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M ORE I NSPI RA TI ON A L HOM ES T H A N A N Y OT HER MA G AZI N E

HOMES ROOM SWOON

Beautiful ideas for kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and more

COASTAL CHARM

A seaside home that is rustic elegance at its best EDWARDIAN RENOVATION

Brave colour choices and stylish details

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O P E N H O U S E Redesigning the layout

of this Suffolk farmhouse gave the owners a sociable place for family and friends to gather R O O T E D I N H I S T O R Y The owners of a 17th-century Derbyshire farmhouse updated it for modern life while respecting its heritage S O F T T O U C H Pale pinks and soothing greens bring a gentle tranquillity to this Edwardian home in Nottinghamshire P A S T M E E T S P R E S E N T Full of charming period features, this Oxfordshire property proved to be the perfect base for one couple and their growing brood

COVER STORY

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WA R M A N D W E L C O M I N G Vibrant

tones and patterns have reinvigorated this once-neglected 1930s house in East Sussex C E LT I C C O N N E C T I O N This homeowner returned to her native Ireland to renovate an old stone cottage on her family farm, turning it into a stunning hideaway R U R A L C H A R M A listed cottage in a quiet Norfolk village provided the bucolic idyll one couple had been dreaming of T R U E C O L O U R S Vivid hues and wow factor wallpaper have given this Cotswold cottage a magical jewellery box feel

This stunning Dorset home marries vintage ďŹ nds and modern pieces beautifully (p134).

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E A S Y E L E G A N C E Classic and sophisticated were the

design watchwords for an Arts and Crafts house in London P R E S E R VAT I O N O R D E R The sensitive renovation of a former bakery built in 1625 in Holland has enhanced its authentic character and charm A S P E C I A L B L E N D Traditional meets contemporary to striking effect in an Edwardian terrace in London T E A M S P I R I T A three-way collaboration was key to the successful refurbishment of this 1920s home in the capital M O N O C H R O M E C H I C A London flat decorated in a palette of black, white and grey is the perfect foil for antique and industrial-style collections C H I C & U N I Q U E Following her own individual decorating style, this owner has imbued her London semi with relaxed glamour and personality S T Y L E O N A P L AT E Creative flair and an eye for design helped the owner of this York apartment to serve up a feast of colour and pattern F R E N C H F L A I R An elegant Parisian-style makeover has added a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ to a formerly jaded mansion apartment in London A N E W D AW N Moving from London to a Bristol semi in need of work has paid off for one adventurous pair who are now enjoying family life in this friendly city C R A F T Y C O N V E R S I O N How one couple’s search for a business premises in Bath led to a garage, which they have transformed into a beautiful and unusual home C A L M & C O N T E M P O R A R Y A tired 1930s semi in London is now a peaceful, minimalist oasis C E N T R E P O I N T Set in the heart of the capital, this 1980s apartment has been given a sleek, modern overhaul

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P E R I O D D R A M A Sculptural statement pieces and

timeless touches throughout this extended Australian home help to bring together the old and new elements C L E A R V I S I O N Clever planning and design tricks have created a fresh, open-plan space in a Kent bungalow S H O R E S U C C E S S Relocating to a seaside town in Dorset opened up a whole new chapter for this couple

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M I D - C E N T U R Y M O D E R N Rich colours, bold

patterns and vintage-inspired furnishings pack a design punch in this Pennsylvanian townhouse C R E AT I V E T H I N K I N G How two fashion designers gave a Victorian house in Hertfordshire a stylish revamp

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R O O M E N V Y The scheme that’s inspired us this month

T O B O O K A F R E E A P P O I N T M E N T C A L L 0 8 0 0 5 8 7 6 4 8 0 O R V I S I T U S AT H I L L A R Y S . C O . U K

Autumn

SAVINGS

15% off

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

HOMES EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR SARAH SPITERI Executive Editors Pip McCormac and Kate French Group Creative Director Emma Williams Group Chief Sub Editor Jennifer Spaeth Commercial Editorial Operations Director Jane Akers Acting Commercial Editorial Operations Director Lizzie Hudson Brand Development Editor Laura Crombie Homes Content Team Editorial Director Rhoda Parry Commissioning/Interiors Editor Fiona Mace Travel and News Editor Patrick Hamilton Courtney Associate Art Hub Director Alison Walter Art Editors Melanie Brown and Paula Jardine Senior Designer Hannah Bennewitz Thanks to Mel Algar 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 As the season changes, and we start to turn our minds to Christmas, now is the perfect time to complete a small project.

From decorating a spare bedroom to retiling a bathroom, these quick-ish wins will make a big difference to how you feel about your home. This issue is packed with dreamy schemes to spark your ideas. I am particularly taken by our cover feature, which is the home of Melanie Molesworth in Lyme Regis. Her Georgian former meeting hall has been completely transformed and is now

S Y N D I C AT I O N

full of found and foraged pieces against a simple, honest backdrop.

C I R C U L AT I O N

Melanie and her husband moved from a Victorian semi in London

Sales Executive Efi Mandrides (efi.mandrides@futurenet.com) Circulation Manager Alan Edwards (020 3787 9161)

MARKETING

Head of Marketing Sian Cupid (sian.cupid@futurenet.com) Deputy Head of Marketing Laura Timms (laura.timms@futurenet.com) Marketing Executive Sally Dominic (sally.dominic@futurenet.com)

ADVERTISING

Publisher and Head of Homes Joanne O’Hara (joanne.o’hara@futurenet.com) Brand Director Sharon Goode (sharon.goode@futurenet.com) International/Luxury Accounts Manager Carole Bunce (carole.bunce@futurenet.com) Head of Agency Partnerships Jon Restall (jon.restall@futurenet.com) Classified Senior Sales Executive Charlotte Beckett (charlotte.beckett@futurenet.com)

REGIONAL ADVERTISING

Regional Sales Director Katrina Hutchison (0161 601 3720) Regional Business Director Kim Milroy (07967 590362)

to this place on the coast, and their relocation also gave rise to a brilliant business. It’s an inspiring tale. We pride ourselves at 25BH in sharing the personal stories behind home redesigns. It’s this human element that we really love, and I hope you do too.

SARAH SPITERI, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

I N S TA G R A M Follow us @25beautifulhomesmagazine D I G I TA L E D I T I O N S Find back issues on your device

INSERT SALES

Canopy Media Michael Davie (020 7611 1062) Insert Sales Manager Katherine Brown (07464 544375)

SUBSCRIBE to 25 Beautiful Homes for just £30.99 a year, saving 45% on the full price (see page 78).

Go to magazinesdirect.com/ 25BHNOV

PRODUCTION

Editorial Production Manager Nicola Tillman Deputy Editorial Production Manager Clare Willetts Art Production Designers Chris Saggers and Phil Dunk Group Production Manager Steve Twort Production Controller Bill Argent Advertising Production Manager Nick Williams (nick.williams@futurenet.com

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BACK ISSUES

Safeship Fulfilment support@mags-uk.com (01795 662976) Vol 23 No 11 ISSN 1369529 © Future PLC, 2020.

Distributed by Marketforce (UK) Ltd, 3rd Floor, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP (020 3787 9001)

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2020 2008885

Future Publishing Limited or published under licence. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be All contents © used, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any way without the prior written permission of the publisher. Future Publishing Limited ) is registered in England and Wales. Registered office: Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA UA. All (company number information contained in this publication is for information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press.

Future cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. You are advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to the price of products∕services referred to in this publication. Apps and websites mentioned in this publication are not under our control. We are not responsible for their contents or any other changes or updates to them. This magazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein.

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If you submit material to us, you warrant that you own the material and∕or have the necessary rights∕permissions to supply the material and you automatically grant Future and its licensees a licence to publish your submission in whole or in part in any∕all issues and∕or editions of publications, in any format published worldwide and on associated websites, social media channels and associated products. Any material you submit is sent at your own risk and, although every care is taken, neither Future nor its employees, agents, subcontractors or licensees shall be liable for loss or damage. We assume all unsolicited material is for publication unless otherwise stated, and reserve the right to edit, amend, adapt all submissions.

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25 Beautiful Homes is published by Future PLC, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Repro by Rhapsody, 109/123 Clifton Street, London EC2A 4LD. Printed by Walstead UK Limited. Cover printed by Walstead UK Limited. Publisher’s subscriptions rates for 12 issues (including p&p): UK, £56.40; Europe and Eire, €183.89; USA and Canada, $120.26; rest of the world, £140.35. For all subscription enquiries and UK orders, please email help@magazinesdirect.com.

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PERIOD DRAMA

Monochromatic schemes and bold design decisions have brought a modern aesthetic to Terri and Luke Shannon’s Edwardian house FEATURE RACHEL LEEDHAM PHOTOGRAPHY ARMELLE HABIB/LIVING INSIDE

LIVING AREA Terri designed the huge corner sofa to suit the relaxed feel of the space.

Bespoke sofa and ottoman, Bloom Interior Design.

Ottoman covered in Gramont in Indigo, £123m, Manuel Canovas. The portraits (between the windows) are by Melbourne artist Nunzio Miano, whose work can be found at Forman Art & Framing. Sabrina wood-turned stool, AUD$1,260, Zuster

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home truths THE PROPERTY A detached house, built in 1912 L O C AT I O N Australia R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner/living area, pantry, utility room, four bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2009 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a smaller Edwardian property nearby,’ says Terri.

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KITCHEN-DINER Concrete worktops add an industrial edge to the striking black cabinetry, with a bespoke marble and oak dining table complementing the herringbone oak floor.

Neptune’s Henley kitchen cabinets are similar. Washakie linen chairs, £320 each, Oka, have this look. Sommerard triple-arm chandelier by Aerin Lauder for Visual Comfort, £1,403.98, Lightsource. Try Butler pendant lights in Antiqued Brass, £87.90 each, Jim Lawrence

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favo u r i t e r o o m ‘I adore my bedroom, which I wrapped with beautiful blue grasscloth wallpaper. It always feels warm and inviting’

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t is hard to imagine that when Terri and Luke Shannon first viewed this house 11 years ago, they could see the sky through the ceiling. ‘It really was the worst wreck you could find,’ laughs Terri, who together with Luke had spent a year searching for their next home in Williamstown, an historic port just outside Melbourne.

‘Heritage houses are something of my speciality, so this Edwardian property instantly appealed, particularly as the original details, such as the cornicing and the fireplaces, hadn’t been touched.’

Terri runs a successful interior design practice, Bloom Interior Design, with Luke, who looks after the building works on their projects, so the pair were well equipped to take on this new challenge. They undertook it in two phases.

‘We originally renovated the house and lived in it for a few years, but after the arrival of our third child, we added an extension so that the building could grow with us,’ explains Terri, whose son Samuel is now four while daughters Chloe and Charlie are 12 and 14. ‘Working with Luke had its advantages as I was able to tweak the design as I went along,’ she adds. ‘It’s a luxury you don’t usually have when you are undertaking a big project like this.’

EXTRA SPACE

MASTER BEDROOM Terri selected an oversized light to add to the sense of drama.

Walls in Surat Sisal, £280 for a 7.32m roll, Jim Thompson at Fox Linton. Have a look at the Marea merino wool throw, from £156, Larusi. Painting by Anastasia Wiltshire

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The new open-plan extension, which houses the kitchen, dining area and family space, has a contemporary feel, with its glass-framed doors and black cabinetry offset with concrete worktops and metro tiles. ‘I always knew this kitchen would be black, but I also felt that it was important to introduce some classic touches, so that the space connects with the rest of the house,’ explains Terri, pointing out the warm herringbone floor in American

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oak, which blends with the timber floor in the hallway and sitting room. ‘I carpeted the bedrooms in sisal but I made sure I matched it to the colour of the wood so that there is a sense of continuity, even if the textures change,’ she notes.

TERRACE Complete with an outdoor kitchen, the covered terrace provides a wonderful entertaining space.

Bloomingville black and natural rattan armchairs, £219 each, Made In Design, have this look

SEAMLESS STYLE

Terri describes her design ethos as ‘classic with a modern edge’ and her considered choices work with both the extension and the elegantly proportioned rooms in the Edwardian part of the house, which now contains the formal sitting room, four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Blue plays a key role. ‘It is my favourite colour and I gravitate to it,’ says Terri, adding, ‘It sits so well with other colours, such as black, greens or soft pinks.

I think that it is important to team it with warm tones such as the oak floors, and I have also included metallic touches.’

Brass features on many of the statement lights, which include oversized frosted glass lanterns in the master bedroom and a contemporary sculptural pendant in the extension. ‘The ceilings are high so it was vital to find pieces that could hold their own,’ says Terri. ‘A lot of people think about lighting last, but for me it is one of the things I consider first. Good lighting sets the mood of a house – it helps tell the story of what it is all about.’

CHARLIE’S ROOM Choosing wallpapers was one of Terri’s favourite tasks.

Bird and Thistle wallpaper in Aqua, £210 for two 10-yard rolls, Brunschwig & Fils at GP&J Baker B AT H R O O M Over the years, this room has been black, navy and white, but currently Terri loves this pale pink iteration.

Dulux’s Ballerina Dance matt emulsion, £29.16 for 2.5ltr, is a similar colour. Sorrento Marinella tiles, £8.83 each, Fired Earth.

