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From new neutrals to moody darks – chic schemes to inspire INTELLIGENT DESIGN

Beautiful real homes that show you how to get the look

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R U S T I C R E V I V A L A cleverly rejigged

layout and modern-country-style makeover have helped to reinvigorate this pretty Victorian cottage in Hampshire A S O F T T O U C H Decorated in delicate shades of dusty rose and lavender and with plenty of comfortable furniture, the calming interior of this Tudor manor in Norfolk is the ideal antidote to busy family life C H A R A C T E R B U I L D I N G This globetrotting couple’s bold use of colour and mementos from their travels have brought personality to a Leicestershire cottage

COVER STORY

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O P P O R T U N I T Y K N O C K S Moving to

an Oxfordshire barn conversion inspired this owner to completely refurbish the family’s new home and start her own business S I M P LY I D Y L L I C A reconfigured floor plan makes the most of the light and space in this Cotswold barn, while earthy tones and natural materials reflect the property’s stunning rural surroundings H A P P Y E N D I N G A team of professionals were called on to update the schemes in a Somerset cottage and to add the distinctive style and glamour the owners wanted

This striking farmhouse marries mid-century and traditional pieces perfectly (p108).

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city 19 24 29 32 44 60

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H I G H C U LT U R E A mews terrace in the capital is the

perfect showcase for a fine collection of art and furniture A L L C H A N G E This owner used ingenuity and creative flair to give her London flat a vibrant overhaul N E W B E G I N N I N G How a top-to-toe makeover revived a tired Victorian villa in London TA L L O R D E R Deft design tweaks and Parisian-style touches have taken this Croydon semi to new style heights R E S T O R AT I O N S T O R Y A painstaking renovation has enhanced the character of this historic Dublin home H O M E T O S TAY After years of travelling, this couple came back to their Edinburgh apartment and transformed it into a bright and welcoming retreat P E R F E C T B A L A N C E High street and designer buys combine for an individual look in this south London terrace B A C K T O I T S B E S T An Edwardian semi in Glasgow has been returned to its glorious period splendour B E A U T I F U L C O N T R A S T S Classic meets contemporary in a Georgian-style new build in London C A L M A N D C O L L E C T E D Muted tones and artisan treasures bring a laid-back vibe to this San Francisco home R AW B E A U T Y Exposed brickwork and natural materials give this former pub its unique appeal

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R E C I P E F O R S U C C E S S The stunning kitchen

extension at the heart of this Kent terrace has all the ingredients for busy family life and entertaining A R E A L G E M Relocating from Australia to the UK led this pair to a charming farmhouse in Cornwall S U R P R I S E P A C K A G E The site of an old sorting office in Essex provided the perfect spot for this first-class new build, which is full of unexpected delights

town 14 40 80 94 104

G R A N D D E S I G N How an ambitious project turned a

1930s Surrey semi into a spectacular home W O R T H T H E WA I T Taking time to renovate a Hertfordshire home paid off for this patient pair S U R F A C E M AT T E R S Clean lines and tactile textures set the chic-industrial tone in this Hertfordshire property P A S T & P R E S E N T Vintage finds and lively hues bring depth and atmosphere to a 1930s detached in Surrey E A S Y D O E S I T A pared-back palette and open-plan layout imbue this Surrey semi with effortless style

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HOMES EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR SARAH SPITERI Executive Editor Kate French Group Creative Director Emma Williams Group Chief Sub Editor Jennifer Spaeth Content and Product Development Director Michael Holmes Brand Development Director Laura Crombie Homes Content Team Editorial Director Rhoda Parry Commissioning/Interiors Editor Fiona Mace Group Art Director Alison Walter Art Editors Melanie Brown and Paula Jardine Senior Designer Hannah Bennewitz Thanks to Mel Algar and Lara Evans Head of Subs Operations Maxine Clarke Hub Chief Sub Editor Carly Rigley Senior Sub Editors Marian McNamara and Karen Wiley

MANAGEMENT

Group Managing Director Andrea Davies Managing Director of Homes Jason Orme Managing Director of eCommerce Aaron Asadi Commercial Finance Director Dan Jotcham Commercial Finance Director Simon Fish

WELCOME Some people are calling it ‘the race for space’. There is no denying the data, which shows a surge in demand for country houses of all sizes. But here at 25 Beautiful Homes, we’ve particularly noticed a trend towards modern country style, whatever the location of the property. Shaker-style kitchens, stone ﬂooring, eclectic furniture – even urban homemakers

S Y N D I C AT I O N

are introducing rustic touches to create a more homely feel.

C I R C U L AT I O N

This issue is full of sensational ideas, whether you live in a

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1930s semi, a cute thatched cottage or a statement new build. My favourite feature is Mary and John Mulryan’s pub conversion in south London. Bare brickwork, relaxed furniture and natural materials are used to great effect. If you are passionate about home style, subscribe to save 50% off the news-stand cover price. It’s the best way to enjoy this magazine. SARAH SPITERI, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

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RUSTIC REVIVAL

Lucy and Chris Wrightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s idyllic cottage is now bigger and better thanks to an extension and a beautiful modern-country look FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS | PHOTOGRAPHY POLLY ELTES

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c o u ntry | 25bh HALL

A long table bought at a French brocante is full of character. Walls in Little Greene’s Slaked Lime absolute matt emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltr. Curtains in Hatley Charcoal linen, £75m, Cabbages & Roses

DINING ROOM

Dashes of red enliven the neutral palette. Antique French linen curtains, price on request, Nicole Fabre Designs. Try the Stafford linen dining chair, £305, Oka

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian detached cottage L O C AT I O N Hampshire R O O M S Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner, snug, utility room, cloakroom, ﬁve bedrooms (all en suite), three bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2005 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in a terrace in London,’ says Lucy.

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25bh | c o u ntry l e s s o n l e a r n t ‘Think outside the box – moving the staircase instantly created our snug’

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SNUG

‘The L-shaped sofa is the perfect place to relax,’ says Lucy. For similar seating, try the Wodge modular sofa, from £1,830, Loaf

SITTING ROOM

Terracotta tones and soft greys make this a restful scheme. Walls in Charleston Gray estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Sofas and cushions, price on request, Dunning & Everard. Sofa in Pink Ticking fabric, £85m, Kate Forman. The Gallery Direct Outline glass coffee table, £399, John Lewis & Partners, is a good alternative

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KITCHEN-DINER

An original beamed ceiling sets the rustic tone. Cabinetry in Deep Space Blue intelligent eggshell, £66 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Large range cooker, from £13,993, Aga. Similar vintage Windsor chairs, from around £300 each, Vinterior

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c o u ntry | 25bh

ucy Wright and her husband Chris were living in London when they decided to move to the country. ‘We wanted a better way of life for our children,’ says Lucy. ‘We settled on Hampshire as we had friends in the area and there were good schools nearby for our two children.’ For the couple, the property’s appeal was instant. ‘It’s so pretty and it’s way bigger inside than it looks from the outside,’ says Lucy. ‘We adored the original features like the wooden beams and windows and the kitchen had a lovely cosy feel. We also liked the location – it’s in an idyllic village with a nice pub and lots of families around. The house was in a conservation area, but luckily it wasn’t listed. It ticked all our boxes.’ Although the property required renovation, it was habitable, so Lucy and Chris decided to live in it for a while until they decided how to move forward. Three years later, she and Chris enlisted Stephanie Dunning of Dunning & Everard to help reconfigure the ground floor. ‘Stephanie came up with some thoughtful and clever ideas,’ says Lucy. ‘She suggested moving the staircase from its awkward original position, which instantly created a snug. Stephanie also reworked the decor in modern country style, creating an eclectic cottage feel, which I love.’ In 2018, the couple embarked on a second phase of renovation, which involved redesigning the rear of the first floor, enlarging bedrooms and creating new en suites. ‘The existing space hadn’t been intelligently thought out and it felt rather confined,’ says Lucy. One of the main problems, apart from the very tired bathrooms, was the lack of storage space. ‘Stephanie suggested vanity units with drawers or a long shelf where space was tight, plus the long line of cupboards on the landing,’ says Lucy. ‘We also used the space under the stairs to add further cupboards.’ With the structural work on track, Stephanie and Lucy turned their attention to the decor. Inspiration was gleaned from Pinterest as well as interiors magazines, based around Lucy’s love of old French linens, faded florals and muted shades. Lucy chose a soft yet varied palette, ranging from neutrals and creams to smoky green-blues, teal and pink, enlivened with red accents. Painted Shaker cabinetry in the kitchen was the starting point for this cosy yet eclectic country scheme. Patterns add warmth and visual interest while sumptuous velvets, soft tweeds and patterned fabrics were combined to add warmth and texture. Now that the work is complete, Lucy and Chris are delighted with the results. ‘I had high expectations and the changes absolutely transformed the house, especially upstairs,’ she says. ‘Thanks to Stephanie’s fantastic spatial awareness, our cottage now feels so much bigger.’

MASTER BEDROOM

Checks are repeated on the bed skirt and chairs. Walls in Hardwick White estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Try the White Company’s pure cashmere throw in Charcoal, £350

EN SUITE

A curtain at the entrance is a space-saving idea. For similar curtain fabric, try Ian Mankin’s Suffolk Check in Sage, £29.50m. The Chatsworth heated towel rail, £199.95, Victorian Plumbing, is identical

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25bh | tow n

GRAND DESIGN KITCHEN

A large island defines this expansive space. Kitchen units, £10,200; Dekton Trillium worktop, £5,520, both Azco Interiors. Industrial wood bar stools, £125 each, ZaZa Homes. Dar Dynamo three-light copper pendant, £174, Ocean Lighting

DINING AREA

Metal-framed windows achieve a heritage look. Vintage reclaimed plank top dining table, £395, Design Shack Interiors

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Extending up, to the side and at the back has made Jojo Donnelly’s 1930s semi absolutely sensational

FEATURE SARAH WARD | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH STYLING MARISHA TAYLOR

home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y A semidetached house built in the 1930s L O C AT I O N Surrey R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner/living area, four bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms, dressing room P U R C H A S E D 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had a two-bedroom ﬂat in Teddington,’ says Jojo.

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hen Alex Gale and Jojo Donnelly viewed a spacious 1930s rental property in Surrey, they knew it would make an ideal family home. Now they just had to secure it. ‘This house was the first one I viewed,’ says Jojo, ‘but because we were both estate agents at the time, I had seen a million and one houses, and I knew exactly what I wanted. The location was brilliant and it had the potential to create a side, rear and loft extension.’ When they found themselves up against four other offers, and then in a contract race with another buyer, Alex and Jojo drew on their professional expertise. ‘We used all our knowledge to speed up the process, and we managed to exchange within four weeks,’ she says. ‘Even though we knew what we were doing, it was very stressful – especially because I was pregnant with Amelie, who is now six.’ The house had been a rental property, and even though it was in need of attention, cosmetically, the family could live in it until they were ready to start the building work. And once this began, it was so extensive that the family had no choice but to move in with Jojo’s parents. ‘Even rooms we weren’t going to touch had to be replastered as all the ceilings crumbled,’ says Jojo. The builders worked to a tight budget, set and managed by Jojo. ‘My job at the time was to go and value houses, especially ones that had just undergone work, so I really

SITTING ROOM

Jojo’s love of botanicals runs throughout the house, with prints, photographs and furnishings in green and clusters of houseplants. Windsor tub chair, £129, The Tub Collection, has the same look. Botanical print cushion, £6.99, H&M Home, is similar

MASTER BEDROOM

‘I painted the green wall myself and it’s my favourite feature. I love it,’ says Jojo. Wall in Hunter Dunn

pure flat emulsion, £50 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library. Botanical prints, from £22 each, Orara Studio. Pero mirror, £119, Swoon. Calia oak bed frame, £899, John Lewis & Partners

AMELIE’S ROOM

The teepee makes a great hiding place for any plastic toys. ‘I put them all in there, out of sight,’ says Jojo. Grey stardust teepee, £75, Great Little Trading Co, is a close match. Ariela daybed, £257.99, Wayfair. Fox cushion, £3.99, H&M Home

had an idea of how much it was going to cost. I also knew how important it was to negotiate. I would go round to four different tradespeople, find the one I liked the most then made sure I got the best product for the best possible deal.’ The finished work has transformed the space. Downstairs, the industrial-style kitchen, with exposed brick, grey cabinets and gunmetal grey radiators, is warmed up by botanical prints and bright accessories in the living and dining areas. ‘I wanted a slightly industrial feel, with lots of plants, colour and copper accents,’ she says. ‘It’s a mixture of everything I love!’ The galley kitchen, conservatory and dining room were opened up to create one big living area. Upstairs, the space has more than doubled with two bedrooms, a box room and a bathroom giving way to three bathrooms and four double bedrooms. The renovations have changed more than just the footprint of the house. After their son Arthur was born two years ago, Jojo’s experience of doing up her home inspired her to set up A Little Arty with her sister-in-law, which specialises in home decor products and helping others style their properties. And her own favourite room? ‘My bedroom is the space I escape to,’ she says. ‘I absolutely love the deep green on the feature wall and the serenity it has given the room. The view overlooking the field is so tranquil and calming that the kids are happy just to sit on the bed and watch the sun come up.’

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‘I love the shape of these 1950s chairs from New York,’ says Dana. Trevion tub chair is similar, £459.99, Wayfair. Vinterior sell vintage sofas, from £1,950. Harlequin’s Kali is a similar cushion fabric, £11.99m, Lee Mill Fabrics. Cassius marble coffee table, £399, Swoon, would work here

High culture Dana and William Hopkins’ remodelled mews terrace has become the perfect backdrop for their collection of exquisite Middle Eastern art and furniture FEATURE JANE CRITTENDEN | PHOTOGRAPHY ANDREW BEASLEY

home truths THE PROPERTY Mews terrace L O C AT I O N Central London R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen, family room, dining room, study, ﬁve bedrooms (two en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a modern terrace in Dubai,’ says Dana.

