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OCTOBER 2019 Â£4.50 | US $9.99, AUS $9.99, NZ $13

HOMES STYLE TRICKS Hundreds of chic solutions and fresh ideas

Real stories to inspire your redesign

CLEVER COLOUR Bold hues enhance classic features in a Georgian flat

RECALL 02/10/19

IN THE LANDSCAPE An elegant house that blends with its surroundings

October 2019

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COVER STORY

C L A S S I C C O M B I N AT I O N The

elegant proportions of this Georgian-era flat in Edinburgh pair perfectly with the vibrant, varied colour palette chosen by its owner P U R E C H I C A practical approach to the design of this Parisian period apartment laid the foundation for a serene, soignĂŠ interior A L L I N G O O D T I M E Having snapped up a Victorian property in a desirable area of London, this couple set about turning it into the family home they dreamed of C H A N G I N G F A C E S From graduation to marriage, as the life of this homeowner

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has evolved, so too has the look of her Victorian maisonette in London A L L I N T H E D E TA I L The traditional exterior of this London period terrace conceals a truly innovative interior G A M E C H A N G E R A new, flowing layout and the addition of an upper storey has taken this Twenties bungalow in Sydney to new heights F I N E LY T U N E D How a perfectly pitched renovation and redecoration in a musicianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Victorian London property has resulted in a harmonious home

An airy extension and angular garden are surprise additions to this London home (page 92).

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M O D E R N O U T L O O K A daunting renovation paid

off handsomely in this Victorian townhouse in Kent A R T A N D C R A F T It took vision and determination to rescue this Copenhagen period home from years of unsympathetic and unsightly adjustments O N E O F A K I N D Collapsing ceilings, no heating and a mouse infestation didn’t deter these owners from creating a unique interior in an Edwardian terrace in Buckinghamshire F U L L S P E E D A H E A D This Victorian terrace in East Sussex was renovated from top to bottom in only six weeks F A M I LY M AT T E R S The owners of this Edwardian detached in Surrey had to balance their desire for an elegant interior with the practicalities of having four young children S E C O N D A C T Vibrant decor has proved a real character development in an actress’ period Gloucestershire villa R O O M T O G R O W This handsome property in Kent was ripe for extending into a perfect family home

country

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I N T O T H E W O O D S This barn-style new-build is

a little piece of England in rural New York S C A N D I B Y D E S I G N The decor of this converted stable block brings a touch of Sweden to Surrey F A I R Y TA L E E N D I N G Once upon a time, two would-be self-builders dreamed of a rustic, romantic retreat in an enchanted area of Yorkshire S U R P R I S E P A C K A G E A former hunting lodge in Somerset was a catch, but came with plenty of challenges P R E T T Y P E R F E C T This wisteria-draped Devon cottage proved an idyllic home for a young family

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E A S Y L I V I N G Scandi simplicity by the sea was an

irresistible draw to a city dweller seeking a weekend retreat M A K I N G WAV E S This Seventies chalet in Sussex is filled with treasures sourced from places as diverse as the Folies Bergère to the set of a Brad Pitt movie H O M E T O R O O S T The decor of this Scottish former servants’ wing was inspired by the resident rooks in the garden A B R E AT H O F F R E S H A I R A coastguard’s cottage in Scotland has been given a modern, marine makeover F A R A N D AWAY This secluded schoolhouse in Argyll has become a favourite family playground F U N H O U S E Fairground attractions fill this former bathhouse in East Sussex with a carnival atmosphere

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T R AV E L O F F E R Escorted tours to enjoy worldwide W H E R E T O B U Y Find stockists listed in this issue R O O M E N V Y The scheme that’s inspired us this month

CALL 0800 587 6480 OR VISIT HILLARYS.CO.UK

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

HOMES EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR SARAH SPITERI Executive Editors Kate French and Pip McCormac Group Creative Director Emma Williams Group Chief Sub Editor Anne Esden Commercial Editorial Operations Director Jane Akers Homes Content Team Editorial Director Rhoda Parry Commissioning/Interiors Editor Fiona Mace Head of Art Operations Alison Walter Art Editors Melanie Brown and Paula Jardine Senior Designer Christina McQuillan Designer Charlotte Holland Head of Subs Operations Maxine Clarke Hub Chief Sub Editor Jennifer Spaeth Senior Sub Editor Marian McNamara

PUBLISHING

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WELCOME We are featuring a lot of brave homeowners this month. Confident decorating decisions, complex planning challenges and large-scale renovations all make for some juicy stories. A bright yellow kitchen, a black-walled living room and a turquoise hallway are just three of the stand-out spaces to discover, and then there’s Laurie and Solomon Parker’s home in a former Turkish bath house that’s pretty epic (page 128). It even includes a vintage bowling alley that once belonged to Roman Abramovich. Autumn is a key project season, so now is a good time to bend your mind to any improvements on your hit list. Clever tricks abound for all styles and sizes of space. There is an Edwardian terrace in Marlow that is particularly full of easy ideas to steal (page 73). Hilary and Nick Chambers have used colour and pattern in a chic way, making it feel warm and welcoming. And I love their kitchen-diner. It strikes a New York loft note with Crittall-style windows and over-sized pendants. SARAH SPITERI, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

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COMING NEXT MONTH – ON SALE 3 OCTOBER

BACK IN TIME This Hertfordshire Arts and Crafts house needed rescuing from an Eighties time warp

LABOUR OF LOVE A scheme with a touch of romance has revived this Victorian home in London

All prices quoted in this issue including VAT at the current rate were correct at the time of going to press, although you are advised to check cost and availability before buying. 25 Beautiful Homes is published by TI Media Limited, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Repro by Rhapsody, 109/123 Clifton Street, London EC2A 4LD. Printed by Walstead UK Limited. Cover printed by Walstead UK Limited. Publisher’s subscriptions rates for 12 issues (including p&p): UK, £52.20; Europe & Eire, €170.20; USA & Canada, $111.30; rest of the world, £129.90. For all subscription enquiries and UK orders, call 0330 333 1113 or email help@magazinesdirect.com. For overseas orders, please call +44 (0) 330 333 1113.

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home truths THE PROPERTY Barn-style new build L O C AT I O N Dutchess County, New York R O O M S Hallway, kitchendiner/living area, cloakroom, mezzanine, three bedrooms, (one en suite) bathroom, guest accommodation P U R C H A S E D 2002 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We rented a cottage nearby during the build,’ says Selina.

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Into the

WOODS

A rural landscape provided the perfect setting when Selina van der Geest and her husband Eduard were looking to build their own home FEATURE CHRISTINE STOVELL | PHOTOGRAPHY ANDREAS VON EINSIEDEL

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LIVING AREA

Danish linen-upholstered sofas draped with Swiss Army blankets and vintage Oriental carpets create a cosy feel. Selina made the side table herself, for similar, try WerkStadt steel two-piece side table set, £194.99, Wayfair. Emmett floor lamp, £39, Made.com, would work here. Eskimo army blanket, £147.99, Wayfair

HALLWAY

Framed drawings, which Selina has been collecting for years, are displayed in close groups on the wall

he solid vernacular house built by Selina van der Geest and her husband Eduard is so deeply rooted in its majestic, sweeping landscape, that it is hard to imagine it began as a few pen strokes across a Parisian napkin. Selina, an English interior designer, and her New York-based husband were sitting in a café in Paris, while on holiday when they lightheartedly started drawing plans of their dream home. At first, it seemed as if the fabric of their dreams would remain as flimsy as the napkin it was sketched upon, but in a stroke of serendipity, soon after, they were able to purchase 18 acres of land on an idyllic virgin site, later supplemented by an additional 12 acres, some two hours’ drive north of New York City in Dutchess County. Selina’s creative ethos is to work organically and reflect a property’s natural setting in her designs, so the

d e s i g n t i p ‘I like being finding things that aren’t costly 10 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019

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DINING AREA

Reclaimed hand-hewn beams and the generous French 19thcentury table give definition to the spacious dining area. For seating 12, try Hercules rustic solid-oak 9ft dining table, £719, Oak Furnitureland

KITCHEN

home she planned for her and her husband maintains the spirit of its rural location. Three distinct living areas sit squarely under an agricultural coated-metal roof and vintage cedar-and-hemlock board, and batten cladding from an antique Canadian barn gives it the feeling of being a much older property than it is. ‘I grew up in centuries-old stone houses,’ notes Selina. ‘I wanted to achieve the same sense of history and character here.’ Selina confesses to having a very hands-on approach that grew from setting up and running her own design business, and she credits her father with teaching her woodworking and other practical skills, all of which proved to be invaluable when it came to building her own home. It also meant that she was ideally equipped to take on the role of project manager, supervising teams of local builders and completing the work in an impressive eight months. ‘I spent so many days

quite creative with the budget, but which have lots of character’

The poured concrete island accommodates an assortment of glass jars holding cereal and grains. French ceramic rise-and-fall pendant lamps, from £223 each, Holloways of Ludlow

GUEST BEDROOM

Softly hued peach linen adds warmth to the cool grey walls. Tall metal table lamp, £72, Graham and Green, has this look. Lena throw, £40, John Lewis & Partners, would work here

HALLWAY

Bespoke cupboards provide useful storage in the small entrance lobby. For similar industrial-style coat hook rails, try Etsy

shovelling snow or helping out when someone didn’t show up. Luckily, the schedule wasn’t delayed while waiting for decisions,’ she says. ‘I also insist on a clean and tidy building site as I strongly believe that a messy environment encourages sloppy work.’ Both Selina and her husband love cuisine so a big open space where they could cook but also enjoy the fire and living area was essential to the design of their home. At ground level, the house has a central double-height open-plan living space complete with a mezzanine study-cum-library. Glazed doors leading out onto the black concrete terrace face the long, dark grey swimming pool, which is enclosed by a traditional stone wall and post-and-rail fencing. At each end of the house is a lower-height wing, one containing the master bedroom suite and, in the other, two guest bedrooms and a cloakroom. A huge

b e s t b u y ‘Even before buying the Louis XIII mantel in Bordeaux, France,

c o u ntry | 25bh MASTER BEDROOM The red accent colour was inspired by an old Chinese red lacquer cupboard. Cushions from Robert Kime, Ikat cushion, £230, is similar. Ottoman Bacci bedlinen, pillowcase from €50, Mia Zia

MASTER BATHROOM A separate shower is screened by a pair of old Chinese wooden doors. Carlton basin, from £626, Aston Matthews

basement provides extra accommodation for guests, plus a wine cellar, utility space and a workshop. Selina studied art history before working in interior design and her love of art and history is reflected in her talent for creating a home that feels as though it has evolved over time. To furnish the house, Selina chose a blend of contemporary and antique pieces set against an elegant backdrop of interesting textures, natural colours and carefully chosen accents. It’s a modern, comfortable but unfussy take on traditional country-house style. ‘I’ve taken elements from the big English houses and put them into a simple environment,’ Selina explains. Thanks to one couple’s determination to realise their dream, a house that began life as a simple sketch has become a home with a real presence in its setting of woods, lakes and farmland. ‘It has settled into the land perfectly,’ Selina adds with quiet satisfaction.

land, we bought an early 17th-century when we were over there for a wedding’ FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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EASY LIVING Classic Scandinavian decor and an idyllic location were the perfect ingredients for Bengt Björklund’s getaway by the coast

FEATURE JANE BOWLES PHOTOGRAPHY JOHAN SELLÉN/LIVING INSIDE

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home truths THE PROPERTY Swedish detached house L O C AT I O N Southwest Sweden R O O M S Hallway, kitchendiner/living area, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, sauna, tower room P U R C H A S E D 2004 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I also have an apartment in the centre of Stockholm,’ says Bengt.

LIVING AREA Pops of bright blue add an element of warmth to the otherwise all-white scheme. White voile panels, from £6 each, John Lewis & Partners. Aston Bali rattan wing chair is similar, £239, Breeze Furnishings. Ektorp cream sofa is similar, from £250, Ikea. Samsø white wool throw is a match, from £41, Silkeborg Uldspinderi at FY!

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ack in 2004, Bengt Björklund began searching for a house in the country. ‘I wanted a rural retreat I could escape to from my busy life in Stockholm,’ says Bengt, who owns and runs a management consultancy in the capital. ‘I wanted somewhere I could come for weekends and spend the whole summer. Naturally, I thought of Scania, where I grew up. It’s always so calm and peaceful there.’ Having chosen the area, one house stood out from all the others. With its contemporary design, sleek exterior and tall windows, it was strikingly different from the rest of the summer homes in the area, which were mostly fisherman’s cottages or more traditional Swedish

houses. ‘There was something special about this house,’ says Bengt. ‘It was so warm and cosy, and filled with light.’ Bengt was also drawn to the house’s unusual design, both inside and out. ‘The house had been built in the mid-Nineties, and was designed by architect Olof Hultin, who also designed the decor,’ says Bengt. The ceiling and floors were constructed in pigmented white pine, making the building low maintenance – another plus point. Black slate had been used in certain areas, such as the kitchen and both entrances, creating a distinctive contrast with the light wood elsewhere. As Bengt was happy with the house’s existing open-plan layout and

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FAVOURITE ROOM ‘I love the open-plan living area because it has such a wonderful sense of light and space’

KITCHEN-DINER Grey-washed floorboards are softer than natural wood, blending beautifully with the white walls. Blake dining table is similar, £1,599, Heal’s. Henley wicker armchair is a match, from £189, Lloyd Loom. Cream sheepskin, £59, The Wool Room. Try the Globe chandelier, £179, Made.com

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25bh | c oa s ta l GARDEN The rattan furniture theme continues outside, with this comfortable sun-trap spot. Sika Design wicker hanging armchair is similar, £245, Made In Design

KITCHEN-DINER Classic grey-painted cabinetry adds depth to this bright area. Lamp Room Gray estate eggshell is a similar shade, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

H A L LWAY The spotted blue runner adds an element of fun in the entryway. Liv light blue runner would work here, £49.95, Benuta

decor, there was virtually no structural or building work required. ‘The only major change I decided to make was to remodel the garden,’ says Bengt. It was replanted with a mix of tall grasses, roses and wildflowers, and a former grass-covered area was transformed into a spacious deck, which was then covered with white pigmented concrete. Bengt and partner Aliya now use the remodelled deck as an outdoor kitchen and dining area. ‘We’ve also planted a large wisteria over the pergola to provide shade in years to come,’ says Bengt. When it came to furnishing the interior, Bengt and Aliya hand-picked every item. They chose classic Danish 18 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019

and Swedish designs to fit the design of the house, including several pieces from Bengt’s parents’ summer house. ‘Being here is such an amazing contrast to living in the city centre,’ says Bengt. ‘We love arriving here at the start of summer, with the whole season ahead of us. It’s our favourite time of year.’ With five grown-up children between them, it is important for Bengt and Aliya to have a place where everyone can gather. ‘This is a sunny oasis, where we spend our time cooking, swimming and socialising,’ says Bengt. ‘When summer draws to a close, we return to the centre of Stockholm – it really is the best of both worlds.’

MASTER BEDROOM White drapes and bedding create a relaxing summer ambience. Similar-vintage glass and bamboo side table, from £280, Pamono

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

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1 home truths THE PROPERTY Seventies beachside chalet bungalow L O C AT I O N East Sussex R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner/living area, five bedrooms (two en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We live in London but escape to the coast whenever we can,’ says Laura.

Making waves

Laura and Stuart McKay’s beach retreat is filled with one-off pieces FEATURE MANDI MILLAR | PHOTOGRAPHY FIONA WALKER ARNOTT

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DINING AREA The piano was originally from the Folies Bergère but was found under a French chateau the couple owned. Antique oak billiard table, £120 from eBay, turned into a dining table by Tenterden Oak & Pine. Antique

French refectory bench, £120; school chair, £35, both Workshop Number 29

KITCHEN The fridge is hidden behind this novelty door, which was taken from an old ice-cream van.

