached Victorian house L O C AT I O N Lincoln P U R C H A S E D 2016 R O O M S Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner, utility room, study, cinema room, gym, seven bedrooms (four en suite), bathroom PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I was renting on the other side of Lincoln and looking for a permanent home,’ says Richard.

B

ack to basics was Richard Wherry’s motto when he bought his Victorian home in Lincoln.

‘The house is in a beautiful position in the historic quarter, overlooking the cathedral with the countryside in the distance, but it was dark, tired and dated and hadn’t had any work done on it for at least 20 years,’ says Richard, who runs a property and construction business. ‘It was a case of new heating, plumbing, electrics, bathrooms – everything needed re-doing.’

Given his job, Richard wasn’t fazed by the amount of renovation work required.

But he was anxious about the decoration.

‘I was worried about turning it into a man cave,’ he laughs, ‘so I felt I’d better get some some help in “opening up” the space and creating a warm, inviting home with a light touch.’ Daughters Lucy, 17, and Imogen, 14, stay regularly, so after following up on a personal recommendation, they discussed their ideas as a family with interior designer Sophie Peckett of Sophie Peckett Design. ‘We asked Sophie to make the most of the beautiful original features and make the whole house feel lighter and brighter,’ Richard explains.

Out went the heavy curtains – which blocked much of the natural light from the sash windows – so that the original shutters and decorative arched frames could be revealed. The windows are now dressed with simple blinds or light curtains. At the same time, Sophie and her team created a colour scheme for each room, replacing the dark reds used previously with gentle

2 1

SITTING ROOM Delicate hints of brushed gold and teal bring sophistication to the neutral colour palette.

Gio pendant light with silk shades, £2,124, CTO Lighting. Bespoke rug, Riviere Rugs. Try Chesneys for a similar woodburning stove. Bespoke chairs, Sophie Peckett Design

3

2

ENTRANCE HALL The parquet flooring is original to the property, as are the glazed front door and decorative cornice work, all of which have been carefully restored.

Circles églomisé and gilded iron console table, made to order, Jonathan Charles.

Miro chandelier, £2,406, Porta Romana

3

DINING ROOM To increase the feeling of space and bring a touch of subtle glamour, the wall either side of the fireplace is clad in antiqued mirror.

Saligo Design has bespoke antiqued mirror glass.

Chinois Palais wallpaper in Grisaille, £799.20 for a 3.65m roll, Schumacher.

Quill napkin rings, £25 each, LuxDeco

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KITCHEN Cabinetry painted in a dramatic blue-black pops against the lighter walls and worktops, adding definition to the space.

Bespoke cabinetry, Chiselwood. Cabinetry painted in Basalt flat oil eggshell, £32 for 1L, Little Greene. The Branching Bubble chandelier, priced to order, Lindsey Adelman, has this look. Bespoke dining chairs, Sophie Peckett Design

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ENTRANCE HALL A stair runner draws the eye upwards, accentuating the grand proportions.

Bespoke stair runner, Hartley & Tissier

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DECOR ATING ADVICE ‘Keep it simple and keep it light – in my experience, less is often so much better than more’

neutral tones. ‘The house suddenly felt so much more open and welcoming, compared with the rather oppressive feel it had before,’ says Richard.

The focus of the ground floor is a spacious sitting room with highlights of teal and brushed brass. The ‘tiny’ gas fire has been replaced by a woodburning stove, which turns the fireplace into more of a focal point, while plenty of comfortable seating, cushions and throws make for an inviting space. ‘It feels homely, yet elegant,’ says Richard of the room where he likes to relax and entertain family and friends. ‘I love the way the decoration is now subtle and calm, so that it allows the beauty of the original cornice work and the bay window to shine through,’ says Richard.

While the decor of each room is different – from the soft glamour of the dining room to the dark blue of the kitchen cabinetry and the fresh greens chosen as accents in the guest bedroom – the overall look is united by a sense of quiet sophistication throughout. ‘Sophie and her team were so clever at seeing the house as a blank canvas and helping us inject some personality into it,’ says Richard.

Richard has essentially retained the layout he inherited when he bought the house, except for the main bedroom suite, which now includes a dressing room, created by ‘stealing’ some space from an adjoining bedroom. The en suite has also been made to feel a little more generous by blocking off a door to the landing.

The original parquet flooring has been restored and makes a wonderful backdrop to other features, such as the marble fireplaces and servants’ bells in the kitchen (Richard was lucky to chance upon a bell in a local antiques shop to replace a missing one and complete the set). ‘The whole project has been about allowing the character of the house to reveal itself again,’ he says. ‘The rooms feel spacious and light, as I imagine they did when the house was first built, and it’s great to be able to enjoy them afresh now.

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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MAIN BEDROOM Richard’s life is busy, so he wanted a serene and relaxing sanctuary – metal detailing and geometric fabric were chosen to provide a masculine edge.

Headboard upholstered in Velours Raphael, £180m, Nobilis. Salperton lamps, £894 each, Porta Romana.

Cushions and throw, from a selection, Evitavonni

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MAIN EN SUITE The vanity unit has storage to keep surfaces clutterfree, with the wall-hung design enhancing the sense of space in the room.

For a wall-hung vanity unit like this, try Union, from £1,195, Crosswater. Formoso wash basin, £379, Clearwater Baths, would work

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LUCY’S BEDROOM Lucy’s room is inspired by classic silver-screen glamour, with neon lighting and luxurious fabrics.

White Hanging Monkey light, £260; for a similar neon light, try Neon Love light, from £37.50, both Graham and Green

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HALL This practical space has been neatly arranged to double as a boot room.

Bramley storage unit, £550, Laura Ashley

INSPIRING

SOFT TOUCH

By simply updating their picturesque home with subtle colour and vintage styling, Catherine and Tony Kenna-Dawe have managed to enhance its natural character and charm FEATURE HAZEL DOLAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BRENT DARBY

home truths THE PROPERTY Grade II-listed semi-detached estate cottage L O C AT I O N County Durham R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen, conservatory/dining room, utility room, three bedrooms, bathroom, shower room P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘The last house we lived in was only 20 years old,’ says Catherine.

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atherine and Tony Kenna-Dawe’s farewell visit to a friend who was moving abroad turned into a life-changing opportunity when she suggested they take a stroll around her village. ‘We were saying how much we’d love to live here,’ says Catherine, ‘when the previous owners of this cottage happened to overhear us. They had the estate agent coming that morning and were setting up for the photos. They invited us in there and then, and as soon as I stepped inside, I said: “I want it!”. We passed the agent on the way out and said: “We beat you to it!”.’

It is easy to see why the couple decided to snap it up. The Victorian cottage in County Durham was built for estate workers at the nearby castle and has masses of period charm. Inside, the open fireplace

and wooden floors give the property a welcoming glow while the rambling layout and high ceilings reveal it to be far larger than initial appearances suggest.

In fact, the cottage was so nearly perfect, it left Catherine with a dilemma. She was itching to put her stamp on her first country home, but in many ways the sellers’ taste matched her own. ‘To be honest, we just loved what we moved into,’ she says.

With radical alterations ruled out, Catherine looked at each of the rooms, working out ways to fine tune them. She kept the essence of what the previous owners had done but made a few of her own key changes, which suited their own more pared-back style.

One of the features the couple loved most upstairs was the sloping ceilings and

SITTING ROOM Rich woods add warmth to the neutral backdrop, while a rough-hewn timber mantel and vintage ceramics (above left) add an informal touch.

Plain Stripe wallpaper, £64 a roll, Farrow & Ball. French farmhouse

sideboard, £447.15, Oak Furnitureland.

Shutters, price on application, Thomas Sanderson. Bespoke mantelpiece, Rustic Wood ’n’ Things.

Sherlock armchair, from £450, Next Home. For a similar footstool, try La Maison Chic, £35.50

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KITCHEN Handsome cast-iron accessories and white china complement the colour theme of this rustic-styled kitchen, which boasts a walk-in pantry.

Cabinetry painted in

Cornforth White eggshell, £25 per 750ml, Farrow & Ball.

Vintage pine flooring, £39.99sq m, Karndean.

Antler pendant light, £125, Next Home.

Vintage egg basket, £14, Busy Bee Studio

C O N S E RVATO RY The couple turned this light-filled room into a comfortable dining area.