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25bh | c it y

FAMILY ROOM

The bespoke storage is a design feature in itself. Storage made by Granit Architecture + Interiors. Walls in All White estate emulsion, 47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

n Anglo-American-Middle Eastern fusion characterises the Hopkins family home – all thanks to Dana’s Iranian heritage and upbringing in the USA, William’s travels and the years the couple spent living in Dubai. When they decided to move to London and renovate William’s mews maisonette, they wanted to work with an architect and an interior designer who appreciated their eclectic style and a personal recommendation 20 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 202 1

led them to Robert Wilson from Granit Architecture + Interiors. ‘We liked Robert from the start and we were delighted when he was able to visit our Dubai home while over on a conference,’ says Dana. ‘He needed to understand the importance of the art and furniture we’d collected over the years in order to help us concentrate everything down into a smaller house.’ William had owned the mews maisonette for years, but then the couple bought the office space below and decided to remodel

DINING ROOM

A rippled blue paint effect gives a textured, underwater feel. Teal The Show is a similar colour, £38 for 2.5ltr, Graham & Brown. Try the Tropez six-seater glass-top dining table, £399, John Lewis & Partners

the entire building into a family home for themselves and their children, Emily, eight, Chloe, six, and George, four. ‘We briefed Robert explaining about wanting a sense of openness yet the opportunity to close off rooms,’ says Dana. ‘Space needed to be efficient with as much storage as possible.’ As the ground floor of the mews – once a carriage house – had high ceilings, Robert took advantage of the lofty height in his design. ‘By digging down four metres we were able to fit in

HALLWAY

‘Our architect designed a small hallway so we didn’t walk straight into the sitting room,’ says Dana. Murano glass chandelier has a similar look, €1,700, Design Market

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25bh | c it y KITCHEN

‘I wanted a colourful, playful fabric for the bench,’ says Dana. Try Emma J Shipley Amazon fabric from the Animalia collection by Clarke & Clarke, £40m, Jane Clayton. Eero Saarinen Tulip table with marble top, £7,272, The Conran Shop, would work

design tip ‘Our architect’s idea to dig the basement and raise the ground floor gave us the mezzanine, an entrance hall and outside storage’

a mezzanine level overlooking the basement family room,’ Dana explains. A rooflight at the top of the house draws natural light down into the basement via a square glass floor on the first floor and an atrium on the ground floor. The mezzanine is the darkest part of the house and Dana embraced this by decorating the dining room a cocooning blue. ‘We saw a lacquered turquoise ceiling in a Dubai restaurant that we both loved,’ she says. ‘Our interior designer, Saskia Blyth of Blyth-Collinson, brought in a specialist 2 2 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 202 1

decorator to recreate the look in a softer, more polished way.’ Elsewhere rooms are decorated white. ‘I associate home with rich, warm decoration because that’s my heritage,’ says Dana. ‘But here, all the spaces communicate with one another and with too much wall colour it would have been hard to know where to begin and end. Warmth comes from our colourful art and furniture instead.’ Nostalgia plays its part, too, and the sofa in the girls’ bedroom is from Dana’s own childhood bedroom. ‘I’m too sentimental to

MASTER EN SUITE

‘I love the view we have of this from our bedroom,’ says Dana. East Hampton diamond sawn honed marble tiles would suit this space, from £1.12 each, Fired Earth

change the fabric and I like having the continuity,’ she says. Art is equally personal: a stone sculpture was made by William’s brother and the couple felt a connection to Afshan Daneshvar’s circular art formed of handmade boats representing the Syrian refugee crisis. ‘So much about creating a space for a person is about how they live and Robert and Saskia understood that in us,’ says Dana. ‘Robert’s design and Saskia’s expertise on textiles and lighting have settled our art and furniture into our home in a very special way.’ 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 202 1 | 2 3

home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y Victorian first-floor flat L O C AT I O N Northeast London R O O M S Kitchen-diner/living area, two bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2018 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I moved here from a house in Essex,’ says Clare.

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ALL CHANGE Clare Morton’s considerable ingenuity has resulted in her apartment getting an extra bedroom and plenty of design ﬂair FEATURE EMMA J PAGE | PHOTOGRAPHY KASIA FISZER

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LIVING AREA

A moody wallpaper (below) plus a palette of blues, from midnight to rich teal, add a dramatic note. Large Valentin bench with oak legs, £650, Sofa.com; upholstered in Wild Card in Butterscotch, £120m, House of Hackney. Alderney armchairs in Deep Turquoise cotton matt velvet, £890 each; Bluebell 2.5 seater sofa in Black Velvet, all Sofa.com. Fading World medallion rug in Jade, £526, Louis De Poortere at Woven. Walls in Mizzle estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr; fireplace in Hague Blue estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, both Farrow & Ball. Limerence wallpaper in Ink, £125 per roll, House of Hackney

f ever there was an example of successfully transferring large-scale living into a small-scale space, it’s the cleverly reformatted apartment of interior designer Clare Morton. Three years ago, she downsized from a house in Essex to a first-floor Victorian flat in northeast London – and hasn’t looked back. ‘I was on the hunt for a roomy two-bed, which would allow me to comfortably store a large collection of clothes and shoes,’ she says. ‘This flat was decoratively underwhelming, and only had one bedroom, but its generous proportions were appealing.’ However, it was only after living there for a month or two that Clare unlocked the secret to making the most of the space. ‘On my first viewing, the agent had made a throwaway comment about relocating the kitchen to the

KITCHEN

Clare chose a double row of wall units, extending up to the ceiling, to give the cabinetry the look of a Victorian dresser. Burford cabinetry, Howden; in Hague Blue estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Kitchen designed by Studio Morton

MASTER BEDROOM

A teak four-poster bed and a boldly patterned wallpaper lend this space depth and texture. Wanderstruck wallpaper in Teal, £120, Anna Hayman Designs. The Lombok bed was sourced on eBay

sitting room to create space for a second bedroom,’ she recalls. ‘I wasn’t enjoying the pokey separate kitchen, so I decided to take the plunge and resite it.’ The key, says Clare, was to design an unobtrusive kitchen area that felt part of the sitting room. ‘I opted for a double row of wall units in a classic, painted finish, to maximise space but also to create the feel of a Victorian dresser – a style that could blend easily with the rest of the scheme.’ Nothing but a few treasured ceramics are on display so clutter is kept to a minimum. ‘Surprisingly, the hard-working cabinetry offers as much space as the kitchen in my former four-bedroom house,’ says Clare. As well as having produced a second bedroom-cum-utility thanks to the relocated kitchen, the apartment now has a sense of grown-up glamour expressed through expansive furniture, bold textiles, vibrant wallpaper and a confident mix of colour. ‘I work with a lot of small spaces in my job and I’ve always believed that city flats with a smaller footprint needn’t feel like a stepping stone,’ says Clare. ‘Instead my approach is to maximise what you have.’ Travels to India, Morocco and New York have influenced Clare’s approach, evident in her love of textiles and craft. ‘I always return to the

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BEDROOM

This hard-working room, the site of the original kitchen, now serves as a guest room-cum-office as well as harbouring a concealed utility. The wall-hung fabric was sourced in Jaipur. Molly Mahon’s Buti in Pink, £45m, is similar

BATHROOM

A trip to New York inspired this scheme. ‘I loved the monochrome bathrooms I saw there, with their art-deco flavour,’ says Clare. Marvel Gloss Smokey Black wall tiles, £22.95sq m; Marvel Gloss White wall tiles, £10.95sq m, both Walls and Floors

notion of folk and traditional making,’ she reflects. ‘I like to see evidence of the hand in the pieces I buy.’ That appreciation is seen in a hand-blocked lampshade fabric in the master bedroom and framed artwork from a market in Cambodia. The designer says that her Lombok bed, sourced from eBay, makes her feel as if she is on holiday every day, while in the sitting room, bold wallpaper imbues the flat with a botanical twist. ‘That’s essential, as I don’t have a garden.’ Throughout, teal accents coexist with leopard print and hot pink with graphic repeats, and yet all live together harmoniously. ‘I try to trust my instinct and not be swayed by opinion,’ Clare reflects. Clare has had little trouble adapting to a smaller space. ‘It helps that the apartment has high ceilings, plenty of light and period features,’ she says. ‘At first my friends felt dubious about me moving the kitchen into the sitting room, but now they enjoy hanging out here.’ Weekends often involve unearthing new spots in London, but Clare has also developed a new appreciation for home. ‘I love the vibrancy of the city but this home has become an anchor,’ she smiles. 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 202 1 | 2 7

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NEW BEGINNING KITCHEN A monochrome scheme is sophisticated. Units in Double Paris Grey oil-based eggshell, £70 for 2.5ltr, Zoffany. Thea pendants in bronze, £121 each, Pooky

Susie and Pablo Davidson jumped at the chance to rescue a tired Victorian villa and turn it into an elegant family home FEATURE PENNY BOTTING | PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT SANDERSON/NARRATIVES

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25bh | c it y DINING AREA An overhead skylight and metal-framed doors create a light-ﬁlled, contemporary eating space all year round. The Wish-style wooden dining chairs with natural weave seats, £139 each, Cult Furniture, are similar

home truths

HALL Panelling was added for a decorative touch. Herringbone wool carpet, price on request, The London Carpet & Flooring Co

SITTING ROOM The oak ﬂooring was given a soft whitewash to tie in with the overall scheme. Armchairs are from Lots Road Auctions. Magicus console table, £825, Oka

THE PROPERTY Victorian semi-detached villa with later additions L O C AT I O N London R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, snug, study, ﬁve bedrooms, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2006 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a similar but smaller Victorian property,’ says Susie.

ith a growing family, Susie and Pablo Davidson knew it wouldn’t be long before they’d need more space. ‘I adored our last home, which was also a Victorian property, but it was tall and skinny with a tiny garden,’ says Susie. ‘With two daughters, Ottilie and Bella, we knew it was time to spread our wings.’ At the top of their wish list for their next property was proximity to the girls’ school and more space – both inside and out – for the girls and their cockapoo, Tottie. ‘As with my last home, I also wanted a project and to return an older house to its former glory,’ she says. The place they found was pretty much perfect. ‘It’s on a lovely light street and the garden faces west,’ says Susie. ‘Also, it had a garage, which I knew from scanning the local planning applications, could be converted to a playroom/study for the girls with a “his ‘n’ hers” bathroom above, which is something I’ve always coveted,’ says Susie. ‘There were also original features including cornicing and a ﬁreplace, plus a small basement, which means I can keep all the utilities out of the way,’ she says. The sale, purchase and ﬁrst round of planning permission all went quickly, and the couple could focus on how to make the house a home. ‘The whole place was in a pretty sad state,’

she recalls. ‘The external brickwork was painted red, inside were damp patches and wonky doors, and the garden was full of weeds – it needed a lot of love,’ says Susie. To make it more liveable, they painted everything white and lived there for a year before the first set of changes in 2007. These comprised converting the garage to a playroom and study, which involved installing several load-bearing beams. ‘We also took a wall down between a dark kitchen and a narrow dining room to give us a lovely, light-filled family space. On the first floor, we extended over the newly converted garage to create a dressing room and en suite shower for Pablo, who has to leave for work at 5.30am every morning,’ she says. Fast-forward 10 years and the

SNUG A whole wall has been disguised as a bookcase, complete with panels of real book spines, behind which is a hidden loft. Bookcase wall, Original Book Works

B E L L A’ S B E D R O O M Susie had a cabinetmaker incorporate the bed to fit the space perfectly. Similar Aubrey daybed, £499, Dfs. Madison LED wall fitting, £57, Castlegate Lights, is a close match

favourite featur e ‘The door disguised as false bookshelves in the TV snug’ couple were now contemplating the second phase of renovations. For this, Susie and Pablo enlisted the help of designer and project manager, Jody Shaw (jodyshaw.co.uk). ‘He came up with some great ideas, one of which was to add another floor to the property,’ says Susie. ‘For this, he encouraged us to move out as the whole roof came of, and a steel frame installed to create a guest bedroom, shower room, large TV snug and a small loft for storage,’ she says. When it came to the interior design, the brief was to create a smart, luxurious feel for a large, busy family. ‘We wanted each room to flow naturally, so Jody helped create a scheme with a simple palette punctuated with varied textures and materials such as panelling,’ says Susie. ‘The house boasts soft greys and creams throughout, although the girls chose their own colour schemes. ‘We were lucky to have had Jody on board with us to project-manage everything,’ says Susie. ‘The results are fabulous and we couldn’t be happier.’

MASTER BEDROOM A luxurious bed reminds Susie of the beautiful hotels they’ve stayed in while travelling. For similar reading lights, try the Limber LED lights, £97 each, Pooky

EN SUITE A mirror over the bath creates a sense of space. Penthouse ivory tiles, £49.96sq m, Topps Tiles, have this look

OTTILIE’S BEDROOM The decor sets off her collection of succulents and accessories. For a similar bed, try the Pensham range, from £295, The Cotswold Company

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TALL ORDER

Clever tweaks enabled Laura Sawyer to enhance the high ceilings of her flat, which she has decorated with a touch of Parisian style FEATURE RACHEL LEEDHAM | PHOTOGRAPHY MALCOLM MENZIES/LIVING INSIDE

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home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y First floor flat in a Victorian semi L O C AT I O N South Croydon R O O M S Sitting/dining room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I was renting a one-bedroom flat in a Victorian terrace in Shoreditch,’ says Laura.

SITTING ROOM Laura likes to position the sofa so it’s facing outwards in spring and summer and inwards during the darker months of the year. Vintage sofa by Gio Ponti, Vinterior. Shell cushion in Rose, $140, Tamar Mogendorff. Vintage chandelier, Atomic Antiques. Walls in Soho House marble matt emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Mylands

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DINING AREA Stylist Laura picked up the table, which features a floral top, at an antiques shop in east London. The glazed cabinet, which was originally purchased for a photo shoot, proved perfect for displaying vintage tableware. Dining chairs, Sunbury Antiques Market. For a similar antique glazed cabinet, try Decorative Collective. The vintage table was from HM Jones on the Columbia Road

KITCHEN Pastel-hued doors and decorative brass handles lend a refined aesthetic. The doors for the wall cupboards were made by Laura and her father. Cupboard fronts in Aerugo Green, from £28, Superfront. Graham handles, from £20, Anthropologie. Reclaimed marble worktop, Retrouvius. The Utzon pendant was a limited edition piece but is available in brass, £325, Monologue. Ogilvy swing-arm wall lamp, £59, Made

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ometimes it is the seemingly small tweaks that can really make a difference to a home and this was certainly the case when Laura Sawyer, a stylist and creative consultant (laura-sawyer.com), came to renovate this first floor apartment within a grand Victorian house in South Croydon. ‘When I carried out the works, probably the change that made the biggest impact was the decision to make all the doors taller and wider,’ she recounts, adding, ‘The flat has really high ceilings and the enlarged doors help to emphasise this. They also enable the light to travel through the spaces.’ When Laura purchased the one-bedroom property four years ago, she already knew the building and its inhabitants

well: she had bought the basement flat back in 2004 although she had been renting it out for four years while living in Shoreditch, east London. ‘I’d decided that I wanted to return to Croydon to be closer to my family, so when this flat came on the market, the timing was perfect. I love the fact that the flat is flooded with light and has views over the treetops; it is like living in a tree house,’ she recounts. The previous owner was an elderly gentleman who hadn’t updated the property for decades, so the flat was crying out for attention. ‘Woodchip was papering over the cracks and everything needed redoing, from the kitchen and bathroom to the electrics and flooring,’ recalls Laura, who also decided

to subtly modify the layout. ‘I enlarged the entrance and the bathroom by taking a strip off the bedroom. It means I now have a much more generous hallway and I was able to install a window and a full-sized bath in the bathroom,’ she explains. Laura also moved the kitchen doorway and changed it to a wide double door: ‘This made a dramatic difference because both the kitchen and the living space now feel much bigger,’ she says. Laura’s budget prompted her to purchase affordable Ikea carcasses but she has elevated them with mint green cupboard doors and white panelled doors, which she designed with her father. ‘He is a wood scientist and he is incredibly hands-on. We made the doors together in his workshop,’ recounts Laura, who sourced decorative brass handles to add a finishing touch. Laura’s style is distinctly feminine and subtly Parisian – think dusty pinks and curvaceous pieces including a voluptuous

vintage velvet sofa by Gio Ponti. ‘There are very few sharpangled things in my home,’ she notes, pointing out the gorgeous shell-shaped cushions, shapely bent wood dining chairs and circular rugs. ‘I think that curvy pieces encourage a good flow around the flat,’ she says, adding that she loves to mix investment buys with high-street finds and pieces picked up in her local second-hand shops. ‘The antique mirror in the bathroom only cost me £5 and it has the original mercury glass,’ she comments. Laura is not one to keep changing her possessions, preferring to make carefully considered purchases. ‘Before I became a creative consultant I was a fashion buyer and that opened my eyes to how much excess there is in the world, and made me question how much I really need,’ she says, adding, ‘Rearranging my things has as much of an impact as buying a new piece. It means that I keep seeing my possessions in a new light.’