3&4

KITCHEN Reclaimed timber boards were used to create the wall panelling. Woodwork in Chiltern White satinwood, £46 for 2.5L, Dulux. Carrara marble worktops, £2,000, Aro Marble

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DECOR ATING TIP ‘Don’t be afraid to leave vintage

items just as they are – there is so much beauty in ageing’ 22 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019

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rom the Folies Bergère to a Brad Pitt movie set, Laura and Stuart McKay were sourcing items far and wide for their beachside home long before they had even found it. ‘We love to grab interesting pieces whenever we see them – even if we don’t know how we’ll eventually use them,’ admits Laura. However, in 2017 that opportunity came along. The couple had been looking for a weekend retreat when they found this Seventies chalet bungalow. ‘It was unremarkable with a downstairs bathroom and no heating, but we fell in love with the location by the beach and knew this could be our bolthole,’ says Stuart. The property was rewired, replumbed, the floors and roof were replaced, bathrooms and a handmade kitchen were designed and built in situ and an extension was added. ‘Virtually everything we’ve used is reclaimed,’ says Laura who, along with Stuart, designed every feature meticulously. ‘We did the initial sketches and used a local architect for the working drawings, so planning was straightforward. The main challenge was that the house is built on sand, so the extension needed a raft foundation designed by our engineer, rather than standard footings.’ The couple managed the 11-month project

SITTING ROOM A yellow velvet suite, which includes this chair, was the couple’s best bargain – it cost five pence on eBay. The French doors with Bristol blue glass panels were rescued from an old barn in the Cotswolds.

themselves. ‘We’re self-employed so were able to juggle everything and we rented a cabin nearby during the build,’ says Stuart. With the construction complete, Laura started on the interior. ‘We worked to our initial sketches and apart from small changes, the finished rooms look just like the drawings,’ she says. ‘We wanted to give the house an old feel, so we hid our modern kitchen appliances.’ The fridge freezer and microwave are behind antique painted doors from India, while the washing machine, tumble dryer and boiler are all housed behind old French shutters, reclaimed from the set of the Brad Pitt movie Allied, where Laura had a contact. One of the high points for the couple was finally being able to place all the belongings they had collected – like the piano from the Folies Bergère. ‘We’re hoping to give it an airing by hosting songwriting and yoga retreats eventually,’ says Laura. ‘It’s hard to believe it’s less than a year since the bungalow was transformed, though, of course, we’d been sourcing pieces for a long time. Bringing everything together creates the sense of calm we craved, a space to breathe and enjoy all the great local produce and wines and also the incredible beach. It really is quite magical.’

Walls in Railings estate eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Skull, £60, Hoof Brocante. Chest, £45, Tara Franklin Antiques at Hoof Brocante

LIVING AREA Walls have been clad in a mix of

salvaged wood and metal pieces, which have been left untreated to show off their rustic patina. White chest, £58, Hoof Brocante. The Stourton enamel ceiling light, from £69.99, Dowsing & Reynolds, is similar to this vintage design

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EN SUITE This is one of Laura’s favourite rooms because of details like the reclaimed leaded window and the tin panel-effect dark ceramic tiles. Pressed patina steel tiles, £32.95sq m, Walls and Floors, are a good choice.

2&5

EN SUITE Splashes of pink add warmth to the white walls and floor. ‘A painted floor is easy to touch up and refresh, even when it’s white,’ says Laura. Floor in Johnstones Flortred, £29.49 for 2.5L, Decorating Warehouse

3&4

BEDROOM A wall-mounted skull brings a raw, sculptural feel to this scheme and provides a bold contrast to the soft colours and floral details. Try Antlers, Horns and Skulls for a skull like this, from £290

4 5

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

25bh | c o u ntry SITTING ROOM

The relaxed Swedish feel is enhanced by the exposed brickwork and wooden beams. Walls in Matchstick estate emulsion, Â£46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Seascape painting, price on request, Alison Orchard

Scandi BY DESIGN Becky and Andrew Cooper gave a converted stable block in the home counties a Scandinavian-inspired makeover FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS | PHOTOGRAPHY POLLY ELTES

SITTING ROOM

‘The first piece I ever bought for a home was this antique Mora clock,’ says Becky. Find a Mora clock, from £400, at Gustavian. Organic Sheep reindeer rug is a match, £220, Heal’s

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KITCHEN

A dark finish updates the look of the traditional cabinetry. Units in Down Pipe estate eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Black range cooker, from £8,785, Aga

home truths

DINING ROOM

Becky has created a classic Swedish scheme with painted furniture and a chandelier. The Anna dining chair would work here, £400, Gustavian. Lavenham chandelier is a good match, £190, Laura Ashley

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THE PROPERTY Converted stable block L O C AT I O N Surrey R O O M S Sitting room, dining room, kitchen, breakfast/garden room, study, four bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 1996 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We were living in a new-build house nearby,’ says Becky.

ecky Cooper and her husband, Andrew, saw their present house long before they owned it. ‘The clock tower caught our eye every time we drove past it,’ says Becky. ‘We were living in a modern property nearby, but longed for a home with character and more space for our children.’ When the house came on to the market, Becky and Andrew were excited. ‘We were curious to view it,’ says Becky. ‘It was a little out of our budget, but ticked so many boxes for us.’ First impressions, however, were far from favourable. ‘It was an integral part of a converted stable block and was very dark,’ says Becky. ‘I was brought up in Sweden and have a Scandinavian love of light, so I was put off.’ Once the couple ventured upstairs, however, they warmed to the property. ‘We saw the views across the rooftops and fell in love with it,’ says Becky. It also provided the space they needed. When the family moved in, the top priority was to bring more light into the house and to make their mark on the interior. Unsympathetic features, such as woodchip wallpaper, were removed and the walls painted

in lighter shades. ‘I had fun making small changes, like changing and painting the balustrade on the main staircase,’ says Becky. ‘This gave the space a strong Swedish influence.’ As time went by, Becky and Andrew tackled larger projects, installing new bathrooms, laying oak flooring and reinventing the kitchen. For the decor, Becky blended classic and contemporary Scandi style and chose soft grey and white shades. ‘I like strong colours, too,’ she says. ‘They work well in the kitchen.’ Natural materials, such as sheepskins and linens, add the finishing touches. Becky has long had a love of interior design. ‘My father was an architect and my mother had a great eye for making a beautiful home,’ she says. ‘Although I was brought up in a contemporary house, I love Gustavian furniture.’ Over the years Becky collected many Scandinavianstyle pieces, repainting them for her present home. ‘It was fun spreading them out and giving them space to breathe,’ she says. This inspired her to restore and sell pieces online, alongside working as an interior designer. Now the project is completed, the family are thrilled with the results. ‘It’s a good space for our children,’ says Becky. ‘We’re so glad we took a leap of faith.’

1 SITTING ROOM The green chair and turquoise cupboard are Swedish antiques. House interior designed by Scandi Living Interior Design 2

CHILD’S BEDROOM

This cosy under-the-eaves space is a fun area for a teenager. Walls in Green Blue estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball 3 GUEST BEDROOM For a rustic mood, Becky opted for a painted cottage-style door. Try Maison Brocante for a red stripe linen cushion, from £16.50 4 BATHROOM A roll-top bath teamed with smart chrome accents adds elegance. Duke bath with matt black legs is similar, £399.95, Victorian Plumbing

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

MASTER BEDROOM

Restful colours are combined with cocooning fabrics. Natural undyed wool throw is similar, £60, Marquis & Dawe

1 2

Modern outlook When first-time renovators Anna Jenkinson and her husband Alistair bought their neglected period property, they had a clear vision of its family-friendly future FEATURE SARAH WARD | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH

KITCHEN Traditional Shaker-style cabinets in a deep, modern blue blend the contemporary with the classic. Durham extending dining table, £599, John Lewis & Partners. Dining chairs, £70 each, Amazon. Weathered wood cutout clock, £125, Cox & Cox. Range, £1,549, Rangemaster

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tow n | 25bh DINING AREA Renovating the basement into an open-plan kitchen and living area makes the most of the light and has created a more social space. Similar artwork, price on request, Fruugo. Durham extending dining table, ÂŁ599, John Lewis & Partners. Walls in Brilliant White emulsion, ÂŁ14 for 2.5L, Dulux

2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019 | 31

25bh | tow n STUDY ‘We originally planned this space as a dining room but it was too far away from the kitchen,’ says Anna. Walls painted in Rosemary Leaf emulsion, £52.61 for 2.5L, Dulux Heritage. Desk, £300, John Lewis & Partners. Vintage sideboard, eBay

home truths THE PROPERTY Townhouse, built in 1860 L O C AT I O N Kent R O O M S Hallway, sitting room, kitchen-diner, utility room, study, four bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in a new-build flat in north London,’ says Anna.

32 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019

nna and Alistair Jenkinson knew that their period property in Kent would need work – but it wasn’t until the builders arrived that they realised exactly how much. ‘We were prepared for some big expenses, as the house hadn’t been touched since the Sixites,’ says Anna. ‘The whole of the basement was damp, it needed a new roof and new chimneys, and

many of the sash windows were rotten. The builders also discovered two separate old heating systems, which needed to be united. And that was just the start of the renovations.’ The couple decided to renovate in two stages, renting the house out after the first, while saving to tackle the second. Firstly they replaced the old roof and windows, rebuilding the chimney stacks and removing the dated carpets. ‘We redecorated

with basic paint and cheap lino as we knew it would be taken up again after we’d saved enough to overhaul the interior,’ says Anna.’ The house was let within a week, and over the next two years, Anna and Alistair saved enough to begin the second phase of work. ‘We were determined not to start anything until we had saved more than we thought it was going to cost,’ says Anna. The plan was to make the

SITTING ROOM A corner sofa and logburner make this a cosy area, artwork creates drama and adds a personal focal point. Sofa, £1,600; tripod floor lamp, £135, both John Lewis & Partners. Rug, £30, Homebase

2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019 | 33

25bh | tow n MASTER BEDROOM ‘We had this paint colour-matched to a shade that my husband’s parents had used,’ says Anna. ‘The colour changes depending on the light.’ Bed, £299, John Lewis & Partners. Find similar vintage bedside tables on eBay. Bedside lights, £30, HomeSense

ARTHUR’S BEDROOM White walls and neutral carpets allow accessories to pop and give the nursery a fresh, clean feel Pendant, £20; cushions, £20 each, both HomeSense. Rug, £25, H&M Home

34 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019

MASTER BEDROOM ‘I love having a dressing table – it softens that end of the room and is a lovely space to get ready in the mornings,’ says Anna. Croft Collection mirror, £150; chair, £450, both John Lewis & Partners. Find a similar vintage dressing table on eBay

ARTHUR’S BEDROOM Rocking chair, £429, John Lewis & Partners. Walls painted in Indian White emulsion, £42.84 for 2.5L, Dulux Heritage

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

house more modern, while retaining its character. ‘We wanted to be true to the original house, but have more fun in the basement, which was three rooms on three different levels, two of them with no natural light,’ says Anna. ‘Upstairs, we wanted to use more traditional colours and highlight the period features.’ Builders began by tanking the basement to get rid of the damp, putting in a composite wood floor and a utility room. But, says Anna, the space appeared to get worse before it got better. ‘The first time we saw the house after the builders had started was when they’d taken all the walls out of the basement. It was damp, dark, full of rubble, and I had a moment of thinking, “Oh no, what are we doing?’’.’ Happily, the renovations quickly progressed. ‘Once the floor and ceiling were in, we could start planning the kitchen. We decided on navy, with brass fittings, and a white worktop to reflect the light.’ Upstairs, builders ripped out the

existing kitchen to turn the room into a study, installed a new bathroom, removed the woodchip from the bedrooms, hallway and landings, and replastered. The work, which began in November 2017, was finished in eight and a half months – but that wasn’t quite soon enough for Anna, who, by then, was heavily pregnant. ‘I was desperate to get into the house before the baby was born, but schedules kept sliding,’ she says. ‘Arthur, now one, was born while we were still in our flat, and we moved in when he was three weeks old.’ The finished renovations marry the old and new. Anna has worked with the high ceilings, ornate ceiling roses and original fireplaces upstairs to create a tranquil, traditional feel. Downstairs, mid-century furniture and vintage accessories blend well with the contemporary kitchen in the basement. ‘The house is perfect now – airy and uncluttered, yet still very cosy,’ says Anna. ‘It was definitely worth the wait.’

MASTER BEDROOM Anna and Alistair were inspired to install a bath in here after a stay in a boutique hotel. Walls in colour match 2510G90Y, Dulux. Millbrook bath, £1,474, The Cast Iron Bath Company

2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019 | 35

25bh | c it y HALLWAY

A display of woven bowls is unified by turquoise as an accent colour, complementing the wall and the sky in the painting perfectly. Woven bowls, £11.95 each, TK Maxx. The seagull painting is by Graham McKean; prints of his work are available, from £40

Classic Combination

Splashes of colour complement the beautiful Georgian features in Victoria Tweedie’s elegant apartment FEATURE ROSALIND ERSKINE | PHOTOGRAPHY FIONA WALKER-ARNOTT

38 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019

SITTING ROOM

Despite there being a mix of patterns and colours here, order is created by the symmetry of the cushions and lamps. The lampshades are from Pooky; similar designs, from £70 each. Terrace side tables, £299 each, West Elm. Blue denim sofa, £1,900, Sofas & Stuff

home truths THE PROPERTY Georgian apartment L O C AT I O N Edinburgh R O O M S Hallway, sitting room, kitchen, utility room, four bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We also have a home in the Scottish Borders,’ says Victoria.

KITCHEN

Victoria chose a mirrored splashback to contrast with the Shaker-style units, and painted the walls pink to tie in with the sitting room’s sofa. Walls in Fitzrovia Red diamond quick drying eggshell, £52.87 for 2.5L, Dulux. Tolix-style stools, £75 each, Cult Furniture

DINING AREA

A joiner made the table by adding wooden legs to Victoria’s zinc top. ‘I love a bit of DIY to personalise on a budget,’ she says. Vitra Eames DSW side chairs, £375 each, John Lewis & Partners. Lohals rug, £20, Ikea. Slate floor tiles, £23.50sq m, Mrs Stone Store

c it y | 25bh

espite being happy with their home in the Scottish Borders, Victoria Tweedie was keen to buy a flat in Edinburgh for weekend stays, and she had a clear idea of the location – the buzzing New Town. ‘I absolutely love this part of Edinburgh as it’s just around the corner from where my very first flat was,’ says Victoria. ‘It’s full of unique and quirky shops, great dog-friendly pubs and brilliant restaurants. There are so many beautiful apartments throughout New Town, but it was important to me that I was really close to all the fantastic amenities of Broughton Street – I think the whole point of living in a city should be to have everything you need on your doorstep.’ While plenty of properties come on the market in this part of Edinburgh, Victoria’s desire to be in this particular area narrowed down her search considerably, and when this flat came up for sale she decided to put in an offer despite its run-down state. ‘I heard of a few developers who balked at the amount of work involved when the property was on the market, and it needed a very tight hand on the budget,’ says Victoria. ‘But the layout and flow of a home are so important to me, and one of the main reasons I chose this flat was its floor plan – it wasn’t perfect, but it had potential. I hoped its rather dilapidated state meant that I would be more likely to get permission to do what

I wanted.’ Which, luckily she did, and set about organising the work. Because of the era of the home, the kitchen was one of the smallest rooms in the flat and Victoria wanted to move it into what was one of the bedrooms and open it up to the sitting room, as well as upgrading the bathroom and adding an en suite. ‘Having got the necessary consents, I moved the kitchen, removed some Seventies cupboard partitioning and then knocked through to the sitting room, reusing old cupboard fronts to form the double doors. This has created a fantastic 14-metre-long stretch of connected living space from front to back, where the light can stream in through the windows either side morning and afternoon,’ says Victoria. ‘The large kitchen now has a table that can seat eight and a spacious island with stools for four, which is relatively rare in an Edinburgh apartment. The new master bedroom got some love, too. I removed the internal bathroom in the hallway, blocked up the doorway and opened it up from the bedroom to become a walk-in wardrobe. I then put a new bathroom into an unused space to make an en suite.’ All this work, plus a full rewire and replumb took about nine months and when it was done Victoria could start decorating, with each room taking on a style or theme – often from the smallest thing such as an ornament or fabric. ‘The

Decor ating tip ‘If you’re not a fan of beige and grey schemes, try experimenting with colour. I have always used bold tones and I love the warmth and personality they bring to an interior. Your home should be your happy place and colour is the ultimate mood enhancer’ BEDROOM

Behind the bed is a Chinese screen bought at auction. ‘It adds a bit of fun,’ says Vanessa. Walls in Studio Green estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Cushions in Schumacher Chiang Mai Dragon fabric, £93m, Etsy

2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019 | 41

25bh | c it y MASTER BEDROOM

The colours in the headboard inspired the rest of the scheme. Headboard covered in Schumacher Hothouse Flowers, £251m, Stead McAlpin. The flat is available to rent via Airbnb and on Instagram – @edinburghholidays

BATHROOM

Adding pieces with a wood finish softens the classic blue-and-white scheme. Try the Burlington Edwardian basin and pedestal, £182.75, Victorian Plumbing

42 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019

Design tip ‘Using metro tiles in two contrasting colours and arranging them in bands around your bathroom walls, above the height of the sink, is a simple yet effective way to add interest to the scheme’ Georgian proportions are fantastic as they take colour really well, so I decided to have a bit of fun with my schemes,’ says Victoria. ‘The classic British country house fabrics tend to use colour, but often against a more muted, faded background. The American palette can be much more zingy, with bolder colours against crisp white, giving a stronger contrast. The inspiration for the bold colours I’ve used came from different places – in the bedrooms I often found headboard fabric first and worked from there; in the sitting room and kitchen, the inspiration came from an antique Chinese bowl.’ Victoria is happy with her home but regularly adapts the accessories and style. ‘The decoration is ongoing. New cushions and side chairs are coming soon and there’s always room on the walls for another painting,’ she says. Although the flat needed a lot of work, Victoria appreciated the ‘good bones’ of the structure and layout. This, combined with a clear design vision, has led to an eye-catching home with plenty of style that doesn’t detract from the original features. FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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25bh | c oa s ta l

home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y Former servants’ wing in a Victorian house L O C AT I O N Scotland R O O M S Hallway, dining room/ living area, kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2007 P R E V I O U S H O M E ‘My husband was the British Consul General in Milan, so we lived in the official residence,’ says Jennifer.