Claudia freestanding bath, £1,012, Bathandshower.com

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Open house Annicka Locket has lavished love and care on her country home to make it a sociable space for family and friends alike FEATURE DOMINIC BRADBURY AND SEÁN O’CONNELL | PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH/INSIDE FEATURES

KITCHEN

‘Mixing and matching adds a natural feel,’ says Annicka.

Bespoke kitchen units and island designed

by Maria Speake at Retrouvius. For salvaged Yorkstone flags, £134sq m, try London Stone.

Cooker splashback tiles, from a selection, Emery & Cie

home truths THE PROPERTY Farmhouse dating back to the 15th century L O C AT I O N Suffolk R O O M S Kitchen-diner/living area, cloakroom, five bedrooms (two en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Our last home was in London,’ says Annicka.

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FAVOURITE FEATUR E ‘I love the kitchen – each part of this triptych of spaces has an identity of its own’

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hen looking for a new home, the last thing Annicka Locket wanted for her family was a place that felt prim and precious, so she was naturally delighted to discover a homely Suffolk farmhouse. With three children, Eben, 15, Otto, 12, and Arlo, seven, Annicka and her husband James were confident they had found a warm and welcoming rural abode, not just for themselves but for visiting friends and relatives.

As much as they loved the house, however, they knew the building was in desperate need of updating and renovation. ‘We wanted to make sure that whatever we did would be sympathetic to the age of the house,’ says Annicka. ‘Unfortunately, there were elements that had gone missing over the years, while the house was being extended again and again, including some of the original floors.

Over the years the many extensions and additions to the farmhouse, which dates back to the 15th century, had created a version of a Suffolk longhouse, with a sequence of interconnected rooms placed one after another. To help make it more liveable for family use, Annicka and James called in architect and designer Maria Speake of Retrouvius.

‘As I walked into the house and looked around it, I could see that quite a few key things were in the wrong places,’ says Maria. ‘I try to spend some time in a house at the beginning of a project, almost as though it’s my own place, to try to understand

LIVING AREA

An inglenook and wood-burning stove form a magnificent centrepiece to this casual seating area.

Try the Hunter Herald 8 woodburning stove, £989, Stoves Are Us. The Vivienne armchair, £189.99, My Furniture, would work here. Coffee table, price on request, In Da Cottage

DINING AREA

‘The former kitchen was transformed into a dining space,’ says Annicka.

Stone effect antique grey table lamp, £149, Cowshed Interiors, has a similar look.

Find vintage velvet dining chairs at Vinterior

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DINING AREA

Reclaimed timber was used to create characterful floors.

Authentic Reclamation sells salvaged flooring, from £50sq m. Yew dining table is similar, £1,950; glass funnel lights, from £55 each, both Retrouvius

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INSPIR ATION ‘We wanted any changes to be sympathetic to the history of the house’

where the hub of the house should be. In a property like this, the kitchen is the pivotal point, where you should be able to know everything that’s going on in the house, so we decided to move the kitchen from the back of the building to where it is now and open up the spaces around it.’

Removing two internal walls allowed the kitchen to flow through seamlessly into an informal lounge, with a seating area arranged around a fireplace and wood-burning stove, plus a dining area conveniently sited to one side. ‘Maria really understood how to open the space up for modern family living while still respecting the linear flow,’ says Annicka. ‘We now have a really good balance with the kitchen, dining area and living space, all in this one comfortable area, where we can all be together, even when we have guests.’

Elsewhere in the house, Annicka and Maria converted the loft into a new guest suite, while the master bedroom, with its abundant space for relaxing and open views across the landscape, was given a refresh. A priority here, as with the rest of the house, was to preserve the natural charm of the farmhouse and, to this end, rustic materials, such as reclaimed timber boards and stone flag floors were reintroduced.

The result is a home with a rugged beauty but which is also designed to meet the everyday needs of family life. Being in the country clearly suits Annicka, James and their brood. ‘We always aimed to have a place here, because it is such a gentle way of life, surrounded by warm and gentle people.’

MASTER BEDROOM

A bare brick wall alludes to the age of the farmhouse.

Darcy bed, from £995, Loaf. Bed linen, from a selection, The White Company. The Englewood bedside table would suit this space, £99, Only Home

ATTIC SUITE

Pale walls accentuate the wooden beams.

Walls in Wevet estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Retrouvius sells vintage glass pendants.

Bevelled wall mirror, £40, is similar, Etsy. Large console sink, £360, Authentic Reclamation, has this look

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home truths THE PROPERTY Detached Arts and Crafts house L O C AT I O N North London R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, media room, study, utility room, boot room, cloakroom, five bedrooms (two en suite), four bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a smaller house in the same area,’ says Kate.

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EASY ELEGANCE A sophisticated redesign has enhanced the character of Kate and Mark Stone’s period home FEATURE AMELIA THORPE | PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL CRAIG

SITTING ROOM Brass accents lift the soft blue and neutral scheme in this extended space, which has a bay window recreated to match the original.

Pollock sofa, from £7,840; Andersen sofa, from £6,640, both Minotti London. Tomo chairs, price on request, Philippe Hurel. Diagonal gradient cushions, from £95 each, Kit Miles. Bridge rug, from £1,853, The Rug Company. Mrs Lots side table, £655, Julian Chichester. Braque table lamps, £1,488 each, CTO Lighting

d e c o r at i n g advice ‘Don’t rush things.

I’m glad we lived in the house for a while before we started work because it gave us time to really think about what we wanted to achieve’

SITTING ROOM A glazed door between this room and the kitchen allows the family to enjoy the sense of open-plan living, with the flexibility to close the door when required.

Truro twig floor lamp, from £1,983, Vaughan STUDY The former dining room has been made into an office area, with a table that’s used for dining in small groups on winter evenings.

Bespoke bookcases, dk Interiors; in Pavilion Gray modern eggshell, £29 for 750ml, Farrow & Ball.

Apollonaire pendant light, £1,704, CTO Lighting. Dakota table, from £2,520, Julian Chichester. Beetle dining chairs with brass legs, from £1,100 each, GamFratesi for Gubi at The Conran Shop KITCHEN-DINER A classic Shaker-style blue-painted island anchors the design in this large space, while a skylight brings in some much-needed natural light.

Bespoke Spenlow cabinetry, Humphrey Munson. AAS 33 high bar stools, £355 each, Hay. Globe pendant light, from £435, Original BTC

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ampstead Garden Suburb in north London, designed in the early 20th century as a model community, remains a carefully protected, leafy area with wide, tree-lined roads and spaciously arranged homes. ‘It is such an unusual, tranquil place for London,’ says Kate Stone, who bought a listed Arts and Crafts house on a quiet close with husband, Mark, eight years ago. ‘We have a beautiful garden and a green in front of the house, where the boys love to play football.’

Kate and Mark, who have three sons, George, 13, Oliver, 12, and Joe, nine, lived in the house for five years, considering their renovation plans and how they used the space, before beginning the project to refurbish the house. ‘Many of the rooms felt starved of 2 2 | 2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020

natural light and we wanted to create a more open feel, better suited to our family lifestyle,’ explains Kate. Working with architect Dan Farshi of Carver Farshi, they moved out for 18 months while an extension was built to the rear, constructed in matching materials to be in keeping with the traditional character of the house. The extension increases the size of the sitting room and provides extra space to include a dining area as part of the kitchen, complete with large skylight to brighten the room.

Following up a recommendation, the couple also met interior designer Debra Kacher of dk Interiors. ‘As I was working full time, I knew I wouldn’t have much time to dedicate to the project and the amount of choice can be overwhelming,’ explains Kate. ‘Debra

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DINING AREA Floor tiles are made from ultra-durable and easy to maintain porcelain, designed to look just like classic natural stone.

The Bryant porcelain 60x120cm tiles, £42sq m, Ca’ Pietra, are similar. Fayland dining table, from £4,057; This chair dining chairs, £371 each, all Viaduct

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25bh | c it y CLOAKROOM A clean-lined vanity unit in honed Carrara marble introduces a contemporary-classic feel.

Bespoke vanity unit, dk Interiors.

Tile wallpaper, £85 a roll, Cole & Son. Belvedere mirror, £576, Vaughan.

Mezzo flush wall lights, £336 each, CTO Lighting MASTER BEDROOM In this space and the adjoining dressing room, the lavender tones of the woven wall covering are combined with soft greys, echoing the other rooms in the house.

Marin weave muted lavender wall covering, $126 a roll, Ralph Lauren. Cologne table lamp, from £1,650, Porta Romana.

Percy bedside cabinet, from £1,163, Julian Chichester MASTER EN SUITE Using some space ‘stolen’ from a former bedroom, this room was designed as a spacious and luxurious retreat for the couple.

Bespoke joinery, dk Interiors; in French Grey Pale intelligent eggshell, £32 for 1ltr, Little Greene. Ionian freestanding bath, £3,560, Victoria + Albert Baths. Long Island marble herringbone mosaic floor tiles, £132.84sq m, Ca’ Pietra. Bespoke Carrara marble countertops and upstand, dk Interiors

last word ‘Ask friends, colleagues and local suppliers for recommendations – I first found out about our interior designer from my hairdresser’

understood our brief to create a modern family home in a traditional setting – and was so skilled in transforming ideas into reality.’

The focus was on enhancing the spacious feel and on improving the connection between the rooms. The opening between the sitting room and study was enlarged and a large metal-framed pivot door was added between the sitting room and kitchen. Both serve to create an easier flow between spaces and suit the more casual style of entertaining enjoyed by the family. The former garage was converted into a utility room and boot room. ‘This is a much more practical and successful layout,’ says Kate.

Upstairs, the couple were able to have new windows fitted in the pitched roof of the top floor. ‘Not only does this make the bedrooms 2 4 | 2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020

on this level much more inviting,’ explains Kate, ‘but it also means that we now have beautiful views across Hampstead Heath.’

Kate was keen to include family-friendly and robust fittings and furniture, but not at the expense of comfort and sense of luxury. ‘I didn’t want a home that was too precious, that made me feel on edge if the boys touched anything,’ she explains, ‘but at the same time, I felt an elegant look would sit well with the style of the house.’ As a result, fabrics are durable and surfaces easy to maintain, while a gentle colour scheme and subtle texture create the understated sophistication the couple desired. ‘The project has allowed us to utilise every square inch and made the house feel so much warmer and more welcoming,’ she says. ‘We really enjoy living here.’

Exceptional British made wood stoves for the home.

01983 537780 • @charnwoodstoves • www.charnwood.com

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Preservation

ORDER

The oldest house in this small Dutch city has a well-preserved history that Pauline and Hans Kick have cherished FEATURE JULIET BENNING | PHOTOGRAPHY TON BOUWER/COCO FEATURES

EXTERIOR

The front of the house faces a cobbled street. Pauline has left the wild flowers to grow up the walls to bring a welcoming contrast to the brickwork. In the sitting room (above right), the low back of the sofa means the view of the street is unhindered

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SITTING ROOM

The rough texture of a jute rug suits the distressed nature of the aged tiles, while a large mirror makes the space appear larger.

Lohals rug, from ÂŁ30, Ikea. Find a similar oversized vintage mirror at Love Antiques. Jotul F105 woodburning stove, ÂŁ1,299, available from Bell.

Henri velvet armchair, price on request, Dassie Artisan

home truths THE PROPERTY Former bakery and baker’s townhouse, built in 1625 L O C AT I O N Friesland, Holland R O O M S Sitting room, dining room, kitchen, cloakroom, two bedrooms, bathroom, external studio P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we spent 20 years living in a large farmhouse,’ says Pauline.

DINING ROOM

An antique table, which has been painted grey to fit in with the surrounding scheme, is decorated with seasonal wild flowers, here displayed in an old mould found in the former bakery.

The French-style oval-back dining chairs, £315 each, Nicky Cornell, are a good choice. For a similar pendant light, try the Liberty Bell, £129.90, Lights.co.uk

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he list of requirements for Pauline and Hans Kick’s new home was long – so long in fact that to meet all of them in one property might have left them searching for many years. ‘We wanted somewhere old yet in a good condition. It had to have an authentic charm, be located near water with a view, and only a short distance from the shops,’ says Pauline, who is a professional artist.

A walk along the canal in the charming Dutch city of IJlst and a view through a window lead to the discovery of the home the couple longed for. ‘We stumbled across a historic building that was for sale and peering inside I could see through to the fields stretching out beyond,’ says Pauline. Searching for

the details on the internet once they were home, the pair were disappointed to realise the property was above their budget. But a few months later, the price was dropped, making the purchase possible.

Constructed in 1625, the building is one of the oldest in the city and served as a bakery and home for the baker’s family. ‘They lived on the first floor while the shop was on the ground floor – that’s why we don’t have a hallway and when you enter, you step straight into our sitting room,’ says Pauline. Mindful of the house’s history Pauline was keen to preserve its character. ‘We don’t ever feel like the owners, but more like guardians for the next generation,’ she says.

Fortunately, a painstaking restoration of the property was carried out in the 1970s, so Pauline

INSPIR ATION ‘The clear lines and open character of an empty landscape. It influences me in my work as an artist, and it’s this emptiness that I strive for in our home as well’

KITCHEN

Salvaged wooden ceiling beams, terracotta flooring and old Friesian tiles all add to this room’s rich, authentic character.