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COMMUNAL ENTRANCE Laura renovated the communal entrance for everyone to enjoy, choosing a striking – and practical – deep blue. Lower section of the walls in Stiffkey Blue estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball B AT H R O O M Marble tiles and brass fittings lend a luxe feel to the space, which benefits from natural light thanks to a new window. Ambra brass hand-held shower and overhead shower, £933; Tradition shower valve, £1,397, all Aston Matthews

BEDROOM Dramatic dark floral bed linen contrasts with the dusty pink soft furnishings. Boho king-size bed, £650, Urban Outfitters. Try the Alba cotton bedding set, £120, Maisons du Monde. Shell cushions, from $90, Tamar Mogendorff. Pair of velvet lined eyelet curtains in Pink, from £111, John Lewis & Partners. Have a look at the Carnaby footstool in Champagne Pink velvet, £119, Atkin and Thyme

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WORTH THE WAIT Taking time to have a total rethink paid off for Pippa Jameson and her husband Stuart, who turned a dated house into a stylish home FEATURE ANNABELLE GRUNDY | PHOTOGRAPHY COLIN POOLE

KITCHEN/LIVING AREA

Dramatic blue walls mark out the sitting area in this large open-plan space. Interior design by Pippa Jameson Interiors. Walls in Inchyra Blue modern emulsion, £49.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball and Polished Pebble matt emulsion, £16 for 2.5ltr, Dulux. Majestic Woodland Oak Light Grey laminate flooring, £37.99sq m, Quick-Step. Loaf’s Cuddlemuffin modular chaise sofa, from £3,590, has this look

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home truths THE PROPERTY Detached house L O C AT I O N Hertfordshire R O O M S Kitchen-diner/living area, playroom, utility room, cloakroom, four bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom, dressing area P U R C H A S E D 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We were living in east London before moving here,’ says Pippa.

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hen Pippa Jameson and her husband Stuart started house-hunting, they were quick to spot the potential of a neat, detached, red-brick house, tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac in the centre of town. ‘This certainly wasn’t our perfect home but we knew we could turn into something really special,’ explains Pippa. ‘The location was brilliant, and there was space to extend at the side, plus a gorgeous back garden. Other buyers clearly

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thought the same as us, as it went to sealed bids, and amazingly, we got lucky!’ Despite its dated interior, the house had been well maintained, so Pippa, Stuart and their two girls, Elsie-May, now 11 and Amber, now 9, were able to move in straight away. Pippa and Stuart decided to live with the tired decor while they saved up for a renovation. They spent the time wisely, learning about the light and space in the house. ‘We decided an open-plan design would suit us,’ says Pippa. ‘We wanted more

living space, masses of natural light and an easy flow downstairs, as well as a fourth bedroom and en-suite bathroom.’ Five years later, the couple were ready to start their project. Along with knocking through walls on the ground floor, the living area would be enlarged and a second extension built above the garage to create the master suite. Once plans were approved, a building firm was chosen and work began. Although the family had arranged to move out for three months, a mix-up with their

temporary accommodation forced them back home earlier than planned. ‘With no heating and a makeshift kitchen, it was a difficult few weeks,’ says Pippa. ‘We just focused on the ﬁnal result.’ With the building work on track, Pippa set about designing the open-plan interior. ‘The space seemed vast and overwhelming at ﬁrst, but I “zoned” it to make it feel ordered and calm,’ she says. Colour was an important tool for creating different moods. I chose a dark blue-green for the seating

area and once I’d positioned the sofa facing the ﬁre, and the dining area overlooking the garden, the layout came together.’ Pippa felt it was essential to have a home that would go on working for the family over the coming years. ‘Our girls now have a playroom, and later on, it can be a den where they can hang out with their friends. And in our master bedroom suite, we can close the doors and have our own space, too.’ Weatherboard and chic charcoal render have now replaced the red-brick exterior. At

the heart of the house is a kitchen, dining and living space, with tall windows and skylights in the vaulted ceiling. Dark greys and greens connect the different zones, and there are paler tones and plenty of glass to maximise natural light. The garage is now the girls’ playroom, with the master suite and its stunning pitched roof above it. ‘The height creates an illusion of space and really adds the wow-factor,’ says Pippa. ‘We’re proud of the home we’ve created – it’s everything we hoped it would be.’

BATHROOM

LIVING AREA

‘We used greys, browns and greens with pattern and textures layered on,’ says Pippa. ‘It’s quite considered, but the effect feels relaxed.’ S101 woodburning inset stove, £2,805, Morsø. Find vintage sideboards, from around £276 each, Vinterior. The Shefford faux-fur brown blanket, £176, Maisons du Monde, is a good alternative. Try the Mira pink rug, £335, Rug Vista

The modern and classic mix is beautiful. Wicker ﬂoor tiles, £32.20sq m, Tiles Direct

KITCHEN

Open shelves offer stylish storage space. Roma Graphite units, from £7,500, Masterclass Kitchens

AMBER’S BEDROOM

Teal and grey are timeless. Try the Wallet desk, £130, La Redoute

DECOR ATING TIP ‘Don’t be afraid to use deep colours – they can make a room feel comfortable and inviting’

MASTER BEDROOM

‘The panelled dressing area makes something of a dead space,’ says Pippa. Wall in Studio Green modern emulsion, £49.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

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Restoration story A top-to-toe renovation by Helle and David Moyna has taken this historic house to a new level of beauty FEATURE MELANIE WHITEHOUSE | PHOTOGRAPHY RUTH MARIA MURPHY/LIVING INSIDE

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KITCHEN Helle found the over-counter lighting bar several years ago and designed the kitchen with it in mind. ‘It gives the most perfect working light,’ she says. Long John five pendant lamp, from €1,080, Rubn. Platinum Almeria Blue vinyl runner, £19.99sq m, Carpetright, is a close match H A L LWAY The elegant proportions and stunning original fanlight make this an impressive entrance.

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home truths THE PROPERTY Part 16th-century castle; part 18th-century house L O C AT I O N Dublin R O O M S Sitting room, living room, dining room, kitchen, office, ﬁve bedrooms (two en suite), shower room P U R C H A S E D 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved to Dublin from Clapham,’ says Helle

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hen you’re renovating a house that’s part castle there are bound to be surprises, and Helle and David Moyna’s new home was no exception. The couple first saw their historic home in November 2013. ‘One bit is part of 16th-century Booterstown Castle and the rest is 18th century,’ says Helle. ‘It had been in the same family for over 40 years and had a lovely, feeling, great character and a big garden. It’s also in a great location with the sea at the end of the road and a view of mountains. ‘After more than 20 years in London, we were excited about moving to Dublin with our sons Tobias, now 15, and Marcus, 13. We have more space, a different pace of life and better access to nature,’ says Helle.

Modern makeover Knocking their listed house into shape took nine months. ‘It was a complete renovation project,’ says Helle. ‘We installed central heating, rewired, updated bathrooms and added an en suite to the master bedroom. The floors were restored, sanded and oiled, except in the sitting room where we put in a new one using vintage oak parquet, the windows were removed for restoration and the ornate plasterwork renovated.’ The basement had been turned into a two-bedroom apartment and the couple reconfigured the space as a guest room with en suite, office, laundry room and storage. ‘When you poke an old house about there are always surprises and when we renovated the basement we discovered a stream

running under the house,’ says Helle. ‘It meant we had to re-tank, put in pumps and alarms, and add sub-chambers in the garden to keep the water at bay.’ Helle runs Nordic Elements, a design company offering interior design and personal shopping for the home, embracing the Nordic ethos of good design. This is reflected in her own home, which is decorated in a gentle mix of chalky pastels in white, blue and soft grey with pink accents.

Original features ‘Keeping the base neutral shows off the features of the house,’ say Helle. ‘The exterior of the house was originally pink and we kept it, mainly because I’m the only female in a house of males. I was never a “pink” girl but it’s grown on me and I now love this shade.’ Inspired by Scandinavian and mid-century design, Helle’s style is classic with a quirky, individual edge. ‘I’ve been collecting vintage pieces since my early 20s and find them at auction in Denmark or Sweden,’ she says. ‘I believe in investing in the best you can afford.’ The sleek, Scandi lines of the furniture are offset by dramatic light fittings. ‘Lighting in a period property – both the scale and the light itself – is important,’ she says. ‘We have very high ceilings and large rooms, so a pendant needs to work with the scale and style. My lights are like sculptures in the air.’ But as any owner of an old property knows, it is always a work in progress. ‘The house is a constant project – there is always something to change or fix,’ adds Helle. That said, it’s still her perfect home.

DINING ROOM Helle loves the simplicity of Scandi and mid-century design and the relaxed look they give. DK3 Lowlight table, from €4,895, Nordic Elements. Find a Poul Cadovius Royal System wall unit (opposite), from £1,331 a section, Vinterior. FUN 10DM pendant, from £1,008, Holloways of Ludlow

SITTING ROOM ‘Keeping the base neutral shows off the period features,’ says Helle. Baron sofa, from €4,950, Nordic Elements. Vintage cane chairs upholstered in a similar fabric to Dilja in Petrol, £14.95m, Myfabrics.co.uk

25bh | c it y S TA I R WAY The chandelier is a bespoke piece, designed by Helle and produced by Rubn. Get a similar look with the Modern Iconic Designer 14.3 crystal globe 3 head pendant, £499.99, Jas Boutique

MASTER BEDROOM A library ladder and leather headboard (above right) are additions with character. Knit-Wit 65 pendant light, £686, Skandium. M hanging leather headboard, from €1,478, By Thornam. Find a similar blush pink bedspread, £87, at Dwell

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B AT H R O O M The bathroom’s monochrome scheme is simple and timeless. Similar Metro flat white tiles, £43.69sq m, Victorian Plumbing. Try Ximax Erupto radiator, £339, Screwfix

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RECIPE for SUCCESS Restaurateurs Caroline and George Dodds cooked up a stunning renovation of their Victorian terrace by the sea FEATURE JEMMA PAUGH/NARRATIVES | PHOTOGRAPHY JODY STEWART/NARRATIVES

KITCHEN

Caroline added open shelves to the design as she says they are very practical for cooking. Custom-made cabinetry, Mathers & Hirst. Pendant light (opposite, top right), £174, Heal’s

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian terraced house L O C AT I O N Kent R O O M S Sitting room, family room, kitchen-diner, cloakroom, three bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a tiny ﬁsherman’s cottage nearby,’ says Caroline.

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DINING AREA

A simple scheme accentuates the vaulted ceiling. Pendant light, £735, Original BTC. Bifold doors, prices start from £1,950, UK Bifold

FAMILY ROOM

Books are arranged to bring a rainbow of colour. Mirror, £220, Maisons du Monde. Eve candleholder, £78, Jonathan Adler

aroline and George Dodds were living in a fisherman’s cottage on the East Kent coast when they decided they needed to find a larger family home. ‘We saw this house online while we were on holiday and as soon as we got home, we arranged to view it,’ says Caroline. ‘It was in a terrible condition, overrun with cats and hadn’t been touched since the Fifties.’ Nonetheless, they loved it so much they put a bid in, which was accepted. The couple had recently welcomed their son Henry and knew they needed more space. To help make the most of their new home, they worked with architect Ellis Designs. ‘We really wanted a modern, light-filled kitchen extension at the rear of the house, designed to complement the age of the property,’ says Caroline. ‘And we wasted no time – work began on the very day we got the keys.’ This was to be no ordinary kitchen – as a chef George needed the design to be functional and to incorporate a large number of appliances. Finding the right balance between a professional and family kitchen was important. ‘We had to compromise on the number of units in order to accommodate all the appliances,’ says Caroline. The grey Shaker-style cabinets and marble surfaces have a traditional feel, while the polished concrete floor adds a contemporary note. Having previously lived with a small dark kitchen, the couple were keen to incorporate both functional and ambient

GUEST BEDROOM

A large-scale floral wallpaper turns this into a statement space. Tulipani wallpaper, £79 a roll, Designers Guild, would work here

FAMILY BATHROOM

Modern and traditional elements mix here. Tiles, £16.99sq m, Tile Mountain

lighting. ‘We have spotlights and LED strips, but we could have done with even more,’ says Caroline. ‘The polished concrete floor is a real showstopper; we love its tactility. In fact, the whole kitchen is a huge success – it’s the heart of our house and is our main entertaining space.’ At the front of the property the pair opted to keep the sitting room and family room as separate areas instead of knocking through. Both are designed neutrally in order to allow the couple’s art and furniture to shine. ‘We were keen to continue the theme of period style with a modern twist throughout the rest of the house,’ says Caroline. This is especially true in the family bathroom, where a traditional roll-top bath sits on hexagonal tiles. ‘The poor tiler felt quite dizzy installing them,’ says Caroline. For a secluded feel, Caroline and George decided to have the master bedroom in the loft. ‘We wanted to create a calming retreat with a luxurious, hotel-style wet room,’ says Caroline. The colour scheme of soft greys and pinks gives the room a peaceful, serene air and the marble and brass in the wet room exude opulence. ‘We originally wanted to have a bath under the eaves, but the architect persuaded us to install a wet room and I’m so glad we did,’ she says. ‘We’ve been conscious not to fill the room with furniture and accessories to keep the space feeling calm, and as a result it really does feel like our own little oasis.’

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INSPIR ATION ‘I did lots of design research leading up to the project – Google Images was actually a great source of ideas’

MASTER BEDROOM

Soft greys and pinks create a calming feel here and in the adjoining wet room (pictured far left). Walls in French Grey absolute matt, £47 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Bedside table, £250, Cox & Cox. Cushion, £80, Edit58

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A soft touch

Delicate shades combine to create a tranquil backdrop to busy family life in Lisa Chapple’s home FEATURE AMELIA THORPE | PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL CRAIG

home truths THE PROPERTY An early Tudor manor house L O C AT I O N Norfolk R O O M S Sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner, two studies, cloakroom, music room, garden room, seven bedrooms, (ﬁve en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved from a Victorian villa in north London,’ says Lisa.