Tavern dining chairs, £99 for two (painted

by Catherine), John Lewis & Partners. For a similar rattan sofa, try Tuscany, £730, Candle and Blue. Twig heart wreath, £28; crown, £6; both Busy Bee Studio

l i s t e d c o t tag e | 25bh

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future plans ‘Previous owners swapped the full-sized bath for a smaller one. It’s a clever use of space, but I like a bath, so I’m tempted to change it back’ windows tucked into the eaves. The first task was to remove the striped wallpaper in 10-year-old Ella’s bedroom and paint the walls in a pretty, fresh grey and soft white, which make the most of the room’s unusual shape and the play of shadows. ‘Ella has the bigger room partly because of all her toys, but also because we like to be at the rear of the house, to overlook the allotments and hear the church bells,’ Catherine explains.

In the kitchen, their choice of cooler greys has opened up the space. Stripping away a false overmantel to reveal the original weathered oak lintel created a focal point, which Catherine has enhanced by painting a block of richer grey behind it. ‘I love greys and green-ish whites,’ she says, ‘but I like to play with darker colours as well.’ She has also swapped the different coloured tiles for a simple run of palest grey-green metro ones, which make the room feel more streamlined.

To continue the modern-country look, the couple kept the pine floorboards, neat shutters and elegant, broad-striped wallpaper, FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

which frames the bay window in the sitting room, adding a slim oak mantel to the fireplace and choosing vintage-style wooden furniture and a cosy sofa and armchair. ‘I was quite worried about whether our sofa would fit,’ says Catherine. ‘It was such a relief when it did, and in fact, the larger scale really suits the room.’ In keeping with their home’s relaxed look, Catherine and Tony have gathered an eclectic array of furniture and accessories. ‘I love our oak table in the conservatory,’ says Catherine. ‘It came from a local antiques shop, but I’ll look anywhere for something with character, or I’ll paint what I already have, such as the rush-seated chairs that go with it.’

Village life suits the family – they have signed up for a community allotment, which backs onto their garden, and enjoy country walks with their Golden Retriever, Bailey.

As for the cottage, it is as welcoming inside as the exterior suggests. ‘I can’t imagine leaving it now,’ says Catherine. ‘When we moved in, I felt like I was on holiday and that feeling hasn’t gone away.’ `

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E L L A’ S BEDROOM Plain walls show off the shape and character of this top-floor room.

Eliza bed frame, £750, Laura Ashley, is a good alternative. Barn star, £28, Busy Bee Studio

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B AT H R O O M Rustic glazed tiles and Edwardian-style fittings suit the period feel of the property.

Craquele wall tiles, £29.99sq m, Tile Mountain, are similar.

Fitzrovia pedestal basin, £300, Fired Earth. Stone head, £12, Busy Bee Studio

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MAIN BEDROOM Catherine has used gentle shades of chalky and greytoned white to give the bedroom a light and airy feel, and to draw the eye to the pretty window.

Cranford bed frame, £1,025, Laura Ashley, has a similar look to this one. Angel Capiz chandelier, £45, Dunelm, is comparable to Catherine’s. These Hungarian grain sack cushions were bought at the Lincolnshire Antiques & Home Show, find similar at Ian Mankin, £40 each

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Rich pickings A dark and dramatic colour palette has created the perfect backdrop for Stephen and Kevin Gowland-Mahon’s vintage treasures FEATURE KAREN WILSON | PHOTOGRAPHY FIONA WALKER-ARNOTT

p e r i o d t e r r ac e | 25bh

UNIQUE

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace L O C AT I O N West Yorkshire R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, music room/study, three bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved here from a smaller, three-storey cottage, which we refurbished,’ says Stephen.

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aving lived in Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco properties, Stephen and Kevin Gowland-Mahon were certain their next home would also have period features. The couple had most recently renovated a cottage in the West Yorkshire market town of Hebden Bridge and were looking for somewhere larger to call home.

So when the pair came across a four-storey Victorian house in a nearby village, they were instantly sold on it. ‘It was an equal commute for our jobs, with easy access to Leeds and Manchester,’ says Stephen. ‘And there are some really amazing countryside walks for our four dogs.’

The house was a blank canvas, having been painted throughout in a pale grey shade called Blackened by Farrow & Ball.

‘Although I’m a Farrow & Ball devotee, I’m more a fan of dark interiors,’ Stephen explains. ‘However, we wanted to take our time to get things right so we waited six months before redecorating.’

After getting a better feel for the house, it was Kevin who actually picked all the new colours. ‘We started with a dark blue on the walls and woodwork in our music room-cum-study,’ says Stephen. ‘But the house gets lighter the higher up you go.

If we’re ever unsure about a colour, we paint one wall with an affordable version to see if we can live with it first. Then if we decide to go for it, it acts as a good base.’

The biggest transformation has been in the basement kitchen-diner. ‘It was entirely

SITTING ROOM

‘The round velvet cushion on the sofa was the starting point for the Oriental look in here,’ says Stephen. ‘I found the cabinet and the parasol in our local charity shop.’ The vintage drinks trolley (far left) was picked up in France.

The Secret Letter round cushion, £75, Wild Rice Designs. Emma J Shipley giraffe cushion, £95, Liberty. Brampton sofa in Oscar velvet teal green, £1,000, Tetrad.

The Astoria Grand tea trolley, £89.99, Wayfair, has a similar look. Timeless TML02 Olive rug, from £899, Modern Rugs, would suit this space. The Red Bird Oriental fountain mirror, £231.28, Turnbull & Thomas, is a good alternative

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25bh | p e r i o d te r r ac e

KITCHEN

Having the existing units painted and replacing the knobs has given the room a whole new look.

Units painted in Brinjal and Studio Green estate eggshell, both £60 for 2.5L; walls painted in Green Smoke estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, all Farrow & Ball

DINING AREA

The wallpaper and sofa ensure this space has a cosy, lived-in feel.

Ubud Palm wallpaper, £60 a roll, Graham & Brown. The Chesterfield London antique leather sofa in Oxblood, £612.89, DesignerSofas4U, has this look.

Faunacation lampshade, £250, Divine Savages

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white when we moved in,’ recalls Stephen.

‘We had a dalliance with yellow on the walls, but it didn’t really work so we settled on a dark green and aubergine colour scheme, and painted the existing units.’

Although the couple tried to stick to a decorating budget for each room, Stephen admits he was more relaxed when it came to furnishing the house. ‘It’s whatever catches my eye,’ he says. ‘The price isn’t important – if a piece is right, it’s right.’ That doesn’t mean he overlooked bargains, though. ‘Lots of our furniture is either vintage, antique or revamped, and our dining table and six chairs cost only £80 from a charity shop.’

Over the past three years, each room has developed organically. Often a theme will emerge, such as religious iconography in the music room, taxidermy, feathers and Oriental oddments in the sitting room and regal figures from history in the main bedroom. ‘Kevin and I got rid of all our furniture before we moved in, so we had to start from scratch,’ explains Stephen. ‘I believe each house has its own personality and needs to tell its own story. I do have some pangs of regret, however, as I now realise a few of the pieces we gave away would have looked beautiful here.’

Stephen and Kevin share very similar tastes, but Kevin is better at unearthing hidden treasures. ‘He has an amazing eye,’ says Stephen. ‘He can walk into a brocante

in France and find the most amazing pictures under piles of absolute rubbish, whereas I do a quick sweep and think there’s nothing there.’

Attempting to sum up Stephen and Kevin’s style isn’t easy as it’s inspired by a myriad of eras and genres. ‘Our look has been described as vintage luxe, and one good friend once called it a mix between a Victorian seance and a bordello,’ laughs Stephen. ‘I’d probably describe it as country living with a twist. I certainly can’t do minimalism, though. I tried it once, but everything crept back in.’

Having moved home many times, the couple now plan to stay put until they retire.

‘Eventually, we’d love to move to the Loire region of France,’ says Stephen. ‘It’s very similar to where we are now as it’s a farming community, so we feel very at home there.’

In the meantime, they’re still planning some minor tweaks to the house’s decor, such as replacing the carpets with painted wood flooring and adding wallpaper to the front guest bedroom. They may even turn the top floor, currently a dressing room, into a master bedroom complete with en suite.

It’s clear that Stephen and Kevin are more confident than ever in their decorating choices. ‘I feel our style has become more honest rather than just following what’s in vogue,’ Stephen concludes. ‘It’s much more reflective of our personalities now.’

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

MAIN BEDROOM

The prints are from a 19th-century portfolio of English duchesses and they dictated the monochrome scheme.

Passepartout Trees wallpaper by Rasch, £15.99 a roll, World of Wallpaper

GUEST BEDROOM

‘I adore the tapestry behind the bed, and it cost just £2 from a charity shop,’ Stephen enthuses.