Reclaimed terracotta tiles, from £1.58 each, Claybrook. Delft tiles from Regts Antique Tiles are a good alternative. Similar glass grape cluster pendant lights, from £220 each, Greige. Try the Coffee Tek teak dining table, £569, Tikamoon

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‘We added a large wooden cupboard in the kitchen, some reclaimed timber floors upstairs and painted the outside of the house,’ explains Pauline. ‘We also restored the outbuilding, making it into my studio.’

The main focus of their endeavour was the new palette of colours for the interior. ‘I’ve always favoured a pared-back approach,’ says Pauline. ‘We painted the wood in a matt version of a traditional Friesian grey. The colour can be sobering and dynamic at the same time, bringing hints of beige, blue and green.’ To anchor the tonal highlights, white walls reflect the light and lend contrast.

Furnishings and artwork are kept to a minimum with Pauline embellishing the house with seasonal

finds from branches of blossom to drift wood and seaweed. Contained within the china cabinet, are collections of antique rolling pins, chocolate moulds and bread tins, which were bought from a fellow villager and hint at the past life of the house.

Outside, the gardens have become a sanctuary for relaxation with Pauline designing the borders herself.

‘I love reading near the waterside and indulging in the scent of flowers and the birdsong. But each season has something wonderful to bring. In winter, the frozen landscape inspires my art and if it’s cold enough you can skate along the canal. When the nights draw in, the sitting room with its woodburner takes on a soulful ambience,’ says Pauline, relishing a home that’s perfect all year round.

LAST WOR D ‘I have a deep respect for the people of the past who built this home with their bare hands using none of our modern machinery to help themÕ

BATHROOM

Tadelakt plaster walls give a textural quality in contrast to the angular sink and modernist tap fitting, while in the master bedroom (above right) antique shoe moulds are used as ornaments that pay tribute to the past.

The Forzalaqua Bellezza 100 natural stone bluestone basin, £882, Bathroom City, is similar. Baileys sells old shoe lasts like these, from £15 each

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MASTER BEDROOM

A bedside table made by Hans brings a rough, natural texture to this space, contrasted with the industrial look of the wall light.

Dunelm’s Atlas black bedstead, £119, is similar. The Home Barn vintage wooden reclaimed bench, £195, Notonthehighstreet.com, would also work here. Source grain sack cushions like these from Etsy

H A L LWAY Original-style floor tiles and panelling create a traditional look, while a pair of star pendants add a striking flourish.

Star lantern, £1,130, Vaughan, has this look.

Sugarcube sideboard, £5,842, Knowles & Christou. Similar encaustic floor tiles, from £135sq m, Artisans of Devizes

A special blend Classic and contemporary meet in an exquisite mix of standout features and stylish finishes to bring a timeless elegance to Sophie England’s Edwardian terrace FEATURE IFEOLUWA ADEDEJI | PHOTOGRAPHY MALCOLM MENZIES

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home truths THE PROPERTY Edwardian terrace L O C AT I O N West London R O O M S Sitting room, dining room/playroom, kitchen-diner/ living area, cloakroom, basement TV room, boot room, five bedrooms (one en suite), six bathrooms, dressing room P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a four-bedroom house in Wandsworth,’ says Sophie.

SITTING ROOM With its sumptuous soft furnishings and cosy layout, this is an ‘adult-only’ space where Sophie and Michael like to unwind in the evenings.

Siena square coffee table, from £3,870, Tom Faulkner. Bespoke footstools, David Lawrence Furniture. Heracleum suspended light, £2,025, Moooi

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hen Sophie and Michael England’s builder suggested an interior designer for their house renovation, Sophie never expected that they would get on so well. ‘We met Karena Clayton through Mascot Builders, who were working on our home and had used her before,’ says Sophie. ‘We had already started the building work in the house, so it was a relief to find someone who could hit the ground running.’

The couple sought a classic contemporary look for their Edwardian property, mixing old and new to create a timeless finish.

‘While I wanted something with the wow factor, I didn’t want it to be a showpiece,’ says Sophie.

Karena came up with designs featuring contemporary panelling and cornicing, rejecting the ornate in favour of clean, elegant lines.

‘We weren’t sure about what to do with the hallway because there was a lot of storage taking up the space,’ says Karena, founder of design practice Colour Interiors.

‘As there was a separate boot room, we chose to remove the cabinetry here, which opened up the space to make a grand first impression.’

An elegant champagnecoloured kitchen with modern handleless units now sits at the heart of the home. ‘We wanted a warm tone for the cabinetry and chose to mix different materials and textures,’ says Karena.

As Sophie was keen to have a contemporary finish, a polished plaster splashback in rich

P L AY R O O M This bright, flexible space doubles as a more-formal dining room.

Herringbone flooring, £110sq m, Cheville. Skye jute rug, from £140, John Lewis & Partners, would work here KITCHEN-DINER A contemporary colour scheme, marble accents and statement lighting make a big impact in this carefully considered space.

B3 units, from £75,000, Bulthaup. Gubi Beetle bar chairs, from £380 each; dining chairs, from £265 each, all Utility Design. Pear chandelier, £4,500, Ochre

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d e s i g n a d v i c e ‘Working with an experienced interior designer can save you money and elevate the finish of your space.

We’ve installed pieces that I wouldn’t have thought of without Karena’

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mottled hues was incorporated to bring further interest and depth.

The marble-top dining table, designed by Karena, reflects Sophie’s love of natural materials.

‘We matched the metal legs to the window frame,’ says Sophie. ‘When we were searching for the perfect marble for the top, we were lucky to find the last piece in that colour.’

Crittall doors lead from the kitchen to the playroom, which can also be used as a dining space. The glazing lets light flow through from the rear and allows Sophie and Michael to keep an eye on the children while they are playing.

When it came to configuring the space in the basement, Karena faced a challenge: although it is big, it is long and narrow, so a typical cinema layout proved difficult to create. Instead she came up with plan for a TV room with a bar and a secret panel space to store the table tennis table. ‘Sophie was happy for me to lead here, so we went to town with chunky panelling.

An antique bronze mirror has been placed behind the bar sink to create a feeling of depth and bounce light around the space.

After 18 months, the works are now finished and the family are reaping the rewards. ‘I love living here,’ says Sophie, ‘and I still can’t believe it’s our home.’

MASTER BEDROOM SUITE An upholstered headboard and silk wallpaper give this room a luxuryhotel feel, echoed in the bathroom with its beautiful marble walls.

Bespoke bed, David Lawrence Furniture.

Sugarcube side table, £1,373, Knowles & Christou. Bespoke marble sink, Marble City. Etch Web pendant light, £1,500, Tom Dixon STUDY This striking wallpaper includes images of skateboarders and BMX riders in a London night scene.

Decouper 3 hand-printed wallpaper, £90 a roll, Timorous Beasties. Hista glass desk, £412.55, Sklum, has this look C H I L D R E N ’ S B AT H R O O M The grey and blue tiled floor perfectly complements the calming feel here.

Try the Morini stone resin bath, £1.695, Lusso. Reclaimed Hacienda floor tiles, £150sq m, Maitland & Poate, are similar

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ROOTED IN HISTORY Lis and John Boyle updated their family farmhouse while embracing its rural location and striking features FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL/PIPPA BLENKINSOP | PHOTOGRAPHY JEREMY PHILLIPS

DINING AREA The table has been in the house for generations.

For antique farmhouse tables, try Pamono. Yorkstone Supplies sells original stone flooring, £182sq m.

Ardeche glass pendant would work here, £150, Ocean Lighting

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c o u ntry | 25bh SITTING ROOM ‘We installed a wood burner to create a focal point in this room,’ says Lis. Sheepskin rug, £50, Watson’s Farm Shop. Curtains in Blue velvet fabric, £35m, The Millshop Online

home truths THE PROPERTY Farmhouse dating back to the 17th century L O C AT I O N Derbyshire R O O M S Sitting room, kitchendiner, sun room, boot room, four bedrooms, three bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2011 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved here from a 1940s detached nearby,’ says Lis.

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o say Lis Boyle has strong ties to the farmhouse she shares with her husband John is an understatement.

The property has been in her family for 300 years, ever since her ancestors came south from the Shetland Isles and settled here in the Peak District in the early 1700s.

The couple bought the property in 2011, with the cooperation of other family members, as part of a working farm with livestock. While recognising the place was in need of renovation, Lis and John wisely held off carrying out any major work for several years, by which time they had gained a feel for the place and how best to utilise the space.

Finally, in 2016, the property was reconfigured to create a new familyfriendly layout. Downstairs, four feet of wall that divided the former parlour and sitting room was knocked through to create an open-plan kitchen-diner. ‘The gap required four RSJs as the wall had originally been an exterior wall,’ recalls Lis. The former kitchen, which was historically the shippon or cowshed, was converted into a sitting roomcum-snug. The stairs were reinstated to their original position and upstairs the stud walls added in the 1960s were removed to return the bedrooms to their original size. Wallpaper was stripped back throughout to reveal original lime plaster, and false ceilings removed to expose characterful

KITCHEN Painting the wood-lined ceiling white has helped to increase the sense of light.

Ceiling in Pointing estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Bespoke iroko cabinetry, Steven James Furniture. For reclaimed pine cupboards, try Peppermill Interiors

H A L LWAY The house is entered through a boot room, which leads through to the kitchen. Visible on the left is an old oak school cupboard purchased on eBay, which now serves as a kitchen larder.

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i n s p i r at i o n ‘The shape and form of something is really important to me, whether it’s lights, furniture or just ornaments’

MASTER BEDROOM Vaulted ceilings give this room an impressively spacious feel.

Stanley pendants, £72 each, Pooky. Gingham bed linen, from £15, The White Company

EVE’S BEDROOM A cleverly crafted window seat provides a cosy reading place.

Walls in Wevet estate emulsion, £47.95, Farrow & Ball. Orange roller blinds, from £7.95, Blinds Direct. For antique rocking horses, from £185, try Vinterior

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F A M I LY B AT H R O O M This room was built into the corner of the main bedroom and has a contemporary feel.

Walls in Dulux Montpelier eggshell, £24 for 2.5ltr, B&Q. Travertine tiling, price on request, Yorkshire Tile Company. Duravit Vero basin, £837, Aston Matthews

beams. Walls that had to be taken back to stone were replastered using lime and hemp.

One of the biggest challenges was how to incorporate a family bathroom.

With the help of an architect, Lis and John came up with the ingenious plan of building a bathroom into the corner of the master bedroom; a solution that respects the integrity of the house by distinguishing old from new. The couple opted for a simple wet room design, ensuring a suspended floor was laid to support the weight.

This pared-back approach runs throughout the interior in a conscious effort to do justice to the farmhouse’s stunning rural setting. ‘We wanted the interiors to reflect the simplicity of the building,’ says Lis. ‘The house needed to feel cosy, yet have an uncluttered look incorporating antique and modern furniture.’ Furnishings throughout are limited to beautiful, essential pieces so as not to obstruct the glorious views of the valley, but also to create an overall feeling of calm. ‘It allows your eyes to rest on one thing at a time so that you can really notice things,’ says Lis. To pay homage to the history of the farmhouse, Lis chose to retain several of the timber furnishings and, where new pieces were required, has taken time and care to source high-quality, handcrafted designs from antiques centres or has had pieces specially made to their requirements.

‘We love wood and craftsmanship, whether old or new,’ she says. ‘John has an interest in woodworking and has made several pieces for the house.’

Although their home is firmly ensconced in the past, Lis and John have not been afraid to embrace change, and their daughters Josephine, 15, and Eve, 13, as well as Lis’ neighbouring parents, have enjoyed seeing their vision come to life, creating a new chapter in this amazing farm’s rich history.

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SOFT TOUCH

Pinks and greens became the decorating thread throughout Jane and Pete Evans’ home, reflecting its countryside setting FEATURE JANE CRITTENDEN | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH | STYLING MARISHA TAYLOR

KITCHEN-DINER

Neutral grey units and light-wood furniture lend a natural, bright and airy look.

French-style reclaimed refectory dining table, £839, Nicky Cornell, is similar. Riviera wicker chair, £175, Sustainable Furniture, has this look

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home truths THE PROPERTY A detached Edwardian farmhouse L O C AT I O N Nottinghamshire R O O M S Kitchen-diner/living area, utility room, boot room, snug, playroom, five bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived locally, renting a 1930s house,’ says Jane.

LIVING AREA

‘I love the look of the pale-pink sofa against the dark-grey limestone floor,’ says Jane.

Large Soufflé sofa in Dusty Rose clever velvet, £1,845, Loaf. Dove Grey tumbled limestone floor tiles, from £56sq m, Floors of Stone. Medium Poppy Field rug, £125, French Connection Home

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hen Jane and Pete Evans were given the chance to renovate an Edwardian farmhouse, which had been in Jane’s family since the 1920s, they were over the moon. The couple had been renting while they waited for their ‘forever’ home to come along – this was the perfect match.

‘Taking on the house was a serendipitous moment,’ says Jane. ‘We’re both from the area and the location was our dream. We loved the period features and the large rooms at the front, which had lots of potential.’