HOME TO ROOST Jennifer Bristow-Smith used her love of fabrics and simple Nordic style to transform a dated Scottish house FEATURE AMANDA HARLING | PHOTOGRAPHY ANDREAS VON EINSIEDEL

LIVING AREA Jennifer’s decision to line the walls with white-painted tongue-and-groove panelling establishes a Nordic look throughout. Ektorp sofas, from £250 each, Ikea. The Diana mirror would work here, £294, Decorative Mirrors Online. Try the Higham XL wall clock, £49.96, Tick Tock Clocks

DINING AREA The arch originally led through to the main part of the house, but Jennifer blocked up the opening and made it into a bookcase. Try the Draycott table, £699; Dorchester kitchen chairs, £120 each, both The Cotswold Company. The Freydis pendant is a match, £44.99, Very

favourite featur e ‘The original cast-iron fireplace was bricked up, but has been re-opened to become the focal point of the living area’

2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019 | 45

BEDROOM With a simple coat of white paint, Jennifer transformed the former laundry into a charming, restful space. The reversible gingham bedding set has this look, from £35, The White Company. Try the Bermondsey wall light in Chalk, £65, Garden Trading

reative energy emanates from the imposing 19th-century property bought 12 years ago by Jennifer and Laurence Bristow-Smith. Jennifer met her future husband, who worked at the British Embassy in Oslo, in 2004. ‘I’d been living in Norway off and on for years. Laurence’s next posting was to Milan and it was then that we began thinking about life after retirement. ‘We made a list of what we wanted; beautiful countryside, close to the sea and within easy reach of an airport. The house had to be interesting architecturally, have a sizeable garden and be spacious enough to provide storage and an office for my vintage linen and haberdashery business, Starched and Crumpled.’ The pair spent nearly a year looking for a suitable property. ‘Every few weeks we’d fly back to the UK, rent a car and race between house viewings. We criss-crossed the UK until we reached southwest Scotland.’ The light, spacious house they discovered in Kirkcudbright had the bonus of an adjoining annexe. ‘Little had been done to both buildings since the Sixties which was a real blessing,’ says Jennifer. After returning from Milan, Jennifer began with renovating the annexe, with the help of a local builder. It had originally housed the servants upstairs and the laundry 46 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019

downstairs. ‘We called the annexe The Rookery because of the colony of rooks who nest in the trees at the top of the garden and that inspired the “rook” decorative theme,’ says Jennifer. ‘I painted a tree and nest mural in the stairway, collected the feathers, and displayed Victorian prints of eggs, framed poems about rooks, and winged pottery around the house.’ The years Jennifer spent living in Norway strongly influenced the style of decoration. ‘I like the simplicity of Nordic style,’ she says, ‘and the emphasis on light, the use of natural materials and the pale Gustavian palette.’ White-painted tongue-and-groove panelling lines the lower half of the walls in both bedrooms and the living area, creating the relaxed look Jennifer had in mind for the interior. She also raided her antique and vintage linen collections to make Roman blinds from initialled linen sheets, and cushions from old German grain and potato sacks emblazoned with names in Gothic script. Also unusual are the everyday objects displayed in simple groups. ‘I’ve always been a collector of breadboards, buttons, photographs, vintage books – anything that I consider visually interesting,’ she says. ‘Each piece is decorative in its own right but together, they create impact. Now, this house is the perfect setting for all my treasures.’ FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

c oa s ta l | 25bh B AT H R O O M Warm wood adds a tactile element. Oak slatted doors, price on request, Howdens

LAST WOR D ‘We have everything we want here – town and country on our doorstep, a mild climate and artistic heritage, and all in a delightful setting’

S TA I R S Inspired by the colony of rooks that live in the garden, Jennifer painted a silhouette of a tree and nests on the wall. Similar vintage grain sack stair runners, from a selection, Etsy

MASTER BEDROOM A well-chosen mix of antique, vintage and new pieces give the room style and character. Rue du Mail Toile de Jouy in Chasseur is comparable to the blind fabric, from £56m, Warwick. For B&B and self-catering holidays at The Rookery, visit rookeryselfcatering.com

Viking ocean ships are designed just for you On a Viking ocean cruise ship, you won’t find a rock-climbing wall, wave machine or casino. What you will find are serene Scandinavian interiors, inspiring lectures on history and art, music and dance performances from your destination, regional wines, and restaurant menus inspired by local cuisine. That’s because Viking ships are not designed to be everything to everyone. Just everything to you.

2020 eight-day ocean cruises from £1,690pp 2020 eight-day river cruises from £1,395pp Call 020 8780 8594 or visit vikingcruises.co.uk Prices and availability are correct at time of going to print but are subject to change. From prices are based on two people sharing the lowest grade stateroom available on Danube Waltz river cruise and a Penthouse Veranda Stateroom on Iberian Explorer ocean cruise, departing on selected dates in 2020. Single supplements apply. Prices valid until 30 September 2019. For more information please visit vikingcruises.co.uk/terms-conditions or call us.

c oa s ta l | 25bh

A breath of fresh air Alison Hall found a historic coastguard’s cottage in her local seaside town and indulged her love of period renovation to create a bright and breezy bolthole FEATURE ALISON GIBB | PHOTOGRAPHY DOUGLAS GIBB

EXTERIOR

The beach is just across the road from the house. Robert Louis Stevenson holidayed in this area as a child and it is thought that nearby Fidra island was the inspiration for his most famous novel, Treasure Island

HALLWAY

A vintage lifebelt hanging on the wall gives a clue as to the house’s history and location. Vintage lifebelt, Holyrood Architectural Salvage – find similar on eBay from £35

2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019 | 49

KITCHEN

The newly fitted kitchen has a vintage feel, with a butler sink and chequerboard flooring. Create a floor like this using Forbo Marmoleum Click tiles, £28.39sq m, Floormart. Kitchen, around £7,000, Howdens

DINING ROOM

Cupboard doors were painted the same colour as the panelling for a decorative touch. For a similar panelling paint, try Ball Green modern eggshell, £69 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Jelly mould shades, £48 each, Re

SITTING ROOM

Alison relocated the living space to the first floor of the house to make the most of the sea views. Nockeby sofa, £725, Ikea, has this look. Ercol Originals coffee table, £457, Furniture Village. Delft tiles, £18 each, Douglas Watson Studio

c oa s ta l | 25bh

BEDROOM

BATHROOM

A vibrant eiderdown and a mix of artwork ensures character. The Quartermaster’s House can be rented through Gone To The Beach. Try the Shoreditch bed, from £874, Sofas & Stuff

The wooden floor has been varnished for a beautiful and hardwearing solution. Try the La Rochelle bath, from £2,065, The Cast Iron Bath Company. The Hoxton pendant, £45, Garden Trading, has this look

d e c o r a t i n g t i p ‘Scour charity shops and look for practical, well-made items that can be used either as they are or transformed into something unique and original’

L home truths

THE PROPERTY End-of-terrace cottage, built in 1860 L O C AT I O N North Berwick R O O M S Hallway, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, four bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We also have an Arts and Crafts house in Edinburgh,’ says Alison.

ocated at the head of a row of cottages, the old stone house owned by Alison Hall and her husband, Colman Clarke, was originally built for the seaside town’s chief coastguard, or quartermaster. ‘This house enjoys larger proportions than the other staff cottages, while the lifeboat was stored in a building at the other end of the row,’ says Alison. Although still full of character, the property had fallen into disrepair and was in a poor condition when the couple bought it. ‘Its potential seemed to go unnoticed by developers,’ Alison says, ‘despite its amazing position opposite the beach.’ With the help of her sister Lorna, Alison began renovating each of the rooms. Despite having no formal training, Alison has a genuine love of period properties and has acquired a fair amount of expertise while restoring her previous homes. And, to reflect its surroundings, Alison gave the cottage a hint of coastal style. ‘It’s important to honour the period and location of a house, but I like to be selective,’ she says. ‘I only

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

buy things I really like, instead of inflicting a blanket style. I have woven in delicate hints of seaside memorabilia, but haven’t filled the house with marine antiques and painted everything blue. I also prefer vintage items to anything you can buy new. I honestly feel the quality is better.’ Although utilitarian in design – it was, after all, a working coastguard’s cottage – the house has an air of grandeur and Alison reflected this in the decor, while also making sure the details are in keeping with the property’s history. The most radical thing the couple did was to relocate the sitting room upstairs so as to enjoy the higher ceiling and, of course, the stunning sea view. Being on the corner, the kitchen has a view of both the front and the back garden and, although compact, it has been designed to be functional. ‘I have time to cook when I’m here at weekends and get quite carried away. We seem to have so much more time when we are here, beside the seaside, than in our Edinburgh home, where we feel much more locked into the nine to five’. 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019 | 51

home truths THE PROPERTY Detached country new build L O C AT I O N Yorkshire R O O M S Hallway, kitchendiner/living area, utility room, larder, playroom, six bedrooms (two en suite), four bathrooms M O V E D I N 2009 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before, we rented a cottage in a nearby village,’ says Philippa.

FA I R Y TA L E E N D I N G Philippa and Rupert Abrahams obtained a plot of land to build their forever house, but then had to wait seven long years to move in FEATURE JESSICA DOYLE | PHOTOGRAPHY JODY STEWART

c o u ntry | 25bh DINING/LIVING AREA

This room’s decorative scheme was inspired by a pair of antique armchairs found on eBay, one upholstered in pink, the other in green. For similar fabric, try Brera Lino linen in Peony and Sea Mist, £65m, Designers Guild. Bluebell threeseater sofa is a match, from £1,460, Sofa.com

hen Rupert Abrahams’ parents offered him a piece of land, he and his wife, Philippa, knew it was an opportunity to create the home of their dreams. And even better, expert help was at hand. ‘My sister, Tor Vivian, is an interior designer,’ says Philippa. ‘She knew our style, and understood what our family needed.’ Since the plot was located amid 150 acres of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Philippa and Rupert knew obtaining planning permission might present a challenge. They decided to knock down an existing one-storey structure, and commissioned Hugh Petter of Adam Architecture to design a modern version of the cottage orné – a Romantic-era rustic retreat. The AONB status meant it took four years for planning permission to be granted, while Hugh dealt with a series of queries and delays. Once permission had been obtained, the build itself took a further three years. Tor and her team were involved from the start of the project, and helped Philippa and Rupert fine tune the layout to suit the family’s lifestyle. This meant building an open-plan kitchen-diner/ living area. Tor also commissioned a fitted kitchen with handleless cabinets, suited to the needs of a busy family. Next, Tor designed a large reception hall that doubles as a library for the couple, a side entrance with a boot room, and a separate playroom for Philippa and Rupert’s children, Alexander, now 16, Rosalie, 15, Francesca, 13, and Lily, 10. ‘As Rupert and I knew this was our family home, Tor

KITCHEN

Streamlined white cabinetry gives this space a chic, modern feel. Kitchen and interior design, Tor Vivian at Tor Interiors. Bespoke cabinetry, Butterfly Furniture. Four-oven black range cooker, from £12,110, Aga

2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019 | 53

HALLWAY/LIBRARY

Tor suggested a blue paint for the bookshelves here, to tie in with the picture frames. Shelves in Oval Room Blue estate eggshell, ÂŁ62 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Bordeaux Provence limestone flooring, from ÂŁ118.80sq m, Mandarin Stone

c o u ntry | 25bh MASTER BEDROOM

Philippa covered the sofa herself, using offcuts of vintage fabrics taken from a curtain-maker friend’s sample book. Patchwork Chesterfield chair is comparable, £529, Beliani. Majestic deer head would, work here, £40, Cox & Cox

i n s p i r a t i o n ‘I love to mix and match colour and pattern – especially green, pink and blue’ advised us to think about what we’d need in 10 years’ time, not just over the next couple of years,’ says Philippa. As the planning and building stages took seven years to complete, Philippa and Tor had plenty of time to envision and design the decor. ‘It was quite organic,’ says Philippa. ‘I love colour, and I didn’t want to have everything matching, so the same chairs tend to be covered in different materials. I also made mood boards featuring my favourite shades of green, blue and pink, and these are used throughout. I covered many of the chairs myself using colourful offcuts of material, as I much prefer hunting out something for free rather than spending money on something expensive.’ Existing pieces collected over the years, including family heirlooms and those picked up at auctions and junk shops, were recovered in a decorative mix of pattern and colour. Now that the project is finished, Philippa and Rupert are delighted with the result. ‘We absolutely love it,’ says Philippa. ‘It works so well as a space for us as a family, every room flows into the next, and it’s filled with light from the many windows. The location is amazing – we’re surrounded by woodland, so it feels like we’re in the middle of nowhere. It’s exceeded all our expectations.’ FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

BATHROOM

Tor designed the decorative vanity to match the house’s architectural style. Marlin bathroom light, £696; silk shade, £128, both Porta Romana. The Millbrook bath is similar, £1,107, Cast Iron Bath Company

2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019 | 55

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Pure chic Laure Vial du Chatenet’s Parisian apartment is a study in elegance and practicality FEATURE RACHEL LEEDHAM | PHOTOGRAPHY YANN DERET/LIVING INSIDE

OFFICE AREA

A palette of grey and dusky pink helps elevate the built-in office storage. Walls in SC234 powder matt emulsion, €37.30 for 1L, Ressource

SITTING AREA

The eye-catching chandelier in amber-toned glass and brass and a distinctive coffee table are strong defining features of the main living space. Last Night Branche pendant light, from £11,682; To Turn You On coffee table, from £7,800, both Damien Langlois-Meurinne for Pouenat at Frenchy Furniture

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home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y Fourthfloor apartment within a building dating from the 1830s L O C AT I O N Central Paris R O O M S Hallway, sitting room with office and library, kitchendiner, utility room, four bedrooms (one en suite), one bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Before buying this, we lived in a small Twenties house in southwest Paris,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; says Laure.