For similar curtain fabric, try Festin Bordeaux 534, £7.99m, Terrys Fabrics

BATHROOM

Traditional-style fittings and modern art add character.

Gold Lips print by Stephen Potter, £100, Flat Space Art

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FROM THE MAKERS OF BRITAIN’S BESTSELLING HOMES MAGAZINE

VISIT US TODAY!

STYLE IDEAS & DECORATING TIPS GORGEOUS REAL HOMES PRACTICAL PROJECT ADVICE

v i c to r i a n te r r ac e | 25bh

LESS IS MORE A huge clear-out and a considered colour scheme made all the difference in Rachel Forster’s fun and functional family home FEATURE JACKY PARKER PHOTOGRAPHY BILL KINGSTON

INSPIRING

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace L O C AT I O N East London R O O M S Sitting room, dining room, kitchen, music room, five bedrooms, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2006 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving to this house, we lived above my office in Shoreditch,’ says Rachel.

KITCHEN

‘We’re not minimalists, so we wanted open shelving to have things on show and accessible,’ says Rachel.

Integra kitchen, from £3,962 for an eight-unit design, Magnet. 606 Universal shelving system, from £568, Vitsoe

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SITTING ROOM

Pink and yellow are combined to great effect.

Saturday sofa, from £585, Sofa.com. Benni deep-pile wool rug, from £330, Rockett St George

MUSIC ROOM

A dark backdrop allows favourite framed artworks and family heirlooms to stand out.

Hague Blue estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball, is a match

DINING ROOM

Bright orange on part of one wall creates a fun colourblock effect.

Feature wall painted in Charlotte’s Locks estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Beat pendant, £325, Tom Dixon

Maximising space is all in a day’s work for interior designer Rachel Forster. Never more so than when putting the principles into practice in her own home, which she shares with partner, Simon, an e-learning consultant, and their three children, Jude, 19, Evie, 11, and Tess, eight.

Since moving into the three-bedroom Victorian terrace 12 years ago, the family and their possessions had increased. ‘I was pregnant with Evie when we moved here,’ says Rachel. ‘What appealed was its opportunities for expansion and, although it wasn’t decorated to our taste, it was perfectly habitable.’

Two years after moving in, the couple embarked on the first phase of renovations: ripping out the old kitchen, a downstairs shower and toilet, knocking through to create the dining room, and installing bifold glass doors to the garden.

‘We wanted the kitchen to be a central point with dining areas inside and out, as we like to entertain,’ says Rachel. ‘Our New Year’s Eve parties have become quite legendary, with guests staying over and leaving a few days later.’

Fast-forward eight years and the couple’s two daughters were eager to have a room each. Rachel and Simon also wanted a study/guest room and better storage. As the second phase involved converting the loft, Rachel suggested the family go through their belongings and clear out what they didn’t need.

‘I wanted everything to have its place,’ she says. ‘Not in a fanatical sense, just in a practical way, so we don’t waste time looking for things when we could be doing fun stuff.’

Already applying these ideas in her design practice, Rachel was further inspired to set up SortedLondon, a de-cluttering service, with her friend Becky Fountain. ‘I’d read Marie

v i c to r i a n te r r ac e | 25bh EVIE’S BEDROOM

Rachel painted a chalkboard in the alcove so Evie could express her creativity. A huge rug covers the plywood floor.

Afaw Berber-style rug, from £99, La Redoute

BATHROOM

Green mosaic tiles and vintage enamelware create a traditional feel.

Forest mosaic tiles, £63.37sq m, Topps Tiles.

Round leather strap mirror, £49.99, H&M Home

MAIN BEDROOM

LESSON LEARNT ‘Curating your

belongings gives them value. It’s made us buy fewer pieces, while freeing up space’

Rachel has created a striking headboard effect using paint.

Type 75 desk lamp, from £160, Anglepoise. Find a comparable print, from £75, at Dandy Star

Kondo’s book, The Life-changing Magic of Tidying, and what resonated most was the “what do you keep, rather than, what do you throw” ethos,’ says Rachel. ‘That way, the things you don’t want make themselves obvious, so it’s easy to let them go.’

The couple opted to locate the girls’ bedrooms and a second bathroom in the loft space, rather than make it a master suite, as is often the choice. ‘We kept our bedroom and turned the girls’ former bedroom into a study and guest room, so we could work from home and have family to stay,’ explains Rachel.

With the new layout in place, all that was needed was a cohesive colour scheme to tie the house together. At the start of the project, Rachel and Simon created a mood board that included words such as ‘playful’, ‘simple’, ‘history’ and ‘character’ to describe how they wanted their home to feel, alongside photos of inspiring rooms. ‘We chose the palette in a day,’ she says. ‘We walked round the house with our paint swatches and decided where the colours would go.’

Although vibrant, the schemes feel calm and relaxed, which is down to Rachel’s considered approach to applying colour, repeating shades in different rooms but using them in varying ways, such as colourblocking or painting up to picture rails. ‘We retained pieces that we love and picked colours that work with them,’ says Rachel. ‘Our home echoes our personalities, doesn’t take itself too seriously and feels very comfortable.’

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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MODERN MOVE

REPLANNED

Martin Holland and Mark Walters embarked on a creative makeover to bring contemporary style to their period home FEATURE ANNABELLE GRUNDY | PHOTOGRAPHY COLIN POOLE

home truths THE PROPERTY Semi-detached home, built in 1900 L O C AT I O N Nottingham R O O M S Hall, sitting/dining room, kitchen, snug, three bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2009 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘This house is our first together,’ says Martin.

DINING AREA With no original ceiling rose, Martin and Mark built their own modern interpretation using flexi-ply. Its simple shape is the perfect foil for the chandelier, which hangs above the table defining the dining space.

Elegance six-light shaded chandelier, £97.99, Wayfair, is similar. Try the Loop Leg dining chair in Stone, £119, Dwell.

Radar table, £299, John Lewis & Partners, has this look. Interior design, MartinMark Design

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rom the outside, Martin Holland and Mark Walters’ red-brick semi looks just like its neighbouring properties – however, take a step through the front door and the similarities end. Together, the couple have rearranged the space, knocked down walls and installed their own striking design innovations, turning an ordinary house into a unique home.

‘While house hunting, we weren’t looking for a particular type,’ says Martin. ‘We like different periods and styles, so it was all about the potential to create something interesting and individual.’ They viewed several options before spotting the perfect property – a Victorian semi on a quiet street. The house was under offer, but a few weeks later the sale fell through, so the couple snapped it up. ‘We wanted a project, and this was ideal,’ says Martin. ‘The house was liveable, but needed a complete overhaul.’

Apart from the recently refurbished bathroom, the rooms were bare, and the only remaining period feature was some cornicing in the hall and sitting room. The kitchen was damp, the floors were mismatched, the windows draughty and the decor throughout was thoroughly old-fashioned.

During the weeks it took to secure the property, Martin and Mark, who together run MartinMark Design, fine-tuned their ideas, forming an ambitious plan to carry out a wall-to-wall redesign in each room. ‘We were aiming for an open-plan feel, with

SITTING AREA The cut-out shelving integrated into the wall and geometric mirror enhance the contemporary feel. The space lacked a fireplace, so Martin and Mark created a wraparound feature incorporating a gas fire and storage.

Verona corner sofa, £1,799; Blocks mirror, £299, both Dwell. Barcelona leather chair, £799.95, Furnwise. Vindum rug, from £80, Ikea. Feature walls painted in Salisbury Stones 2 paint-mixing flat matt, £27.56 for 2.5L, Dulux

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25bh | p e r i o d d e tac h e d plenty of light,’ says Martin. ‘We wanted a blend of classic and contemporary, but there had to be a unique edge.’

Once the pair had moved in, the wall between the sitting room and dining room was demolished, the kitchen was ripped out and exterior walls were knocked through, ready for glass doors to be fitted in the dining area and kitchen. The patchwork of flooring downstairs was replaced with unifying dark-stained timber floorboards. This was a major job, as it involved removing all the skirting boards and raising sections of the floor to achieve a consistent level. ‘For about six months there was dust everywhere, and it was dirty, messy and cold,’ says Martin.

Over a period of three years, the rooms were replastered, redecorated and rearranged.

As the smallest bedroom was surplus to requirements, Martin and Mark turned it into a snug, complete with TV and music systems. They also took the opportunity to create contemporary structural features, such as the angular, suspended ceiling that houses the kitchen lighting, the integrated storage and cladding around the fireplace in the sitting area, and the modern ceiling rose and textural wall panelling in the dining area.