The old farmhouse stands on a big plot with views in all directions. Jane’s uncle had been living here and though the house was habitable enough to move into, very little had changed in 50 years. ‘We wanted to bring grandeur back into the house and improve the light and flow of the small rooms,’ says Jane. ‘Like most families, the dream was to have a big living space for our children, Jude, 10, Estella, eight, and Delilah, three.’

A full-width kitchen extension was high on the agenda with a side extension to accommodate a guest suite. Though with all the other rooms to strip back and redecorate too, the couple accepted the project would be long and slow. ‘We have quite traditional tastes and chose a classic grey Shaker-style kitchen with a grey limestone floor that would suit the age of the house,’ says Jane. ‘I bought a pink velvet sofa and chanced upon a painted green antique bench. I really liked the colour

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FAVOURITE ITEM ‘The chandelier hanging over the rustic table is one of my most loved pieces in the project’ DINING AREA

Jane is mad about chandeliers: ‘I think they make a room look really interesting and characterful,’ she says. ‘I had this lovely vision of a huge chandelier hanging over a large scrubbed wooden table.’

Zeitraum Bank bench, £1,349, Utility Design, has this look.

Farmhouse kitchen chairs, £375 pair, Farmhouse Table Company, would work here. Chandelier, £800, Opera Chandeliers

KITCHEN

Marble worktops and brass cupboard handles add a touch of grandeur.

Real Shaker cabinets painted in Lead, £600 for a 600mm base cabinet; Bum stools, £440 each; Crackle pendant lights, £200 each, all deVOL. Majestic chair, £199, Peacock Chairs, is similar

UTILITY ROOM

‘I love catching a glimpse of the patterned floor through the doorway,’ says Jane.

Devonstyle Grey tiles, £17.99sq m, Tons of Tiles. Ionian tap in aged brass, £460, deVOL

PLAYROOM

Strong, bright colours appeal to all the children and will last into their teens.

Kilim Afghan rug, £299, Trend Carpet, is similar. Walls in Hague Blue estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Love lights

by Erica Davies, £40, QVC

SNUG

‘This is our cosy evening refuge so I’ve gone for richer tones of pink and green,’ says Jane.

Black and white bone inlay side table is similar, £270, Graham and Green. Antique Gold sunburst mirror, £210, Notonthehighstreet, is a close match

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BATHROOM

‘I love the drama of the black patterned tiles against the soft pink walls,’ says Jane.

Lily Pad Off-Black tiles, £69sq m, Ca’Pietra. Walls in Calamine estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Lusso Luxe wall-mounted bath mixer in Brushed Gold, £395, Lusso Stone

BEDROOM

‘I love my feather lights because they’re simple, elegant and have a luxurious texture.’

Umage Eos feather pendant in Light Grey, from £79, Black

by Design. Afaw Berber-style rug, from £99, La Redoute.

Marina throw, £185, Soho Home.

Cushion, £70, River Island

combination – I’m a huge fan of pink and against the green, they worked well in our countryside setting.’

Jane carried the palette through the rest of the house, switching between warm and cool tones and adding touches of blue. Upstairs, paler shades play out, bringing tranquillity to bedrooms and bathrooms. In the original downstairs rooms, the scheme has a darker hit: the boot room is a mossy green, while reupholstered emerald green antique chairs in the playroom sit against a navy backdrop.

When it came to furnishing the house, Jane went through her saved images on Instagram (@talesofsilverdale) to identify a recurring theme. ‘I looked for things that made my heart sing – like the chandeliers, the brass taps and the pink velvet sofa,’ she says. ‘I like to balance indulgent purchases with antique eBay or junk shop finds, along with the furniture we’ve collected over the years.’

The grand chandelier above the worn wood dining table, in particular, sets a scene that encapsulates the mood throughout the house. ‘I love the contrast of luxe with rustic to create style with individual character,’ says Jane.

After five years of hard work, the couple are firmly on the home straight to finishing, with just a few bedrooms left to decorate. ‘I love that our home has different takes on the pink and green colour scheme,’ says Jane. ‘You know you’re in our house whichever room you’re in.’

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LANDING

‘The colours in the rug reflect the whole house,’ says Jane.

Design Matters rug is similar, £84.99, Rugs Direct. Drawers in Pink Ground estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

DECOR ATING TIP ‘I love that pink can feel warm and cosy, or look sophisticated and feminine’

TEAM SPIRIT

For Marcelle Rose, a three-way collaboration was a vital factor in the success of her renovation project FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL | PHOTOGRAPHY MATT CLAYTON

KITCHEN

‘This room was the starting point for the overall look of the house,’ says interior design Georgina.

Kitchen units made bespoke by Cave Interiors. Holophane pendant lights, price on request, Felix Lighting Specialists. The Breakfast bar stools, £119 each, Phoenix Home Interiors, are similar

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home truths THE PROPERTY 1920s detached L O C AT I O N North London R O O M S Sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner, study, games room, cloakroom, five bedrooms (all en suite) P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had a 1930s semi in north London,’ says Marcelle.

BREAKFAST AREA

Vibrant patterned curtains bring the outside in.

Curtains in Cactus Flower fabric, £170m, Christopher Farr Cloth.

For Eames-style dining chairs, £39 each, try Cult Furniture

DINING ROOM

A rich palettte creates an intimate entertaining space.

Walls in Tyrian Rose matt emulsion has this effect, £45 for 2.5ltr, Fired Earth

SITTING ROOM

Fun and formality work perfectly together here.

Walls in Elephant’s Breath estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Sofa made bespoke by Cave Interiors. For art deco-style armchairs, try Vinterior

HALLWAY

Visitors are greeted by a light and spacious entrance.

Adire rug, £820sq m, Jennifer Manners

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here were many aspects that impressed Marcelle Rose when she and her husband viewed a 1920s detached in a north London suburb, not least the fact that the house, like the surrounding estate, was designed by eminent architect of the time, John Soutar. Although the Roses wasted little time in buying it, reconfiguring it to meet the needs of their growing family called for careful consideration.

‘We contacted XUL Architecture as the company had a track record of treating period buildings in a sympathetic manner,’ says Marcelle. ‘Given a brief that included maximising natural light and improving the quality of the living space, they came up with ideas that were in line with our own.’ Consequently, XUL projectmanaged the much-needed basic alterations to the century-old house. ‘This included replacement of all windows, doors and skylights and a complete renewal of all electrical, heating, sanitary and security services,’ says architect Ingmar Wilken.

While the changes ensured the house met with modern standards, reorganisation of space was of primary importance, and one room that had to improve was the family area, at the heart of which is now the kitchen-diner. ‘As a nutritionist, my kitchen had to be practical and contemporary,’ says Marcelle. ‘I spend a lot of time in this room experimenting with healthy recipes for my work – not to mention catering for my family’s everyday needs.’

One of the triumphs in the project was an increased sense of light and space, the former being achieved through the installation of large-scale windows and skylights, as well as the strategic placing of a metal-framed glazed screen in the hallway, allowing a flow of light. Upstairs, where there were a number of small boxy rooms, the division of the spaces changed to create larger rooms. Two of the bedrooms were even reconfigured to incorporate en suites.

But structural changes were only part of the story. For this home to work, it had to have a bright, warm and inviting feel that was

d e c o r a t i n g t i p ‘With any scheme, consider both form and function in order to create spaces that are beautiful yet liveable’

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This room capitalises on the abundance of light.

Terrazzo Firenze floor tiles, £135.30sq m, Artisans of Devizes

conducive to family life and entertaining, and so Marcelle called in Georgina Cave of Cave Interiors. ‘A good flow and a cohesive scheme throughout the house was key to the brief,’ says Georgina.

‘Thankfully Marcelle and I were on the same page design-wise and she loved our ideas for all the details, such as the rich wall colours and wallpapers mixed up with strongly patterned fabrics throughout.’

Careful not to detract from the existing character of the Roses’ home, and with one eye on the issue of sustainability, Georgina reused any existing pieces where they could, while incorporating reclaimed items here and there. ‘We also designed the bespoke joinery throughout, as well as several pieces including the sofas.’

The outcome is a home that combines fun with functionality, in equal amounts – and resulting in one very satisfied client in the process. ‘We’re delighted with what has been achieved,’ says Marcelle. ‘We got everything we asked for – and more.’

d e s i g n a d v i c e ‘Have fun and don’t be afraid to add colour and pattern’ MASTER BEDROOM

‘I love the colour, pattern and texture in here,’ says Marcelle.

Bespoke bed, Soho Home.

Mid 053 bedside table, price on request, Chelsea Textiles. Lucas bedside lamp, £95, Pooky

CLOAKROOM

‘You can have fun with the smallest room,’ says Marcelle.

Coven wallpaper, £244sq m, Maison C. Isa Grey terrazzo washbasin, £89, Tikamoon, has this look

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MONOCHROME CHIC A pared-back palette and vintage finds bring an individual look to Amy Morton’s Edwardian flat FEATURE ALI HEATH | PHOTOGRAPHY BRENT DARBY/NARRATIVES

SITTING ROOM The whole flat was painted white to create a contrast with the black furniture and accessories.

Walls in Shirting absolute matt emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Horsehair armchair, £200; fish poster, £30, both Ardingly Antiques Fair. Iranian cupboard, £120, Sunbury Antiques Market. Star light fitting, £350, Atomic Antiques

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KITCHEN Contemporary units in matt white are juxtaposed with vintage crates, chopping boards and enamel signs.

Savina white units, about £2,500 for similar kitchen, John Lewis & Partners. Similar black pendant light, £72, Trainspotters

INSPIR ATION ‘I love vintage as it’s fun to buy (you meet some real characters at the fairs!), while being truly unique and delightfully different’

home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y Flat in an Edwardian house L O C AT I O N North London R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom, studio P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved here from a rented flat in Finsbury Park,’ says Amy.

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my Morton’s first passion was textiles, which was followed by an instinctive obsession with antiques. ‘I’m drawn to neutrals – natural linens, vintage tickings and patterned florals in shades of black and white,’ says Amy. ‘I’m not quite sure where my love of monochrome came from but it doesn’t seem to be fading. I find it calming and it is the perfect foil for the well-made, utilitarian items from the past that I love.’

The north London flat she owns with her husband Will was very run-down when the couple first viewed it, but they could also see what great potential it had. ‘We rectified damp issues, ripped out the bathroom, replaced the fireplaces, doors, floorboards and skirting with reclaimed Edwardian

finds, and swapped pink plastic chandeliers, purple walls and peach carpets for a simpler, calmer look,’ says Amy. In the sitting room, whitewashed floors and walls are softened by vintage fabriccovered chairs, linen curtains (actually antique French sheets), woven coir rugs and abundant cushions designed by Amy for her homeware brand, Pillo (pillolondon.com).

Antique bus signs, time-worn science posters, military shells and metal storage trunks add an edgier, industrial vibe that sharpens the look; it’s a stark contrast to the colourful interior that prevailed when they first viewed the house.

Now, classic tiles create a seamless flow from the hallway through to the kitchen where contemporary matt white units and

DINING AREA ‘We knocked through the back wall and installed blackframed bifold doors,’ says Amy. Pendant light, £60, Heal’s.

Casino Baccarat floor tiles, £2.09 each, Fired Earth STUDIO Galvanised shelves provide valuable storage for Amy’s vast collection of vintage fabrics, textile designs, sewing equipment and creative inspirations. ‘It is a much better use of the third bedroom, as it is great to have the space to work from home,’ says Amy. Galvanised shelves, £100, Ardingly Antiques Fair

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BEDROOM Softer, more muted tones create a restful and sophisticated feel, while layer upon layer of vintage linen sheets have been used on the bed.

Antlers, £60; bedside table, £30; lamp, £20, all Newark Antiques Fair. Blue ticking stripe cushions, from £42 each, Pillo

bifold doors have been introduced, alongside a battered wooden table, vintage chairs, industrial lighting and ever-changing decorative finds. ‘We didn’t have a huge plan when we were working on the flat,’ says Amy. ‘Rooms have simply evolved. But the design of each space always begins with one key piece, like our oversized antique star light fitting. I fall in love with pieces impulsively and they find their own place.’

Sourcing, layering and curating lies at the heart of Amy’s style. ‘I don’t follow trends, everything here is personal to us. If you follow your instincts then your home becomes a reflection of you – each layer resonates your life story and personality.’

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items back from Asia, after living in Hong Kong and Tokyo. ‘Growing up, they always had a strong sense of style and instilled in me an appreciation of good design from a young age,’ says Amy. ‘My mum took me to many exhibitions in London while I was studying and nurtured my interest n fashion and textiles.

Throughout her home, Amy’s personal style shines through. ‘I love bringing natural wood into the home as it creates a warmth and softness that can’t be replicated with any shade of paint,’ she says. ‘I like the imperfections of wood, natural fabrics and vintage pieces, which is partly why I combine all these aspects in my home. Each piece has its own unique qualities and that is what makes this style so special.’

B AT H R O O M This space was completely gutted and the new fittings are much more suited to the age of the property. ‘The storage unit is an old tool cabinet that has beautiful detail on the inside,’ says Amy. Attingham Mist wall tiles, £31.50sq m, Topps Tiles. Astro Montparnasse lantern, £150, John Lewis & Partners. Cabinet, £40, Sunbury Antiques Market

Top drawer.