25bh | c it y DESIGN TIP â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Having sight lines from one end of the living space to the other makes it feel much bigger and brighterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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HALLWAY

A geo print is a striking backdrop to a display of 19th-century portraits. Vertigo wallpaper, £59 a roll, Boråstapeter at Wallpaper Direct

KITCHEN

Stools with woven seats complement the natural feel of the oak cupboards. Stools with palm leaf seats, €53 each, Tine K Home

DINING AREA

Chairs upholstered in sapphire blue velvet lend a pop of colour to the pale tones of the marble table and vitrine-style storage. Tulip oval dining table, from £4,128, Twentytwentyone. 200-190 chairs, €290 each, 366 Concept at The Cool Republic. Bo lampshade, £169, House Curious. Bakelite pendant lights, from €17.85 each, Zangra

hen Laure Vial du Chatenet was a student, she spent several years living in Saint-Georges, an area in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. She loved the quartier so much that two years ago, she and her husband, Bertrand, and their three children, Marie, now 22, Blanche, 15, and César, 10, opted to sell their house in the suburbs and return to Laure’s old stomping ground. ‘It’s wonderfully central and close to lots of really vibrant bars and restaurants, yet the area itself is quiet – it’s a little haven in the city,’ she explains. It was through Laure’s work as an interior designer that she found this gem of an apartment, in the same street where she had lived all those years ago. ‘I regularly work with a firm of property developers who told me that it was coming on the market,’ she recounts. ‘In this area, finding a south-facing apartment on the uppermost floor of a building’s étages nobles is rare, and the fact that it has a balcony helped clinch the deal.’ The flat is a generous 160 square metres, but there is one downside to its layout: the building’s communal stairwell cuts through the apartment, meaning that the kitchen could not be linked to the living spaces. ‘There was nothing we could do about that, but there was so much that could be changed, especially as the apartment hadn’t been touched in 30 years,’ says Laure, who trained as a textile designer and creates fabrics and

wallpapers for her own brand, Maison Caumont. She decided to knock down the walls between the living spaces and replace them with Crittall-style glass partitions. ‘Bertrand often likes to watch television in the evenings, while I tend to read, so I wanted to have two separate living areas, as well as an office space,’ Laure explains. ‘Glass partitions offer the best of both worlds – they bring in light and keep the sense of space while cutting out noise.’ The spacious kitchen overlooks the building’s courtyard, and features a wall of floor-toceiling cupboards that Laure designed in a vitrine style. ‘I used a type of security glass that I love, as it adds a decorative touch,’ she explains. Behind the glass are elegant displays of crockery and table linens, much of which was inherited from Laure’s family. The apartment is furnished with a lively mix of mid-century classics, vintage pieces and clean-lined contemporary designs from Scandinavian brands. The striking pendant light and coffee table in the main sitting area, by their friend Damien LangloisMeurinne, add touches of jewellike colour to the muted canvas. The apartment is still evolving and Laure is mulling over the idea of more structural changes: ‘This year, our daughter Marie got her own flat in Montmartre, so we have an empty bedroom,’ she explains. ‘I’m considering knocking through to enlarge the living area, but I haven’t quite decided yet – watch this space.’

BLANCHE’S BEDROOM

Soft fabrics and muted tones bring an air of calm to this creative corner. Chair reupholstered in Domino fabric, €119m, Maison Caumont

CÉSAR’S BEDROOM

A bespoke bed incorporating storage maximises the limited space. House Doctor brass pendant light, £185, Nordic Nest

BATHROOM

The Scandinavian simplicity of the brass mirrors and wall lights offers a clean-lined contrast to a worn oak beam. Amelie travertine basins, €199 each, Leroy Merlin. House Doctor brass wall lights, £120 each; House Doctor brass mirrors, from £60 each, all Design Vintage

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DESIGN TIP ‘I have used built-in storage throughout the apartment – it means that everything has its place in our home’

MASTER BEDROOM Framed pieces of antique wallpaper create a beautiful focal point above the bed. Bakelite pendant lights, from €17.85 each, Zangra. Lampe Gras 207 table lamp with chrome shade, £364, Holloways of Ludlow

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ART AND CRAFT It has taken years but Claudia and Henrik Rasmussen’s hard work has turned a rundown house into a family home filled with inherited treasures and favourite finds

home truths

THE PROPERTY Detached house built in 1900 L O C AT I O N Copenhagen R O O M S Hallway, sitting room, living room, kitchen-diner, cloakroom, four bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2004 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before, we had a flat in central Copenhagen,’ says Claudia.

DINING AREA Claudia inherited the elegant dining table from her grandmother. ‘While I was sanding it down, I could smell her perfume,’ she says. Similar sheepskin, £35, Dunelm. PH5 Classic pendant in White, £582.23, Finnish Design Shop

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FEATURE MELANIE WHITEHOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY CHRISTINA KAYSER ONSGAARD/LIVING INSIDE

tow n | 25bh SITTING ROOM The antique piano in this space is enjoyed by all the family. The Brad linen armchair has this look, £560, Perch & Parrow

KITCHEN The handleless units are sleek and easy to clean. Luna cabinets in Matt White are similar, £2,148 for an eight-unit kitchen, Magnet

crumbling house that was falling apart at the seams was not exactly what Claudia Rasmussen and her husband Henrik were hoping to find when they began househunting in 2004. But there was something enchanting about the tatty property and its generous garden that appealed to the couple. ‘The house spoke to me,’ says Claudia. ‘We could see it needed a complete, top-to-toe renovation, but we felt we could take it on. We had no money back then, so we had to do everything ourselves.’ The couple moved into the house and began stripping it down and taking it back to basics. The previous owners had divided the property into two flats and moved the kitchen. Distressingly, they had also torn out the original painted wooden wall panels. ‘We found the remnants when we stripped the walls,’ says Claudia. ‘They’d probably used them as firewood. It was an awful shame.’ Their first project was to remove the exterior stairs and put a new staircase inside. Then they replaced floors, windows, the heating and insulation. They relocated the kitchen to its original spot and added a new bathroom. The most recent project involved replacing the old conservatory and building a terrace outside. What Claudia describes as ‘functionality’ was key to the project. ‘If a house doesn’t flow, it doesn’t work,’ she says. Now the rooms flow seamlessly and each space is light and bright. The couple’s three children, William, 15, Katarina, 13, and Natalie, eight, were all born in the house, which has grown organically as the family’s needs have

SITTING ROOM Vintage Danish furniture from the Forties, Fifties and Sixties is teamed with pops of colour for an easy update. Try the Bahar multicolour rug, £234.95, Benuta. The black nine-light Nono chandelier is a match, £243.83, Viadurini

25bh | tow n S TA I R C A S E Katarina climbs the steep stairs to her sister Natalie’s attic bedroom.

LIVING ROOM Claudia and Henrik’s latest addition to the house is this room, which replaced the conservatory and links with the garden. Find similar armless Danish sofas, price on request, Innovation Living

altered. ‘This house is amazing – it changes as the family grows up,’ says Claudia. ‘Upstairs, we originally had to walk through all the bedrooms to get to the back room. To solve the problem, we reconfigured the space and then added a room in the attic for Natalie.’ Claudia’s decorating style is eclectic, mixing precious, inherited pieces with interesting purchases from junk shops and garage sales. ‘I like my things to have a story,’ she explains. Equally important is texture. ‘It’s not just about the eyes, it’s about how things feel, too.’ As with so many Scandinavian homes, white was chosen for the walls. It has the added bonus of being a good backdrop to showcase Claudia’s collections of vases, pottery, mugs and chopping boards. ‘You can add bits and pieces without it getting messy,’ says Claudia. ‘My brown and black Sixties and Seventies pottery stands out so well.’ Looking back, Claudia can hardly believe the couple did all the renovations while both working full-time and looking after three children. ‘Since we moved in, there has always been a project on the go,’ she adds. ‘I don’t mind living in a mess with plaster dust everywhere but it was chaos when William was born, and again when Katarina came along, as we were doing the bathroom. ‘If we had had the money back in 2004, it would probably have been easier for us to tear the house down and completely start over,’ Claudia reflects. ‘Now, though, after all our hard work, this is our perfect home and we have it just the way we want it.’ 66 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019

MASTER BEDROOM The junk-shop kilim adds texture and personality in here. Knappa pendant, £18, Ikea. Similar grey linen throw, £52.75, LinenAround on Etsy

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PATTERN PLAY Wildlife photographer and artist Jake Mosher takes inspiration from nature to create unique contemporary artwork for online Runway Gallery

FEATURE TARA KING ARTWORK, FROM LEFT: AZTEC; GLOBAL WRAP, BOTH JAKE MOSHER AT RUNWAY GALLERY

aving grown up among unbroken woodland in northern Vermont, Runway Gallery artist, Jake Mosher, has always been passionate about nature. However, it wasn’t until he left his job as an explosives engineer and moved to Montana that his desire to capture it came to the fore. ‘Sitting by a lake in the Rocky Mountains, I was struck by the beauty all around me – I felt it deserved to be shared,’ he says. Since then, he’s won numerous awards including the People’s Choice award from the Insight Investment Astronomy Photographer of the Year, sponsored by the Royal Maritime Museum, Greenwich. Jake’s latest collection, Metamorphosis, is inspired by the intricate patterns on butterfly and moth wings, observed through his camera at high-magnification. ‘I entwine art and photography in a way that’s never been seen before, like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon,’ he says.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO MAKE BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS YOUR SUBJECT MATTER? The colours and

the brilliance of their wings – it’s a miracle of nature. I wanted to find a unique way to capture their beauty. TELL US ABOUT YOUR ‘METAMORPHOSIS’ TECHNIQUE.

I start by taking hundreds of highly magnified images of small sections of butterfly and moth wings, moving the camera a minuscule amount each time. Once my editing programme has stacked them into a single image, I work with the pictures to create a kaleidoscope-like effect. WHAT’S BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT SO FAR? Last year one

of my pieces was featured as Photo of the Week in The Sunday Times and has since been publicised around the world. HOW DO YOU DISPLAY YOUR ART?

I’ve always been a fan of less is more. You’ve chosen a piece for a reason, so make it centre

stage. My pieces are pretty big so they can hold their own in bigger spaces. Against a neutral wall, the colours really stand out. WHERE IS YOUR WORK BEST HUNG?

It depends on your personality. In a hallway, the art sets the tone for the rest of the home. In a bedroom, it’s the first thing you see when you wake up so it needs to inspire you. WHAT ABOUT FRAMES? I suggest no

frame – the butterfly shouldn’t be boxed in.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR BUYING ART? Choose pieces that you

love. Investing in art is great, but it’s tricky to predict what a piece is going to be worth. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT RUNWAY GALLERY? The diversity

of artwork on offer. Why scour gallery after gallery when you can browse collections at the click of a button? To buy stylish and affordable artwork by Jake Mosher and other artists, visit runway-gallery.com

DON’T MISS Runway Gallery at the Photo North Festival (30 November – 2 December) in Harrogate. PLUS, check out the art and talks at private members’ club Blacks in central London, where SYRETT, founder of Runway Gallery, is curator. 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019 | 67

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home truths THE PROPERTY Terrace built in 1890 L O C AT I O N Southwest London R O O M S Hallway, sitting room, kitchen-diner, four bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2009 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before this, we’d been renting a two-bedroom Victorian cottage locally,’ says Jess.

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ALL IN GOOD TIME With a lot of patience and a little luck, Jess Taylor and her husband James were able to create the home they had always wanted FEATURE MARISHA TAYLOR | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH

KITCHEN-DINER ‘This room is eight years old but the design is still fresh,’ says Jess. ‘A good example of why keeping things simple and classic works.’ Units in Hardwick White estate eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

hen Jess Taylor and her husband James first saw the Victorian terrace they now call home, they dismissed it straight away. ‘It was completely out of our price range,’ says Jess. ‘Wandsworth in southwest London is where we wanted to settle and we’d been renting in the area for a year waiting for the right property to come onto the market. James still has the email I sent him with the property details entitled ‘If Only’. However, with falling house prices, in 2009 the couple’s pipe dream turned into a reality when they put in a low offer that was accepted. ‘We were thrilled.’ recalls Jess. ‘Overall, the house was in good condition, but the kitchen was separate from the living and dining areas and it was small with an odd layout. There were good-sized bedrooms upstairs but just one small bathroom and the loft hadn’t been extended.’

adding character

Aesthetically the house wasn’t to the couple’s taste. ‘Most of the period features were missing,’ says Jess. ‘There were double-glazed windows where the traditional sash windows would have been, and the Victorian tiled path outside had been concreted over, but a bit of hard work didn’t put us off. We also wanted to reinstate the period details, redesign the kitchen and convert the loft.’ Initially, Jess and James gave the house a lick of paint. They installed sash windows before they moved in and then spent the next couple of years just enjoying their new home. In 2011 the couple tackled the kitchen. ‘It was a huge undertaking and pretty stressful,’ says Jess. ‘I was heavily pregnant with William, who’s now eight, and it was a race against time to get it finished. Being a terrace meant there was only one way in and out of the house and for five months the downstairs had a carpet of dust and rubble. We should have moved out, but being “on site” meant I could do a daily walk around with the builders and keep things on track.’ As a passionate cook, Jess wanted a large kitchen and knew the new space would be worth all the dust. SITTING ROOM Artwork by the family keeps things personal. Sofa.com’s Alderney chair in Canary cotton matt velvet, £890, would suit this space

at t i c e x t e n s i o n

Two years after the kitchen was finished, Jess and James started on the loft conversion. ‘Compared to the kitchen, the loft was easy and the work was undertaken with minimum fuss and mess,’ says Jess. ‘We’d been given advice to convert the space into two bedrooms with an en suite to add more value to the house, but we ignored this and created one big master with a separate bathroom. We wanted the space to work for us rather

favo u r i t e r o o m ‘I’m passionate about cooking and having people around the table, so the kitchen really is the heart of our home’

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SITTING ROOM ‘The chandelier is my most treasured possession,’ says Jess. ‘It showcases the ceiling detail.’ The Traditional eight-branch bronze shallow glass chandelier ceiling light, £337.85, Woodpecker Interiors, is a good alternative

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25bh | c it y BEDROOM The scalloped edges of the headboard highlight the dramatically dark wall. Cardigan headboard, £489, The Headboard Workshop

M A S T E R B AT H R O O M Jess designed the double basin cabinet and asked her carpenter to make it. The Brandon rectangle mirror, £140, Perch & Parrow, is similar

M A S T E R B AT H R O O M A freestanding tub creates a luxurious spa-style feel. Astonian Epoca roll-top bath, £2,926, The Cast Iron Bath Company

than think about the house value and we’re so pleased we did. Our bedroom is a light, calming space and its size allowed us to fit in a giant bed. And we have a gorgeous big bathroom with a freestanding bath. We designed it taking inspiration from hotels we’ve stayed in, so it always feels like such a treat using it.’ More recently a new boiler and radiators have been installed, laminate flooring has been replaced with engineered walnut, bespoke bookshelves built and all the rooms painted and updated. ‘I used to get nervous making choices about our home, but my confidence has grown as we’ve renovated,’ says Jess. ‘I now choose paint colours, soft furnishings and statement furniture that have longevity and complement the house. The result is a simple, elegant but homely space that is a pleasure to be in. We are so proud to have breathed character and life back into this property, and in turn it has provided us with a wonderful, much-loved family home.’

MASTER BEDROOM The wall, woodwork and ceiling were painted in the same colour to give the illusion of height. Walls in Hardwick White estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Stepney chest of drawers, £499, Swoon

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One of a kind Hilary and Nick Chambers took their time, determined to craft a home unique to them FEATURE NICKY GUYMER | PHOTOGRAPHY ELSA YOUNG/FRANK FEATURES

2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019 | 73

favourite item ‘I had loved the Tamar Mogendorff swan, which hangs in our sitting

KITCHEN As a keen cook, Nick wanted to have expansive worksurfaces, so he chose an L-shaped layout for the units, as well as a co-ordinating island. Real Shaker kitchen, starting at £12,000, deVOL. Nadia encaustic floor tiles in Aubergine, £95sq m, Terrazzo Tiles

home truths THE PROPERTY Edwardian terrace L O C AT I O N Buckinghamshire R O O M S Hallway, sitting room, kitchen-diner, playroom, utility room, cloakroom, four bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2011 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘After we left New York, we rented in London,’ says Hilary.