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SITTING ROOM

Cool white and grey shades balance the warm tones of blush and lavender. Young Bean sofas, from £1,745 each; Oops-a-Lazy footstool, £595, all in Lavender brushed cotton, Loaf. Stem chandelier with Orchid shades, from £3,833, Tigermoth Lighting. Floor in Strong White modern eggshell, £71 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

DINING ROOM

A glimpse of the kitchen shows the wine store, which is accessed by a ladder that slides away when the larder, below, is in use. Kendall Rose chairs, £79 each, Dunelm. Antique white leaves chandelier, £580, Cox & Cox. Simple wall lights, £156 each, with Rose Smoke silk shades, from £180 each, Porta Romana

ith five children and myriad school runs to tackle each day, Lisa Chapple and her husband Paul decided eight years ago to move from north London to Norfolk. ‘The joy of finding a fantastic school that could take all five was the prompt,’ recalls Lisa. ‘We took each of our children to visit the school and, on one trip, we received a notification that this house was for sale – we fell in love with it and made an offer on the spot.’ Dating back to 1485 and Grade II* listed, the property has plenty of historic character, including two turrets with tiny windows believed to have once been used by the resident monks to feed the birds. ‘We first saw the house on an autumn evening, lit with candles, and the feeling of peace was special,’ says Lisa. Run for 20 years as a hotel, the property’s most recent owners had removed its partition walls and heavy drapes to leave a simple white canvas upon which Lisa and Paul felt able to build a welcoming home for their children, now aged 22 to 12, plus Lily the golden Labrador, three Bengal cats and a flock of chickens. The family took time to get to know the area and the house before beginning the renovations two years ago. ‘We knew we had work to do, but other things took over as we adapted to country life,’ says Lisa. ‘A year would go by, then another… but it

wasn’t time wasted as it proved to be a good way to understand how the house worked.’ With a background in fashion, Lisa had plenty of creative plans, but felt she needed interior designers to turn her ideas into reality. ‘A good friend recommended Emily Holder and Danielle Marsh of Wells and Maguire, and they were brilliant at making the house feel more like a home,’ she explains. After admiring the pink-painted houses in Morocco while on holiday, Lisa was inspired to develop her love of shades of dusty rose, blush and lavender in her home. Her brief was to combine these soft tones to create calm spaces that also celebrated the period features of the house, including original fireplaces, sash windows and shutters. ‘Emily and Danielle didn’t try to take over, but instead were fantastic at creating inspired room schemes that manage to be both grown up and familyfriendly,’ says Lisa. ‘I can honestly say that, though the project was huge, I enjoyed it from start to finish.’ Given that the house often resounds to the sounds of the children’s musical instruments and that friends make frequent appearances, Lisa says that the gentle decor creates the perfect foil to busy family life. ‘Making the house comfortable and designed to suit the way we live means that we use every inch of space, and use it well,’ says Lisa. ‘We’re very happy here.’

KITCHEN-DINER

Two sides of the cook’s table are designed as areas for the family to gather over breakfast. Bespoke table and stools, Plain English. Units made by a local joiner and painted in French Grey intelligent satinwood, £73.50 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. The classic factory pendant lights, £174 each, Trainspotters, have a similar look

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MASTER BEDROOM

Crystal lights add a note of glamour. Clear crystal maxi pendants, from £617 each; shallow chandelier, from £2,251, all Tigermoth Lighting. For a similar bed, try the Coniston, from £4,690, TurnPost. Chaise reupholstered in Ice Blossom cotton velvet, £86.50m, Kirkby Design

MASTER EN SUITE

The freestanding bath was positioned below the large window for the best view of the trees outside. Picasso bath, from £1,295; bath-shower mixer in Brushed Gold, £595, are similar, both Lusso Stone. Try the Oska Powder Pink tiles, £46.34sq m, Mandarin Stone

DRESSING ROOM

A sleek bespoke vanity unit was designed to provide storage for Lisa’s cosmetics and jewellery. Unit with Silestone quartz top by Wells and Maguire. Picasso basin, £195, Lusso Stone. Heritage Hemsby basin mixer in Rose Gold, £349.95, Victorian Plumbing

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home truths THE PROPERTY An apartment set in a Grade II-listed building dating back to around 1820 L O C AT I O N Edinburgh R O O M S Kitchen-diner/living and dining area, study, two bedrooms, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2010 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a small two-bedroom ﬂat in Singapore,’ says Phil.

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HOME TO STAY After years of expat living, Robyn Darley and Phil Morris were happy to return to this cosy apartment FEATURE SERENA FOKSCHANER | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES BALSTON

LIVING AREA A former bedroom was turned into a kitchen and a wall removed to create this bright space. Stourhead sofa, £1,646, Sofas and Stuff. Try the Jan Constantine tropical parrot cushions, £120 each, Amara. Aplomb pendant lights, £558 each, Foscarini

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hree years ago, Robyn Darley and Phil Morris made a bold move. They took a sabbatical from their jobs in finance and the law, packed their rucksacks and set off on their travels. Starting in Singapore, where they were living, they stopped in Australia, South America, India and a swathe of southern Africa. On the way, they also shopped in local stores and markets, snapping up paintings, textiles and sculptures as souvenirs of their trans-continental sojourn. Eighteen months later, the holiday was over. It was time for the couple to settle down, with their global booty, in the Edinburgh apartment that Phil had purchased while abroad. Set on the top floor of a Grade II-listed building, the flat overlooks the neat gardens and soft-grey slate rooftops of the city’s New Town district. LO N G -T E R M I N V E STM E N T

‘I’d bought the apartment while I was living in Asia,’ says Phil. ‘My sister, who lives nearby and knows my taste really well, found it for me. I did some basic redecorating and let the place out for a few years. By the time we moved in, it needed a fair bit of work to make it right for us.’ The couple spent a year living here, unpicking the property’s merits and flaws. They appreciated the way the sun floods in through tall windows on both sides of the apartment and how, in summer, the northern light lingers until almost midnight. They were fortunate that many of the elegant original features, such as cornicing and shutters, had survived. But the layout, which had been altered by the previous owners, was, says Robyn, rather odd. There were dark, dead spaces and an unwelcoming kitchen at the back. It was time to start again. CALLING IN THE EXPERTS

At which point they turned to leading local architect Jens Bergmark of Bergmark Architects and Julien Poulizac of French interior design practice CAYBO to redesign the space as a bright, welcoming setting for their well-travelled possessions. ‘The main change we made was to turn the front of the flat into an open-plan living area, to take advantage of the light,’ says Robyn. The rest of floor plan was reshuffled to add another bathroom and a box room turned into a walk-in wardrobe in the main bedroom. Drawing on his knowledge of local architecture, Jens designed classical details to complement the existing architecture. The bedrooms have inviting window seats,

DINING AREA Two portraits set the colourful tone for this area, where a new, built-in bench was added to make the most of the space. Wall in Flanders Blue chalky emulsion, £37 for 2.5ltr, Craig & Rose. Spindle chairs, £179 for two, John Lewis & Partners. The Geo mirror, £145, Barker & Stonehouse, would also work LIVING AREA Like the rest of the apartment, this scheme was

designed as a bright, vibrant backdrop for the couple’s art and objects collected on their extensive travels abroad. Drinks trolley, £263.99, Wayfair. Flamingo, £61.46, Gainsborough Giftware LANDING This once-dark hallway is now home to Robyn’s father’s piano. A ‘secret’ door leads to the master bedroom. For a similar mirror, try the large gold feathered sunburst, £110, The Forest & Co

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and in the dining area, built-in seating is picked out with traditional mouldings. Lifting the carpet in the hallway, the builders uncovered the original flagstones. Like the sash windows and marble fireplace, these were all restored. INSPIRING ARTWORK

A pair of striking portraits in the dining room are from South Africa where Robyn grew up. Their colours were the catalyst for confident colour schemes; ‘Julien encouraged us to take creative risks,’ says Robyn. Walls in teals or dove grey mix with softer tones. The decoration has personal meanings; wallpapers with tropical fauna were chosen to remind the couple of a balmier, expat life. In the sitting room, their favourite cushions, printed with exotic birds, were spotted in Singapore. ‘We’re both keen birders so I knew we had to have them,’ says Robyn. On the walls, the gilded portraits depict Robyn’s English ancestors and a much-loved piano belonged to her late father, an avid player, whose photograph sits above. Recent acquisitions, like the drinks trolley or sunburst mirror, were found locally. ‘We have a wide mixture of things, but Julien’s skill was in combining the old and new pieces,’ says Robyn. ‘We love being surrounded by objects that give us memories of our times in other countries, but we’re happy now to be settled in our wonderful home.’

MASTER BEDROOM Bold teal and rich purple pick out the tones of the tropical-print wallpaper. Tori Teal wallpaper, £60 a roll, Graham & Brown. Walls in Braze Blue chalky emulsion, £40 for 2.5ltr, Craig & Rose. For a sleigh bed like this one, try the Manoir Socle, £3,450, And So To Bed. Design Market sells a similar purple vintage chair, €1,450 for two

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B AT H R O O M This bold new space was designed to include colourful references to the couple’s life in Asia, such as the textured leaf-print wallpaper, alongside practical inset storage. Oriental Bamboo Midnight wallpaper, £60 a roll, Graham & Brown. HIB LED ambient round mirror, £269.95, Victorian Plumbing

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PERFECT BALANCE

SITTING ROOM Bright hues stand out against neutral tones. Margot Accent armchair in Antique Gold, £399, Made. Brass Hector mini floor lamp, £85, is similar, John Lewis & Partners. Floors in Ammonite estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball H A L LWAY A bold yellow wallpaper creates a striking first impression. Cole & Son’s Albemarle Chatterton damask wallpaper, £150 a roll, Nicola Casperson Interiors. Karndean’s Palio Clic flooring in Arezzo, £27.95sq m, Best At Flooring

In her Victorian terrace, Nicola Casperson has paired high-street finds and designer brands for a look that’s all her own FEATURE JANE CRITTENDEN | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH | STYLING MARISHA TAYLOR

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KITCHEN Nicola achieved this space by knocking three rooms into one. Moretti rug in Anthracite is similar, £39, Dunelm. Try Mr Clarke clock, 53cm, £100, Newgate Clocks at Amara DINING AREA A large canvas breaks up the bare-brick wall. Ekedalen extendable table, £179, Ikea. Stormbreak canvas, €212, Lola Donoghue. Originals All Purpose Chairs by Ercol are similar, £410 each, Heal’s SITTING ROOM ‘Dark walls and the grey velvet sofa make the room feel cosy,’ says Nicola. Walls in Mole’s Breath modern emulsion, £49.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Small Crumpet sofa in Slate clever velvet is similar, £1,895, Loaf. Estelle nest of three tables are similar, £225, Oliver Bonas

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace L O C AT I O N South London R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, two bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I moved here from a onebedroom ﬂat just a few miles away,’ says Nicola.

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hen Nicola Casperson ﬁrst laid eyes on a dated and cramped Victorian terrace, straightaway she could see herself living in a chic and contemporary openplanned home. ‘I knew I could pull the downstairs rooms apart and create a bright kitchen-diner at the back opening onto the garden,’ she says. ‘For contrast, I planned double doors from here into a dark and cosy front sitting room.’ The boldest move was losing one of the three bedrooms to create a new bathroom. ‘It made perfect sense,’ she

adds. ‘Upstairs seemed unbalanced as the ground floor isn’t really big enough to sustain a three-bedroom house – and it meant I could have a lovely big bathroom.’ Nicola, who works in brand marketing and also runs Nicola Casperson Interiors, had already renovated her previous home, a one-bed flat, and confidently sketched a new layout. The kitchen, dining room and hallway would become one, helped by building a small side extension in place of the old kitchen lean-to. ‘I’ve now got an extra three square metres of space and with the roof

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LANDING The striking chandelier is a focal point. Searchlight Sigma 6-light chandelier, £210, Lights2go B AT H R O O M ‘Matt-finish walls have a softer look than gloss,’ says Nicola. Verona large freestanding bath, £599.95; Crosswater Belgravia crosshead bath shower mixer in nickel, £443, both Victorian Plumbing. Eden Roc Pool print by Slim Aarons, £195 unframed, Artrepublic MASTER BEDROOM A bright pink print adds a pop of colour. Umage Eos lampshade, £120, Nicola Casperson Interiors. Together Penguin art print, £220, King & McGaw. Walls in London Clay estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

LAST WOR D ‘My biggest achievement was making a modest space look and feel big without throwing lots of money at it’

windows, it’s made a big difference to how the kitchen-diner feels,’ she says. Her trusty builder, Adrian England, from England’s Carpentry Services, worked methodically through the house in stages, including building three faux chimney breasts in the sitting room, hallway and Nicola’s bedroom. ‘It’s likely these rooms would originally have had a fireplace each and they felt flat and featureless without them,’ she says. ‘Though the chimney breasts have taken up space, I’ve been able to create alcove storage, which strangely, makes the rooms feel bigger.’

With a sense of space at the forefront of Nicola’s mind, she decorated the new open-plan room white, adding texture with brick slips on the side extension wall. A charcoal grey kitchen with mustard yellow chairs sets the industrial contemporary colour scheme for the whole house. ‘The grey and mustard combination has a modern feel,’ says Nicola, ‘but still works well with the period features.’ Rooms now flow into one another with tonal grey walls switching between dark and light

shades, warmed with wood and touches of yellows and pinks in furnishings and artwork. Nicola furnished her home with a mix of high-street names and designer brands – particularly in lighting, where she invested in Umage’s Eos white feather ceiling pendants in the bedrooms and a funky pink Kartell FL/Y light in the bathroom. ‘Lighting is far more successful here than my old flat. I’m finessing my ideas with each project,’ says Nicola. ‘The house feels bigger and balanced now – everything has its place.’ 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 202 1 | 67

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Back to its best Throughout the renovation of her home, Amanda Bradley has respected its history while giving it a modern edge FEATURE MARISHA TAYLOR | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH

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home truths THE PROPERTY Edwardian semi-detached L O C AT I O N Glasgow R O O M S Sitting room, dining room, kitchen, three bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2000 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I’d been living in a three-bed Victorian town house in Newcastle,’ says Amanda.