Shop our full range of over 1,000 designs online at swooneditions.com

Halle chest of drawers ÂŁ699 Edition limited to 12

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PAST meets PRESENT Finding the right home for their growing family was no mean feat for Louisa and Charlie Butters, but a period property proved to be the one FEATURE CHARLOTTE COLVILLE | PHOTOGRAPHY BRENT DARBY/NARRATIVES

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home truths THE PROPERTY Cotswold-stone house originally built in the 17th century L O C AT I O N Oxfordshire R O O M S Sitting room, kitchendiner, dining room, cloakroom, five bedrooms, three bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2009 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a Victorian conversion in London,’ says Louisa.

SITTING ROOM

This lovely room with its high ceiling, wood panelling and extensive glazing was added to the house in 1906. Louisa and Charlie had the herringbone floor reconditioned.

Try the Milford armchair, £1,509, Sofa Workshop. Sconce, price on request, Soane. Demilune tables, £40 each, Holloway’s Auctioneers

2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020 | 61

CLOAKROOM

each, Vaughan. Bespoke stools, price on request, Richard Adams

SITTING ROOM

The exposed brickwork provides a beautiful feature.

Bespoke units, Martin Moore. Find similar antique farmhouse tables and chairs at Vinterior. Walls in Portland Stone absolute matt emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene

This traditionally styled area provides useful storage for the family.

Leafberry wallpaper, £68 a roll, Colefax and Fowler, has a similar look. Bench, £65, Yarnton Antiques Symmetry has been used to great effect in this elegant space.

Avebury table lamp bases, £293

KITCHEN-DINER

L

ouisa and Charlie Butters had all but given up hope of ever finding the perfect house in the country. They had started looking when Louisa was expecting their first baby, Cecilia, but after several months they had grown increasingly dispirited. It was more out of habit than real hope that Louisa found herself one Sunday night resignedly tapping her usual criteria into her property search. When she spotted a period village house with a generous and enclosed garden five miles from Bicester, Louisa instinctively knew that this was indeed the house for them.

The village was close to Bicester, yet rural and unspoilt, with a gastro pub and a farm shop. The house sat on the edge of the village, with its secluded garden backing on to farmland. Built in Cotswold stone, with 17th-century origins, it had lovely proportions, high ceilings and period features.

The couple put in an offer within minutes and moved in in June 2009. The house had recently been re-wired and re-plumbed, which meant that initial work was purely cosmetic. They painted throughout and had new ceiling and wall lights fitted to replace spotlights. Louisa has a flair for interiors, and together with interior designer friend Bee O’Connell, she enhanced the house’s character, while making it suitable for modern family life.

Structural work began a year later. The first essential job was to replace the floor-to-ceiling windows in the sitting room and those in the master bedroom above, as they rattled and leaked and were on close inspection rotten in places. This

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was no simple project as the house had to be held up on stilts while the new windows were installed.

Meanwhile, Charlie found some 1950s photographs of the garden, when it had been a show garden. It had been very neglected over time so he set about redesigning it to bring it back to its former glory.

The couple were delighted with their new home, except for the kitchen. As a professional caterer, Louisa longed for a larger and more practical kitchen for catering jobs and family meals.

The room was poky and dark, with little surface space and seating. It had a decent utility room attached, but neither room was quite big enough.

Work on the kitchen started in August and second baby, Hugo, was born one month later.

Louisa watched as calmly as she could, as the former kitchen was transformed into a cosy sitting area for the family, while the ancient utility room was gutted before becoming the ‘working’ side of the kitchen. This space had an oppressive low ceiling with a small room above, so they had the ceiling knocked out to open up the space up to the rafters.

Bringing their home back to life has awakened an interest in its history. Louisa and Charlie always knew that the house’s oldest part dated back to the 1800s but have since learnt that there had been a dwelling here since the 1600s, and that it was originally a smallholding farmed by monks. These days, the family is free to enjoy all the benefits of their carefully planned renovation. The plaque above the front door seems particularly fitting: ‘This house, though small, doth welcome all.’

DINING ROOM

This atmospheric room is used for dinner parties and large gatherings.

Find a similar table at Antiques at Heritage in Woodstock. Echo dining chairs, £230 each, Oka, are similar

CHILDREN’S BATHROOM

Installed by the previous owners, the space is both stylish and practical.

Bayswater Leinster freestanding bath,

£732, Victorian Plumbing, has this look.

Try lantern, £155, Nordic House

MASTER BEDROOM

Also added in 1906, this has the same generous dimensions as the sitting room below.

Curtains in Annapurna, £87m, Zoffany.

Stool sourced though Scarlett Ashby Interiors. Roma crystal lamp bases, £425 each, India Jane

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MID-CENTURY

MODERN

HALLWAY

BASEMENT FAMILY ROOM

Mel has made use of the stairway walls leading down to the basement to display her best-loved art.

Pictograph media console, £1,699, West Elm

The green and blue scheme has a luxurious feel.

Walls in Courtyard, price on request, Sherwin-Williams

Mel Shaver-Durham has made a beautiful home for herself with a rich colour palette, vintage-inspired furnishings and an abundance of her favourite artwork FEATURE ABBI HENDERSON | PHOTOGRAPHY GEORGIA BURNS

6 4 | 2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020

LIVING AREA

The gallery wall, meticulously planned

by Mel, extends the height of the two-storey wall and makes the room look like a cosy and eclectic art studio.

Modigliani art prints, from ÂŁ15.95, Posterlounge. Jensen coffee table, ÂŁ419, West Elm, is similar

home truths THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom townhouse L O C AT I O N Pennsylvania, USA R O O M S Kitchen-diner/ living area, dining room, basement family room, cloakroom, three bedrooms (one en-suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2009 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had a four-bedroom property not far from this house,’ says Mel.

R

ecently divorced and starting a new chapter of her life, Mel Shaver-Durham had limited options when faced with finding a new family home for herself and children Joey and Lucy. ‘I chose this house because it was the nicest one I could afford, and it was within the school district my children were already in,’ she says. ‘When I moved in, it was a big, empty, white and beige box, but I really loved the two-storey ceilings

DINING AREA

Large spherical pendants bring a little touch of luxury.

Similar sculptural glass globe ceiling lamp, from £79, West Elm. Heather bar stools in Royal Blue, £119 each, Cult Furniture, have this look

f u t u r e p l a n s ‘Knowing that Joey will likely move into his own place in

KITCHEN

Open shelving adds a feeling of space.

Sektion kitchen cabinets, from a section, Ikea

6 6 | 2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020

DINING ROOM

‘I chose a table big enough for dinner parties,’ says Mel. Jensen dining table, £599, West Elm, has a similar look

and the open-plan living space suited us really well.’

With a strict budget to keep to, necessities, such as mattresses and a dining table, had to be chosen carefully, and any ideas of stylish interiors were put on hold.

‘I let the children pick the sofa, and they chose a big, chocolate brown chenille sectional,’ Mel says. ‘I highly recommend not allowing your pre-teens to select your furnishings when you’re starting your life over again. I’ve since given that sofa to a friend.’

When Mel and her nowhusband Mitch Durham began dating, Joey and Lucy were in middle school, and Mel was unsure how to introduce him to

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them. The couple decided that Mitch would visit the house over several days to complete handyman-type projects. ‘That’s when I realised how talented Mitch is,’ Mel recalls. ‘This began a long journey of home improvement and, slowly, we started to personalise and improve the property. We replaced the beige vinyl flooring and beige carpets that the builder had put in, replaced and installed light fixtures (as some rooms had none) and painted all the walls.’

When finances stabilised, Mel was finally able to experiment with interior design, and wasted no time poring over magazines and pinning photographs on Pinterest. Mid-century style came up time and again as an aesthetic she was attracted to.

‘I realised that the spaces that continuously caught my eye contained large, bold artwork, accent walls and unique lighting, plus green and blue tones and dark wall colours,’ she says.

‘As a result, all of these things have been woven consistently throughout our home.’

Over time, Mel and Mitch have tinkered with their property’s interior, creating their very own slice of home heaven that’s completely unique

LUCY’S BEDROOM

When Lucy went to college, Mel gave her room a sophisticated update.

Nuvolette wallpaper, £300 for two rolls, Cole & Son. Head by Alexej von Jawlensky, from $22, Art.com

the next year or two, I plan to convert his bedroom into a home office space’ and a far cry from the soulless space that Mel moved into many years ago. Every inch has been creatively designed by Mel, and expertly made by Mitch, without any builders or contractors.

Mel shares snippets of her home design updates on Instagram @melmitchia, the name the couple lovingly gave to their home.

‘We call it Melmitchia because when Mitch and I were dating he wrote me a fairy tale about how we would live happily ever after together in the kingdom of Melmitchia,’ Mel shares. ‘And we did it! We built our dream home, and we’re living our fairy tale. And I honestly, wouldn’t want to change a single thing.’

EN SUITE

A dramatic wallpaper and modernbathcontinuethebold look of the master bedroom.

Dark floral wallpaper, €36sq m, Ellie Cashman Design

MASTER BEDROOM

A geometric wall pattern sets the monochrome theme.

Try Yamazaki wallpaper, £103.50 a roll, Wallpaper Direct

2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020 | 67

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home truths THE PROPERTY 1930s detached house L O C AT I O N East Sussex R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, utility, cloakroom, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, plus separate barn art studio P U R C H A S E D 2009 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I was living in London before moving here,’ says Sally.

Warm and welcoming When Sally Bourne found her dream country home, she chose a medley of cosseting colours to complement its original features FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS | PHOTOGRAPHY POLLY ELTES

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I

t is said that every cloud has a silver lining and this was certainly the case for Sally Bourne, when she went through a divorce. ‘I was living in London and wanted to take the next step,’ says Sally, who runs her own interior design business, Sally Bourne Interiors (sallybourneinteriors.co.uk).

‘I create spaces for a living, and I was looking for land near some woods where I could build a green oak barn.’

Then fate took a hand.

While Sally was househunting, she met the man who would become her new partner, David, who also happened to be looking for a new home. ‘He drove past a place in Ashdown Forest and asked me to look at it for him,’ says Sally. ‘I thought it looked like exactly the right property for me!’

Sally fell in love with the house immediately. ‘It looks 70 | 2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020

bigger from the outside than it is – it’s a small house masquerading as a mansion,’ she says. The property was neglected and the one-acre grounds were also in need of renovation. ‘It was as though it had just been dropped into the plot and I wanted to make sense of the house and garden,’ says Sally. ‘By now, David and I had decided we wanted to create a home together and this was perfect as we both like projects.’

NEW BEGINNINGS

Originally built in the 1930s, the house had been empty for six years and on the property market for four.

‘The house is partially constructed from materials reclaimed from other properties, which gives it the appearance of being much older than it is,’ says Sally.

There was also a derelict barn in the garden, which Sally ended up rebuilding as

SITTING ROOM ‘I picked kilim fabrics to add texture to this space,’ says Sally.

Sofas (also shown on previous page) covered with kelim rugs, price on request; cushions, price on request, all Sally Bourne Interiors. Walls in Stony Ground estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball KITCHEN Sally has created a traditional farmhouse kitchen with Belfast

sink, range cooker and even a ceiling laundry dryer.

Vintage French dining table and chairs, price on request, Nutley Antiques. Pendant light, price on request, Sally Bourne Interiors UTILITY Bespoke shelving designed by Sally provides plenty of storage.

Vintage grain sack rug, stool and tea towels, all price on request, Sally Bourne Interiors

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d e s i g n t i p ‘Don’t be afraid to reconfigure the space in your home to suit your current lifestyle’

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BEDROOM The washbasin is original to the house.

Walls painted in Stony Ground estate emulsion, £47.95ltr, Farrow & Ball. Kelim rug, price on request, Sally Bourne Interiors TWIN BEDROOM Yellow cushions pop against a dark-grey feature wall.

Try Cassia Alchemilla velvet cushions, £70 each, Designers Guild

MASTER BEDROOM Sally’s collection of vintage finds brings an eclectic touch.

Headboard handmade by Sally’s son Elliot; painted in Chateau Grey chalk paint, £21.95ltr, Annie Sloan.

Chantal armchair, £1,150, Oka, has the same look. Vintage Welsh blanket, price on request; velvet curtains handmade by Sian Colley, price on request, both Sally Bourne Interiors. Smaller Otto table lamp base, £53, Pooky, would work

a green oak barn to house an art studio and bolthole.

Sally and David were pleased to discover that considering how long the house had been empty, it was in relatively good condition.

‘The heating and Aga both worked, but it needed a new boiler and lots of TLC,’ says Sally. She then decided to reconfigure the layout to improve the flow of the interior spaces. ‘We enlarged the kitchen by demolishing the back hallway and added French doors,’ she says.

RURAL IDYLL

New built-in furniture helped to create a classic country feel with a patchwork-effect tiled splashback in the kitchen adding colourful detail.

The former boot room was transformed into a utility, new bathrooms were installed and a downstairs reception room was 7 2 | 2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020

sacrificed to create an additional guest bedroom.

When it came to redesigning the decor, Sally was keen to preserve the Arts and Crafts feel of the house and to enhance its period features, such as the magnificent inglenook fireplace in the sitting room.

‘There are lots of beautiful timbers,’ she says.