74 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019

KITCHEN-DINER Hilary’s love of New York loft living is to thank for the wall of Crittall-style glazing and oversized pendants, which give this room its edge. Ronde pendant lights, from £213 each, Gubi at David Village Lighting. Similar doors, price on request, Aspire Bifolds

fter four years of saving, a year of renovating and two years of settling in, Hilary Chambers still refers to the home that she shares with her husband Nick and their three children, Olive, 11, Iris, eight, and Herbie, three, as a work in progress. It was the riverside location in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, coupled with its massive potential, that piqued their interest when they first viewed the Edwardian terrace

back in 2011. ‘It was in the middle of a property boom and there was very little on the market,’ says Hilary. ‘But we knew on the first viewing that this would be our home despite the state it was in.’ Nick agrees, saying, ‘There were a lot of strange upgrades, like a timber-framed conservatory, which, though attractive, was too higgledy-piggledy to ever be practical.’ There were other challenges, too – matted carpets, blown plaster, a quarter

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room, for a decade before we bought it to mark our 10th wedding anniversary last year’

SITTING ROOM ‘We hung our swan in so many different parts of the house trying to decide where she works best, but now we think we have found her perfect home – above the mantel.’ Wall-mounted swan, $625, Tamar Mogendorff. Deep Dream sofa in Moss velvet, £1,995, Graham and Green

of a ceiling missing in what is now the playroom, no heating and an infestation of mice. ‘We begged and borrowed just enough to buy the house, but we didn’t have any money left over to renovate it,’ says Hilary. ‘So when the kitchen ceiling fell down, the first Christmas we were here, we just had to leave it bare to the rafters.’ Apart from a lick of paint in the sitting room, work did not properly start on the house until 2015, while the family rented

locally for six months. ‘We set out with a few fixed goals and didn’t waver from them,’ says Hilary It was always the plan to knock down the conservatory and extend to make a large kitchen-diner, while still retaining the original footprint of the house. But the idea to have an internal laundry room came later. A bigger bathroom upstairs was a must-have, but the half-glass shower was a design idea that came from wrangling over the tiny details. ‘Shoehorning an en suite

into Iris’ room was something we wouldn’t have thought of if we’d just gone straight into the renovation,’ says Hilary. The major appeal of this house, however, is the decor and Hilary’s incredible eye for colour and textiles. ‘We moved to New York for a couple of years for Nick’s work and it was there my love of interiors took on a life of its own,’ she says. ‘Industrial, loft living was really influential to me. Plus, flea markets and reclamation sites were 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019 | 75

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last wor d ‘I feel so lucky to have this house – each morning I think how amazing it is’

MASTER BEDROOM Hilary initially worried that her wallpaper choice was too feminine, but it has been balanced with linear lighting and a leather-upholstered bed. Henry wallpaper, £75 a roll, Sandberg, would work here. Ottori bed in White Madras leather, £1,500, Habitat. Fin pendant, £219, Original BTC at Holloways of Ludlow

everywhere.’ It was also in New York that Hilary honed her skills for hunting out interior treasures. The huge dresser in their kitchen, which took them a year to find, was finally theirs after they followed it through two sales and finally managed to clinch it for something ‘vaguely affordable’. When it comes to making decisions about accessories for her home, Hilary doesn’t like to be rushed. ‘There’s a lot of agonising that goes on as I tend to take a 76 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019

B AT H R O O M Hilary loves to escape in here to enjoy a soak in her longed-for roll-top bath. She stuck to a simple palette to make the space as soothing as possible. Millbrook cast-iron bath, £925, The Cast Iron Bath Company. Panelling in Dove Tale modern eggshell, £69 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Try Miami towels, £36 each, Bohemia

long time to make decisions,’ she says. It was here that Hilary’s friend, who runs interiorstyling company Someday Studio, came to the rescue. ‘There were certain rooms that I just ran out of steam on, like my bedroom, and she helped me fall in love with it again.’ Hilary’s style is best described as paradoxical. She thinks nothing of laying boldly graphic tiles in the kitchen or hanging super-scale wallpapers in the bedroom, yet pictures sit propped up

against walls for months on end waiting to be committed to plaster. ‘I always worry I’ll go off it, even though it’s usually a picture I’ve coveted for years,’ she says. The completed home is testimony to the care and attention Hilary has given it. ‘While the work was happening I definitely thought, “Never again!” – but we’d put so much into it, financially and emotionally, I couldn’t entertain ever leaving. But now, I do wonder if I have another house in me...’ FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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home truths

THE PROPERTY Upper maisonette in a Victorian property L O C AT I O N Southwest London R O O M S Kitchen-diner/living area, study, two bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘This is the first home I’ve bought,’ says Ciara.

CHANGING FACES After years of various alterations, Ciara Ephson’s elegant home has reached its full potential thanks to clever spatial planning and her eye for characterful pieces FEATURE EMMA J PAGE PHOTOGRAPHY KRISTY NOBLE

LIVING AREA Ciara reworked this space to incorporate a kitchen cleverly fitted into the eaves, while a small stud wall hides the sink. Dublin dining table, £425, Habitat. Chairs, vintage Ercol. Floor lamp, price on application, Fiona McDonald. Tanner bar stools, £89 each, Cult Furniture, are a match. Interior conceived by Fentiman Design

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LIVING AREA When Ciara moved in, she replaced the existing windows with sliding doors, which open on to her private terrace. Crescent sofa, from £2,708, Camerich. Cushions in Plain Linen, £120m, Fermoie. Gala coffee table, £250, Habitat. Vintage kilim, from a selection, The Rug Company

KITCHEN Honed-marble worktops create a luxurious look. Pestle and mortar, £130, John Julian. HAY hourglass, £16, Amara

iara Ephson’s apartment has been through its fair share of changes since she bought it seven years ago. The interior designer found the upper maisonette in southwest London just as she was graduating. Since then, she has rented it out, lived in it with numerous friends, started her own

design practice, Fentiman Design, and married husband Will Mason, who now shares this elegant home with her. Fittingly, the decor and layout of the apartment, which ranges over two floors and includes a terrace, have been refined over the years. ‘When I bought it, the bones were there,’ says Ciara. ‘But it was uninspiring, with magnolia walls

and lots of dark-wood finishes.’ She made a few tweaks, such as adding sliding doors across the full width of the terrace, as well as repainting and recarpeting throughout, but knew that when time and budget allowed, a fuller renovation was on the cards. Four years later, she and Will were ready to undertake a complete overhaul. They 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019 | 79

25bh | c it y MASTER BEDROOM Mid-century wood combines elegantly with olive and stone tones. Vintage G Plan pieces, eBay. Heaney lamps, £325 each; Bedwyn shades in Green Rabanna, from £85, all Fermoie

STUDY The Danish lamp was a gift from Ciara’s grandmother. Rug, price on request, Madeline Weinrib. Ekenaset chair, £185; Knagglig storage boxes, £9 each, all Ikea

BEDROOM Treasured artwork adds a graphic note to the scheme. Sofabed in Chiltern, £120m, Fermoie. Gilbert & George poster, from around £50, eBay

BEDROOM Black pieces, like these vintage drawers, work with dashes of red. Markham lamp base, £200, Fermoie

B AT H R O O M Herringbone tiles add depth to this space. Monastir Gloss tiles in Dove, from £35sq m, Mandarin Stone

FAVOURITE SHOP ‘I love The Conran Shop for accessories and inspiration, and Pinch Design and Benchmark for their wonderful craftsmanship’

decamped to a nearby flat and in just 10 weeks gutted the property. They removed a stud wall and archway into the previously small kitchen, extending it into the living area and creating a breakfast bar, while a new wall conceals the sink. ‘I avoided wall-mounted units, to make the under-eaves space feel more generous,’ says Ciara. ‘It works so much better now – I can cook and still feel part of the action, with the new wall providing a subtle delineation.’ Though clever spatial planning lies at the heart of her designs, Ciara admits that it was a more sentimental factor 80 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019

that drove the decor. ‘My mother was an art dealer and the first piece she bought with my father was a work by Joanna Kirk,’ she explains. ‘Growing up, it hung in our living room and I loved it. When Will and I married, my parents gave it to us.’ It now takes centre stage on the wall behind the dining table. ‘It meant we had to forgo a radiator, but opted for underfloor heating to compensate.’ With a keen eye for colour and shape, Ciara says her style is ‘clean, but characterful. I am definitely influenced by mid-century Scandi and modern

Italian design’. Tactile fabrics abound, from the geometric design on the sofabed to the pleasingly heavy drapes in the living area and master bedroom. ‘I think I inherited a passion for art from my mother, and for the nuances of colour from my father,’ says Ciara, in reference to Martin Ephson, co-founder of Farrow & Ball and, latterly, Fermoie. ‘Growing up with them was an education in subtleties.’ The latest addition is a whippet called Plum. ‘The apartment is more lived-in thanks to her,’ smiles Ciara. ‘But I designed the interior to last.’ FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

home truths

P R O P E R T Y Victorian end-of-terrace house L O C AT I O N East Sussex R O O M S Hallway, kitchendiner/living area, three bedrooms (one en suite), one bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We lived in a Thirties semi-detached house in south London before moving to Lewes and renting until we found this place,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; says Emma.

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FULL SPEED AHEAD Designer Emma Carlow and her husband Graham renovated their Victorian end-of-terrace property from top to bottom in just six weeks FEATURE KATIE TREGGIDEN | PHOTOGRAPHY BRUCE HEMMING

LIVING AREA

To maximise the sense of space, Emma selected furniture with long legs to reveal a continuous expanse of floor. Hardwick sofa, £495, Habitat. Helgar sheepskin, £59, Made.com, is a match. Horse cushion, £42, Playroom Interiors

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DINING AREA

‘The scheme was designed around our dining table, because that is where we entertain, where we work and where I host a craft night once a week,’ says Emma. Pamono has a Danish No 3309 PS System from Randers MØbelfabrik, £995

WORK SPACE

Emma has an office in Lewes, but also works from home at this small desk. Chair seat covered in Totley, £140m, Eleanor Pritchard

mma Carlow was living in a rented house with her husband Graham and son Finn, now 17, when they spotted their current home on the same street. ‘This house was almost a mirror image of the one we were living in four doors down,’ says Emma, who is a wallpaper designer. ‘So I thought we’d know exactly what to do when it came to renovating it, but in the end we didn’t do anything we had planned to.’ The couple lived in the house for a year before starting what turned out to be a very speedy renovation. The family moved out while a team of builders headed up by Emma’s dad – a retired builder himself – moved in. Emma and her dad project-managed and in six weeks the team fitted a new staircase, replaced the roof – fitting a dormer to create space for an en suite for Finn, built

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storage for Graham’s photography equipment, replaced the family bathroom and extended the kitchen into the side return. The first job was the main staircase. ‘We wanted new stairs, because the original ones were too steep,’ says Emma, ‘but altering the staircase meant re-planning the bathroom to create the necessary space.’ Next, a dormer in the roof created room for Finn’s en suite. ‘We let Finn have that room, so when he has friends over he takes them up there and we’ve still got the rest of the house,’ she laughs. Emma’s dad advised them to add insulation to the external walls. This necessitated paddle stairs up to Finn’s room, but does mean they hardly ever have to heat the upstairs of the house. The final project was the kitchen. ‘We inherited a tiny kitchen,’ says Emma. ‘You could stand in the middle and touch two opposite

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DECOR ATING TIP ‘Be brave! We love the bright yellow cupboards in the kitchen as a contrast to the darker units and floor’

KITCHEN

The shelves were originally created for wine, but after the kitchen was finished, Emma realised she hadn’t included storage for her cookery books so those took priority. Le Creuset oval casserole, £250, John Lewis & Partners

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MAIN BEDROOM

Aiming for a look inspired by a ship’s cabin, Emma boxed in a fireplace behind the bed to make best use of the space. Bespoke shelving in Down Pipe estate eggshell, £69 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

BATHROOM

The wallpaper is one of Emma’s own designs. I-Spy wallpaper, £65 a roll, Playroom Interiors. Laundry basket, £48, Milagros

GUEST BEDROOM

The blind fabric ties in with the background in the Polly Borland photograph of the Queen, which Polly gifted to Graham after he assisted on the shoot. Blind in Unikko, £39m, Marimekko

walls at the same time.’ By extending into the side return and using extensive glazing, they created a spacious, light-filled space. While the work was going on, Graham was working in New York and Emma stayed in a local holiday cottage with Finn, so she was able to keep an eye on progress. ‘I loved seeing everything stripped bare,’ she says, ‘but my favourite moment was Graham’s reaction when he got back – I think he was quite impressed!’ Inspired by a love of colour and mid-century design, the interior came together quite naturally. ‘Graham and I have always been quite flamboyant with colour. We both went to art school, so perhaps we’ve been inspired by the artists we admire. I am a massive Alexander Calder fan and he uses a lot of primary colours.’ Predominantly white walls provide a backdrop for mid-century 86 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019

furniture and a colourful collection of art and personal objects. The couple’s existing dining table provided a starting point, soon enhanced by the Sixties teak display unit – a lucky find on eBay at just £400 that turned out to be the Danish PS System. For the kitchen, Emma bought basic cabinets and commissioned a local carpenter to make the doors, which she then painted bright yellow. ‘The kitchen floor stayed concrete for ages, because we didn’t know what to do with it,’ says Emma. ‘But my neighbour encouraged us to go for teal, so teal lino it was!’ Now that the whirlwind renovation is complete, what does the family make of their colourful home? ‘What I love about our house is that it is incredibly welcoming,’ says Emma. ‘It’s just a really friendly place to be.’ Not bad for six weeks’ work.

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LAST WOR D ‘We’ve lived with this renovation for four years now and we’re still really happy with it’

GUEST BEDROOM

The built-in bed and storage in what Emma and Graham jokingly call the ‘Mother Cupboard’ were made by a local carpenter. Try vintage Caernarfon Tapestry, £369, Jane Beck Welsh Blankets

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

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25bh | tow n SITTING ROOM ‘I like the curvy shape and button-back detailing of this chair,’ says Kirsty. Claude armchair in Cobble, £640, Sofa.com

FAMILY MATTERS Kirsty and Paul Sitton balanced their desire for an elegant home with the needs of their four children FEATURE JANE CRITTENDEN | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH

home truths

THE PROPERTY Edwardian detached L O C AT I O N Surrey R O O M S Hallway, sitting room, dining room, playroom, kitchen, cloakroom, four bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a Victorian terrace in south London,’ says Kirsty.

or Kirsty and Paul Sitton, creating a sophisticated home that balances with the busy lives of their four children – Charlotte, 10, Toby, eight, Alice, seven, and William, five – became the challenge of their interiors decision-making. Kirsty planned out each room carefully, but as a full-time mum, understandably everything took time to put into action. ‘Our project was a gradual process as the children were young and Paul and I did everything ourselves,’ Kirsty explains. ‘The sitting room and our bedroom are my favourite spaces because they’re primarily used by us and we could go all-out with the elegant look I craved.’ Kirsty and Paul began house-hunting seven years ago. Their focus was on finding a period property in one of the market towns around London that Paul, a director for a global real estate company, could easily commute from. When this Edwardian house in central Guildford came up for sale they were delighted. ‘We walked into a wide hallway and a staircase that swept around with a lovely, grand feel to it,’ Kirsty recalls. ‘We loved that many original features were intact – the first thing Paul did when we moved in was light a fire in the sitting room!’ With the exception of the kitchen that was in desperate need of replacing, the fact that the house didn’t need any building work suited Kirsty, who at the time had three children under the age of four, with William arriving two years later. From the outset, she began making plans, sourcing reclaimed fireplaces and cast-iron

SITTING ROOM Kirsty chose dark wood furniture to create a colonial feel. She had the floorboards stained black and balanced the look with pale grey walls.