SITTING ROOM Amanda cites the fresh, simple interiors she saw on a trip to New England as a big inﬂuence on her style. Bluebell sofa in Earl Grey Smart Velvet, £1,730; Bluebell footstool in Pumice, £320, both Sofa.com. Gower sofa (left), £1,199, Dfs. Striped cushion, £12, Next. Fire surround, £800, Glasgow Architectural Salvage. ACR Earlswood Stove, £900, Stove Doctor

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fter years living away, a job relocation led biology teacher Amanda Bradley back to her hometown of Glasgow. ‘When a great job opportunity came my way, I was quite excited by the idea of moving back to my old neighbourhood after years of living and working away,’ recalls Amanda. ‘I’d been living in a Victorian town house in Newcastle and was keen to find a similar property as I love the character of old buildings and appreciate the craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into them.’ Amanda was thrilled to find an Edwardian sandstone house with many of the elegant, original features still intact, such as the Minton tiles in the hallway, the architrave, skirtings and ceiling roses and even

the original doors and handles. ‘I was keen to restore and enhance the character of the house but there was also scope for improvement,’ she says. ‘The kitchen was tiny and outdated, and I could see the potential to extend.’ That was almost 20 years ago and during that time Amanda has renovated as budget has allowed, always trying to respect the integrity of the building and sympathetically restoring as many of the architectural details as possible. ‘I’ve replaced the old lath-and-plaster ceilings and cornicing and substituted the fireplaces with better cast-iron fire surrounds and fitted a multi-fuel burner in the living room,’ she says. On the practical side, the boiler was replaced and the bathroom suite updated, along with new double-glazed

KITCHEN Elegant white cabinetry is classic and uncomplicated, while wood surfaces warm things up. This space is a recent extension. Fairford cabinetry in Brilliant White, price on request, Howdens. Oak worktop, £800, Worktop Distribution Services. Walls in All White estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Rangemaster Farmhouse Butler sink, £216; Bristan Bridge mixer tap, £158, both Victorian Plumbing. White wall-mounted plate rack, £114, Melody Maison, is a close match

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i n s p i r a t i o n ‘I gravitate towards a reduced and restful colour palette – it ensures a cohesive and understated backdrop, allowing architectural features to speak for themselves’

DINING ROOM The book-filled niche is an original feature and adds colour and character. ‘Many of the framed prints (left) I’ve collected from booksellers along the Seine in Paris,’ says Amanda. Ribba frames, £7 each, Ikea. For a similar style of chair try the Paloma French style dining chair, £195, Sustainable Furniture. Walls in All White estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Solid Nature oak flooring in Rich Brown, £64.99sq m, UK Flooring Direct, is a close match

MASTER BEDROOM Simple flourishes, like the faux foliage and stripes, are all the decoration needed. Wardley four-poster bed, £1,310, Neptune. Walls in Dulux Trade Pure White matt emulsion, £26 for 2.5ltr, Wickes. Ranarp floor lamp, £50, Ikea. Linea Oxford square pillowcases, £15 each, House of Fraser

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sash windows. ‘But the old kitchen still needed to be addressed and was always in the back of my mind,’ she says. Finally, in 2018 an architect was instructed, planning permission for an extension granted and good builders found. ‘I was wise enough to realise I didn’t have the time or expertise to manage the project as I’d seen too many people in over their heads, overwhelmed by sourcing materials, making decisions and having to keep to the budget and time frame, so I left it in the professionals’ hands,’ she says. As a result, the build was completed on time and within budget, resulting in a kitchen that almost tripled in size. ‘When growing up, I was surrounded by the style of the time, clashing colours and patterns, which was a sensory

overload,’ says Amanda. ‘A trip to Connecticut as a student opened my eyes to a fresh, simple approach to interiors. With their picture-perfect porches, oak floors, Shaker kitchens and white walls covered in tasteful artwork, it was a far cry from the swirling wallpapers and carpets of 1970s Glasgow.’ Amanda stresses how important a calm, timeless and cohesive style is for her and admits to being a little obsessed by the influence of light during the day and over the seasons. ‘The need for sufficient light has definitely impacted many of my decisions throughout the house,’ she says. ‘By working with the natural attributes of my home and sticking to a simple, understated style, I’ve created a comfortable and elegant home that I absolutely love living in.’

B AT H R O O M A traditional-style bath is in keeping with the era of the house. Essex cast iron roll-top bath, £1,520; Bristan traditional pillar bath taps in gold, £141, both Victorian Plumbing BEDROOM ‘I love the contrast and drama of the colours,’ says Amanda. For a similar wall colour, try Railings estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Black metal bed frame, £650, Feather & Black. Velvet cushions, £15 each, H&M Home

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SITTING ROOM The vivid original pastel painting above the ﬁreplace was the starting point for the colour scheme in here. Painting, Matisse’s Cat by John Brigden. Little Wenlock wood-burning stove, £795, Aga. Herringbone lacquered engineered wood ﬂooring, £42sq m, UK Flooring Direct

home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y Terraced cottage, built around 1810 L O C AT I O N Leicestershire R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, three bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2018 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a converted barn in Limousin, France, for three years before moving to the UK,’ says Paul.

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CHARACTER BUILDING Determined to restore this cottage to its former glory, Paul Milburn has created a country house bursting with colour and personality FEATURE ALISON GIBB | PHOTOGRAPHY DOUGLAS GIBB

c o u ntry | 25bh H A L LWAY Paul removed the tongue-and-groove panelling but installed a moulding at dado height for a panelled effect. Woodwork in Inchyra Blue estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Dijon tumbled limestone floor, £46.50sq m, Mandarin Stone. Brooklyn wall lights, £85 each, Industville SITTING ROOM Built-in shelving on two walls creates the perfect reading corner. Walls in Hicks’ Blue intelligent matt emulsion, £51.50 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Mr Paddington armchair in vintage leather, £680, Style Our Home, is similar

orn in Malaysia to English parents, Paul Milburn has had a truly globetrotting life. He met his wife Lynn while living in Australia and together they decided to relocate to Europe. After three years of living in France they eventually settled in the UK. ‘At the time we were moving from France, Lynn had work to do at a Melbourne university,’ explains Paul, ‘so she returned to Australia while I managed the renovations of this country house we had recently bought’.

Far from being daunted by the prospect, Paul used the project as an artistic outlet and engaged interior designer Emma Clanfield to help him coordinate the process. ‘I really wanted to add character and authenticity to the cottage’, he explains. The improvements to date had been fairly superficial, and Paul wanted to get the bones of the house right before thoroughly transforming it. He drilled down to every last detail, including replacing the standard light switches and sockets with period-style

pewter, and replacing existing doors with beautiful solid oak farmhouse doors, complete with traditional ironwork latches. Emma helped with layout decisions as well as the design, sourcing fabrics and paint in the rich, bold colours that Paul favours. When it came to tackling the upstairs floor, things became a little more complicated. The floor was starting to sag, and closer inspection revealed that it had been created in plaster and reed, a traditional Midlands construction method 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 202 1 | 7 7

KITCHEN Paul was able to salvage all the cabinetry and the sink but added a smart worktop and simple tiles. Cabinetry in Three Farm Green intelligent eggshell, ÂŁ66 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Minerva worktop, ÂŁ493 for a 3m length, Solid Surface Kitchens Direct

until the early 19th century that sadly had not stood the test of time. Before anything else could be done the floor had to be reinforced, then plans continued with two smaller bedrooms knocked into one large master bedroom, which also serves as a second sitting area and study. To create a usable dining area overlooking the sunny garden, Paul transposed the kitchen at Emmaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suggestion. This meant moving the working part of the kitchen to the front of the house, leaving the 78 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 202 1

garden end free for dining space. To feature the garden, the back wall of the now dining area was removed, and floor-to-ceiling glazing was installed, creating a wall of glass with a door opening onto the garden. Once all the decisions involving the layout of the house had been made, Paul got to work salvaging all the original cabinetry, painting it to update and personalise it. He then removed all the fitted carpets, laying limestone in the hallway and kitchen, and wood in the sitting room and upstairs floors.

Paul and Lynn are delighted to find themselves living in this pretty conservation village with friends nearby. The cottage flows beautifully and serves as a great backdrop for their art collection and furniture, some of which have been brought from the far corners of the globe. Most importantly, however, is that their five cats, Phaedra, Muscat, Bishop, Rupert and Abby, who have also travelled far and wide to get here, are just as happy and settled in their cosy, new, colourful home.

c o u ntry | 25bh EN SUITE A clever space-saving design makes the most of this compact room. Lily Pad porcelain wall tiles, £69sq m; Chemistry porcelain floor tiles in Verdigris, £78sq m, both Artisans of Devizes. Metro tiles (on wall), £20sq m, Topps Tiles MASTER BEDROOM A long but narrow desk fits under the windows. Working here you get amazing views. Blinds in Carnival In Coral, £130m, Christopher Farr Cloth. Lisboa turquoise glass pendant light, £99; Wisteria table lamp in blue glass with terracotta linen shade, £225, both Pooky

f a v o u r i t e r o o m ‘The luxurious master bedroom – it’s such a radical departure from how it was originally’

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S U R FAC E M AT T E R S

An industrial-Scandi aesthetic is expressed through clean lines and tactile materials in Nicole and Lester Leviton’s home FEATURE JANE CRITTENDEN | PHOTOGRAPHY | JAMES FRENCH | STYLING MARISHA TAYLOR

home truths THE PROPERTY A detached 1950s house L O C AT I O N Hertfordshire R O O M S Sitting room, family room, kitchen-diner, utility room, study, cloakroom, four bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a smaller house in the same area,’ says Nicole.

KITCHEN-DINER ‘We like to entertain so this was an important space,’ says Nicole. Kitchen, price on request, Neil Lerner. Kartell Charles Ghost bar stools, £183 each, Amara. Flask ball pendant lights in Smoke, £220 each, Tom Dixon

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icole and Lester Leviton played the long game to buy their house after earmarking specific roads in Bushey where they wanted to live with their children, Lili, 16, and Louie, 13. The couple, both born and bred here, liked the look of the wide, detached properties in the area and leapt into action when, after several years of waiting, this one came on the market in late 2015. They weren’t remotely fazed by the 1970s decor, lack of kitchen space and poky floor plan. ‘Our primary goal was to build a double-storey extension and my dream was to have a big kitchen-dining space as I love to cook,’ says Nicole. ‘Upstairs we wanted four double bedrooms – two with en suites – so that my sister and her family, who live abroad, could comfortably stay with us.’ To achieve the ultimate open-plan kitchen without obstructive pillars, a nine-metre horizontal steel beam was installed and the room finished with a polished concrete floor.

I N D U S T R I A L I N S P I R AT I O N

‘We both love concrete floors and I wanted a massive island with stainless-steel worktops so the combination worked very well,’ says Nicole. ‘These materials then influenced the shade of grey we chose for the Neil Lerner kitchen cupboards and set the tone for the modern look in the rest of the house.’ When the building work came to an end, rooms were decorated white to begin with while Nicole and Lester, who

SITTING ROOM The black wall adds drama to the pale tones, while the accents of yellow bring life to the scheme. Wall in Off-Black estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Hay Mags sofa, £4,255, Nest. Hay Mags ottoman, £525, Clippings. Yellow and grey throw, £40, West Elm

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runs a property company, settled into their new home. Neither were in a hurry to finish the interiors, deciding to save up for high-end designer pieces that would last. ‘We wanted to invest in good furniture and make the right decisions,’ says Nicole. ‘We bought a Hay sofa for the sitting room and I’ve had the dining table and Kartell chairs for years. I still love them so I bought the bar stools to match.’ A HELPING HAND

Faced with the challenge of working with the large dimensions of the kitchen-diner Nicole asked interior designer Nicola Harvey to help her draw her ideas together. ‘The walls looked bare and I liked the idea of decoration that added texture and pattern rather than too much colour,’ says Nicole. ‘Nicola suggested the String shelf desk unit and Microcement polished plaster walls – they totally changed the pace of the room.’ Texture and pattern continue through the house: crocodile wallpaper in the cloakroom; a distressed wallpaper finish in the hallway; tactile fabrics and leafy pot plants. ‘I’m not set on one idea – we have touches of industrial softened with Scandi elements,’ says Nicole. ‘I just go with what I like.’ It took a few years for Nicole and Lester to get the house looking as they wanted and Nicole says even now, she still has things on her list to buy. ‘We need some art, but we’re happy to wait until the right pieces come along. Our house was worth the wait,’ says Nicole. ‘We love coming home every day.’

EN SUITE The bath fits neatly beneath the window, offering a view of the stars in the evening. Harrogate bath, £1,158, Claygate. Kadirli hammam towel, £19, Urbanara, has a similar look

CLOAKROOM A textured crocodile print is teamed with zingy yellow accessories. Élitis Big Croco wallpaper in Colour 31, £159.80 a roll, Jane Clayton. Try Aimee yellow mirror, £80, Habitat

MASTER BEDROOM ‘The tall shelves aren’t conventional bedside tables but are the right proportions for a big room,’ says Nicole. Industrial-style ladder shelf with two drawers, £390, Rockett St George. Alphabet cushion, £20, Marks & Spencer

H A L LWAY Nicole loves the wallpaper’s 3D look. Feathr Safari wallpaper by Kiki Slaughter, £129 a roll, Rockett St George

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Opportunity knocks Samantha Sandberg’s move to the country gave her the chance to redesign the family’s new home and start her own business FEATURE CELIA RUFEY | PHOTOGRAPHY JODY STEWART/NARRATIVES

HALLWAY

‘I love the simplicity of monastic spaces and wanted to capture that here,’ says Samantha. The early 18th-century oak sideboard was a gift from her mother. Walls in Shaded White, £57 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

SITTING ROOM

Colour and pattern bring warmth to this room, which was once a cow barn. Curtain pole set, from £185.30, Walcot House. Ceiling papered in Hawthorn in Black & White, £76 a roll, Neisha Crosland at Turnell & Gigon

home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y A barn conversion with outbuildings L O C AT I O N Oxfordshire R O O M S Sitting room, Kitchen-diner/living area, living room, four bedrooms, three bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 1999 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We used to live between a London ﬂat and a rented house in Oxfordshire,’ says Samantha.

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KITCHEN

‘My essential requirement for a perfect kitchen is to have everything within a couple of steps,’ says Samantha. Kitchen design and build, Jonathan Wiggins. Hector pendant lights, from £135 each, Original BTC. Henriksdal bar stool, £75, Ikea

hen Samantha Sandberg had an offer to buy her soft furnishings business back in 1999, it was the catalyst to leave the city and look for a place in the country for her family. The Cotswold property Samantha and her husband bought consisted of a group of mid-19th-century farm buildings around ‘a rough and ready barn conversion’, as she describes it. Together with the buildings came 130 acres and a livery stable, a plus as Samantha loves to ride. Having land to farm also had a profound inﬂuence on her decisions both indoors and out. ‘The land was too tidy, too 8 6 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 202 1

monochrome, too unnatural,’ she says. ‘I wanted texture and diversity, and so began my journey to adopt regenerative farming practices and create a tapestry of habitats.’ Many of the same ideas also inspired significant changes to the family home. The attitude Samantha and her husband adopted for the refurbishment of the house allowed serious investment only in practical, high-quality finishes and good lighting. The advanced systems from John Cullen Lighting were then a novelty but have continued to serve the family well; as have the limestone floors running through the ground floor rooms. Relatively

expensive at the time, both investments have proved their worth long term. Fast forward 20 years and it was time to rethink the interior. The family dynamic had changed and Samantha had set up her contemporary curtain ﬁttings company, Walcot House. ‘Our daughter Alice now works for the business, and our son James divides his time between working in London, here for Walcot House and on the farm,’ says Samantha. ‘With four adults often at home, we use the space differently.’ The kitchen-diner and living area is where everyone tends to congregate. Samantha wanted to make sure that it

STAIRCASE

White walls evoke a sense of calm. Ceiling papered in Jacob’s Tree in Black & Cream, £94 a roll, Neisha Crosland at Turnell & Gigon

FAVOURITE FEATUR E ‘Our limestone floors, which are just as beautiful and durable after 20 years of use’ DINING AREA

Patterned wallpaper on the ceiling gives the table a sense of place within the open-plan room. Ceiling papered in Caterpillar Leaf in Marrakech Blue, £76 a roll, Neisha Crosland at Turnell & Gigon. Foto pendant lights, £19 each, Ikea

LIVING AREA

A partition creates a useful study area. Hewn trestle table with coppiced hazel legs, £540, Sebastian Cox. Leopard Walk wallpaper, £90 a roll, Cole & Son

JAMES’ BEDROOM

James constructed and covered the headboard for his bedroom, which was originally the hay loft. Macchine Volanti wallpaper, £345 for a two-roll set, Cole & Son

MASTER BEDROOM

Hints of gold harmonise with the rich wood tones. Bespoke bed, Topline Furniture. Ormhassel throw, £15, Ikea. Ceiling papered in Anemone in Black & White, £76 a roll, Neisha Crosland at Turnell & Gigon

BATHROOM

A tub and sink form part of the open-plan bedroom. Bath surround in Straw estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

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Alice’s passion for ﬁsh inspired her marine-themed bedroom, accessorised with eye-catching houseplants. Archipelago border, £295 for a 7.5m roll; Nautilus (on cupboard doors), £85 a roll, both Cole & Son