‘We wanted to emphasise the tones of the wood by using rich, deep colours and kilims.

Sally and David’s move to the countryside has turned out to be a great success. ‘If I could have chosen the perfect place, this is it,’ says Sally.

‘We have huge trees all around us and it’s beautiful to watch the seasons changing. The house and land were a six-year project and it was a lot for me to take on, but the house now feels as though it’s taken root, rather than simply being plonked in the forest.’

Sorry, this seat’s taken.

Customise your sofa – 50 styles and 50 fabrics online at swooneditions.com

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Furniture for the home obsessed swooneditions.com 020 3319 6332

CELTIC

CONNECTION Natural light, eclectic street art and open space have turned an 18th-century cottage into an idyllic Irish hideaway for Louise McGuane and her husband Dominic McCarthy FEATURE MANDI MILLAR | PHOTOGRAPHY ASHLEY MORRISON | STYLING MARIE MCMILLEN

DINING AREA

The table, which Louise put together with a salvaged glass top, enjoys a panoramic view of the wildflower garden and countryside beyond.

Finnvard trestle table legs, £25; Stockholm sofa, £1,700, both Ikea. The Hans Wegner Wishbone-style chairs, from £183 each, Swivel UK, have this look

74 | 2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020

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home truths THE PROPERTY An extended stone cottage, dating from the late 1700s L O C AT I O N Kilrush, Co Clare R O O M S Sitting room/dining area, kitchen, four bedrooms (all en suite) PURCHASED Family property PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in a London apartment,’ says Louise.

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KITCHEN

The island is clad in reclaimed maple flooring, which came from an old parish hall nearby that was being demolished.

Similar brushed-steel doors, £73.60 each, Stainless Direct UK. Rust-Oleum chalkboard paint, £13 for 0.75ltr, B&Q. Toledo bar stools, £69 each, Cult Furniture

L

ouise McGuane was looking for a new project – so she decided to build a house! Having worked internationally since she left her native Ireland 20 years before, she knew how expensive that could be unless she chose her site carefully. ‘I decided to stake my claim on an old stone cottage on my own family farm in County Clare,’ says Louise. ‘My family and I could reconnect there with our old lives as many of us had emigrated in the years before.’

Her connection to the cottage was strengthened by childhood memories of sitting by the roaring fire having tea with her great aunt.

‘The property has been in the family since the 1700s. It was used as a hideout by Irish rebels so we named it The Safe House – which also refers to the respite it offers us,’ explains Louise, whose build vision was shared by her Swiss architect friend Jean-Claude Girard who worked on the project.

‘I wanted to create something unassuming from the outside but utterly modern within, a calming space that brought nature inside,’ says Louise. The main elements of the house would be its cathedral ceilings, cantilevered staircase and huge windows. The feature fireplace,

f a v o u r i t e f e a t u r e ‘The windows were an extravagance, but they are the too, was crucial as historically it’s always at the heart of the Irish home.

The 18-month build started in December 2012 and Louise acted as project manager while working overseas. The extension followed the original footprint of the house and its outside sheds and the only room still in its original form is the old kitchen, which is now the entrance hall. ‘We even took up its ancient flagstone floor and relaid it once the damp-proofing had been installed beneath,’ says Louise. ‘The internal walls in the rest of the house were rejigged, but from the outside the cottage looks exactly the same as it always did.’

One challenge Louise had to overcome was the delivery of the 76 | 2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020

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new windows. ‘The one-tonne bespoke glazing had come from Austria but the delivery truck was too wide for our lane,’ explains Louise. ‘In the end, the team tied them to the front of a forklift and drove over the field with these very expensive windows swinging precariously with every bump!

It was worth it, though, as they transformed the place and I began to see my vision coming together.’

With the build nearing completion, Louise was finally able to start thinking about the interiors.

‘Travelling so extensively, I developed a keen interest in design and architecture, collecting furniture and interesting objects on the way,’ says Louise, whose white walls give her street art a gallery appeal. ‘I wanted this house to feel instantly calming when you walked in, but I also wanted an element of surprise. I think the double-height ceiling, the cantilevered staircase and that huge window are all quite unexpected features.’

That novelty factor is still one of the things Louise loves about her house: ‘No two views are ever the same from our windows,’ she says.

‘I might have started off with a project, but I’ve ended up with a uniquely beautiful home.’

Louise centred this space around the suspended fireplace, an echo of the hearth that’s traditionally the heart of an Irish home.

Similar hole-in-the-wall fire, from £6,500, Modus Fireplaces. Scott sofa, £1,499, Made, has a similar look. Madonna painting from the Artur Fidalgo gallery in Brazil

signature of the house. We wanted to enjoy the spectacular outdoors all year roundÕ HALLWAY

Railway sleepers were used as stair treads for the cantilevered staircase, which was custom-made by the builder. Louise fitted stylish coat hooks (left). ‘They’re an easy way to keep this space tidy,’ she says.

Chap hooks, £24 a pair, Lassco

BEDROOM

The picture over the bed reflects Louise’s love of street art and adds a splash of colour to this scheme.

Graffiti artwork, price on request, Pure Evil Gallery. For a similar alarm clock, see the Charlie Bell Echo, £22, Amara. Try the Kasbah Trellis rug, from £158, iRugs

BATHROOM

The bath has been clad in the same reclaimed maple wood as the kitchen island unit.

Colorado bath, from £130, Bathstore.

Steph freestanding bamboo towel rack chair, £67.99, Wayfair

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ALL IN THE DETAIL Artist Evi Antonio celebrates nature’s hidden intricacies in her spectacular works, available at Runway Gallery

A

WHAT ARE YOUR CREATIVE INFLUENCES?

I’ve always been inspired by the lithographic plates and hand-coloured engravings of the 19th century, which were used to document the scientific discoveries of the time.

WHAT’S YOUR SUBJECT MATTER?

Butterflies, insects and lobsters are a common theme. I want to share my sense of awe and wonder for the creatures that coexist in our world: an appreciation for the miracle of nature, the infinite patterns, symmetry and intricate details.

HOW DID YOUR STYLE DEVELOP?

My creative approach was informed by a combination of professional experience, an obsessive eye for detail and a real passion for the traditions of natural history illustration. Embracing new technology to express my vision, I combined digital painting with hand-finished, glazed prints, using high-quality fine art paper in small editions or one-of-a-kind pieces.

WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?

I’ve moved back to London, so I seek out moments that occur in my present urban setting, where an evolving abstract beauty, deconstruction and decay collide with enlarged natural forms, creating curiosity and wonder.

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WHAT COLOURS ARE YOU MOST DRAWN TO USING AND WHY?

I love all colour. My work is very colourful and nature’s palette often leads the way, inspiring my compositions.

WHAT’S THE PROCESS?

I’ll source a specimen to work from and do a digital sketch. I use traditional painting techniques but instead of paint and brushes I use digital tools by means

of computer software and a graphics tablet and stylus. I then hand-finish each of my prints to enhance the depth and colour; I’ve always done this because I still like to feel that my hand and a brush have been involved. It gives me personal satisfaction and adds a further depth to my art.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PIECE?

Sunset on Whitecross. It’s my largest painting to date and it challenged me. It really stands out and draws an audience because the more you look the more you see.

HOW SHOULD PEOPLE PICK WHAT TO HANG WITH YOUR WORK?

The pieces are highly detailed and presented in a circular format. They are versatile but I like seeing them next to taxidermy, nature books and flowers.

Buy art online at Runway Gallery. Showcasing contemporary, fashion-focused works from celebrated artists, runway-gallery.com enables you to invest in original art for your home.

FEATURE JACKY PARKER ARTWORK (FROM TOP) PEACOCK AT SHOREDITCH, £495; SUNSET ON WHITECROSS, £1,850, BOTH EVI ANTONIO AT RUNWAY GALLERY BEDROOM PHOTOGRAPH DAVID LOVATTI/TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

s a child growing up in north London, Evi Antonio’s yearnings for nature were satiated by the images in early natural history books. Fascinated by the detailed pictorials, her love of drawing grew and she was never without her sketchbook and pencils. A degree in scientific and natural history illustration from Middlesex University followed and led to a career as a natural history illustrator and a move to Ware, Hertfordshire, where she ran an illustration agency with her husband from their studio on the Amwell Nature Reserve.

Inspired by her surroundings, Evi explored a contemporary fine art form, using digital technology and traditional oil glazing techniques to convey the infinite patterns, symmetry and beauty in nature.

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CHIC & UNIQUE Using a soft palette and imaginative touches, Laura Stephens has created a classic family home with a twist FEATURE EMMA J PAGE | PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS SNOOK

DINING AREA

An eclectic mix of pieces is skilfully blended for an effortlessly stylish finish.

Take a look at Deco Abacus brass picture light, £40, Castlegate Lights. Fluted Holophane and glass pendant, £252, Felix Lighting

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L home truths THE PROPERTY Edwardian semi L O C AT I O N London R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, two studies, cloakroom, playroom, four bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved here from a semi in East Dulwich,’ says Laura.

aura Stephens, an interior designer, describes her family home as ‘traditional but not stuff y’. Timeless touches abound, from William Morris wallpaper and elegant brushed metal handles to classic wall sconces, but each is delivered with a twist – a curtain fabric might be edged with an informal pom-pom trim or a leopard print cushion paired with fringing.

‘It’s taken me a while to hone my style, but this house has allowed me to refine it in

subtle ways,’ says Laura of the generous Edwardian semi that she shares with her husband Luke and three daughters Daisy, 14, Tess, 12, and Skye, six.

The easy elegance is achieved via a palette of pale pinks, gentle blues and soft neutrals, shot through with the occasional vibrant colour pop in the form of a mustard lamp stand or a dense, intricately patterned wallpaper. Underpinning it all is a pared-back base featuring plenty of natural wood, parquet flooring and simple

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KITCHEN-DINER

Natural wood and pastels were chosen to complement the original stained-glass panes, while pendants were chosen instead of downlights to showcase the high ceiling and beautiful cornicing.

Interior design, Laura Stephens (laurastephens.co.uk).

Extension, Westbury Garden Rooms. Bespoke units by The Dovetail Joint. Vintage French frilled coolie pendants, £155 each, Fritz Fryer, are similar

KITCHEN DETAIL

Laura designed the bespoke scallop-shaped sofa, where friends tend to gather and chat while she or Luke cooks.

Useful storage underneath stows away Tupperware, plus artwork that rotates around the house.

Scallop sofa designed by Laura, made by The Dovetail Joint; upholstered in Pond Pink fabric, £130m, Fermoie. Malvern wall sconce, £156.90, Jim Lawrence; with bespoke velvet trimmed lampshade, A Shade Above.

Hand blocked print, £105, Antoinette Poisson

HALLWAY

A gilt-edged artwork and console table create an elegant vignette.

Stapleford console table, price on request, Vaughan. Find a glass bowl like this at Selling Antiques

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DESIGN ADVICE ‘It’s a familiar maxim, but I’d say it’s always worth evolving and embracing your own style rather than following trends’

metal hardware. ‘Initially we were looking for a place to renovate from scratch,’ says Laura, ‘but this property needed more cosmetic work than structural. Despite its tired interiors, magnolia walls and damp kitchen, we walked in and loved it.’

So for the next four years the family took time to settle, making only minimal tweaks. ‘Living in the space for that long was a useful exercise,’ reflects Laura. ‘In the beginning, I was convinced I wanted a large utility-cum-boot room, but we

realised that a playroom for our growing daughters was a much better use of space.’

Eventually Laura and Luke also decided to overhaul the long, narrow kitchen. ‘It was large but dark and we found ourselves having to light it even on a summer’s day,’ recalls Laura. So, the couple commissioned an elegant, orangery-like side extension.

‘We opted for that because we wanted to preserve as much of the rear space as we could, including the original coloured stained glass doors that sold the house to

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SITTING ROOM

A large antiqued panelled mirror creates a striking anchor to this scheme, while shades of blue, from soft to turquoise, pick out the original fireplace surround.

Mirror, price on request, Looking Glass of Bath. The Lady Bird, price on request, Melodi Horne, is a comparable lampshade.

Babylon Ivory crackle lamp bases, £326 each, Heathfield & Co. Madison glass coffee table, £1,520, Tom Faulkner

PLAYROOM

‘We love spending time together in this room, which doubles as a snug,’ says Laura.

‘We gather here to watch TV or play board games.’

Small Izzy sofa in Belgian Flax, from £1,400, Sofa.com.

Wilde Blue cushion fabric, price on request, Colefax and Fowler, is near-identical

TESS’S BEDROOM

Bespoke shelves are neatly built into the eaves, providing a space-saving display area for favourite pieces.

Minnen bed, £75, Ikea.

Gold star decals, from £10.74 a pack, Etsy.

Gingham Pink duvet cover and pillowcase set, £10, Dunelm, would suit this space

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Imaginative use of fabric, including gathered curtains behind glass cupboard doors, adds texture and charm.

Hydrangea Bird curtain fabric, £110m, GP & J Baker. Cromer swing-arm wall light, £321, Vaughan. Vintage cocktail sofa, Ardingly Antiques Fair

MASTER EN SUITE

Laura wanted to create a 1940s feel in this room, where curved mirrors and brass fittings introduce a glamorous note.