Bluebell sofa in Sapphire Smart Velvet, from £1,730, Sofa.com. Sand Black floor lamp, £199, Barker and Stonehouse. The antique chest of drawers was sourced from eBay; try Vinterior for similar

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DINING ROOM Copper pops in the black, grey and white scheme. Try the Old Factory pendant in copper, £99, Industville. Canton dining table, £2,465; Canton chairs, £255 each, both Lombok

CHARLOTTE’S BEDROOM ‘Dusty pink walls have more longevity than bubble-gum pink in a girl’s bedroom,’ says Kirsty. Hellebore absolute matt emulsion, £42 for 2.5L, Little Greene

KITCHEN Moving the washing machine and dryer to the cellar maximised space for cupboards. Shaker Ermine kitchen in Pebble, £7,000, Wren Kitchens

P L AY R O O M This colourful space is the perfect setting for playtime. Trooping the Colour print, £10, London Transport Museum Shop, would work

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favo u r i t e i t e m ‘The velvet sofa fabric is gorgeous but also practical, as it has been treated so spills can be wiped away before they soak in’ radiators on eBay. ‘It took time for the right style and sizes to come up and then Paul would drive hundreds of miles to collect our purchases,’ says Kirsty. ‘He spent months scraping off layers of paint to restore the pieces and then fitted them.’ By the time Kirsty started decorating the sitting room three years ago, she had already decided black-stained floorboards would be the foundation, running into the hallway and, eventually, the playroom. She did all the decorating herself and then moved on to the rest of the house, choosing a pale grey for the walls. ‘Paul replaced the radiator and we could see the old wallpaper underneath and so I rushed in and painted the walls in a grey that was too white,’ she says. ‘I started again with Blackened by Farrow & Ball, a cool, bluish grey that tones in with the dark floors, and that encouraged me to pick a blue sofa. Pink cushions worked so well that these two colours and the grey base unconsciously evolved into the scheme for the whole house.’ Blue-toned grey walls continue throughout the ground floor. A warm grey shade in the dining room and master bedroom is colour-matched to the new kitchen cupboards. When the kitchen was stripped out, Kirsty had a clear picture of grey shaker cupboards and a black granite worktop, a timeless style that fits in well with the age of the house and which she says is ‘almost’ her dream kitchen. ‘We plan to knock through one day and then I’ll have a big island,’ she says. Kirsty’s room-by-room approach gained momentum as the children started school. She’s rolled-out each mood board of ideas, resulting in a mix of antique and new dark wood furniture in a colonial style. ‘I love the traditional feel of our home and I’m so glad that I didn’t jump into the latest trend,’ she says. ‘All of the rooms have their own personality in a style that will last. The sitting room was our first project, but it’s still my favourite space. It’s elegant and stylish and I think it really captures my style.’ FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

MASTER BEDROOM The quilt and chandelier capture the glamorous look Kirsty wanted. Blue pin-tucked velvet and linen quilt, £295, Cox & Cox

B AT H R O O M The tiles were inspired by a hotel room Paul stayed in on a business trip. Bridgehampton Basketweave honed marble tiles, £149.88sq m, Fired Earth

TOBY’S BEDROOM ‘Framing a sheet of wrapping paper is an affordable way to decorate a child’s bedroom,’ says Kirsty. Wrapping paper, £3 a roll, Waterstones

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KITCHEN

‘With so much glass, there are different places to sit and look through spaces or to outside,’ says James. Brooklyn flat pendant in copper is similar, £79 each, Industville

ALL IN THE DETAIL An innovative redesign of a traditional terrace has given James Findlay more light and open space than he ever thought possible FEATURE JANE CRITTENDEN | PHOTOGRAPHY ADAM SCOTT

home truths

KITCHEN-DINER

This light-filled space extends into a tranquil garden that drew James to the property. Bespoke table, £4,000, Shape London

T H E P R O P E R T Y Victorian terraced house L O C AT I O N Central London R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner/living area, TV room, study, utility room, three bedrooms (all en suite), dressing room, shower room P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I was living in a Victorian terrace in Waterloo,’ says James.

SITTING ROOM

The staircase rises through the middle of the house and separates the double-aspect sitting room into two parts. Steel and birch staircase, from £45,000, Shape London

radical shake-up of the layout in this Victorian terrace was a leap of faith for its owner, James Findlay, after his architect business partners at Fraher & Findlay suggested relocating the staircase to the middle of the house. ‘It took a little courage to go with the idea at first because I was concerned that the bedrooms wouldn’t be big enough,’

says James. ‘In fact, the design by Lizzie Webster and Joe Fraher, achieved the opposite. Placing the stairs at the core has maximised space on every floor and created a beautiful piece of architecture.’ At first, James thought the former railway cottage on the doorstep of King’s Cross station would be a business venture. But the neglected property surprised him. ‘I’d been contemplating

TV ROOM

A relaxing snug area behind the kitchen looks out onto the lower courtyard. Scandinavian retro sofa in Duck Egg Blue, £625, Vinterior

buying a loft apartment for myself, but I was taken with the wonderful triangular garden,’ he says. ‘It’s a green, tranquil space where you can hear the birds, and yet only streets away from the creative buzz of King’s Cross.’ James set out a practical brief for Lizzie and Joe to interpret – an attic master bedroom suite with dressing room, two en-suite bedrooms on the

STUDY

Glazing wraps the study so that it appears to float. Bespoke desk, £4,500, Shape London. No. 42 chair in light blue wool is similar, £187, Swivel UK

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25bh | c it y MASTER BEDROOM The loft bedroom is laid out with an interconnecting dressing-room and en suite. Todd table lamp in Teal and bamboo, £39; Charley king-size bed in Seafoam Blue velvet, £499, both Made.com

DESIGN TIP ‘Invest money in a good architect. Lizzie and Joe came up with some fantastic design solutions’

first floor, plenty of living space and, of course, a connection to the garden. ‘The lower ground floor extends into the garden and has a poured concrete floor and lots of glazing,’ James explains. ‘It’s fantastically atmospheric to sit in.’ Above, a suspended study overlooks the kitchen, where the two reception rooms have become one sitting room, divided by the central staircase. The

MASTER EN SUITE The steel-framed shower screen was inspired by a hotel bathroom. Shower screen, £2,500, Fabco Sanctuary

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spaces throughout the house are drawn together with an industrial palette, as nod to the property’s railway heritage. Black metal, concrete and pale wood tones underly the construction of the staircase, kitchen, flooring and furniture. A high-quality finish pervades throughout, which is all down to the way the project was managed, says James. As he is often away on business, Lizzie and

Joe agreed to take on the whole designand-build process – a service they now offer all their clients at Fraher & Findlay. ‘In many ways I live in a loft space, after all,’ says James. ‘Huge volumes created by the glass make the house feel so much bigger than it actually is, and the layout is a series of open spaces with the industrial steel staircase at the core – I’m amazed at what has been achieved.’

EXTERIOR

A pivoting door on the extension complements the quirky shape of the garden. Pivot door, £5,700, Meronden Designs

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

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SECOND ACT

Vibrant fabrics, a jewelled palette and elegant details have lent new character to the period home of Fiona Fullerton FEATURE JESSICA DOYLE | PHOTOGRAPHY ALICIA TAYLOR

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SITTING ROOM The original fireplace had disintegrated, so Fiona tracked down a replacement, dating from the same period, at a local reclamation yard. Mosaic wool rug in Multi would work in this scheme, £500, Benuta. Walls in Down Pipe estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Finsbury One large buttoned footstool is similar, £684, Footstools & More. Vienna antique brass large chandelier would work here, £360, Laura Ashley. Painting over fireplace, price on request, Amber Lauren Fine Art

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KITCHEN Fiona chose a deep hue for the kitchen island and the chimney breast, creating a sense of drama. For a colour to match the island, try Stiffkey Blue estate eggshell; units in Pavilion Gray estate eggshell, both £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Vinyl wallcovering, from £16.95m, Decowall

home truths

T H E P R O P E R T Y Detached Victorian villa, built around 1840 L O C AT I O N Gloucestershire R O O M S Hall, living room, sitting room, kitchen-diner, snug, library, cloakroom, six bedrooms (three en suite), four bathrooms, shower room P U R C H A S E D 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a former vicarage near Swindon,’ says Fiona.

F LIBRARY Traditional upholstery and antler accents create a hunting lodge aesthetic. Sofas covered in Highland Heather tartan, £42m, Abraham Moon & Sons

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iona Fullerton never lets the grass grow under her feet. The former actress and her husband, Neil, were living in a period vicarage near Swindon, with their two grown-up children, James and Lucy, who were about to leave home. So when Fiona saw a listing for a Victorian villa in the heart of Cheltenham, she seized the chance. ‘I spotted the listing online and bought it within three hours,’ she says. Built in 1840, the Grade II-listed property had been used as an office building since the Sixties. ‘It was divided into workspaces, with no kitchen or bathrooms, and its elegant bones were covered by polystyrene and strip lighting,’ says Fiona, who has studied interior design. She and Neil, who owns a building development company, had renovated several properties together, so they were well placed to take on the project. The family moved into rented accommodation while the initial work was carried out. ‘Our priority was to convert the building back into a home,’ says Fiona. They also wanted to restore the classical grandeur of the house, while updating it to meet the requirements of modern life. Throughout the process, Fiona and Neil worked closely with the local planning authority and renovations were postponed several times while

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they waited for permission. ‘A main task was to open up the graceful enfilade from the sitting room, through the dining room, to the library at the back of the house,’ says Fiona. ‘And one of the staircases had to be reinstated to its original position.’ Challenges large and small cropped up at various stages. For instance, the original fireplaces had disintegrated, so Fiona had to source replacements from the same era. She also chose a classic Shaker-style kitchen, to fit with the period and style of the house. Once the structural work was complete, Fiona turned her focus to the decor, taking her cue from interior designer Kit Kemp, who is renowned for her artful mixing of colour and pattern. ‘I wanted to inject lots of colour into the house,’ says Fiona, ‘and to create a feeling of luxury and comfort, without looking too formal.’ Each room has been given its own bold identity. The library is the ‘Scottish room’, where Fiona indulged her love of tartan, teaming it with paisley, thistle-print blinds and antler chandeliers. The sofas and chairs came from her former home and were updated with upholstery in colourful prints and rich velvets to tone with the palette of their new setting. Colourful artwork is another hallmark of Fiona’s style. ‘I’ve been amassing my collection since the Eighties,’ she says. ‘Some pieces are by friends and well-known artists; others were picked up at auctions and antiques shops.’ Finishing touches include antiquarian books and quirky notes, such as a vintage pitchfork and a bust of Julius Caesar sporting a tam-o-shanter, which add character to the schemes. ‘I like to include unusual objets,’ says Fiona. ‘The juxtapositions give a home its soul.’

i n s p i r at i o n ‘I like the work of the interior designer and hotelier Kit Kemp, as she has a skilful way of mixing colour and pattern’ FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

BEDROOM Layering different shades of blue allows traditional patterns to sit well alongside modern designs. Ardwell wallpaper, £68 a roll, Nina Campbell. Pendant lampshade in Thistle Glen fabric by Voyage, £27.62m, Just Fabrics

B AT H R O O M A mix of light large-format tiles and black mosaic tiles creates visual interest in the bathroom. Try the Skyla bath, £499.99, Soak. Roma large ceramic tiles, £20.79sq m; Tons of Tiles

BEDROOM The vintage wallpaper was a clever find on eBay. Hummingbirds wallpaper would work here, £115m, Cole & Son at John Lewis & Partners

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home truths THE PROPERTY Detached 200-year-old former hunting lodge L O C AT I O N North Somerset R O O M S Hallway, sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner, cloakroom, three bedrooms, dressing room, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved from a Victorian mill house nearby, which we’d restored,’ says Michelle.

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SURPRISE PACKAGE Michelle Sames took on a renovation full of unforeseen challenges and made it a success FEATURE ANNABELLE GRUNDY | PHOTOGRAPHY COLIN POOLE

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DINING ROOM

The beamed ceiling was revealed and the stone fireplace renovated, reinstating the country character. Coachhouse oval dining table, ÂŁ500, The Salcombe Trading Company. Neu 13 dining chairs, ÂŁ199 each, Hay

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erial renovator Michelle Sames is no stranger to moving house, and when she and her husband Barry started looking for their next venture, she fell back on a tried-and-trusted checklist. ‘I wasn’t after an ambitious project, but I wanted a period property and a manageable garden,’ she says. ‘It had to work for Barry and me on our own, but at the same time, we wanted space for our three grown-up children, plus partners and friends.’ A converted former hunting lodge in the grounds of a large country estate close to Bath caught Michelle’s attention. The property had been built around 1807, and extended twice, first around 1900 and then again, just a couple of years ago. ‘I loved the peaceful setting, the quirky layout and the mix of old and new,’ she says, ‘It looked quaint, with gorgeous Gothic-style windows

and old fireplaces inside, but the kitchen, bathroom and master bedroom were all part of a modern, high-spec extension.’ The interior was in good condition and the sleek kitchen and underfloor heating were highlights. As most rooms were painted white, Michelle foresaw little more than redecoration and the addition of a shower room on the top floor. However, things did not quite go to plan. As soon as they moved in, she and Barry discovered a serious lack of water pressure in the house, ‘It was so poor that running a bath took hours, so adding a shower upstairs was a non-starter,’ she says. ‘The previous owners had lived with it, but we just couldn’t.’ The solution involved extensive groundworks, creating trenches for new water pipes and installing a state-of-the-art pumping system. ‘It proved a massive

undertaking,’ says Michelle. ‘The grounds were dug up and we were surrounded by mess for a year, but it had to be done.’ Work on the interior also escalated beyond straightforward painting and decorating. There were original ceiling beams to uncover in the dining room and worn wooden floors that needed replacing. With the house’s three levels linked by steep, winding stairs, disruption in one room had a knock-on effect on others. ‘It was very intrusive,’ says Michelle. ‘Fortunately, the unusual layout meant Barry and I could isolate ourselves to an extent, but with so much upheaval inside and outside, it was hard work living here.’ As each room took shape, Michelle set about introducing her favourite blend of modern country and Scandi style into her new home. Walls and floors stayed neutral,

SITTING ROOM

The TV is cleverly concealed above the fireplace by folding doors, which have been painted to blend with the walls and stonework. Walls in Travertina Crema matt emulsion, £42 for 2.5L, Fired Earth. Bespoke sofa, £3,000; knitted stool, £145, both The Salcombe Trading Company

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KITCHEN

Contemporary white units chime with the scheme’s understated, Scandi-style furniture and accessories. B1 units, price on request, Bulthaup. Hartô Hélène table, £1,780, Smallable. Wire shelving unit, £595; Secto Design petite 4600 pendant lights, £440 each, The Salcombe Trading Company

f a v o u r i t e r o o m ‘The kitchen’s great, even though it’s not my usual style. We got used to the contemporary vibe in no time and it’s so easy to work in’

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MASTER BEDROOM

French doors leading to the garden bring a feeling a nature inside, while mustard bedding enlivens the room’s neutral coffee-and-cream palette. Bespoke padded headboard, £1,000, The Salcombe Trading Company. Catherine Lansfield stag duvet cover set in Ochre, from £19, Very

with an emphasis on natural elements like elm flooring and wool carpets, and a palette of warm whites and beiges. Furniture and accessories add accent colours, including burgundy reds, petrol blues, rich browns and bright ochres, all inspired by the varied hues of the pheasants and partridges that potter

in the gardens. Having included most of the contents of their previous property when they sold it, Michelle relished the opportunity to start from scratch here. ‘This house is smaller and less regular than our last one, so I’ve had several items made to measure,’ she says. ‘I’d rather get

BATHROOM

A freestanding tub creates a luxurious, spa-like feel. Try the Turin modern slipper bath, £499.95, Victorian Plumbing

the right pieces for the space than shoehorn in something that doesn’t really work.’ Michelle’s experience and creativity ensured that they achieved the comfortable surroundings they wanted. ‘We’ve now got a beautiful home in a peaceful spot,’ says Michelle. ‘It’s a very easy place to live.’

BEDROOM

Fitting a hanging rail in the corner has made good use of this awkward space. Oliver bed, £315, Feather & Black

MASTER BEDROOM

Unusual mirrors add a fresh touch. Skagerak Turn mirrors, from £199 each, The Salcombe Trading Company

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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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Departures from January to November 2020

Departures from April to October 2020

PRICE INCLUDES ● Tour historic George Town in Penang by cycle rickshaw ● Discover Kuala Lumpur and marvel at the soaring Petronas Twin Towers, which used to be the world’s tallest buildings ● Option to visit Malacca, once one of the world’s great trading ports ● Fly to Borneo and visit the renowned Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre ● Explore the fascinating history of Sandakan in eastern Borneo ● Learn about the traditions of Borneo’s indigenous tribes at the fascinating Mari Mari cultural village near Kota Kinabalu ● Stay three nights at the luxurious 5 star Shangri La Rasa Ria Resort, which has its own nature reserve, golf course and mile long sandy beach ● Return scheduled flights from London Heathrow ● Stay in hand picked three , four and five star accommodation, with daily breakfast and four meals ● The services of an experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

PRICE INCLUDES ● Explore Tarragona on a walking tour of the hilltop former capital of Roman Spain ● Discover medieval Girona and its enchanting Jewish quarter on a guided tour, and enjoy a tapas tasting ● Soak up the breathtaking alpine scenery of the Núria Valley in the Pyrenees ● See Barcelona with a local guide giving insights into its vibrant culture ● Marvel at Gaudí’s visionary La Sagrada Familia basilica on a guided tour ● Visit the spectacular Benedictine monastery at Montserrat, home of the Black Madonna and one of Spain’s most renowned pilgrimage sites ● See how Cava sparkling wine is produced on a cellar visit, with a tasting included ● Tour the superbly preserved Cistercian monastery at Poblet with a local guide ● Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus hotel transfers ● Seven nights in centrally located four star accommodation, with daily breakfast ● The services of an experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

14 days from £2,189pp

Call 01283 743370 to book or for a free brochure, or visit tbhriviera.co.uk TERMS & CONDITIONS: Additional entrance costs may apply. Prices are based on two people sharing and are correct at time of print. Single supplements may apply. 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.