Decor ating advice ‘Try adding wallpaper to your ceilings – it’s a good way to introduce some bold pattern and colour without it being overpowering’ didn’t feel crowded so she came up with a plan for a highly functional kitchen and worked closely with the designer who built it to refine the details. ‘I knew I didn’t want to have wall cupboards as they can make the space feel cramped,’ she explains. The combination of finishes include black American oak and painted MDF with stainless-steel fittings. ‘Although I love open-plan living, I also like to bring in elements of seclusion,’ Samantha adds. ‘So we introduced a section of wall across the

room to separate the area with comfortable seating on one side and a desk on the other, which is where you’ll ﬁnd any one of the family sitting down to check their emails.’ The allocation of bathrooms was also revised as part of the redesign, with James taking over the old family bathroom next to his bedroom and Alice moving into the largest bedroom with its own facilities. The playroom was converted into their sitting room, leaving the formal sitting room for adult entertaining with furniture arranged

in groups that can be moved around when the room is used for parties and functions. Samantha introduced adventurous pattern used with discretion in the quirky English style she loves. Window treatments have been updated with distinctive fabric designs and there is vibrant wallpaper on the ceilings. ‘It is something personal to our house and draws the eye upwards,’ she observes. ‘There is still a little bit in me that likes design to be simple, clean and tidy but, I do get excited by change.’ 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 202 1 | 8 9

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BEAUTIFUL CONTRASTS In her Georgian-style new build, Olivia Thorpe has combined English country house influences with more contemporary touches FEATURE JULIET BENNING PHOTOGRAPHY MALCOLM MENZIES AND ANNA HEWITSON

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KITCHEN-DINER

Oak stools and distressed brass taps add richness. Units in Damask and Pantry Blue, deVOL. Calacatta marble worksurfaces, Marble City. Hoxton wall light, £390, Lorfords Antiques. Oak stools, £195 each, Cox & Cox. Perrin & Rowe aged brass tap, £464.94, Taps.co.uk. Quad pendant lights, £489 each, Original BTC

FAMILY ROOM

An entire wall of cupboards and shelves ensures a streamlined look. Cabinetry built by Wellington Joinery

DINING AREA

The dark wood chairs echo the black frames of the glazing. Arundel table in darkened oak, from £1,620; Wardley darkened oak chairs, £300 each, all Neptune

home truths THE PROPERTY Georgian-style new-build L O C AT I O N London R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, family room, studio, study, ﬁve bedrooms (four en suite) bathroom P L O T P U R C H A S E D 1996 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in an apartment in Singapore,’ says Olivia.

he last two homes that the Thorpe family have lived in could not be more different. One, a contemporary glass box-type apartment perched on the cliffs above the ocean in Singapore and the other, a Georgian-style yellow brick home in southwest London. ‘We had moved to Singapore because of a job my husband Geoffrey was offered,’ says Olivia Thorpe. ‘Living in the apartment was amazing as we would watch these crazy electric storms roll in.’ While they were in Singapore, Olivia’s father suggested that they develop the plot of land they owned in London. ‘The plot was attached to Geoffrey’s mother’s property and had a small house on it. Geoffrey had bought it years ago, seizing an opportunity as these houses rarely come up for sale,’ says Olivia. As the couple had decided to build a new house from scratch, Olivia’s father, who is experienced in property development, stepped in to help, suggesting an architect and contractor while the couple were still abroad. ‘My father connected us with Derek Copeman (buchananhartley. co.uk) and he immediately understood what I was after. He

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designed a Georgian-style home, rather like a doll’s house, that has beautiful features but doesn’t look brand new,’ enthuses Olivia. Overseeing such a large-scale project from the other side of the world ultimately proved too challenging and the couple realised that being on the ground would be essential. ‘We eventually came back to the UK and moved into Geoffrey’s mother’s house next door, which meant I was able to go to the site daily to check up on progress,’ says Olivia. ‘I found Anna Hewitson, an interior designer (annahewitsondesign.com) who made the process really enjoyable and it ended up being a real labour of love.’ The project took three years in total and the family home built on the site looks like it has been there for many years. Olivia, an entrepreneur who founded organic skincare company Vanderohe, has a finely tuned appetite for aesthetics. ‘I was one of five children and we grew up in a large, traditional English house with pillars and chandeliers and a drawing room you were never allowed into,’ she says. ‘I wanted to draw on that influence in the use of wallpaper, and in the solid and steadfast basins with Victorian-style taps that recall the grand bathrooms of my childhood.’ As time went by, Olivia became more influenced by Arne Jacobsen and moved towards a cleaner, more modern style. The nod to a more contemporary design language can be seen in the crispness of the architecture and the bright, uncluttered quality of each room. Flexing her interior design passion within her own business, Olivia has launched Curio, a collection of pieces for the home from glassware to hand-blown baubles (see more at vanderohe. com). ‘I’ve always loved antiques markets and picking out gems from among the junk,’ she adds. ‘It’s been great creating a collection that stems from what’s in my own cupboards.’

CLOAKROOM

A bold wallpaper choice makes a statement here. Bosky wallpaper in Blue Yonder by Lewis & Wood, £70.81m, Jane Clayton. Find a similar antique mirror at 1stDibs. Gallery shelf, £68, Hudson Reed

MASTER EN SUITE

The neat silver frames of the mirrors tie in with details in the traditional basin stand. Everdon mirrors, £534 each, Porter. Find a similar basin and stand at Drummonds. Tulip wall light, £155, Holloways of Ludlow

CHILDREN’S BATHROOM

Geometric tiles add a modern twist to a scheme designed to be future-proof for the kids as they grow up. Winchester freestanding bath, £1.899, CP Hart, is similar. Semaphore Bounty tiles, £39sq m, Claybrook. Blind in Pixley in Indigo, £82.33m, Cloth & Clover

MASTER BEDROOM

A pale headboard and carpet allow the wallpaper to make maximum impact. Beech wallpaper in Bluegrass by Lewis & Wood, £70.81m, Jane Clayton. Library wall lamp, £204, Vaughan. Artemis headboard, from £840, Vispring. Try Hemnes beside table, £50, Ikea

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home truths THE PROPERTY Detached 1930s house L O C AT I O N Surrey R O O M S Sitting room, kitchendiner/living area, utility room, music room, study, four bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2018 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived nearby, in a 1960s detached house,’ says Megan.

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Past & PRESENT Megan and Adam Forbes have embraced the character of their 1930s property, ﬁlling it with lovingly restored vintage furniture and splashes of bold colour FEATURE FELICITY HAYLES | PHOTOGRAPHY STUEY B

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‘I am so drawn to vintage chairs and sofas – I love the sense of history I get from them, the notion that they each have a story,’ explains Megan. ‘It’s satisfying to be able to replenish an old heirloom.’ Walls in Urbane Grey absolute matt emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Vintage chair reupholstered in Tango Weaves Polka Grasshopper, £62.90m; footstool upholstered in Omega Prints ll Gem Earth, £73.90m, both Linwood. Day print by Tom Pigeon, £50, Unlimited Brighton

t’s hard to believe that Megan and Adam Forbes only moved into their home two years ago, as it’s already so rich in character and atmosphere. Restored floorboards run throughout the house, providing the entrance hall with a welcoming natural warmth, while contrasting dark skirtings and architraves deliver an intriguing depth. Upholsterer Megan and her husband Adam, a marketing consultant, had already sold their house in Hampshire, when they

began the somewhat urgent search for their next family home. Their 1960s house had never felt right, and Adam was determined to find something older. They were shown a rundown 1930s property, which had generated little interest from the few viewings it had. ‘It’s fair to say this house was in a pretty bad state when we moved in, quite notorious on the road in fact!’, explains Adam. However, looking past the general dilapidated feel, Megan could visualise the potential of the property, and the couple

KITCHEN

Megan had the sign made for the beam above the peninsula, where the children eat supper. ‘We all loved The Famous Five as kids,’ she says, ‘and every time it lights up I smile and think about the adventures we’re having as a family.’ Bespoke units in Little Greene’s Invisible Green, price on request, Optiplan. Luxor bar stools, £75 each, Peppermill Interiors. Bespoke neon sign, £355, Light Up North. Parquet vinyl flooring in Stone, £49.99sq m, Harvey Maria

decided that they could actually create the perfect family home here. An additional deal-breaker for the couple was the ample workshop in the garden. It was the perfect space for Megan’s already flourishing business. Her skill for scouring markets and junk shops, with a particular penchant for chairs, meant she had built up an impressive collection. After addressing the entire plumbing system, they moved in, focusing initially on decorating the children’s bedrooms, in order 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 202 1 | 95

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Megan creates an interesting contrast with the industrial vintage wall lights, elegant wallpaper and the velvets of the soft furnishings. Lyrebird wallpaper in Aqua, £77 per roll, Matthew Williamson at Osborne & Little. Sunday Ottoman king-size bed, £1,302, Warren Evans. Bedside wall light sourced at Dartmouth Market

ELLA’S ROOM

The original stripped door, vintage luggage and antique bed add style to this space. Walls in Urbane Grey absolute matt

emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Vintage suitcases, from Sunbury Antiques Market. Antique bed sourced at Tower Workshop. Find a similar Kantha-style bedspread, from £31.86, Etsy. George Monkey wall light in gold, £40, Iconic Lights

MASTER EN SUITE

Black walls and tiles provide a dramatic backdrop for the modern brushed gold fittings. Walls in Pitch Black modern emulsion, £49.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. East Head oil painting, £150, by Esther Pritchard

that Tilly, 13, Ella, 12, and Bertie, eight, were able to start settling into their new home. The couple were adamant they wanted to find a balance between their appreciation for modern design with the personality of the property. ‘I loved all the arches – the one between the kitchen and family room is slightly wonky and that’s part of why I liked it,’ says Megan. ‘Though our friends had strong opinions about knocking the kitchen into a modern glass extension opening onto the garden.’ 9 6 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 202 1

Instead, the modern elements display themselves through the simple kitchen design and their smart choice of colour palette, pattern and textiles. ‘Always be bolder than you think you should be,’ says Megan. ‘I’ve never regretted using strong colours, but I’ve regretted playing it safe.’ Last year the couple finally turned their attention to their own bedroom, painting the walls a chalky pink to complement the whimsical wallpaper. Wall-to-wall wardrobes were built, creating a partition

wall with a secret access to the en suite. ‘Our bathroom was pretty soulless, but now we have a wall purely for storage, which opens up, revealing our decadent dark bathroom, a real contrast from the blush pink,’ says Megan. ‘Although it’s taken several years, it feels like we have restored the property and returned it to a home with colour and life,’ says Adam. ‘It’s always tempting when buying a house, to move to somewhere that’s been decorated, but the effort of our work has been fully rewarded.’

25 BEAUTIFUL

HOMES R E AD E R S U R V E Y

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Simply idyllic From bland to beautiful, Emma and James Lawley’s barn conversion is now an ultra-comfortable and elegant rural retreat FEATURE AMELIA THORPE | PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL CRAIG

home truths THE PROPERTY Two-storey barn conversion L O C AT I O N The Cotswolds R O O M S Sitting/dining room, kitchen-diner/living area, utility and boot room, pantry, cloakroom, home cinema, games room, ﬁve bedrooms (all en suite) P U R C H A S E D 2019 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We live in a late-Victorian semi in south-west London and this is a weekend home,’ says James.

LIVING AREA At the other end of the kitchen is a comfortable spot to sit and admire the garden. Pudding love seat, from £1,095, Loaf. Valentin footstool, from £280, Sofa.com. Brooklyn giant dome pendant light in Pewter, £139, Industville. Ogilvy ﬂoor lamp, £129, Made

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his is absolutely not the house we were looking for,’ reveals Emma Lawley as she describes the journey to finding her weekend retreat in the Cotswolds. Pregnant with her first child, Emma and her husband James, both London-based business owners, viewed more than 20 period cottages before beginning to despair. ‘So many of them were chocolate-box pretty on the outside, but dark and poky inside,’ she says. ‘We’d almost given up,’ continues James, ‘when an email for a new barn conversion popped into my inbox.’ They quickly made an appointment to view, admired its large rooms filled with light, dramatic double-height hall and original Cotswold stone structure, and promptly made an offer. ‘We loved its sense of space and the fact that we would have plenty of room for friends to stay,’ he says. Freshly completed and painted white throughout, the barn needed little but an injection of character. Or so they initially

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thought. As they began to consider how they would use the space, Emma and James started to dream a little bigger. Both working full-time and, by now, with baby George, they contacted interior designers Jane Lanyon and Helen Holmes of JH Designs to help turn their ideas into reality. They knocked two bedrooms into one to create one large suite, exposing the full width of the original beams in the process. They also added roof windows to introduce more light into a guest bedroom and converted some of the garage into a games room. ‘Designing a whole house is incredibly time-consuming – the logistics are not to be underestimated,’ says James. ‘Jane and Helen are great at generating ideas and have such a good eye for detail.’ ‘Our brief was to create a distinctive interior that reﬂected the Cotswold setting, without being twee,’ says Emma. ‘We also wanted a sense of elegance, but not so smart that we felt the need to constantly plump cushions.’ Jane and Helen focused on an earthy palette, soft

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textures and natural materials with accents of stronger colour. They also suggested ways of incorporating the couple’s paintings and prints to add a personal feel, and managed the entire project, including installation of the lighting created by MS Lighting Design. Then in spring the UK went into lockdown, which meant the Lawleys were unable to visit the house. ‘Fortunately, by that stage in the project, we had huge trust in Jane and Helen, so we were able to leave them to get on with it, sharing photos and emailing to agree everything,’ says James. When restrictions were lifted about four months later, the family made their ﬁrst visit to the completed barn for the big reveal. ‘It was exciting – and we loved it all,’ says Emma. In fact, they liked it so much that they moved to the barn for the entire summer, welcoming friends as much as possible. She adds, ‘As the months have gone on, we have both noticed how well the spaces work and how all the decorative details make it feel like a home.’

DINING AREA The polypropylene rug is designed to look and feel like sisal, but with the practicality and durability of a man-made ﬁbre. New England made to order rug, from £70, The Unnatural Flooring Company. Delta table, from £1,250, Burford Garden Company. Dining chairs, £139 each, Cult Furniture

KITCHEN-DINER/LIVING AREA Wood ﬁnishes bring warmth to the grey and white scheme. Walls in Ammonite modern emulsion, £49.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Stools, from £209 each, Onske. For similar wall lights, try the Job Fransden, £108, Made in Design

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l e s s o n l e a r n t ‘Do as much planning as you can before you start because it makes every later decision so much easier’

SITTING ROOM A custom-made shelving unit painted in a dramatic deep blue tone provides a striking focal point. Bespoke bookcase, JH Designs; in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr. Hatton 3 pendant lights, £279 each, Original BTC. Notting closed corner sofa, from £4,765, Camerich. Brad leather armchairs, £695 each, Perch & Parrow

H A L LWAY The pendant light draws the eye upwards, accentuating the double-height space. Santa & Cole Cirio Cascada light, from £1,824, Viaduct. Wall in Down Pipe estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

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BEDROOM New roof windows allow more natural light in, highlighting the beautiful upholstered bed. Bespoke headboard in Larsen Niamey fabric in Smoke, £115m, JH Designs. Empire bedside table, from £119, Scumble Goosie

CLOAKROOM An appropriate nature-themed print for a rural retreat, this wallpaper also adds depth to the compact space. Pheasant wallpaper in Camo Green, £93 a roll, Barneby Gates

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MASTER BEDROOM Chosen to reflect the sky, accents of blue set against a grey backdrop create a tranquil mood. Sienna bed, from £1,245, Feather & Black. Zsa Zsa lamps, £184 each, with straight empire shades, £58 each, all Pooky. Bespoke bench, cushions and bed cover, all JH Designs. Walls in French Grey Mid absolute matt emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene

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EASY DOES IT With its chic monochrome schemes and open-plan layout, Anna Barling’s 1950s house is the epitome of laid-back cool FEATURE NICOLA HILL | PHOTOGRAPHY CATHY PYLE/ NARRATIVES

home truths THE PROPERTY A 1950s semi-detached house L O C AT I O N Surrey R O O M S Kitchen-diner/ living area, two bedrooms, dressing room, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in south London,’ says Anna.