Double Paris basin and brass taps, all The Water Monopoly.

Belvedere wall mirrors, £576 each, Vaughan

us in the first place.’ The pair decided to sink the steel from the new extension into the ceiling for a clean look. ‘It involved much more work, but we wanted to create a sense that it could have been built at the same time as the house,’ Laura explains.

‘Not having any exposed steel supports was key.’ The renovation project, which was completed last summer, involved long weeks with no kitchen at all, followed by a temporary set up in the main bedroom.

‘That was tough, but so worth it as the new space is now filled with light.’

Open shelving instead of wall cabinets, antique French lighting, a capacious island and raw wood elements lend this kitchen a relaxed, fresh feel. ‘I designed an ogee-edged island without a hob or a sink, so that it

looks rather like a huge, vintage butcher’s block,’ says Laura. Other signature looks include an elegant scalloped sofa bench complete with practical drawer storage, plus plenty of easy-on-the-eye, pale painted joinery throughout the house, including the playroom with its pale blue scheme and the master bedroom’s glass front cupboards, which has gathered blue fabric fitted on the inside.

Though this house is laden with pattern and texture, it carries off the look with the lightest of touches. ‘I loved being able to combine all my ideas in one setting,’ says Laura, ‘but I didn’t want our house to feel precious. Happily it now functions perfectly as a lived-in and much-loved family home.’

SKYE’S BEDROOM

Candy striped curtains trimmed with pom-poms add a contemporary twist.

Ian Mankin’s Devon Pink Stripe, £29.50m, recreates the look. Tassel fringe in Key Lime Pie, £54m, Samuel & Sons

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c it y | 25bh SITTING ROOM ‘I love the symmetry of this scheme,’ says Jack.

Try the Bluebell sofa, from £1,250, Sofa. com. Mirror Elegance sells overmantel mirrors, from £162.

Silver Flamingo table lamp, £135, Graham and Green

ST YLE ON A P L AT E

An eye for colour and a penchant for pattern helped Jack D March serve up a chic update for his new apartment FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL | PHOTOGRAPHY VERONICA RODRIGUEZ

home truths THE PROPERTY Apartment built in 2005 L O C AT I O N York R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I lived in my parents’ Victorian gatehouse just outside York before moving here,’ says Jack.

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d e s i g n a d v i c e ‘If you fill your home with the things you love, it will alway SITTING ROOM Blue hues are mixed with dark wood to create a relaxed yet sophisticated feel.

Strathmore cowhide rug, £86.99, Wayfair.

Melody Maison’s mirrored hexagonal tray, £46.95, is a similar design H A L LWAY A leaf wallpaper and tiger rug bring a sense of fun to this inviting space.

Try Yashuni Lush Green wallpaper, £40 a roll, Graham & Brown. Walls in Rose Quartz emulsion, from £21 for 2.5ltr, Valspar. Rostock laminate flooring, £12sq m, B&Q. Ramazan Tiger rug, £90, La Redoute

KITCHEN Adding a peninsula breakfast bar made this a much more versatile space.

Clarkwell kitchen units, price on request, Stax Trade Centres. Marseilles bar stools, £239 a pair, NCF Living, are a match. Walls in Parma Gray estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball.

KitchenAid stand mixer, from £299, John Lewis & Partners

Y

ou wouldn’t expect Jack D March’s home to be anything other than breathtakingly beautiful given his impeccable creative credentials – in 2012 he graduated with a First in 3D Design. And because he has a passion for interiors, he couldn’t wait to buy his first property, though it soon became apparent that his talents would be tested to the full when he moved into an apartment in the centre of York. ‘When I bought this place, it had been a rental before, so everything in it was very tired 8 8 | 2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020

and it had been painted in layer upon layer of magnolia,’ he says.

For Jack, who shares his home with pug Hector, the prospect of doing his new home up was an exciting one, but there was a mountain of work to do – the cheap and dilapidated kitchen units and tatty worktop were among the first on the list to be replaced in favour of simple Shaker-style cabinetry with metro-tiled splashbacks.

New dark laminate flooring was laid here, extending into the hallway, where the removal of an inner vestibule transformed

this into an open space, where exotic touches and splashes of colour provide a taster for what’s to come elsewhere.

With the decor, Jack admits to not getting it quite right initially. ‘It was the typical first-time owner thing,’ he says. ‘I decorated it throughout, then after living with it for a while I went back and changed or refined it.’ For him, social media is big influence: ‘Paint colours in adverts don’t give an accurate picture of how they look in different rooms and in changing light, so I use Pinterest to check them out in real-life

work because it becomes an honest representation of your personality and character’ BEDROOM Pink flamingo lamps are teamed with cushions in a similar style.

Walls in Elephant’s Breath estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball.

Faux Mongolian fur cushions, £25 each, Debenhams. Try the Jeffries chandelier in Black, £93.99, Wayfair. Flamingo Leg table lamp, £95, Beaumonde, would work here. Hemnes bedside table, £50, Ikea B AT H R O O M Jack overlaid the tiles with a John James Audubon flamingo print.

Wall decals, price on request, Colour Options. New

settings.’ In return, he offers his own online thoughts on interiors and life in general, via his blog called Jack’s Life in a Teacup.

And for Jack, the ceramics connection is an important one – every corner, shelf and nook holds beautiful examples of earthenware amassed over time, while the walls are a canvas for his tastefully curated collection of plates. But the ceramics most personal to Jack are the decorative teapots he made by hand as part of his final-year project at university. ‘They’re a modern interpretation of the vintage teapot, with

patterns that are inspired by mid-century chintz prints,’ he says.

Pattern takes centre stage in the master bedroom, too, where a central panel of vibrant toile wallpaper reflects the exuberance of this space, complete with a beautiful wrought-iron bed. ‘The bedrooms sold this place to me – for a flat, they’re enormous and offered so much potential,’ says Jack, who initially utilised one as a dining room before deciding this was a rather extravagant use of space and also restricted the number of guests he could

Orleans Desire vinyl flooring, £12.59sq m, Flooring Superstore.

Paintwork in Orange Aurora flat oil eggshell, £69 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene.

Try Gisela Graham hanging planters, £28.99 each MASTER BEDROOM Yellow accessories echo the feature wallpaper.

Ebony bedframe, £299, DFS, is near identical. Como glass chandelier, £100, Argos. Thibaut Luzon wallpaper, £78 a roll, Jane Clayton.

Try Nordic Nest for Spode side plates, from £21. Blindfold 2 framed canvas, £194, Mineheart

have to stay over. ‘As a result, I transferred the eating area to the kitchen,’ he says.

But function takes a back seat in a home where individuality is key. ‘I decided against having a common theme throughout the apartment,’ says Jack. ‘With so few rooms, it’s important that each has its own special identity.’ In spite of an abundance of lavish touches in furniture and accessories, Jack denies any profligacy. ‘I love a bargain – some of my best pieces have come from discount shops,’ he says. ‘I think it must be the Yorkshire in me!’

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home truths THE PROPERTY Two-bedroom Grade II-listed cottage, built in the 15th century L O C AT I O N Norfolk R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, two bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a one-bedroom flat in Islington,’ says Laura.

RURAL CHARM

Inviting family and friends to stay at her idyllic retreat is a dream come true for Laura Davenport FEATURE NATALIE FLAUM | PHOTOGRAPHY DARREN CHUNG

DINING AREA

‘I chose natural fabrics and blue and green chinaware to complement the calm, gentle feel of our cottage,’ says Laura.

Tolix-style metal chairs, £59 each, Cult Furniture, are similar. Etta oak table, £595, Habitat, has this look.

Try Retro pendant, £80, Grace & Glory. Reactive glaze stoneware plates, from £14 each, West Elm. Ferm Living Neu pitcher, £48, Map Stores

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25bh | c o u ntry d e s i g n t i p ‘If you’re thinking of buying an old or listed property, hire an architect before you start work, even if it is just for an initial consultation’

KITCHEN

Bespoke painted Shaker-style units teamed with metro tiles, industrial lights and metal stools add an urban element to the rustic space.

Cabinets, Earsham Hall. Industrial bar stools, £118.99, Wayfair. Try Christalle lights, £64.99 each, Dowsing & Reynolds. Sawn Oak wood-effect tiles, £33.53sq m, Harvey Maria, have this look

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SITTING ROOM

Painted plaster walls and uncluttered lines create the perfect backdrop for Laura’s mid-century style meets Scandi chic.

Walls in Clunch estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Zinc sofa in Cream, from £799, French Connection at DFS, has this look. Tripod lamp, £230, Habitat, is similar. French Stripe wool throw, £75; cushions, £60 each, all Cox & Cox

H

aving decided to relocate from London, Laura Davenport struck it lucky when she spotted a Grade II-listed farmhouse and cottage for sale in a picturesque village on the Norfolk-Suffolk border. The cottage would have once served as a farm dwelling with the cattle sleeping downstairs and it provided the kind of rural idyll that Laura and her husband James had been dreaming about.

‘I was pregnant at the time and fed up with my commute.

We both felt ready to embrace the peace and quiet, and a slower pace,’ says Laura.

With their offer accepted, the couple moved in on a sweltering August day – and not a moment too soon as the twins were born three weeks later. ‘I had to leave all the unpacking to James and our families,’ she says. ‘All I could do was sit and direct everyone to where to put the boxes!’

Luckily, the previous owners had undertaken a two-year renovation programme of the cottage, restoring original features, including the stone floors, so there was little in the way of structural work to do.

As the cottage is Grade II-listed, any projects that the couple did want to undertake had to preserve the life of the building. ‘Each time we made a plan we had to put it on hold as nothing’s ever straight-forward, which is the joy and frustration of living in an old house,’ says Laura. ‘We even built a flue-lined chimney using reclaimed materials and repaired the stack using traditional lime and mortar.’

When the time came, Laura threw herself into the decoration of the house, bringing a pared-back Scandi-inspired feel to the cottage. ‘My interior design

SITTING ROOM

Laura’s 1950s chair, reupholstered in blue velvet, sits beautifully in this traditional space alongside quirky vintage finds.

Try the Metal/wood trolley, £110, Maisons du Monde.

Mirror, Matthew Higham Antiques. Try Vinterior for vintage armchairs. Velvet cushion, £35, Cox & Cox

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MASTER BEDROOM

Wall panels in a muted neutral and luxurious pastel-hued bed linen lend a restful quality.

Panelling in Flannel Grey Vintage, £44.95 for 2.5ltr, Autentico. Try Marblehead bed, £545, Feather & Black. Pin-tucked velvet quilt, £350, Cox & Cox. To rent the cottage, visit ivywoodcottage.co.uk

l e s s o n l e a r n t ‘Be patient and live in a space first to get a feel for it; this is what we did here for the first six months’

BATHROOM

Bold yellow contrasts with the dark-painted bath tub in this lovely vintage-style space.

Astonian Rimini roll-top bath, £1,677, Aston Matthews; painted in Down Pipe estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Mustard Yellow striped shower curtain, £64.50, Café Press, is similar

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journey started years ago as a student who loved Ikea,’ she explains. ‘Since then, my tastes have evolved dramatically.

I’m a big Instagram fan – it’s amazing for sharing ideas.’

Laura was also learning upholstery at Shoreditch Design Rooms before leaving London. ‘I wasn’t able to complete the course, but the lovely team there finished my project – an upholstered 1950s chair in blue velvet which has pride of place in our home now.’

Happily, the Davenports have taken to country living like ducks to a village pond. ‘Our neighbours have been so welcoming and kind,’ Laura says. ‘When Monty and Henry were born, one delivered us a care package containing homemade jams. I’ve also been enjoying plenty of lovely walks and have certainly increased my knowledge of wildlife and nature since moving here.’

Behind the cottage is a wonderful selection of damson, apple, pear and plum trees. ‘I love to think that the trees that surround us have been here as long as the cottage has,’ Laura says. ‘Opposite the cottage front door we want to add seating and picnic benches and I’d also like to turn the shed into a playhouse with croquet sets and outdoor games.’

For their next chapter, Laura and James have embarked on an 18-month renovation of the farmhouse next door, which will coincide with the arrival of their third child.

‘We want to invest in the house so it’s important to get the core and the foundations right before making changes to the layout and interiors,’ she says. ‘This move was the best thing we could have done for our family.’

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FRENCH FLAIR Tom and Antonia Game brought in an expert to give their jaded London apartment a fresh Parisian feel FEATURE SERENA FOKSCHANER | PHOTOGRAPHY DAVIDE LOVATTI

LIVING SPACE

Elegant occasional chairs bring balance and a welcome splash of colour.

Bespoke Belgian blackstone fireplace, Chesneys. Crosby mirror, price on request, Ochre. Walls in Wevet estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

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LIVING SPACE

In this double-fronted space, wall panelling was added to complement the classical feel of the architecture.

Drinks trolley, price on request, Gallotti&Radice. Artwork by Caroline Popham

DINING AREA

Bespoke banquette seating built into the bay window is a smart space-saving idea.

Table, from £3,967, De La Espada at The Conran Shop.