PRETTY PERFECT Josephine Burlingham decided to transform a dated cottage into a family home – and it couldn’t have turned out better FEATURE JANET McMEEKIN | PHOTOGRAPHY ANDREAS VON EINSIEDEL

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c o u ntry | 25bh H A L LWAY A vintage nursing chair makes use of this small corner Chair, upholstered in Ticking fabric, £37.50m, Ian Mankin

home truths THE PROPERTY Semi-detached cottage L O C AT I O N Devon R O O M S Hallway, sitting room, kitchen-diner, garden room, four bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2006 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a Victorian terraced house in Plymouth that we’d renovated,’ says Josephine.

GARDEN ROOM A replastered inglenook fireplace and woodburning stove help to create a wonderfully cosy feel. Invicta ‘Sedan’ woodburning stove, £1,120, Direct Stoves. For more information about Country & Coastal Interiors, call 01647 252660 or visit countryandcoastalinteriors.com

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SITTING ROOM This vintage bureau was upcycled and is where Lily and Archie like to do their homework. Bureau, bought on eBay and painted in Down Pipe and Clunch (inside) estate eggshell, both £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Curtains made up in Kate Forman’s Roses fabric, £78m

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KITCHEN Replacing the old beech worktops added a fresh feel. Corian, price on request, Wickes

DINING AREA ‘I opted for a muted palette with accents of raspberry here,’ says Josephine. Light shades in Roses fabric, £28 each, Kate Forman. Watham dining chairs, £234 a pair, Wayfair, would work here

very spring, as the pale purple wisteria comes into bloom outside Josephine Burlingham’s pretty stone cottage, its heady scent reminds her how she first stumbled across the home she came to fall in love with. ‘I remember seeing a tiny photograph of a house, smothered in wisteria, tucked away in the corner of a newspaper,’ she says. ‘If I’d blinked, I’d have missed it.’ Luckily, the image of the cottage, in a pretty village near Exeter, grabbed her attention and Josephine immediately arranged the viewing that would change the course of her and husband Alex’s lives. ‘At the time, I was expecting twins and we urgently needed more space than our little house in Plymouth afforded us,’ she adds. Having clinched the deal, the Burlinghams moved in – five weeks before Lily and Archie, now 13, were born in 2006. ‘During

the initial viewing I instantly knew this would be a project I could really get my teeth into as the cottage was in need of updating,’ says Josephine. ‘The multicoloured tiles in the kitchen and green carpet in the bathroom weren’t to my taste and the orange pine and stained black wood needed toning down.’ One of the main draws was a large barn, attached to the cottage, which had planning permission to be converted. ‘During our initial viewing, I noticed that this was used as a dumping ground,’ says Josephine. ‘Although there were chickens strutting about in it, all I could visualise was a terrific space where, eventually, we could create a light-filled garden room.’ Once Lily and Archie were born, work on the cottage took a back seat.. ‘A decorator gave all the walls and stained-black doors 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019 | 109

MASTER BEDROOM Josephine’s home-made canopy helped transform this room into a magical retreat. Bed canopy, Peony & Sage’s Pasha fabric in Olive, £64m. Walls in Savage Ground estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

B AT H R O O M An elegant roll-top bath is at the heart of this calming space. Canterbury bath, £1,800, Fired Earth

a lick of neutral paint, which helped,’ says Josephine. However, she began gradually tackling the long list of jobs to enhance and personalise every room with her charming, subtle schemes and carefully considered touches. ‘When Alex and I moved in, the hall was extremely dark,’ says Josephine. ‘We glazed the top halves of the doors so light could stream in, creating a more welcoming entrance.’ Next up was banishing the garish kitchen splashback tiles by cladding the walls in tongue-and-groove panelling. The shelves and handles were swapped and a new range cooker and worktop fitted. In 2010, the alterations to the barn began. ‘I really wanted this room to be a lovely airy space and, thankfully, the planners agreed to four, rather than two skylights, plus, a “wall” of floor-to-ceiling windows with a door out into the garden,’ says Josephine. As she 110 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019

knew from the outset, knocking through would impact dramatically on the rest of the property. Not only would the adjacent kitchen instantly become much brighter, but the couple would also acquire their long-awaited “grown-up” room. ‘Finally Alex and I had somewhere peaceful to wind down, instead of being surrounded by “plastic fantastic” in the sitting room,’ she explains. Over the years, Josephine has juggled running her thriving interior-design business, Country & Coastal Interiors, with bringing this stunning renovation to fruition. ‘It’s been quite some journey, but definitely worth all the effort as the cottage now has so much more depth and soul,’ says Josephine. ‘The village has a great sense of community and we’re both thrilled to be bringing up our children in such a wonderful part of the world.’

c o u ntry | 25bh GUEST BEDROOM The headboard fabric ties in with the floral motifs elsewhere in this room. Antique French bed from eBay, upholstered in Peony & Sage’s Millie fabric, £64m. The Swags & Bows mirror, £440, The French Bedroom Company, would work here

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GAME CHANGER Rebecca and Andrew Head have fulfilled the great potential they saw in this contemporary Sydney bungalow, maximising its space, and creating an elegant, low-maintenance style FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL | PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS WARNES/LIVING INSIDE

home truths

THE PROPERTY Detached Twenties bungalow L O C AT I O N Sydney, Australia R O O M S Hallway, sitting room, kitchen-diner/living area, four bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2009 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before this, we rented a small semi-detached house in nearby Bondi,’ says Rebecca.

LIVING AREA ‘We love this calming space,’ says Rebecca. The Millbrook sofa, £1,499, DFS, has this look. The Drum coffee table, £449, Dwell, would fit this space. For paisley lampshades, from £20, try Etsy

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KITCHENDINER The black flooring nicely counters the all-white cabinetry. For stained-oak flooring, £14.99sq m, try Discount Flooring Depot. White Metro tiles, £19.50sq m, Topps Tiles. Walls in White Mist matt emulsion, £16 for 2.5L, Dulux H A L LWAY Wall mouldings were added as a decorative touch. Try Wickes for pine moulding, from £3.80m. Walls painted in Rock Salt matt emulsion, £16 for 2.5L, Dulux

or Rebecca and Andrew Head, finding the right home wasn’t easy – after 18 months of bidding without success at property auctions, they were feeling decidedly disheartened. That is, until they viewed a detached bungalow in the suburbs of Sydney. ‘Andrew and I have the ability to see the potential in a home, and we knew straight away this was the one,’ says Rebecca. ‘It was in a liveable state, yet there was lots of scope for improvement, which is the kind of project we were looking for.’ And best of all, they secured the house at auction. Wisely, the couple opted to live there for a year before committing to any changes but when the time came, they certainly didn’t hold back. After opening up the rear of the house, levelling the uneven floors from front to back, they removed a dividing wall to turn a tired Seventies kitchen and adjacent sitting room into an L-shaped kitchen-diner. At the heart of this space sits a large dining table that Rebecca deemed a must-have item to meet the needs of the family, which includes sons Oscar, 13, Harry, 11, and Oliver, seven. The other new and equally eye-catching addition here is the set of bifold doors installed to replace rusty aluminium ones, and which look onto the new travertine-paved patio, complete with swimming pool. One year after transforming the rear of the home, the couple’s attentions turned to the upstairs, where a whole new floor was added. ‘It was a major project and could have been a nightmare if we hadn’t been lucky enough to have

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OLIVER’S ROOM A coastal theme works well here. Chantilly bed, £399, The Cotswold Company, has this look. Find a pair of ornamental oars, £46.50, at Pavilion Broadway. Try the Kingsbridge bedside table here, £134, Wayfair EN SUITE Travertine flooring creates an air of opulence. Try the Sandelwood travertine tiles, £50.04sq m, Topps Tiles. Clearwater Formoso bath, £1,132, Bathroom Planet

reliable builders,’ says Rebecca. ‘Every day we would liaise with the construction manager and various subcontractors and this helped create a seamless process.’ And when the builders moved out, Rebecca and Andrew could finally move in to their ‘parents retreat’, comprising a walk-in wardrobe and master en suite with its own sitting area. ‘We felt we needed a space that we could relax in after a busy day and just chill out, and this proved the perfect sanctuary,’ says Rebecca. For everyday living, however, it is the ground floor the family mainly inhabit – and here there’s a space for every occasion. The sitting room is an area Rebecca put a great deal of thought into. ‘Initially we tried modular seating but it didn’t work, so we opted for conventional sofas and installed custom-made window seats with storage,’ says Rebecca. ‘I think it hangs together nicely now.’ But the focal point of the Heads’ home remains the kitchen-diner, where the family naturally gravitate to. As elsewhere, it’s fairly low-maintenance but not at the expense of elegance. The decor is in white, with bowls and ceramics tastefully displayed in glass-fronted wall cupboards. Rebecca is justifiably proud of the family home she and Andrew have created, and that it manages to be stylish without being precious. ‘For me, it was always about creating a loving, inviting, coastal-style family home, that was “bullet-proof” with three young boys living under its roof,’ she says. ‘I think we’ve achieved that.’

MASTER BEDROOM Sumptuous fabrics and calming colours create a luxury feel. White bedlinen set, from £65, The French Bedroom Company

d e s i g n a d v i c e ‘Have a clear brief before any work, so that you and your builders know exactly what is required’ 114 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019

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c oa s ta l | 25bh EXTERIOR Accessible via a winding track, or by boat, the converted Victorian schoolhouse sits in a natural bowl in the landscape.

FAR AND AWAY A converted schoolhouse on a Scottish island is the perfect antidote to busy modern life for Vanessa Branson and her family FEATURE DOMINIC BRADBURY | PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH/INSIDE FEATURES

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25bh | c oa s ta l KITCHEN-DINER Vanessa left the windows free of curtains to enhance the simplicity of the interiors and to maximise views of the beautiful landscape. The Hittarp kitchen by Ikea has this look. Conker table, £845, Loaf, is similar. Find ceramics online at Moroccan Decor

home truths THE PROPERTY Former island schoolhouse, dating from the 19th century L O C AT I O N Argyll, Scotland R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, two bedrooms, one bathroom P U R C H A S E D 1995 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I also have a riad in Marrakech,’ says Vanessa.

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c oa s ta l | 25bh SITTING ROOM The beaded sculptures, found in Marrakech, add a shock of colour to the mantelpiece, while Beni Ourain Berber rugs bring warmth underfoot. Rugs sold by City Cows, from £500, would work here. Bagsie leather sofa, from £2,845, Loaf. The slipper chair is antique

ystery surrounds the reason why a 19th-century Scottish landowner decided to build his schoolhouse in such a remote spot. Its secluded location on the quiet island of Eilean Shona would have demanded a substantial hike for any of the crofters’ children. Today, getting to the Old Schoolhouse, converted into a characterful home by Vanessa Branson, remains an adventure but the rewards are many, including the mesmerising views over the sea loch and the rugged peaks beyond. When Vanessa bought the island back in 1995, her first task was to update the ‘big house’ followed by the careful restoration of another seven cottages, which are used for holiday lets as well as family gatherings. She then turned her attention to the schoolhouse, which was edging towards falling apart. ‘It had been derelict for a while,’ says Vanessa. ‘But then it became quite dangerous and the roof started to fall in, so we decided that we needed to do something. However, we didn’t want to over-complicate things – it had to be a light touch.’ The remoteness of the island makes any project a challenge, with everything brought across Loch Moidart from the mainland by boat, and the house itself accessible only from the water or along a track. So, it is no surprise that the job took a year to complete, including new 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019 | 117

25bh | c oa s ta l TWIN BEDROOM Skylights facing front and back allow plenty of sunlight to flood in. As the house is off-grid, all the rooms are lit by gas lights. Andrew Martin has a good selection of similar ikat cushions. Gas lights, price on request, Sugg Lighting

B AT H R O O M The arched window offers sublime views of the sea loch from the bath. The Buckingham cast-iron bath, from £1,315, Heritage Bathrooms is a match. The Old Schoolhouse can be rented, from £1,350 a week, eileanshona.com

roof, windows and insulation. Being off grid, the house relies on gas lighting, water from the island’s own reservoir and hot water from one of two woodburners. As for the interior, Vanessa aimed for Shaker-style simplicity to suit the character of the original building and its location. Downstairs, the porch, classroom and sitting room were combined to create one free-flowing space, with your eye constantly drawn to the views framed by the large windows. The floors are timber, and the walls and ceilings are covered in clapboard. At the other end of the open-plan room, the cosy seating area is arranged around a woodburner, with furniture found by Vanessa in antiques shops in Bath and rugs brought back from Marrakech creating a homely blend of new and old. The house is well loved by the family, particularly Vanessa’s artist daughter Florence, who has spent many weeks here enjoying the solitude. As well as being used for holiday lets, the house is also a key component to large family gatherings that happen regularly on Eilean Shona or brother Richard’s island of Necker. ‘It is a little bit like being in an Enid Blyton novel and brings out the child in all of us,’ says Vanessa. ‘But I also love the sense of peace and the quality of the light. There’s a little tree that I can see from the window, clinging on to a rock and defying nature, which I love. It really is an amazing spot.’ 118 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019

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d e s i g n t i p ‘Use natural materials wherever possible, include pieces that are handmade and get the lighting right. The rest looks after itself!’

MASTER BEDROOM The landing leads to this restful space, where the pale wooden-clad walls continue for a calming sense of flow. The Mirabelle bed, from £945, Loaf is similar. Try the Stinson chevron cushion, £16.99, Wayfair. Look at Kulchi for Berber rugs, price on application

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KITCHEN-DINER

New limestone flooring is a cool counterpoint to the warmth of the bright yellow chair. Crofters Cottage flooring is similar, from £44sq m, White Hall Flagstones. Units in Plummet estate eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

FINELY

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace L O C AT I O N North London R O O M S Hallway, sitting room, kitchen-diner/living area, utility room, studio, four bedrooms (one en suite), wet room P U R C H A S E D 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before, we rented a house in east London,’ says Sophie.