One of their most creative additions is a double-sided display area set into the wall between the hall and the sitting area. The hall was narrow and dark, and the pair wanted to increase the natural light without completely sacrificing the dividing wall. Their solution

HALL A simple but effective display features a trio of mirrors and a picture ledge.

‘Mirrors are fantastic for increasing light,’ says Martin. ‘We like using groups of three – it’s balanced and has more impact than a single item.’

Dipre round wall mirror with leather strap, £94.99, My Furniture, is similar.

Mosslanda picture ledge, £9, Ikea KITCHEN Enthusiastic cooks Martin and Mark designed their kitchen with functionality in mind. Workspace and storage were priorities and they chose keenly priced units, leaving room in their budget for walnut worktops and quality appliances.

Handleless kitchen, from around £1,042 for eight units, Homebase, is a good match. Try the walnut worktop, from £240 for 3m, Worktop Express

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SNUG A spare bedroom has been turned into an additional sitting space, but it could easily be restored to its original use with the addition of a stud wall, if required in the future.

Indulgence Shaggy rug, £199, Dunelm. Try Malmo right-hand corner sofa, £1,995, Dwell.

Soprana Cone cluster pendant, £143.88, The Lighting Company, is similar

LESSON LEARNT

‘Measure access for furniture carefully. We discovered too late that a section of our corner sofa wouldn’t go up the stairs. We brought it in through the window, but it was touch-and-go’

25bh | p e r i o d d e tac h e d was to knock a hole in the wall and fill it with open shelves, letting light spill into the hall, while keeping the two spaces separate.

‘Removing the bricks was nerve-wracking,’ says Martin. ‘A concrete lintel supports the hole, but we worried the original cornicing on either side of the gap might collapse.’

Maximising light was a driving factor behind many design choices. Internal pine doors were replaced with timber-framed glass options, and glazed doors to the garden were added in the kitchen and dining area. The kitchen is fitted with white gloss cabinets, offset by wooden flooring and surfaces. The decor, too, lends the interior a bright yet inviting feel, with light-reflecting chrome accessories and mirrors set against woollen blankets and cushions in muted hues.

The newly plastered rooms were painted white, after which Martin and Mark began investing in key pieces of furniture and selectively adding colour. ‘We’re keen on the neutral look, as long as it isn’t bland,’ says Martin. ‘We’ve used taupe on a couple of walls in the living area and the white really lifts it, and we’ve added texture with furniture, cushions, throws and rugs.’

Transforming their home has taken much of Martin and Mark’s spare time, energy and money, but the two have relished the chance to develop their ideas and hone their skills. ‘It’s been a huge learning curve, but we’ve loved it,’ says Martin. ‘We’ve created the home we always wanted.’

MAIN BEDROOM This tranquil room is decorated in shades of grey and layered with different fabrics for texture and depth.

An oversized buttoned headboard complements the sumptuous look, while a perimeter lighting feature adds a designer touch to the ceiling.

Emilia deep-buttoned bed, from £2,180, And So To Bed, is similar. Try the Owen grey bedspread, from £44, Dunelm B AT H R O O M Martin and Mark have kept the bathroom that was in the house when they moved in, as it had recently been upgraded. ‘We thought about changing it, but as it was in such good condition, it just didn’t make financial sense,’ says Martin.

The Bath Co Hoxton oak washstand, £223.20, Victoria Plum, has this look.

Try the Premier Ella Quadrant shower enclosure, £165.77, Bella Bathrooms

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FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

EST. 1920

®

NEW RANGE OF FURNITURE, LIGHTING & ACCESSORIES now available at

V E R Y. C O . U K

DISTINCTIVE

home truths

EXTERIOR

Sebastien designed the front door. The metalwork was made in steel, then dipped in bronze.

Railings exterior eggshell is a match for the door colour, £67 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

THE PROPERTY Detached bungalow, built in the Sixties L O C AT I O N East Sussex R O O M S Hall, sitting room/ kitchen-diner, music room, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, steam room P U R C H A S E D 2010 PREVIOUS HOME ‘Before moving here, we lived in a four-storey Victorian villa in Hastings,’ says Alexa.

KITCHEN

The budget cabinets were upgraded with a zinc worktop made by Sebastien.

White Metro tiles, £29.50sq m, Topps Tiles. Steampunk vintage leather and iron bicycle pedal bar stools are a match, £180 each, Woodpecker Interiors

California dreaming Alexa and Sebastien Haywood turned an uninspiring Sixties chalet into a West Coast-inspired home for themselves and their eclectic collections FEATURE MANDI MILLAR | PHOTOGRAPHER FIONA WALKER-ARNOTT

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s i x ti e s b u n g a l ow | 25bh

A

lexa and Sebastien Haywood love to shake things up – not least when they decided to swap their fourstorey Victorian villa for a bland bungalow overlooking a wilderness in East Sussex. ‘Our last house was too large for us, and not really practical,’ says Alexa. ‘So when a friend told us about this property, we viewed it, instantly loved it and were able to buy it in a private sale, saving us a lot of hassle.

‘In truth, we didn’t particularly care about the house when we bought it,’ continues Alexa. ‘For us, it was all about the views.’

However, the attraction of the landscape was not immediately obvious, as the bungalow had been built into a hillside, with two of its elevations facing retaining walls. The side with the best views was to the rear, boxed in by overgrown hedges. Despite its

potential, the house could not have been further in style from the light-filled West Coast homes Alexa had enjoyed during her childhood spent in the United States.

‘The maze of dark rooms and textured walls didn’t bother us, as they could be knocked through,’ explains Alexa. ‘We planned to take out every internal wall and redesign the space, maximising the views. We wanted to reverse the layout, too, so the front of the house faced the landscape, and relocate the main access to that side.

We also wanted to replace as many of the walls as we could with glass, without affecting the building’s energy efficiency.’

With plans afoot, the couple moved into the property soon after they bought it in June 2010, and took Sebastien’s careful drawings of their ideas to an architect. ‘We needed three small extensions – 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019 | 119

2

1 1 HALL This space offers a hint of the Aladdin’s cave to come.

For a Rococo-style mirror, try Exclusive Mirrors’ large gold gilt design, £563.18 2 MUSIC ROOM A classic Eames lounge chair and matching footstool, which Sebastien’s father bought many years ago, enjoy pride of place.

The cowhide two-drawer unit, €990, Royal Art Palace, is comparable to this console. Heat intelligent matt emulsion is a similar paint colour, £48.50 for 2.5L, Little Greene

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3 SITTING ROOM The couple rescued these striped chairs from a skip and gave them a new lease of life with deckchair upholstery.

For similar fabric, try Bowling, £28m, The Stripes Company. Try the Sao Paulo chair, £429, Maisons du Monde. Ooty kilim cushions are similar, from £29 each, Myakka 4 SHOWER ROOM Deep purple walls and glinting accents create a moody scheme.

Walls painted in Purple Tulip elite emulsion, £52 for 2.5L, Zoffany. See Heritage Victoria single console basin, £550, QS Supplies

one to accommodate a larger kitchen, another to create a porch on the new front exterior, and a bathroom,’ says Alexa. ‘The builders demolished the internal walls and reconfigured the entire layout so the house was turned around, ensuring the best views could be enjoyed from the main rooms. We lived in the house throughout which, with hindsight, was a mistake, given the mess. At times it felt like we barely had a corner to sleep in, and we ate out a lot!’

At last, with the new floorplan in place, the couple could start arranging their eclectic collection of furniture and objets. ‘We’d measured the main pieces before we started, to make sure the space would accommodate them,’ says Alexa. ‘It was important for us to be able to have the things we love around us, such as Sebastien’s father’s old Eames chair and an antique bed from his mother’s house in Normandy.’ Complementing these heirloom pieces is an array

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of quirky collectables, from a cowhide sideboard and a digitised Old Master print to a red acrylic dog in wellies.

The process was not all plain sailing, though. ‘Sebastien ended up with a concrete horse’s head in the car for a week until he could find someone to help him carry it into the house, because it was so heavy,’ recalls Alexa. ‘And a large sliding glass door that leads onto the deck was delivered three times before the right one arrived.’

Now happily settled in their hillside hideaway, the Haywoods are finally enjoying the beauty, drama and unbridled fun of the home they have created. ‘Our inspiration came from the amazing properties on the West Coast of America, and my aim was to capture the carefree and joyful essence of Californian style,’ says Alexa. ‘But I think we’ve managed to achieve the best of both worlds here in our own little corner of England.’