LIVING AREA

Bold black accents bring deﬁnition to the pale hues and natural textures. Alpine table lamp, £55, Next. Afaw rug, from £99, La Redoute. Similar braided tray, £9.99; large wooden tray, £17.99, both H&M Home

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b e s t b u y ‘My “dancing lady” drawing, which was £2.50 at a boot sale. It’s amazing what treasures you can find that don’t cost the earth’

aving moved around south London a dozen times in a decade, Anna Barling and her husband Russell were keen to put down roots. During a trip to the Surrey Downs, they discovered a house in the town of Reigate and knew that this was the place for them. The semi-detached property was in good general condition and completely liveable when the couple moved in, but had scope for improvement. ‘All the ground-floor rooms felt rather boxed-in,’ explains Anna. ‘I wanted an open-plan layout that felt spacious and full of light. The decor was bland and uninspiring, too, but overall, the house had a really nice feel to it.’ To achieve a better flow, the couple knocked through and created one large open-plan space, adding bi-fold doors on to the back garden. ‘We had to be sensible with our budget,’ says Anna. ‘We’ve tackled the house bit by bit, calling in tradespeople as and when we’ve needed them but have done as much work as we could ourselves, such as painting walls and floorboards,’ she adds. Pale oak flooring has been laid throughout the ground floor giving the space a sense of continuity. A round table fits in neatly beside the kitchen and looks out to the terrace beyond. The pale tones used in the dining area continue throughout the rest of the living space. ‘I wanted the colours to flow easily from room to room, so

LIVING AREA

A shelf for artwork creates a relaxed display. Try the Mosslanda picture ledge, from £9; Ektorp sofa, from £350, both Ikea. The Aula nesting coffee tables, £299, Made, would also work

KITCHEN

The monochrome palette lends a contemporary feel. Try the Shaker Ermine units in Charcoal from £7,053; Gemini quartz worktops, both Wren Kitchens

DINING AREA

Upholstered chairs are an elegant choice. Ingatorp table, £250, Ikea. Ascot oak chairs, £149.99 each, Atlantic Shopping

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f u t u r e p l a n s ‘To convert our garage into a studio so I can have some sort of separation between my work and home life’

OFFICE AREA

Anna wanted this space to feel airy and clutter-free, to make working from home as productive as possible. For a desk like this one, try the Fayence table, £266, Oak Furniture House. Ikea’s Flintan swivel chair, £60, is a good alternative

BATHROOM

The rustic washstand adds a focal point to this simple white scheme. Custom-made washstand, Ox Rustic Furniture at Etsy. Laura Ashley Mr Jones floor tiles, £25sq m, British Ceramic Tile. Filiz Hammam towel, £25, Urbanara, has a similar look

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you don’t open a door and get a shock,’ explains Anna. ‘It just works together naturally.’ While the dark furniture, like the sofas and charcoal grey kitchen units effectively define the spaces, splashes of greenery bring dashes of colour and energy into the scheme. Anna’s mantra has been to aim for great style without breaking the bank. ‘Finding budget buys from big retailers works well for us,’ says Anna. ’It’s the small finishing touches you add that really grab attention and give a room its character.’ In the living area, the couple opened up the chimney breast and plan to fit a woodburner in the future. ‘I’ve repurposed an African platter I picked up in an antiques shop and a basket from Ikea as alternative wall art above the fireplace,’ she says. Using a combination of rustic linen, chic lighting, wood and relaxed artwork Anna has created a dramatic coastal look. Furnishing the house was the fun part: ‘I enjoyed working out my personal style,’ explains Anna. ‘There are lots of influences and opinions to sidetrack you, but you have to stay true to what feels right to you. Not that you shouldn’t be open to compromise – relationships are more important than tiles!’ Anna is sure that the decisions she has made have created just the look she wanted. ‘I love opening the front door and knowing I’m home. It feels so calm, relaxed and chilled here. We couldn’t be happier.’

BEDROOM

‘I painted the walls a pale grey to start with, but it felt a little cold so I repainted the main wall a darker shade, which has made the room cosier,’ says Anna. Wall in Monument Grey matt emulsion, £23 for 2.5ltr, Dulux. Vindkast pendant light, £25, Ikea, has the same look. Similar Gallery Direct Raskin table lamps, £89 each, Olivia’s

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A REAL GEM Christen Pears and Chris Blake travelled halfway around the world to create their little piece of heaven FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL/SARA BIRD | PHOTOGRAPHY DAN DUCHARS

SITTING ROOM This cosy space is enhanced by the wood-burning stove and vintage furniture. For a similar Ernest Race vintage chair (right), £1,995, try Vinterior. Grashoppa floor lamp, £690, Gubi. Eames Lounge chair (left), £2,230, By Kallevig DINING ROOM ‘Our builder made the table with planks he had left over,’ says Christen. Grand Prix chairs, £528 each, Skandium. For a similar pendant, try the PH5, £229, Mobelaris. Douglas fir flooring, from £60sq m, Dinesen

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home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y An 18th-century farmhouse L O C AT I O N Cornwall P U R C H A S E D 2013 R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen, scullery, dining room, conservatory, three bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom, plus a barn with snug PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had an Edwardian home in Western Australia,’ says Christen.

KITCHEN Marble surfaces create a striking contrast with the black units. Marble worktops and splashbacks, £83.20sq m, Mandarin Stone. Aga range cooker, price on request, Aga Living. Baumalu copper pan set, £154, amazon.co.uk, is similar. Walls in Ammonite estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

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hristen Pears and Chris Blake found their new home via an unorthodox route. As part of a move from Australia to the UK, Christen travelled ahead of Chris with an agreed list of nine properties to view in Cornwall and Devon. ‘We were specifically looking for a property with holiday cottages,’ explains Christen. ‘But the first house I visited, in Cornwall, ticked so many boxes and felt so right, I just knew it was meant to be.’ Cancelling the other viewings was a bold move with Chris still some 9,500 miles away and a house that was a far cry from Christen’s idea of a dream home which, up until this point, had been the classic Georgian property packed with period features. ‘I love that look but this house had so

much of the other stuff we wanted,’ she says. ‘It had the cottages, space for a Pilates studio and an amazing garden.’ The previous owner had done a lot of the major work to the house and had installed a new bathroom, underfloor heating and had run engineered-wood flooring throughout the ground floor. She had installed new windows and had re-slated part of the roof, but some parts of the property still needed attention. ‘The floors upstairs weren’t great and the old conservatory was held on with strong tape and had greenery growing through it,’ recalls Christen. A new extension resolved the wobbly conservatory and they created space for an extra bathroom, too. The couple looked to make the most of the few original features that

C O N S E R V AT O R Y ‘This garden room replaced one that was falling down,’ says Christen. Fredericia Spoke-Back sofa, £9,484, Finnish Design Shop. The cushions are in a selection of Josef Frank fabrics, £148m, Svenskt Tenn. Tray coffee table, £195, Hay at Amara. Grace & Glory’s potting table, £300, would suit this space SNUG Christen and Chris have used one of their barns to create a quiet retreat. Find vintage BØrge Mogensen armchairs, from €1,650 each, Design Market. Oxford vintage pendant lights, £90 each, The Soho Lighting Company, are similar

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remained, including exposing some of the stone walls. ‘We’ve done our best to preserve what was already there but have also tried to respect the house in the choices we’ve made, reusing materials and going with a rustic feel.’ Christen’s wish list had included a pantry but she went one better and found space for a much larger scullery. ‘An open-plan kitchen is nice if you’ve got people round and you can be cooking and talking but you don’t really want all the washing up in the sink and prep mess everywhere,’ she says. ‘The scullery is great for keeping all of that out of the way.’ Repurposing materials throughout helped save on budget but also created a relaxed and timeless look. A spacious downstairs cupboard was built from old floorboards, and in

the barn, Christen’s ever-growing book collection is housed on shelving made from scaffold boards. And it was this barn that partly sold the house to Christen. ‘It was falling down so it needed a complete renovation using traditional methods and lime plaster,’ she says. ‘But it gave us a chance to put in a massive fireplace and use it as a living space.’ Having also renovated the three cottages on the plot for holiday lets through their business Middle Colenso Farm (middlecolensofarm.co.uk), Christen and Chris have learnt a lot about what does and doesn’t work. ‘It’s meant that things have flowed here quite organically. We have had that time to get to know the space and understand what works – and you can’t over-estimate the importance of that.’

B AT H R O O M Herringbone marble flooring is an elegant touch. Calacatta floor tiles, from £47.70sq m, Mandarin Stone. Cero concrete basin, price on request, Kast. La Rochelle bateau bath, £3,135, The Cast Iron Bath Company BEDROOM Christen used wall colour as a statement feature. Walls in Hague Blue estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Westbrook bed frame, £199, Dreams, is similar. Artek Aalto 60 stool, £222, Finnish Design Shop. For a similar wall lamp, try the Bestlite BL7, £45, Mobelaris

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MASTER BEDROOM The neutral backdrop accentuates the dark furniture. Walls in Acre absolute matt emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Bed frame, £800, Wessex Antique Bedsteads. Try the Mobler rocking chair, £267, Vinterior

DECOR ATING TIP

‘Don’t rush into anything – live with your space for a while and let it become familiar before deciding how best to use it’

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Calm and collected

Kristen and Luis Peña’s home may be an oasis of tranquillity but it also has an alluring, down-to-earth richness FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL | PHOTOGRAPHY R BRAD KNIPSTEIN/LUIS PEÑA/K INTERIORS

SITTING ROOM The original fire surround and stained-glass window add character. For a similar sofa, try the Hampstead, £745, Oak Furnitureland. Bespoke coffee table by Peñamade. Benuta sells black-and-white kilims, from £258 each. The Mchone console table, £569, Wayfair, would suit this space. Sirocco safari chairs, £1,280 each, Vinterior

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DINING ROOM All of the natural wood pops out against the crisp white walls. Lariat three-light pendant, £2,050, Apparatus. The CH23 chairs, £194 each, Mobelaris, have the same look. For a similar tray (on sideboard), try the Hilke marble with handles in brass, £133, Royal Design

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F A M I LY R O O M Everyone likes to relax in this informal space. The Mehari Berber single diamond rug, £69, Barker and Stonehouse, is a similar design. Bespoke coffee and side table, both made by Peñamade. Fladis seagrass basket, £13, Ikea

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian semi L O C AT I O N San Francisco R O O M S Sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner, family room, office, cloakroom, four bedrooms (one en suite), three bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2005 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had a smaller place, here in San Francisco,’ says Kristen.

n the surface, the home of Kristen Peña is an oasis of tranquillity and calmness, where muted shades complement the natural tones of the many wood features. But a closer look reveals an interior that also has substance, a reflection of Kristen’s philosophy. ‘A home should be a museum of memories,’ she says, referring to the many mementos sprinkled throughout the house. But perfection doesn’t come overnight – when Kristen and her husband Luis, with daughters Emmi, 14, and Sadie, 17, first moved in, the house was very different. ‘Oh it was a doozy,’ says Kristen. ‘It was a one-floor Victorian property with a worn-out kitchen and just one bathroom. We had to completely gut it, add new foundations and extend and reconfigure it.’ The result was a bright and spacious home that offered them four bedrooms and bathrooms, and for 10 years it served its purpose very well as a family home. In 2015, it was time for a refresh and the house began to take on a new look. ‘I really wanted my home to be a space that was simple in its bones but filled with layers of texture, memory and warmth,’ explains Kristen. And this meant utilising the many personal items and treasures the couple had collected on their travels

KITCHEN Warm wood and white concrete echo the tones and textures elsewhere in the house. Try the Light & Living concrete dome pendant, £86.85, Ideas 4 Lighting. The metro brick tiles, £14.85sq m, Tiles Direct, would suit this scheme

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BEDROOM A contrasting feature wall adds colour and depth to this co-ordinated scheme. Sisters of the Sun wallpaper, ÂŁ155 a roll, Juju Papers. The Parker teak mirror, ÂŁ215, Tikamoon, is similar

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design advice ‘Buy only what you love – take the time to find the right pieces and layer with accessories that mean something to you rather than just filling a space’ and allowing them to take centre stage. ‘Whether it’s a hand-carved stool from a trip to Tanzania or a ceramic vase made by a local artisan, accessories should be happy reminders of the past,’ she says. ‘We love the lighting, art and treasures that we have collated from all over the world.’ To inject a sense of character into the modern interior, Luis, a skilled woodworker, created handsome, custom wooden pieces designed by Kristen, like the dining room table and accompanying sideboard. And in the kitchen, natural timber cabinets were chosen to pop against the crisp white walls. Adding artwork on top of the upper units proves decorative accessories belong in this room, too. But perhaps the most striking characteristic on this floor is the open-plan layout. ‘Light and space are incredibly important to me and this area has enough room for all the family to hang out,’ says Kristen. ‘I’m a very down-to-earth designer, and I feel like every room has to have purpose and be inviting and welcoming.’ And so successful was this redesign that it proved the catalyst for Kristen to start up her own now-successful interior design studio K Interiors. Throughout each room in this house, the hallmark of Kristen’s distinctive and very personal style is evident, including the bedrooms with their bold patterned wallpaper designs and pale, sumptuous fabrics. ‘I don’t think a space needs to be very colourful to be deep, interesting or appealing,’ she says. ‘The most important thing is that it is not only beautiful, but comfortable, too.’