TUNED Violinist and composer Sophie Solomon has created a unique and eclectic interior that hits all the right notes FEATURE CHRISTINE STOVELL | PHOTOGRAPHY ANDREAS VON EINSIEDEL

c it y | 25bh KITCHEN

The tiles provide a hint of texture against the sleek worktops and hardware. Aria White brick tiles have this look, £19.98sq m, Ceramic Planet

here was, perhaps, a sense that it was meant to be when Sophie Solomon found the home that struck a chord with her, in the heart of an energetic community of artists, musicians and designers in northeast London. ‘The house really worked for our family,’ says Sophie, a professional musician and composer. ‘Having had my daughter, Lula, who’s now eight, I wanted a modern, family-friendly living space. The biggest attraction for us was the large, extended kitchen, leading to a sprawling, undeveloped garden which had the potential to become something really special.’ After an anxious wait, Sophie and her husband, Ivan, finally secured the property after submitting a winning sealed bid. Much about the house, which had previously been owned by a top chef, chimed with the couple’s own

preferences, so their planned alterations were more along the lines of fine tunings to suit their lifestyle. In the kitchen, Cotswold limestone flooring replaced the existing rustic French floor tiles, the wall tiles changed from aqua to white and new bifold doors opened an entire wall out to the longed-for garden. ‘Ivan and I talked about having an island unit, but it seemed a pity to encroach on the feeling of space and, by kitting out the pantry, I didn’t need over-counter cupboards or extra storage,’ says Sophie. Next to the kitchen, a smaller living area was created. Here, a large fanlight in the roof floods the inviting space with natural light, while a woodburning stove keeps it cosy in the winter, making it a popular spot where everyone loves to linger. Other changes were equally subtle; a wet room was updated with metro tiles and pendant lights and 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019 | 121

SITTING ROOM

Vintage school maps form part of a growing collection. ‘We want to collect the world,’ says Sophie. The Iles Britanniques vintage map has this look, £65, Amara

LIVING AREA

The light-filled space between the kitchen and hall has been become a favourite seating area. Berlin Grey felt sofa, from £995, Loaf. Try the Truman floor lamp, £69, Made.com

INSPIR ATION ‘My mother makes art, and my sister is an interior designer, so I have wonderful influences. I’m drawn to objects that tell their own story, that bring soul to a home’ chandeliers replaced the previous light fittings. The changes were accomplished in a speedy three months – ‘although it helped that, as a couple, we share the same ideas about interior design,’ says Sophie. Those shared ideas and creative flair are reflected in the furnishings and decorative pieces collected over the years. Ivan’s father has given the couple some works from his collection of contemporary Serbian art, and the growing collection of mid-century maps is a joint passion. ‘They remind us of past travels, as well as the exciting potential of future adventures,’ says Sophie. Sophie describes her eclectic style as having ‘something of the magpie to it’ and includes references to her time

living and studying in Russia, as well as travelling widely for her work as a professional violinist. ‘My decorating tip would always be to use the internet for research and to tell a personal story by finding a look you love and sticking to it,’ she says. ‘Any mix can work if you employ limitations like editing the number of colours used and sticking to strong accents, to avoid a chaotic look.’ The final flourish in creating an expressive space for the family was in designing the large garden, something Sophie had her eye on from the start. Appropriately, for a musician, her dream garden includes a covered seating area, ‘like a theatre for music’ – a fitting addition to the composition of this beautifully harmonious home.

c it y | 25bh WET ROOM

This monochrome, all-tiled space has a glossy, chic finish. Try the black and white small square Toto mosaic tiles, £65.89sq m, Tiles Direct

EN SUITE

Mounting the bath on a plinth is a modern take on Victorian feet. Bath painted Off-Black estate eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

MASTER BEDROOM

An antique gilt-framed mirror and upholstered bed create a luxurious feeling. Antique mirror, from a selection, Anne Fowler Tetbury. Audrey bed, from £660, Sofa.com

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Wall lights and ornate shelves provide symmetry and interest in this large open-plan space. Lucia wall lights, £288 each, Hector Finch. Cabinets painted in Down Pipe estate eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

ROOM TO GROW Carrie and Ed Steer added an extension to their Victorian villa to create a stunning home for their family FEATURE PENNY BOTTING | PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT SANDERSON

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DINING AREA

‘The vintage gold sconce creates beautiful shadows on the wall,’ says Carrie. Gold sconce, from a selection, Vinterior. Flora lights, £410 each, Rothschild & Bickers. Dining chairs, £599 for two, Heal’s

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian villa built circa 1860 L O C AT I O N Kent R O O M S Hallway, sitting room, kitchen-diner, snug, utility room, pantry, two cloakrooms, playroom, six bedrooms (three en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved from a Thirties house in Hove, East Sussex,’ says Carrie.

KITCHEN

‘We kept the Aga and tiles and added our own style to the room,’ says Carrie. Clock, £79.99, Auburn Fox. Kone kettle in Almond, £80, Le Creuset

SITTING ROOM

Deep purple walls create a cosy feel in this elegant space. Walls in Brinjal estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Ceiling in Demetrius wallpaper in Black, £78 a roll, Thibaut. Hidde swivel chair, £2,699, Heal’s

d e c o r a t i n g t i p ‘Go with your gut instinct and what feels good to you’ MASTER BEDROOM Glazed doors were installed to maximise the view of the garden from the bed. Guinevere Chesterfield bed, from £1,331, Love Your Home. Vintage pendant lights, from a selection, Ruby Watts

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lthough Carrie and Ed Steer were happy in their coastal home in East Sussex, they had a baby on the way and needed a more spacious property. ‘We loved living by the sea in Hove, but, we really wanted somewhere bigger, with an attractive exterior and a larger garden,’ says Carrie. Also on the couple’s wish list was to be near a decent-sized town and Carrie’s parents, who could help with childcare, so their search took them to Kent. ‘We particularly like the look of Victorian properties from the outside,’ says Carrie. ‘And, internally, they offer high ceilings, bay windows and original features, such as fireplaces and cornices.’ Carrie and Ed were delighted when they found their ideal house, but the purchase hit a major setback. ‘Brexit happened as the sale was going through, and at one stage the bottom of the chain collapsed – we ended up buying a flat at the bottom end to keep the chain alive,’ explains Carrie. ‘It was hard work and very stressful, which wasn’t helped by the fact Clementine was due four days after the move date. In the end, it all worked out and she arrived a lot later than expected.’ Fortunately, the villa was in an excellent state of repair. ‘The previous owners, one of whom was an interior designer, had renovated the property, creating the open-plan kitchen-diner and living area,’ says Carrie. ‘We also liked the colour palette they had used.’ At first, the couple had no plans to develop the property, but changed their minds after six months. ‘We realised that we wanted our bedroom to overlook the garden, instead of the road at the front,’ explains Carrie. ‘I also wanted a large bathroom and a dressing room.’ To facilitate this, the couple built a two-storey extension, with a utility room and pantry on the ground floor. When it came to the interior, Carrie and Ed used contacts from their previous property, including Katie Knight of Katie Elizabeth Design. ‘Katie helped fine-tune our ideas and turn them into something that worked within our budget,’ says Carrie. ‘We went for calm, cool colours throughout the house to complement the existing schemes that we liked.’ Carrie and Ed’s next project is the garden. ‘We want a great entertaining space outside the open-plan kitchen-diner,’ says Carrie. ‘But in terms of the property as a whole, we absolutely love it,’ FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

EN SUITE

Twin basins and a large tub create a luxurious feel. Chalice Minor bath, £1,200, Cuckfield Bathrooms

FLEUR’S BEDROOM

Calming soft greys are ideal for a baby’s room. Cot, £850, Scumble Goosie

CLEMENTINE’S PLAYROOM

The ‘Flamingos’ wallpaper has also been used in her bedroom. Wallpaper, £85 a roll, Cole & Son

LANDING

Pops of colour brighten the new extension. Pick-n-Mix lights, £375 each, Rothschild & Bickers

CLEMENTINE’S BEDROOM

Charming accessories provide a touch of fun. Make a Wish star light, £17, Cult Furniture

BATHROOM

All this space required was a fresh coat of paint. Walls in Calamine modern emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

FUN HOUSE Laurie and Solomon Parkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bold vision and tenacity helped them reimagine a derelict former bathhouse into the ultimate playground FEATURE AMY MAYNARD PHOTOGRAPHY RICHARD GADSBY

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LIVING AREA Mismatched sofas are arranged to create a relaxed snug area. The Vivienne sofa in Milan Raspberry Mix is a match, £3,599, Sofology. Try eBay for a similar antique rug

home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y Former Turkish bath house, built in 1864 L O C AT I O N East Sussex R O O M S Kitchen-diner/living area, mezzanine, cinema room, utility room, three bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before this, we were living in a rented Victorian terrace in southeast London,’ says Laurie.

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i n s p i r at i o n â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I love sourcing old pieces, reconditioning them and then working out how and where I can use themâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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LIVING AREA The vintage bowling alley once belonged to Roman Abramovich. The Fitz chair in tan leather is comparable, ÂŁ499, Swoon. Similar reindeer skins, from ÂŁ145, Nordic Hides And Skins

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KITCHEN-DINER The carcasses were bought online and the couple hired a carpenter to make the bespoke doors from old pallets. Similar antique workbench, £947, Pamono

he bijou frontage of Laurie and Solomon Parker’s house, on a quiet street near the sea, gives little clue to the magical land of wonder that lies within. The couple have painstakingly transformed a former Turkish baths into a playground for children and adults alike, featuring a vast living space bedecked with original fairground signs, arcade games and a vintage bowling alley. ‘We were renting in London and found this house randomly after driving down to

Camber Sands,’ says Laurie. ‘We followed the road along the coast to Hastings, and thought it was a marvellous place.’ This trip prompted Solomon to look at property for sale in the area, which is when he came across a former bath house. The Grade-II listed building was built in the mid 1800s, before being converted into a swimming pool during Victorian times. After a brief spell as a church, it was then used as a glass factory before lying empty for a decade. ‘The previous owner wanted

DINING AREA The table offers plenty of space for homework or Sunday lunch. Try the industrial chic sleeper dining table, £495, RCCFurniture on Etsy

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to turn it into a family home and already had planning permission, but then ran out of money,’ says Laurie. ‘It had become derelict – the roof had fallen in and trees were starting to grow through the walls.’ It would take a huge amount of vision – and funds – to turn the building into a home, but having secured a developer’s mortgage, the couple bought the property in 2013. They then obtained new planning permission to create a three-bedroom home. What followed was an arduous three-year

c oa s ta l | 25bh B AT H R O O M Monochrome flooring and fittings are lifted by green tiles. Minton Hollins dark green tiles are comparable, £123.56sq m, Topps Tiles

EN SUITE A concrete sink gives a modern edge, offsetting the retro orange metro tiles. Arla basin is a match, price on request, Kast Concrete Basins. Engineered oak flooring, price on request, Havwoods

process. ‘We were constantly caught between the planning and conservation departments,’ says Laurie. ‘Also, managing our mortgage was stressful because you get the money in stages, but we kept running out and having to find cash elsewhere.’ The couple added a staircase and converted the roof space into a master bedroom with en suite, while downstairs, they created a stunning kitchen-diner/living area and mezzanine, and two bedrooms. While the Victorian pool still sits beneath

the living space and is used for storage, the other portion of the basement has been turned into a cinema room and utility space. The couple kept their rental property in London while the work was being done and, a year after their son, Eli, was born in September 2015, they finally moved in. Fortunately, furnishing their new home didn’t involve many difficult decisions. ‘We decided to only buy things we both loved and it all just came together,’ says Laurie. While, on paper the house seems like the

ultimate party pad, in reality, it now makes the perfect family home – as well as Eli, the couple often have Solomon’s sons, Louis, 13, and Miles, 10, to stay. Living in such a unique space is the realisation of a long-held dream for Laurie. ‘As a child, I used to love exploring derelict buildings and drawing them,’ she says. ‘Now, I’ve been able to convert and live in one. The conservation officer told us that we’re just custodians of this building – and now I understand just what she meant.’

MASTER BEDROOM The wooden partition acts as a headboard and separates the en suite from the main space. The Bateau copper bath is a match, price on request, William Holland

EN SUITE Moody blue walls are a pleasing contrast to the patchwork tiles. Walls and vanity in Hague Blue estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

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

BEDROOM The antique French shutters were custom fitted to the windows. The Chantilly king-size bed is a match, £499, The Cotswold Company

2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019 | 133

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If you do not wish to receive catalogues & offers from us, please tick here . We think you’d enjoy some of the latest products and selected offers by post from other trusted retailers, charities, ﬁnance, travel, FMCG and utility companies. If you do not wish to receive these, please tick here . Full details at YouGarden.com/Privacy. © YouGarden 2019.

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WHERE TO BUY Details of companies featured in the October issue

Abraham Moon & Sons moons.co.uk Adam Architecture adamarchitecture.com Aga agaliving.com Airbnb airbnb.co.uk Alison Orchard alisonorchard.com Amara amara.com Amber Lauren Fine Art amber-laurenfineart.co.uk Andrew Martin andrewmartin.co.uk Anne Fowler Tetbury annefowlertetbury.co.uk Antlers, Horns and Skulls antlershornsandskulls.co.uk Aro Marble aromarble.com Asda asda.com Aspire Bifolds aspirebifolds.co.uk Aston Matthews astonmatthews.co.uk Auburn Fox auburnfox.co.uk Barker and Stonehouse barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathroom Planet bathroomplanet.com Beliani beliani.co.uk Benchmark benchmarkfurniture.com Benuta benuta.co.uk Bohemia bohemiadesign.co.uk Breeze Furnishings breezefurnishings.co.uk Bulthaup bulthaup.co.uk Butterfly Furniture butterflyfurniture.co.uk Camerich camerich.co.uk Ceramic Planet ceramicplanet.co.uk City Cows citycows.co.uk Cole & Son cole-and-son.com Country and Coastal Interiors countryandcoastalinteriors.com Cox & Cox coxandcox.co.uk Cuckfield Bathrooms cuckfieldbathrooms.co.uk Cult Furniture cultfurniture.com Dalahome dalahome.co.uk David Village Lighting davidvillagelighting.co.uk Decorating Warehouse decoratingwarehouse.co.uk Decorative Mirrors Online decorativemirrorsonline.co.uk Decowall decowall.co.uk Design Vintage designvintage.co.uk Designers Guild designersguild.com deVOL devolkitchens.co.uk DFS dfs.co.uk Direct Stoves directstoves.com Discount Flooring Depot discountflooringdepot.co.uk Dowsing & Reynolds dowsingandreynolds.com Dulux dulux.co.uk Dunelm dunelm.com Dwell dwell.co.uk eBay ebay.co.uk

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O P

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2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019 | 135

Just for You

An advertisement feature bringing you the best value for those special purchases around your home.

To advertise, please call 0207 611 1061 or email sales@canopymedia.co.uk

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Tailormade Sofas o�fer a traditional handmade service producing sofas in their own workshop above the Showroom. All sofas are built to individual size requirements, with a choice of cushion ﬁllings to suit, and a comprehensive range of quality fabrics available for that individual look. A beautiful selection of traditional, modern, and contemporary designs awaits you in the showroom in High Wycombe. All items carry a 10 year frame guarantee, most orders delivered within six weeks.

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All companies listed are wholly independent. We recommend that you carry out your own checks before entering into any agreement. When making any purchases we would recommend that you use a credit card providing protection in the unlikely event of any issues. No part of this page maybe reproduced without the permission of Canopy Media.

Marketplace sofas and sofa beds

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Alwinton 2.5 seater in Textured Velvet Lichen £1,730 £1,471

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home improvements

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25bh | i d e a s to s h a r e Hygge meets Scandi chic at Copenhagen’s Hotel Sanders

ROOM ENVY candi is probably the most enduringly popular interiors trend of the past decade, bringing a touch of the sleek, minimalistic and functional to our homes. But the look isn’t all flat-pack furniture, white walls and unstained wood. Consider this room at Hotel Sanders in Copenhagen. Rich, varied textures – from jute to well-tanned leather – sit in harmony with an autumnal colour palette of whiskies and café au lait, while stylish decorative touches retain the ‘hygge’ feeling of cosiness but with a smart attitude. The main focal point is the paired leather Crillon armchairs by Soane Britain. With brass legs, gently sloped backs and elongated arms, they are the picture of elegance, but deep padded seats and backs ensure they remain a comfy spot on which to relax with a book. Opposite the chairs 142 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2019

is a small checked sofa that in other settings could look overly traditional, but topped with a bounty of scatter cushions and partnered with a glass and brass coffee table, feels fresh and modern. Don’t underestimate the effect of those black-painted window frames, either. Their striking silhouette breaks up what could be a sea of beige, giving the space a sophisticated edge and highlighting the eight attractively proportioned window panes. Our favourite feature, though, is the wooden double doors. They add rustic warmth in spades and provide architectural intrigue. The scheme is completed with a smattering of muted contemporary art, cut flowers and low-level lighting – try Oka for similar lamp shades and bases – that when in use fills the space with a warm and inviting amber glow.

FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY

Each month we bring you a hotel scheme that inspires, intrigues and dazzles

Free 100 Page Brochure British Design & Craftsmanship Nationwide Design Service 10 Year Guarantee Buy Now Pay in 12 Months *

furniture that’s uniquely yours...

When you choose Neville Johnson, you are investing in high quality bespoke furniture that’s designed and created for your unique requirements. However unusual the shape of your home, we will work with you to transform your interior with furniture in the style, colour and finishes of your choice.

visit nevillejohnson.co.uk for our latest brochure or call 0161 873 8333 *Buy now pay in 12 months finance offer is available on orders over £3,000 +VAT. Finance is subject to status, terms apply.

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