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5 MAIN BEDROOM Sebastien made the butterfly art for Alexa’s 50th birthday by mounting 50 of them in Perspex.

For a similar piece of art, try the 26x36in butterfly case, £1,379.39, Natureartbutterflies at Etsy.

Avalon pillows in Ecru/Gris, £660 each, Hermés

7 LANDING A compact antique cabinet and a glinting metallic table lamp create an interesting pause point under the sloping ceiling.

Amber Art Deco sideboard with brass inlay is similar, £399, Atkin & Thyme. Try the MiniSun Camden copper lamp, £20, Valuelights

6 GUEST SUITE ‘This lace pendant transforms the room when the light is switched on at night,’ says Alexa.

The fretwork globe pendant is similar, £44.99, Wayfair. Etsy sells antique mirrored candelabra wall sconces, from £280

8 GUEST BEDROOM The chunky yellow blanket lends a comforting feel to this modern art-filled space.

Digby throw is a match, £200, Lauren Aston Designs. Take a look at the Barbican Estate pop art print, from £29 (unframed), Limelace

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FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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p e r i o d te r r ac e | 25bh

C A P I TA L G A I N S

A clever spatial reconfiguration has resulted in a well-proportioned, family-friendly interior in Abby and Chris Hollins’ city home FEATURE JACKY PARKER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIFRÉ DE PERAY

SITTING ROOM Neutral tones are punctuated with brass accents for an air of glamour and sophistication.

Walls painted in Slate V pure flat emulsion, £48.50 for 2.5L, Paint & Paper Library. Channels Copper rug, from £1,729, The Rug Company.

Eichholtz Harvey coffee table, £2,765, Sweetpea & Willow

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REPLANNED

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian end-of-terrace L O C AT I O N West London R O O M S Sitting room, kitchendiner, utility room, cloakroom, five bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom, shower room P U R C H A S E D 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a new-build flat in Manchester before moving to London,’ says Abby.

A

KITCHEN As this space benefits from plenty of natural light, Abby and Chris were able to be brave with their colour choices.

Cabinetry painted in Deep Green Blue Grey interior eggshell, £60 for 2.5L, Marston & Langinger. Lillian bar stools, £59.99 each, Wayfair

bby Hollins did not expect to move to London and be able to have a house with a garden and room for guests.

Having relocated from Manchester to the capital with her husband, Chris, and their two children, Jackson, now five, and Isla, four, Abby was drawn to Chiswick for its village feel. ‘We couldn’t find a completed home in our budget,’ she says.

‘Instead, we looked at properties that could be developed.’

The couple asked their friend, Felix Milns of design and build firm Zulufish to look at a three-bedroom Victorian house. ‘Felix got really excited when he saw this place,’ says Abby. ‘It’s end of terrace, on a corner and hadn’t been extended, so there was plenty of scope to create something special, which encouraged us to go for it.’ Abby and Chris wanted to take their time and get their home right, so 124 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

they moved in before starting work. ‘That helped, as the way we lived soon became apparent,’ says Abby. ‘The garden was at the front and the gate opened onto the road, so we couldn’t let Jackson out on his own. The kitchen was tiny but had a utility room, which I loved. We quickly realised which rooms we’d spend most time in.’

Abby and Chris also loved the large kitchen-diner and family space that Felix and his wife, fellow designer Caroline Milns, had created in their home. This helped them formulate their ideas and, once the pair knew what they wanted, Felix reconfigured the layout of their home, increasing the volume of the interior by half, and submitted the planning applications. The ground floor was extended to the side and rear into the wedge-shaped garden, the floor was lowered to increase the ceiling height, the staircase moved and the

p e r i o d t e r r ac e | 25bh

favo u r i t e f e at u r e ‘The patchwork parquet flooring is brilliant.

I love how it looks and it’s great at withstanding scooters and pushchairs’

MAIN BEDROOM When closed, the doors to the en suite perfectly match the bank of wardrobes.

Bespoke wardrobes, from £7,800, HUX-London, painted in Pearl Ashes eggshell, £55 for 2.5L, Fired Earth

CHILDRENS’ BEDROOM The gentle grey backdrop is boosted with pastel blue linens and accessories.

Classic single bed, £375, The Little White Company

front door relocated into the middle of the side elevation, opening up into a panelled entryway. ‘Having the front door in the centre is a revelation,’ says Abby. ‘It’s increased the floor space and allowed us to have a utility room and concealed storage in the hall, as well as the large kitchen-diner and an enclosed garden. We were able to have 60 people here for Isla’s fourth birthday party.’

With their extended families in Liverpool and Manchester, the couple wanted to be able to accommodate guests, particularly the children’s grandmothers. Zulufish was able to create two guest bedrooms and a shower room in the loft space. ‘We knew our mums would be frequent visitors,’ says Abby. ‘So being able to convert the loft into a guest suite was a dream come true.’ Caroline encouraged the couple to create Pinterest boards so they could visualise a design FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

scheme throughout the interior. Images of Crittall windows kept reoccurring, along with concrete, steel and leather. ‘Things get spilled in this house, so we wanted hard-wearing surfaces where marks would either not to be noticeable or add character,’ says Abby.

‘The kitchen had to be durable, as we both love cooking, so that relaxed, urban, industrial look really appeals for practical reasons, too.’

During the 10-month renovation, the family stayed in a shortterm let and also with friends. ‘We were living out of suitcases – I’d buy toys from charity shops, then drop them off again when it was time to move on,’ recalls Abby. ‘It’s surprising how little you can learn to live with. So to move here and have this space and the ability to entertain family and friends is amazing. We knew it would be good, but we didn’t realise just how good.’

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SITTING ROOM ‘I spent many lunchtimes at work searching online for the perfect yellow sofa,’ says Helena. ‘It contrasts so well with the rich blue armchairs.’

Young Bean sofa, £2,345; Low Jinks coffee table, £375, both Loaf. Try the Orson armchair, £399, Made.com. Fabrikor glazed cabinets, £140 each, Ikea

HERE TO STAY After years of developing properties, Helena Cervenkova and Shaun Wynne Jones were persuaded to put down roots in a beautifully intact period property FEATURE AND STYLING ANNA TOBIN | PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH

INSPIRING

home truths THE PROPERTY Edwardian semi-detached house L O C AT I O N Hertfordshire R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, snug, cloakroom, five bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before, we lived in a Fifties house nearby,’ says Helena.

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efurbishing properties and selling them on had become all in a day’s work for Helena Cervenkova and her partner, Shaun Wynne Jones. However, when it came to this Edwardian semi-detached in Hertfordshire, the couple were determined to stay put for a while.

‘The only reason we could afford this house was because we had done up and then quickly sold a few houses beforehand,’ says Helena. ‘All of those project properties had been decorated in a very white and neutral way but, knowing that we would be staying here for longer, we looked for a house that we could really make feel like home.’

Having grown up in Slovakia, where historic properties are rare, Helena says she is naturally drawn to the character and provenance of English period architecture.

‘I wasn’t set on a particular era when we were house hunting,’ she says. ‘We looked at Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian houses, but I loved the feeling of space that this house had when we viewed it for the first time. Then, when we saw that it had many intact original features, a spacious main KITCHEN Sticking to a simple palette and minimising clutter provides a clear view to the garden.

Studio Cream units are similar, price on request, Magnet. Manhattan bar stool is a match, £69.99, Atlantic Shopping. Walls painted in All White estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball DINING AREA A round table creates an intimate setting.

The Clear Edition Santani Mobili tower table is comparable, £80.95, Wellindal. Deswin chairs with cushion are similar, £37.90 each, MyFaktory

bedroom and a south-facing garden, we knew it was the one for us.’

The house was dated, but structurally sound, so the couple moved straight in and got to work on the cosmetic alterations. ‘It was liveable, but it wasn’t our style,’ says Helena. ‘The walls were all papered differently so there was pattern everywhere.’

With the help of a builder friend, the walls were replastered, new flooring was laid downstairs and carpet fitted upstairs. ‘We also retiled and refitted the bathrooms and repainted the whole interior,’ says Helena.

‘This time, instead of the plain white schemes we had adopted before, I wanted to make this place really feel like our home, with a relaxing palette and plenty of vibrant pops of colour. So, inspired by homes we had seen and liked on Instagram, we went for a light backdrop and then got creative by adding some colourful cushions, pieces of furniture, art and accessories.’

Helena has been most daring in the sitting room, where two navy blue glassfronted cabinets flank the fireplace and a pair of ocean-blue armchairs sit opposite a sunshine yellow sofa. ‘I wanted the sitting LANDING This glass droplet pendant injects glamour.