OFFICE ‘It’s always worth splurging on good lighting,’ says Kristen. Try the MangoandMore macrame rope pendant light, £145.13, Etsy

MASTER BEDROOM Rich, earthy tones and natural linens are timeless design choices. Flora bed, £4,750, Jacob May. Try the Florian bedspread, £110, The White Company. Swoon’s Valente bedside table, £199, is a good alternative

MASTER EN SUITE A large mirror maximises the sense of space. The Milano Bexley dark oak wall-hung vanity unit with double basin, £579.99, Big Bathroom Shop, would work here. Try the Mira Honesty basin mixer taps, £115 each, Victoria Plum

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S UR PR I S E PAC K AG E The home that Lindsey Wislocki designed and built on the site of an old sorting office had an unexpected effect FEATURE KAREN JENSEN-JONES | PHOTOGRAPHY TIMOTHY SOAR

hen architect Lindsey Wislocki, owner of Hedgehog Architects, bought a derelict sorting office with plans to redevelop the site, she never expected to leave her beloved Victorian town house and move into one of the modern, new-build properties she was proposing. ‘But once the project was complete, I fell in love with this particular house,’ she recalls. The house has a distinct industrial feel yet retains a warm and welcoming family atmosphere. ‘For the windows and doors I used aluminium painted in a dark colour for an edgy feel,’ says Lindsey. ‘I tend to favour a neutral palette with feature walls, and the darker windows and shutters really complement this look.’ 120 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 202 1

The theme continues in the kitchen with dark units. ‘I like kitchens that look like furniture rather than a traditional fitted kitchen,’ says Lindsey. ‘I designed the floor-toceiling cabinets to wrap around the cooker and worktops using a high-quality laminate, which is durable but also looks like timber.’ The understated kitchen allows the gold and copper fittings and accessories to catch the eye and create the sleek and streamlined look that runs throughout Lindsey’s home. ‘When I start a new project, I’m very methodical and I build up the main structure followed by the windows, doors and floors. Colour comes next then I source the furniture and lighting to fit the budget and complement the look. The mustard dining chairs are a favourite find of mine and they’re exactly what I always had in

KITCHEN The concrete-look porcelain floor tiles add to the industrial feel. Cabinetry and surround, price on request, Cucine Plus. Thomas Kent wall clock, £49.99, TK Maxx. Brooklyn pendant lights, £79 each, Industville, are similar. Croft copper pan, from £70, John Lewis & Partners DINING AREA ‘I love to add a dramatic touch and the tropical wallpaper is just great fun,’ says Lindsey. Toucan wallpaper, £125 a roll, Lime Lace. Mustard chairs, £150 each, Rockett St George. Reclaimed dining table with black hairpins, from £231, Etsy, has a similar feel. Dark green stoneware plates, £9.99 each, H&M Home, have the same look

home truths THE PROPERTY Three-storey coastal new build L O C AT I O N Essex B U I LT 2019 R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, four bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Our last place was a Victorian town house,’ says Lindsey.

DESIGN TIP ‘If you really love a particular feature or design, be prepared to spend money on it to get it just right’

SITTING ROOM ‘I really like the intense hue of the wall colour,’ says Lindsey. ‘It’s a strong colour but doesn’t overpower the room.’ Walls in Stiffkey Blue estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Rochester armchairs, £799 each, Marks & Spencer

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mind for the dining area. I’m also keen on unique pieces like the dining table, which is a sanded down door with legs from an old table.’ Lindsey’s design incorporated many of the characteristics of a period property. ‘High ceilings and big windows were really important to me and I used lots of natural materials to add interest,’ she explains. ‘I vaulted the ceiling on the top floor and added a roof terrace and now it’s the most wonderfully, relaxing bedroom. As we’re so high up and I can see the treetops and the sea, there’s such a sense of the changing seasons that I never noticed when living in our old house.’

The exterior of the house is equally interesting, with Lindsey paying great attention to the environment. ‘It’s important for the homes I build to fit in with the surrounding architecture,’ she says. ‘My intention had never been to move into the house until I realised the potential of living in a spacious new property.’ After some initial resistance from her husband John, and their children, Anna, 18, and Oliver, 15, the move was agreed and no one has regrets. ‘Now, with the house so close to the beach, everybody loves it,’ says Lindsey. ‘It feels like we’re permanently on holiday.’

1&2

MASTER BEDROOM ‘The ever-changing light in this room is beautiful,’ says Lindsey. Nyfors bedside lamp, £35, Ikea. Emerald green chair, £269, Dunelm

B AT H R O O M The 3D-effect tiles make this small bathroom look bigger. Hydrolic 3D floor tiles, £24sq m, B&Q

B AT H R O O M Laying tiles diagonally creates a contemporary feel. Artesano Moss Green tiles, £33.08sq m, Tiles Direct

B AT H R O O M Porcelain tiles can mimic the look of smart, luxurious marble. Torrano wall tiles, £31.36sq m, Topps Tiles

H A L LWAY The modern console table adds a glamorous touch. Console table, £215, CCco Interiors

R AW B E A U T Y Bare brickwork and natural materials enhance Mary and John Mulryanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s converted pub FEATURE JO LEEVERS | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES MERRELL

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home truths THE PROPERTY Converted and extended former pub L O C AT I O N South London R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner with outdoor terrace, cloakroom, four bedrooms (two en suite), dressing room, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We were living in Bermondsey before moving here,’ says Mary.

KITCHEN Mary sourced a bespoke veneer material for the cabinet fronts that balances texture with simplicity. Bespoke cabinetry, price on request, Crofton Interiors. Lacanche Macon range cooker, from £4,920, Rangecookers.co.uk. For a good alternative to the dining table (left), try Ikea’s Lisabo, £129. Espen oversized rattan pendant light, £495, Cox & Cox

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hen property developers Mary Mulryan and her husband John came across the converted pub that’s now their London home, they immediately saw its potential. ‘The building closed down as a pub in the 1970s, but I’d guess it was once a proper local with dark corners and a snug,’ says Mary. ‘It had already been extended and converted into a home, but we could see how to rebuild the existing extension and how to revision the interiors to suit our family’s lifestyle.’ At the couple’s first viewing, the house already had an upside-down layout, with the sitting room and kitchen upstairs, and Mary and John saw no reason to alter the arrangement. ‘By living here before we renovated, we realised how much more

natural light you get with a sitting area on the first floor,’ says Mary. A frequent disadvantage of having living spaces upstairs, however, is the loss of connection to the garden. ‘We wanted to retain access to the outdoors, so we built a roof terrace leading off the kitchen,’ she adds. In the spring and summer, the doors are left open as often as possible. ‘The terrace feels like an extension of the kitchen, so our children, Ruby, four, and Dillon, three, can play inside and out,’ says Mary. A metal staircase leads from the terrace to the ground-level garden, which will come into its own once the children are older. A key aspect of the renovation was the couple’s use of rustic textures and bespoke finishes, to emphasise the structure and fabric of the old building. ‘We wanted to take a very honest

SITTING ROOM The raw brickwork was painted over to create a softer, more restful look in this high-ceilinged living space. Walls in Drop Cloth estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Rug, price on request, Stark Carpet. Find an Ercol rocking chair, from £240, Vinterior. Camerich’s Era sofa, from £2,552, is like this one (left). For a similar side table, try the Clyde, from £645, Pinch

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d e c o r a t i n g a d v i c e ‘Use soft tones and textures on walls and floors in bedrooms to create an atmosphere that feels calm and relaxed’

MASTER BEDROOM The ground-floor space has the advantage of opening directly out into the garden via large metal-framed glazed doors. Glazed doors, price on request, Crittall Windows. Pooky’s larger wisteria lamp base, £235, would work. Ziggy Night 6 chest of drawers, price on request, Porada. Large Anders pendant light, £2,875, Pinch

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approach to the rebuild, and focus on the raw materials,’ says John. ‘Bare brickwork has been lightened with paint, rather than hidden behind plasterboard. Roof rafters and beams were also highlighted with dark finishes, rather than being concealed.’ Reclaimed parquet replaced floorboards beyond rescue in the sitting room, while concrete was used elsewhere. Mary then sourced a bespoke material for the kitchen and bathroom cabinet fronts with an interesting rough-sawn surface. ‘It took a lot of trial and error to get the look I wanted,’ she says. The couple’s focus on structural textures is echoed in Mary’s approach to the interiors. She chose a palette of earthy, calming greens and greys, with woven rattan and carefully honed and crafted furniture. Pieces ranges from mid-century

classics, such as chairs by Hans J Wegner, to modern designs by Pinch. Soft textures are also an intrinsic part of the design as Mary has used them to signpost different zones in the house. ‘All the bedrooms on the lower ground floor are carpeted and decorated in soft tones to indicate that this is our quieter, night-time space,’ she explains. ‘By contrast, the upstairs living spaces are decorated in lighter tones, with more practical concrete flooring and wooden finishes.’ With the project now complete, the couple are pleased with what they’ve achieved. ‘Our home is half-old, half-new, and the two halves relate to each other in a stripped back, honest way,’ says John. ‘I think that’s what creates an air of calm,’ adds Mary, ‘even with two young children running about!’

MASTER EN SUITE A gentle grey tone on the panelling helps to soften the lines of the mirror and window frame and creates a serene ambience. Walls in Blue Gray modern eggshell, £71 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Bespoke vanity unit, Crofton Interiors. Foster wash bowl countertop basins, from £248, Duravit

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home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y An 18th-century detached cottage L O C AT I O N Somerset R O O M S Sitting room, snug, kitchen-diner, cloakroom, three bedrooms, dressing room, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2018 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Our other home is a detached new build in Richmond upon Thames,’ says Chris.

HAPPY ENDING Chris Malcolm loves design, but calling in the professionals helped make his renovation everything he dreamed of FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL PHOTOGRAPHY BRUCE HEMMING

SITTING ROOM

‘This is now a wonderfully cosy space for ourselves and the dogs,’ says Chris. Shabby seating modules, from £2,725 each, Timothy Oulton. Similar sisal rug, £70, Benuta. Try the cowhide trunk, £950, Brownrigg

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KITCHENDINER

The unusual table is a stunning focal point. Teak root table, £1,712, Raft. Gubi Beetle chairs, £329 each, Royal Design. Glass pendants, from £325 each, Curiousa & Curiousa. Bespoke cabinetry, Woodhouse & Law

FAVOURITE ROOM ‘The snug – even on a dark day it feels bright, especially with the vibrant feature wall’ SNUG

‘This is our cocktail spot,’ says Chris. Merian Palm wallpaper, £135m, Timorous Beasties

HALL

The papered ceiling creates a quirky touch. Nuvolette wallpaper, £280 a roll, Cole & Son

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‘We love the colour combo,’ says Chris. Walls in Zoffany Como Blue elite emulsion, £48 for 2.5ltr, Designer Paint

LOFT BEDROOM Symmetry is key here. Cookie headboards, £575 each, Loaf. Hobbs chest, £2,105, Julian Chichester

BATHROOM

GUEST BEDROOM

A pink-painted tub nicely references the wallpaper. Hummingbirds wallpaper, £135 a roll, Cole & Son

Pink paintwork enhances the feeling of softness. Walls in Dorchester Pink Pale absolute matt emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene

alling in love with the Somerset countryside was a life-changer for Chris Malcolm and his partner James. ‘Though our main home is in Richmond upon Thames, we were spending so much time exploring this area that it just made sense to buy a bolthole here,’ he says. Calling in John Law of Woodhouse & Law to help with the interior design proved a good move in many ways. ‘I love design but I just didn’t have time to be here to do all that stuff,’ says Chris. ‘When I looked at Woodhouse & Law’s portfolio, the style was a perfect fit for us – classic with a modern perspective. And when the 13 4 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 202 1

project designer Sandra Groso showed me the ideas they had for the place, I could see we were on the same wavelength.’ In his mind, Chris had an idea of the feel he was after, so the brief was quite a clear one. ‘A favourite eating and drinking haunt of ours down here is Babington House and we love its clean, crisp yet warm feel,’ he says. ‘We wanted a taste of that here, creating not so much shabby chic as cottage chic.’ Being fully aware that his tendency is to go safe and neutral, Chris asked Sandra to push him into introducing pops of colour. ‘In the sitting room the gold wall sconces decorate this room perfectly – they’re

like jewellery,’ he says. And he admits that the inspiration for the daring blue and rich yellow of the master bedroom came from an unlikely source. ‘Aware that I was making all the decisions, I asked James what colour scheme he’d like for this space and he told me he’d always wanted a blue bedroom,’ says Chris. ‘Then, when John and Sandra showed me how a big headboard could create a wow factor, I said, “Sure, why not!”’ Retaining the character of the 1730s building was important, too, and the choice of flooring played its part. ‘We replaced the tiled flooring in the hallway with stone flagstones to match the old

stone flooring in the sitting room,’ says Chris. Elsewhere, rich oak flooring has been laid, providing the feeling of warmth that was so important to the couple – especially in the kitchen. ‘And with our four lively dachshunds regularly running in from the courtyard, using carpet was out of the question,’ says Chris. With the house now complete, Chris says he and James – plus dogs – spend more time than ever in Somerset. ‘Thanks to John and his team, this place feels so relaxing and comfortable,’ he says. ‘But I guess that’s what interior designers do – they make a house a home for you.’

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To advertise here or on our online directory, please call 07813 031 023, or email charlotte.beckett@futurenet.com

Marketplace SOFAS

BATHROOMS

GREAT BRITISH HANDMADE LEATHER SOFAS DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER

AN ALBION BATH TAKES A LITTLE LONGER

Copo bath pictured

Grand Chesterﬁeld 3 seater sofa £1499

Call now for a brochure or visit

01443 771222 www.thomaslloyd.com STOVES

CAST IRON STOVES

Great Looking Styles Selling Top Quality Stoves in the UK for over 25 years

BurnWood or Coal Big Stocks of Flue Pipes & Accessories in-store

BUCKINGHAM

£238.80

6kW

Stay warmer in an Albion bath as our Iso Enamel material will keep your water hotter for longer and at less than half the weight of cast iron, an Albion bath is easier to locate and install. With a range of free standing baths from 1200mm 2000mm long, we’ve got all sizes of bathroom covered. Made by hand in our Essex factory, all Albion baths are manufactured to order so in both ways, an Albion bath takes a little longer.

5.3kW

BARREL II £262.80

WENTWORTH £334.80

REGAL III £514.80

SEE THE FULL RANGE IN-STORE OR ONLINE

machinemart.co.uk TELESALES: 0115 956 5555

SUPERSTORES NATIONWIDE

Request your brochure of our range of over 50 free standing bath

9.2kW

tubs, taps and sanitaryware items. 30419

8kW

01255 831605 albionbathco.com

ALBION BAT H C O M PA NY HAND MADE IN ENGLAND

Mon-Fri 8:30-6:00 Sat 8:30-5:30 Sun 10-4

To advertise here or on our online directory, please call 07813 031 023, or email charlotte.beckett@futurenet.com

25bh | i d e a s to s h a r e One of the retro cool living spaces in the Valles suite – you’ll never want to leave

ROOM ENVY

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

hen it comes to ski resorts in the American West, Wyoming’s exclusive Jackson Hole is up there with the very best. Taking the golden age of Alpine skiing as its inspiration and raison d’être, Caldera House hotel hits a high note with sumptuous and beautifully worked interiors – by LA-based Commune Design and Carney Logan Burke – that reference the high glamour of 70s decor. With eight rentable suites, you’ll find roaring wood fires, an autumnal palette and lots of leather and shaggy boucle, but despite this there’s no hint of rough and ready log-cabin style as everything is done with the lightest of touches. This is mountain 13 8 | 2 5 B H FEB RUA RY 202 1

chic through and through with a big nod to wood (cedar, white oak and walnut) and regionally sourced stone. All suites boast their own fully equipped kitchen, dining area, living room and outdoor space with out-of-this-world mountain views. If you’re up for an adventure, the Grand Teton National Park is on your doorstep and excels in cross-country skiing, snowboarding and 200 miles of walking trails. Wildlife bounds in this part of northwest Wyoming with grizzly bear, bison and coyote sharing the land with golden eagles in the sky. After a day outdoors, head down to the much-storied Old Yellowstone Garage restaurant, relocated here from another spot in the valley, for superb modern fare with an Italian flair.