The large Frensham pleated pendant light has this look, £160, Laura Ashley GUEST BEDROOM The contemporary four-poster bed creates a stylish boutique hotel room feeling.

Celeste bed, £574, Maisons du Monde MAIN BEDROOM Soft pastel hues evoke a relaxed feel.

Maree velvet bed is a match, £718, Dreams.

Provence tables, £250 each, The White Company

decor ating tip

‘Try to stick to a light palette for your walls, floors and ceiling, then fill the rest of the house with colourful and unique accessories that you can change regularly’

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favourite featur e

‘I love the original fireplace in the middle bedroom – it has beautiful dark green tiles, which is my favourite colour’

room to be funky and eye-catching, because it’s the very first room you see as soon as you step into the house,’ she says.

The couple kept the kitchen-diner virtually as it was, simply adding a modern glass dining table and contemporary bar stools. Eventually they plan to extend out into the side return and replace the units, but they have reached an impasse on the decor. ‘I want traditional units and Shaun wants a sleek, modern look, so it’s staying as it is until we can agree,’ says Helena.

Upstairs, the aesthetic is a little more traditional, but with a modern twist. The walls are painted in soft pastel hues, but the cornices and picture rails (and space above) have been painted white to draw attention to the period mouldings and high ceilings.

Beds dressed with plump pillows, colourful cushions and textured throws are the focal points of each bedroom.

The impressive proportions of the main bedroom, which stretches across the entire front of the house, ensures ample room for the luxurious super king-size bed complete with tactile button-back headboard. The modern four-poster bed in the guest bedroom was another piece of inspiration that was taken from an Instagram interiors feed. ‘I like the way it frames the room and gives it a unique look,’ says Helena.

Now, Helena and Shaun are thrilled with the whole house. ‘I love the way it has all come together,’ says Helena. ‘There are still things on our to-do list, such as the kitchen extension, and I’d like to add a home office in the garden, but I wouldn’t change anything that we’ve done so far.’

GUEST BEDROOM A soft colour palette lends a spacious feel to this compact yet characterful room.

Mirror, £50, TK Maxx. Tyssedal bed frame, £275, Ikea. Provence console table, £450, The White Company. ADITYA large round hammered metal table lamp base in polished nickel, £150, Lighting & Lights, would work well here B AT H R O O M Half tiling the wall behind the basin not only saved money, but also helps to make the room feel lighter and more spacious.

Burlington Edwardian basin with regal height chrome washstand is similar, £807.69; Burlington Hampton roll-top shower bath with luxury feet has this look, £541.39, both Drench. Laura Ashley Heritage Wicker floor tiles in dove grey matt, £25 for nine tiles, Homebase

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FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

pa r tn e r s h i p | 25bh

MAKE A STATEMENT WITH ART

Discover Collagism’s provocative and unique prints at the new online Runway Gallery

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ollagism, aka Holly-Anne Buck, produces large collage portraits of women that are provocative as well as, she says, ‘slightly creepy and a little bit funny’.

She also produces installations, makes videos, creates clothing and street art. Her work has been displayed at the Tate and in 2019 she will be at the Kolaj Fest in New Orleans.

Collagism’s globetrotting is integral to her work. ‘I collect materials from wherever I am, from friends, from the street, or I sometimes buy them from markets or charity stalls. It’s recycling,’ she explains. The collections that go into her art not only reflect a physical place but also a specific time. ‘I’m only interested in things really of the now, so that any images I make represent where I am, at that time,’ she says.

She’s a self-confessed political animal, though with a sense of humour that permeates her work. ‘I’m an activist for women,’ she says, and aims to imbue her work with a sense of female independence, strength and tenderness. ‘People can look at my portraits and say that’s what being a woman in 2018/19 is all about.’

Collagism’s work may be very much of the 21st century, but her iconography is grounded in history. ‘Usually there is a central figure coming out of the darkness. I’m heavily influenced by the Dutch Masters – the chiaroscuro, from darkness to light.’ She also explains that although the figures are self-portraits, they evoke a feeling of familiarity in the viewer, too. ‘I’m trying to make faces that have never

been seen before but yet somehow trigger a memory.’

Further influences include the Dada movement, Hannah Höch, Yoko Ono, Laurie Anderson and Frida Kahlo.

‘Cindy Sherman is a really huge influence, too,’ she says.

Travelling and living in Mexico, New York and London also impact her work.

‘I think if you look closely, all of that iconography comes through.’ Collagism’s travels also mean she lives the life of a minimalist, but a tech-savvy one. She is a great believer in the philosophy of decluttering guru Marie Kondo: ‘I have my laptop, my GoPro, my scissors and a suitcase of clothing.’

Luckily, all of her original collages can be stored digitally: ‘They’re enormous works – iCloud is my friend,’ she says.

The pieces start as small studies, which are then scanned and manipulated in Photoshop to create her finished artworks, which form the base for a body of work expressed in collage, video and performance. Her current theme is BlaspheMEME. Although sometimes socially provocative, Collagism still loves the idea of her work adorning the walls of people’s homes. ‘A lot of my work ends up hanging in people’s bedrooms, and I love the idea and intimacy of that.’

But what pieces should art lovers hang in what Collagism calls their ‘inner sanctuary’?

Her advice harks back to Marie Kondo: ‘If it sparks joy in you, then that is the piece you should buy.’

A selection of Collagism’s work is now available to purchase from runway-gallery.com.

Full Bloom analogue and digital collage, £1,200, by Collagism

BECOME A COLLECTOR

Owning a piece of art is as easy as clicking a button with the new online Runway Gallery. Showcasing exciting, contemporary work from 14 celebrated artists, runwaygallery.com gives you the chance to snap up affordable and original prints and artworks for your home.

NEXT MONTH It’s personal: ‘Everything I do begins and ends with tiny cross-hatched strokes of pen on canvas,’ explains the Canada-based artist Dara Vandor.

Using this pure method, Vandor’s lingerie and silk series explores the intimate themes of desire, femininity and memory.

2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019 | 131

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Explore what is possibly Europe’s most undiscovered river through the stunning Douro Valley. The once-wild Douro river has been tamed by a system of dams and locks, producing an enchanting topography reminiscent of Scotland’s lochs.

So much included Ă Visit to Beaune, centre of the Burgundy wine region plus a wine tasting Ă Cruise the Rhône valley Ă Guided tour of Lyon, its gastronomic capital Ă Visit to charming Vienne

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Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. Offer operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel Ltd, ABTA V4744, ATOL 3430, a company wholly independent of 25 Beautiful Homes, published by TI Media Limited.

ALL CHANGE

After a mammoth building project, Olivia and David Anderson brought in interior designers to create a coherent look, with blue playing a starring role FEATURE KAREN WILSON | PHOTOGRAPHY FIONA WALKER-ARNOTT

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e dwa r d i a n d e tac h e d | 25bh KITCHEN Bespoke Shaker-style units make the most of the space.

Try the Suffolk range, £850 for a 560mm cabinet, Neptune.

Island painted in Inchyra Blue estate eggshell, £60 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Midas bar stools, £145 each, Rockett St George

REPLANNED

home truths THE PROPERTY Edwardian detached L O C AT I O N Southwest London R O O M S Hall, formal sitting room, kitchen-diner/sitting room, playroom, five bedrooms, three bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a Victorian semi before moving here,’ says Olivia.

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een to take on a renovation project, Olivia and David Anderson struck lucky when they found a three-bedroom Edwardian house in southwest London that had hardly been touched in 60 years.

‘It had so much potential to extend,’ says Olivia, ‘but what really sealed the deal was the large garden.’

The year-long project was split into two phases, the first being a loft conversion to create two extra bedrooms and a bathroom. After a short break, the second phase started, which involved extending the ground floor to create an open-plan kitchen-diner and family space as Olivia loves to cook. ‘The floor space in now nearly doubled the size,’ she says.

With two children, Jack, 11, and Jacob, four, living among the dust and rubble it wasn’t easy. ‘While the ground level was being done we lived in an old building in the garden with a makeshift kitchen and toilet, which we called “the pavilion”,’ says Olivia. ‘Despite the name, it wasn’t exactly luxurious.

There were hundreds of challenges along the way as old houses are never easy, but I’ve learnt two things – don’t live in a property while renovating and don’t scrimp on costs.’

Although the couple managed all the construction work themselves, they decided to outsource the finishing touches to sisters Rebecca Herman and Katie Allan of interior design firm JOAN. Since Olivia and David both run their own businesses in marketing and advertising, handing over the

favo u r i t e ro o m ‘We love our formal sitting room – the dark panelling is so cocooning’ reins saved them time and helped lower their stress levels after the building project. ‘I’d known Rebecca for years and trusted her judgement, so when she told me she was starting an interior design business I couldn’t wait to be her first client,’ says Olivia.

At this stage the basic elements were in place, such as wooden flooring throughout the ground floor, panelling in the formal sitting room and white painted walls. ‘It was more of a collaboration as Rebecca and Katie went through our likes and dislikes, asked us what furniture we wanted to keep and found out how we wanted to use the space,’ says Olivia. ‘After seeing the mood boards they created, I went with pretty much everything they suggested. The only thing I couldn’t be persuaded on was the colour of the kitchen island, as they wanted to go green but I preferred blue.’

When it came to the open-plan space, the brief was to keep it bright and to link the kitchen with the seating and eating area. ‘They created a bespoke dining table with antique DINING AREA A large table, teamed with a mix of vintage and modern chairs, works equally well for entertaining and as a space for the children to do homework or paint and draw.

White Kartell Masters chairs, £168 each, Amara. Shades (spraypainted), £150 each, Cox & Cox

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SITTING AREA Olivia’s unusual coffee table was the starting point for the mid-century look here.

Levels coffee table, £199, Dwell, would work. Freya by Maria Rivans artwork, £520, Affordable Art Fair. Mid-century chairs reupholstered in i-Shibori fabric, £75m, Ian Sanderson

FORMAL SITTING ROOM Vintage finds have been given a new lease of life, such as a reupholstered cane-back armchair. The drinks trolley was found at Newark Antiques Fair and works well with the other metallic elements.

Try the Frank Hudson Spire

cane-back armchair, £413.81, Turnbull & Thomas. Panelling painted in Railings estate eggshell, £60 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Astoria Grand tea trolley, £91.99, Wayfair, is a match.

Afaw Berber-style rug, £269, La Redoute. Bluebell armchair in Prussian Blue matt velvet, £940, Sofa.com, is similar

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MAIN BEDROOM Olivia wanted an edgy floral wallpaper for drama and impact rather than an overly feminine design.

Florika wallpaper in Onyx, £185 a roll, House of Hackney.

Harmony Victoria metal bed frame, from £349, Time 4 Sleep, is similar

138 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

JACOB’S BEDROOM A fresh yellow and blue theme was picked for Jacob’s loft bedroom, which features brick slips at the gable end. The legs of the vintage chalkboard desk and chairs have been painted yellow to give them a fresh and more contemporary look.

Try the double traditional school locker desk, £220.10, Cost Cutters. Navy Stripe oilcloth storage cubes, £22.40 each, Great Little Trading Co. Scion Loop, £30m, Jane Clayton, would work for a similar blind. Bronx giant yellow floor lamp, £129, Made.com, is comparable

table legs and reclaimed wood joists from an old mill. The legs were painted blue to match the kitchen island,’ says Olivia.

‘And I love the way they’ve added mismatched chairs.’

Blue became a strong feature throughout the lower level, and the design duo have introduced personality with fabrics, wallpaper and lighting. ‘The best days were when they turned up with their van full of surprises, which usually included some amazing vintage furniture and accessories they’d found at antiques fairs, auctions and on eBay,’ says Olivia.

Another key change was taking out the fireplace in the main bedroom so the bed could be repositioned. ‘The layout felt cramped but this small change made a big difference,’ says Olivia. ‘As there are wardrobes on either side of the bed and no space for bedside tables and lamps, Rebecca and Katie suggested fitting two pendant lights with long cables and draping them over the bed instead, which works really well.’

Next Olivia would like to create a garden studio, and eventually she can imagine tackling another big project. ‘I’d love to build from scratch and create something contemporary,’ she admits. ‘I’d include lots of vintage elements, like reclaimed wood, brick and steel. This project has taught us so much.’

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

B AT H R O O M The traditional cast-iron rolltop bath has timeless appeal.

Try the Vecellio cast-iron bath in Farrow & Ball’s Mizzle, £695, Renaissance Radiators.

Bamboo ladder, £45, Design Vintage, has this look

2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019 | 139

Original Art & Limited Edition Prints

RUNWAY GALLERY w w w . r u n w a y - g a l l e r y. c o m / 2 5 b e a u t i f u l h o m e s in association with

Pictured: Flawless by Collagism, Limited Edition Print, 84.1cm x 118.9cm £1200

s to c k i s t s | 25bh

WHERE TO BUY Details of companies featured in the February issue

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Adventures in Furniture aif.london Affordable Art Fair affordableartfair.com Amara amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Amtico amtico.com Amy Scott Design amyscottdesign.co.uk And So To Bed andsotobed.co.uk Andrew Martin andrewmartin.co.uk Andries Kruger sporadicspace.com Anglepoise anglepoise.com Anthropologie anthropologie.com Antique Church Furnishings churchantiques.com Atkin & Thyme atkinandthyme.co.uk Atlantic Shopping atlanticshopping.co.uk B&Q diy.com Baked Earth bakedearth.co.uk Bathstore bathstore.com Bella Bathrooms bellabathrooms.co.uk Best Tile best-tile.co.uk Biddy Hodgkinson biddyhodgkinson.com Bob Takes bobtakes.com Brewers brewers.co.uk Brian McGowan 07831 415404 British Ceramic Tile britishceramictile.com Bronte by Moon brontebymoon.co.uk Bulthaup bulthaup.co.uk BurgessArchitects burgessarchitects.com Busy Bee Studio busybeestudio.co.uk Button & Sprung buttonandsprung.com Cabbages & Roses cabbagesandroses.com Calico calicowallpaper.com Candle and Blue candleandblue.co.uk Caravane caravane.fr Carol Bird Interiors carolbirdinteriors.co.uk Cawarden cawardenreclaim.co.uk Chase & Sorensen chaseandsorensen.com Chesneys chesneys.co.uk Chiselwood chiselwood.co.uk Christopher Wray christopherwray.com Clearwater Baths clearwaterbaths.com Cole & Son cole-and-son.com Colefax and Fowler colefax.com Cost Cutters costcuttersuk.com Country Cast Baths countrycastbaths.co.uk Cox & Cox coxandcox.co.uk Creative Cables creative-cables.co.uk Crosswater crosswater.co.uk Crown French Furniture crownfrenchfurniture.co.uk Crucial Trading crucial-trading.com CTO Lighting ctolighting.co.uk Cult Furniture cultfurniture.com Dandy Star dandystar.com Daniel Hopwood danielhopwood.com Design Storey design-storey.co.uk Design Vintage designvintage.co.uk DesignerSofas4U designersofas4u.co.uk Dinesen dinesen.com Divine Savages divinesavages.com Dreams dreams.co.uk Drench drench.co.uk Droog droog.com Dulux dulux.co.uk Dunelm dunelm.com Duravit duravit.co.uk Dwell dwell.co.uk eBay ebay.co.uk edit58 edit58.com Elizabeth Clayman elizabethclayman.com Etsy etsy.com

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Everything But The Dog everythingbutthedog.eu Evitavonni evitavonni.co.uk Exclusive Mirrors exclusivemirrors.co.uk Farrow &.Ball farrow-ball.com Feather & Black featherandblack.com Finlay Fox finlayfox.com Fired Earth firedearth.com Flat Space Art flatspacedesign.com Floristry Warehouse floristrywarehouse.com Flos flos.com Furniture Village furniturevillage.co.uk Furnwise furnwise.co.uk Goodhood goodhoodstore.com Graham & Brown grahambrown.com Graham and Green grahamandgreen.co.uk Great Little Trading Co gltc.co.uk Greymetal greymetal.co.uk Grover Furniture groverfurniture.net Gubi shop.gubi.com H&M Home hm.com Habitat habitat.co.uk Hartley & Tissier hartleytissier.com Heal’s heals.co.uk Hemswell Antique Centre hemswell-antiques.com Hermés hermes.com Home of my Heart homeofmyheart.co.uk Homebase homebase.co.uk HomeSense homesense.com House of Hackney houseofhackney.com Houseology houseology.com HUX London hux-london.co.uk Ian Mankin ianmankin.co.uk Ian Sanderson iansanderson.co.uk Ideal Combi idealcombi.com Ikea ikea.co.uk Intech GT Smith Engineering intech-gt-smith-eng.co.uk Italian Lighting Centre italian-lighting-centre.co.uk Jane Clayton janeclayton.co.uk JOAN houseofjoan.co.uk John Lewis & Partners johnlewis.com Jonathan Charles jonathancharlesfurniture.com Julie Light Art & Glass julielight.co.uk Kährs kahrs.com Karndean Designflooring karndean.com Kitchen Architecture kitchenarchitecture.co.uk Kitchen Craft Design kitchencraftdesign.co.uk La Cornue lacornue.com La Maison Chic la-maison-chic.co.uk La Redoute laredoute.co.uk Lakeland Furniture lakeland-furniture.co.uk Laura Ashley lauraashley.com Lauren Aston Designs laurenastondesigns.com Lauren Nicholas laurennicholas.co.uk Liberty liberty.co.uk Lighting & Lights lightingandlights.co.uk Lights2go lights2go.co.uk Limelace limelace.co.uk Lindsey Adelman lindseyadelman.com Litecraft litecraft.co.uk Little Greene littlegreene.com Loaf loaf.com L’una Design lunadesign.co.uk Lusso Stone lussostone.com LuxDeco luxdeco.com Made in Design madeindesign.co.uk

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Made.com made.com Magnet magnet.co.uk Maisons du Monde maisonsdumonde.com Mandarin Stone mandarinstone.com Marks & Spencer marksandspencer.com Marston & Langinger marstonandlangingerpaint.com MartinMark Design martinmarkdesign.com Milagros milagros.co.uk Minotti minotti.com Modern Rugs modern-rugs.co.uk Mulberry Moon mulberry-moon.co.uk Munna munnadesign.com Murals Wallpaper muralswallpaper.co.uk Mutina mutina.it My VQ myvq.co.uk Myakka myakka.co.uk MyFaktory uk.myfaktory.com Neptune neptune.com Newark Antiques Fair iacf.co.uk Next next.co.uk No 1 Lewes theshoplewes.com Nobilis nobilis.fr Nordic House nordichouse.co.uk Notcutts notcutts.co.uk Nubie nubie.co.uk Nunido nunido.co.uk Oak Furniture Superstore oakfurnituresuperstore.co.uk Oak Furnitureland oakfurnitureland.co.uk Ocean Lighting oceanlighting.co.uk Oka oka.com Oliver Bonas oliverbonas.com Original BTC originalbtc.com Osborne & Little osborneandlittle.com Pagazzi pagazzi.com Paint & Paper Library paintandpaperlibrary.com Pamono pamono.co.uk Paper Rooms paperrooms.co.uk Papers and Paints papers-paints.co.uk Perch & Parrow perchandparrow.com Period Property Store periodpropertystore.co.uk Peter Cassell Design peter@petercasselldesign.co.uk Pixie Green Interiors pixiegreeninteriors.co.uk Plus Rooms plusrooms.co.uk Porta Romana portaromana.co.uk QS Supplies qssupplies.co.uk Rachel Redfern at Studio Tuesday rachelredfern.com Rapture & Wright raptureandwright.co.uk Renaissance Radiators renaissanceradiators.co.uk Riviere Rugs riviererugs.com Roche Bobois roche-bobois.com Rockett St George rockettstgeorge.co.uk Royal Art Palace royalartpalace.com RS Electrical Supplies rselectricalsupplies.co.uk Rugs Direct rugsdirect.co.uk Rustic Wood ’n’ Things rusticwoodnthings.co.uk Saligo Design saligodesign.com Scandinavian Design Center scandinaviandesigncenter.com Schumacher fschumacher.com Scumble Goosie scumblegoosie.co.uk Skandihus skandihus.co.uk Smeg smeguk.com Sofa.com sofa.com

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Sophie Peckett Design sophiepeckettdesign.com Stephanie Spero Design stephaniesperodesign.com Stollers stollers.co.uk Swagger Incorporated swaggerinc.co.uk Swoon swooneditions.com Terrys Fabrics terrysfabrics.co.uk Tetrad tetrad.co.uk The Cast Iron Bath Company castironbath.co.uk The Conran Shop conranshop.co.uk The Cork Flooring Company corkfloor.co.uk The Cotswold Company cotswoldco.com The Cupboard Door Company cupboarddoor.co.uk The English Bed Company theenglishbedcompany.co.uk The French Bedroom Company frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk The Lighting Company lightingcompany.co.uk The Little White Company thewhitecompany.com The Natural Wood Floor Company naturalwoodfloor.co.uk The Peanut Vendor thepeanutvendor.co.uk The Rocking Horse Shop rockinghorse.co.uk The Rug Company therugcompany.com The Stripes Company thestripescompany.com The White Company thewhitecompany.com Thomas Sanderson thomas-sanderson.co.uk Tile Mountain tilemountain.co.uk Time 4 Sleep time4sleep.co.uk Timorous Beasties timorousbeasties.com Timothy Oulton timothyoulton.com TK Maxx tkmaxx.com Tom Dixon tomdixon.net Topps Tiles toppstiles.co.uk Tres Tintas trestintas.com Tribe tribe-london.com Turnbull&Thomasturnbullandthomas.co.uk Twentytwentyone twentytwentyone.com Unto This Last untothislast.co.uk Urbanara urbanara.co.uk Used Unique Boutique 07753 222536 V4 Wood Flooring v4woodflooring.co.uk Value Lights valuelights.co.uk Very very.co.uk Victoria Plum victoriaplum.com Victorian Plumbing victorianplumbing.co.uk Vitsoe vitsoe.com Waterworksuk.waterworks.com Wayfair wayfair.co.uk Wellindal wellindal.co.uk Wesley-Barrell wesley-barrell.co.uk West Elm westelm.co.uk West London Fencing westlondonfencing.com Wickes wickes.co.uk Wild Rice Designs wildricedesigns.com Wolf Kahn wolfkahn.com Woodpecker Interiors woodpeckerinteriors.co.uk Worktop Express worktop-express.co.uk World of Wallpaper worldofwallpaper.com Zazzle zazzle.co.uk Zoffany stylelibrary.com/zoffany Zulufish zulufish.co.uk

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2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019 | 141

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25bh | i d e a s to s h a r e

ROOM ENVY

Each month we bring you a hotel that intrigues, delights and dazzles

B

ased rather curiously in a former Selfridges warehouse, The Beaumont is the newest kid on Mayfair’s block. A wood-veneered celebration of all things Art Deco, this grand London bolthole was originally founded in 2014

by Corbin & King, the group behind London dining stalwarts The Wolseley and Colbert. While most of the interior oozes Twenties glamour, with sleek lines, plush finishes and Great Gatsby visuals, it’s worth pausing for a moment on the pavement outside to admire the striking exterior of the hotel’s most ambitious suite.

Room by Antony Gormley consists of a giant, hollowed out abstract figure sculpture by the acclaimed British contemporary artist, which encases a dark, moody and dramatic bedroom.

Once inside, the suite’s sophisticated sitting room (pictured here) 146 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 2019

returns to the hotel’s opulent Twenties style. Original paintings, books and photographs give the space plenty of character, while the liberal use of American walnut anchors it to a classically masculine aesthetic. A harmonious mix of table and floor lamps makes curling up in one of the deep velvet tub chairs with a good read nigh-on irresistible. And when darkness falls, a crisp white marble staircase, set in the corner of the room, beckons guests up to the awaiting shadowy bedchamber…

Downstairs, The Beaumont draws in locals with its popular dinner and drinks duo, The Colony Grill and The American Bar. Sip on Boulevardier whisky cocktails, the bartender’s favourite, before heading for supper in the elegant, old-school grill, where walls are lined with portraits of the Hollywood greats of yesteryear.

FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY. ROOM BY ANTONY GORMLEY FROM £1,260 A NIGHT, THEBEAUMONT.COM

This elegant Art Deco suite’s pride and joy is a seductive white marble staircase, leading up to a dark, mysterious bedroom

BESPOKE BRITISH FURNITURE DESIGNED, CR AFTED, GUAR ANTEED Free 100 Page Brochure British Design & Craftsmanship Nationwide Design Service 10 Year Guarantee Buy Now Pay in 12 Months**

*Sale discount applies to orders placed between 26/12/18 and 25/2/19. Minimum order value £3,000 +VAT. **Buy now pay in 12 months is available with an upfront 30% deposit. Finance is subject to status.

When you choose Neville Johnson not only are you investing in high quality bespoke furniture, you can now enjoy SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS IN OUR WINTER SALE.* For over 30 years Neville Johnson have been using the finest materials and craftsmanship to create exquisite furniture with longevity and style.

SALE NOW ON

visit nevillejohnson.co.uk for our latest brochure or call 0161 873 8333 QUOTE CODE BEHOA70

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