Dining chairs, price on request, Eero Saarinen at Knoll

favo u r i t e r o o m ‘The open-plan space has a host of clever design ideas, such as the kitchen sitting within a recess where a bedroom used to be’

T

om and Antonia Game had returned to the UK after several years in Hong Kong and were living in Surrey when they began to look for a base in London. ‘We wanted to find a second home in central London with a community feel,’ explains Tom. ‘It had to be a place with enough room for us to be together as a family but where our grown-up children Luke, now 23, and Sophie, 20, could also have their own space.’

Almost as an afterthought, an estate agent showed the couple a property set on the second floor of a rosy-bricked Edwardian

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building. It was the double-fronted reception room with bay windows overlooking the lively high street that attracted the couple’s interest in particular. ‘We’d also looked at mews houses, but this place gave us the large living area we wanted,’ says Tom. The rest of the apartment, however, left much to be desired. The traditional layout, with its narrow corridors and separate kitchen and dining rooms, was out of sync with Tom and Antonia’s preference for open-plan living.

‘There were functional but tired bathrooms, and the kitchen had almost no natural light,’ recalls Tom. The original

details – cornices, fireplaces and architraves – had all been stripped out in the 1980s.

‘Almost nothing was fit for purpose, and everything presented a challenge,’ he adds.

Luckily, the couple’s agent introduced them to interior designer Katie McCrum, who has worked on similar properties in the area. Imagining an urban pad that contrasted sharply with their country home, their brief to Katie was both precise and ambitious.

‘We envisaged a spacious and luxurious, apartment with a Parisian feel,’ says Tom. ‘One obvious solution was to move the kitchen to one end of the long room,’

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Dark and dramatic cabinetry and industrial-style bar stools create the chic urban vibe the couple were after.

Interior design by Katie McCrum. Bespoke kitchen units, Crafted Cabinetry. Fiber Counter bar stools, £405 each, Muuto

home truths THE PROPERTY Mansion apartment L O C AT I O N London R O O M S Hallway, kitchendiner/living area, three bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We were living in Hong Kong before moving back to the UK and buying this place,’ says Tom.

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MASTER BEDROOM

Simple brass lighting picks out the subtle detailing of the fitted wardrobe.

Try Astro’s Ena desk lamp, £130.37, Dusk Lighting. Mingle cushions, from £109; rug, from £1,120, both Viaduct. Bed, price on request, Savoir

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MASTER EN SUITE

Glazed panels have created a room within a room so the bath has its own area.

Mirrors, price on request, Crafted Cabinetry. Taps, price on request, Waterworks. Bath, from £1,295, Lusso Stone

LUKE’S BEDROOM

New bespoke panelling makes a striking feature while also concealing storage.

Mingle cushions, from £109, Viaduct. Bespoke bedside table, Manmade. Desk light, £310, Buster + Punch

design tip ‘When designing compact rooms, use sliding and pocket doors where possible to maximise the available space’ says Katie. ‘Instead I persuaded Tom and Antonia to break the mould.’

A chunk of space was stolen from the bedroom next door and the wall opened up so that the new kitchen appeared to sit in a recess, echoing the bay window opposite.

To bring definition to the long room, Katie designed the pair of cabinets painted a deep navy, mirroring the striking fireplace opposite made from Belgian blackstone.

‘Because we’d taken space from the master bedroom to create the kitchen, all the other rooms involved a series of choices about light or storage,’ says Katie. Starting

from scratch, every wall was removed and the layout reshuffled to suit a family of four so that they all had a place of their own. Whereas there were previously two bathrooms, now there are three bathrooms and three bedrooms.

Behind the new Arts & Crafts-style bold blue panelling in Luke’s bedroom is plenty of storage, which compensates for the space lost to the new kitchen. ‘Although the bedrooms aren’t huge we designed them so that both children have a place to work,’ says Katie. By contrast, Sophie’s bedroom has a brighter feel, with a dusty pink and

muted blue palette. A circular mirror has been set above the floating desk, which doubles as a dressing table.

Throughout the flat, a brace of design tricks enhances light and space. Mirrors have been widely used to illuminate dark corners, new furniture has been specially chosen for scale and shape, and traditional details – cast-iron radiators painted bronze brown and panelling on the walls – have been reinstated wherever possible.

Happy with the end result, Katie says: ‘It’s a mansion-block apartment that’s been reinvented for 21st-century family living.’

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KITCHEN-DINER

This bright space came courtesy of an extension to the back of the house. The pastel blocks are an uplifting addition.

Renovation by Berkeley Place.

Kitchen, price on request, Space Kitchens and Bathrooms. Units in Railings estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Solid oak tumbled flooring, price on request, Design Flooring. Built-in banquette, price on request, Winter Furniture Makers

A NEW DAWN Lou and Ed Cullen embarked on an unexpected adventure when they took on a period renovation in a different city FEATURE EMMA J PAGE | PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH

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home truths THE PROPERTY Edwardian semi L O C AT I O N Bristol R O O M S Sitting room, kitchendiner, study, four bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2018 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a Victorian semi nearby while we searched for the right home,’ says Lou.

FAVOURITE FEATUR E ‘We love the dark sitting room, which is cosy and perfect for the colder months. While in the summer, we live in the bright kitchen’

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SITTING ROOM

‘This room is north facing so we embraced that with a moody colour palette and densely packed bookcases for a cosseting feel,’ says Lou. Walls in Railings estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball.

Soufflé sofa, £2,095, Loaf.

Guitou hand tufted rug, £315, La Redoute. Frans pendant light, £160, Globen Lighting

I

t’s a brave decision to up sticks and move to a new city with three young children in tow, but that’s just what Ed and Lou Cullen did when they swapped the bright lights of the capital for the thriving, creative community of Bristol. ‘We both went to university in Exeter and enjoyed the calmer pace of life in the south-west,’ explains Ed. ‘We really didn’t know much about Bristol, but we were attracted to its colour, liveliness and sense of free-spiritedness.’

The family, which includes Eva, eight, Coco, six, and Indie, three, found a temporary home in the city while they searched for the ideal place, little knowing that it would take three years to unearth a gem in their favourite spot, close to the Clifton Downs.

They were not the only admirers of the generous Edwardian semi they found – more than 70 people turned up to view it during one

weekend, followed by a nail-biting wait for the results of sealed bids. But the real work began when the couple finally got the keys.

Their first priority was to return the building, latterly split into two maisonettes, to a single family home. ‘When we first viewed the house, we had tantalising glimpses of period fireplaces and cornicing and even an original butler’s tray attached to the staircase,’ says Lou. ‘We knew we wanted to restore the details, sticking largely to the original layout while adding a modern twist.’

Once the partition walls had been taken down, the building’s full proportions surprised the couple. ‘We guessed the entrance hall would be generous but it was still an eye-opener to stand in it and take in its original scope,’ says Lou. Keen to have as much space in the garden as possible, the couple decided to remove a galley kitchen and bathroom at the 2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020 | 103

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rear of the house and replace it with a smaller extension accommodating a new open-plan kitchen and living-dining area.

The pair worked closely with Nick Cryer of Berkeley Place, whose knowledge of local architecture, including the design of similar houses in the neighbourhood, proved invaluable. ‘He helped develop our initial ideas and refine our choices,’ says Ed. Both keen environmentalists, the couple worked hard to get the bones of the renovation just right. ‘As well as the usual considerations such as adding loft insulation and improving glazing, we removed a lot of the hard landscaping in the garden,’ explains Lou. ‘We also added a green wildflower roof on top of the new extension.’

Elsewhere, the couple introduced gentle refinements, reworking the first floor to house a master suite, a family 10 4 | 2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020

bathroom and two bedrooms for the children, with a guest bedroom, shower room and study on the top floor. Clever design decisions, such as adding a roll-top bath to the guest room, have made the most of the available space. Modern touches come in the form of contemporary geometric flooring and reeded pantry glass in the kitchen, while there’s a hint of the industrial courtesy of copper piping taps in the cloakroom and a repurposed cast-iron Singer sewing table in the family bathroom.

The family has now put down roots in the city. ‘It’s colourful, friendly and vibrant,’ says Lou. ‘And the nearby protected wild space of the Clifton Downs proved an absolute lifesaver during lockdown.’ Their home has also given the whole family a new lease of life. ‘Taking on a large renovation and moving city was a bit of a gamble, but it’s paid off. We still pinch ourselves every day.’

MASTER BEDROOM

Lou and Ed chose a palette of soft greys complemented by pink, navy and mustard for a serene feel in this room.

Original flooring refurbished by Design Flooring. New Acapulco chair, £66.40, Sklum, is a good match for the wire chair

INDIE AND COCO’S BEDROOM

A two-tone colour scheme, a whimsical wall mural and a cabin bunk bed add a lively note to this space.

Try the Birch tree with leaves wall sticker, £60, Chocovenyl at Notonthehighstreet.com

BEDROOM

Soft pink and bold aquamarine combine to create a talking point in this airy eaves space.

Walls in Mid Azure Green and Pink Slip, both intelligent matt emulsion, £51.50 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Bath in Inchyra Blue estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

BATHROOM

An old Singer sewing table has been repurposed to create a quirky sink. ‘We are gradually introducing a few softly industrial touches into our home,’ says Lou. Motif black star floor tiles, £28.80sq m, Mandarin Stone. Edison wall lights, £29 each, Industville

& INTERIORS

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CLEAR VISION Charlotte and Luke Burley used creative thinking to turn a tired bungalow into a stylish open-plan abode FEATURE MANDI MILLAR | PHOTOGRAPHY AND STYLING FIONA WALKER ARNOTT

SITTING ROOM Herringbone oak flooring adds depth and texture and offsets the timber of the couple’s mid-century furniture.

Chevron oak laminate flooring, £37sq m, Howdens. Otto sofa, from £1,150; similar Mabel footstool, from £256, both Sofa.com

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SITTING ROOM A handy office area is cleverly concealed behind cupboard doors.

Flap analogue city wall clock, £75, Habitat. Try the Parity six-arm ceiling light in brass, £195, John Lewis & Partners

home truths THE PROPERTY 1960s detached bungalow L O C AT I O N Kent R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, utility room, three bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2018 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in a maisonette in southeast London,’ says Charlotte.

E KITCHEN-DINER ‘Not everyone thought the wall island unit would work, but it means I can see Lara when I’m cooking and also enjoy the view of the garden and the sea beyond, so it actually works perfectly for me,’

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says Charlotte. Dark grey cupboard doors were chosen to contrast with the pale wood of the full-height cabinets.

Metod base units, £88 each, Ikea. Unit doors, £124 each, Husk. Door knobs, £4 each, Handles4U

scaping to the coast was just a dream for Charlotte and Luke Burley until baby Lara arrived, and they realised their London maisonette just wasn’t big enough. ‘We’d always loved Whitstable – we were married there,’ says Charlotte. ‘We wanted a more relaxed way of life so it was a natural place to look.’ The couple trawled the internet for properties and came across this bungalow, which Charlotte thought had potential. ‘Nothing much had been done to the house for years but Luke and I were both able to visualise how the space could best work for us by knocking down walls, extending rooms, enlarging windows and making the most of what was already there – especially the views,’ she says.

Moving in before Christmas 2018, the couple immediately started stripping wallpaper and making plans.

‘I loved the idea of designing our family home,’ says Charlotte. ‘Also, Luke’s job as a design director for a brand agency means he thinks three-dimensionally and knows a lot about materials and how to treat them from a production point of view. We also checked out planning at this stage for our side kitchen extension but everything else we were able to do through building regulations – and it really was everything as the house needed gutting.’

As well as adding the kitchen extension, the house needed rewiring,

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replastering, replumbing and new windows and doors. ‘The wall between the sitting room and kitchen was demolished to open up the space,’ says Charlotte, ‘and we made the sitting room window wider and deeper to better frame the beautiful sea views.’

Charlotte, who project-managed the work, had to stick to a strict budget.

‘We knew we wanted to spend more on things we would use every day, but be smart in our choice of materials and finishes to give a high-end aesthetic,’ she says. The couple did as much of the work as they could – Luke at weekends, and Charlotte sanding, painting and sourcing between Lara’s naps. ‘It was an incredibly busy 22 months but as I’d had to leave my job when we moved, at least I was on-site while the work was going on,’ says Charlotte, who admits

L A R A’ S B E D R O O M Charlotte had great fun styling this room in restful pastel shades.

Krusning pendant light, £10, Ikea. Sandberg’s Hollie Pistachio wallpaper, £60.50 a roll, Family Wallpapers. Mini cot, £129, Mokee

B AT H R O O M A contemporary free-standing bath makes a bold statement in this compact space.

Lisbon bath, £399.97, Better Bathrooms.

Concrete tiles, £36.96sqm; terrazzo-effect tiles, £46.10 a tile, all Porcelain Superstore

design tip ‘Know how you will use a house before you start ripping out walls – that way you’ll get the flow of space and movement right’

there were challenges along the way.

‘Even though we’d initially been told we didn’t need planning permission, it turned out that we did. Thankfully, it came through in the end, but it added to the stress as we were living with no kitchen for four months.’

However, with the hard work behind them Charlotte was finally able to turn her attention to the decor and create the functional, minimalist scheme she had envisioned. Much of the inspiration came from Australian and Scandinavian interior design and there are a few mid-century key pieces of furniture to establish a single theme that runs throughout.

‘The planning worry was certainly a low point,’ explains Charlotte, ‘but seeing our vision take shape was amazing. It was challenging to juggle it all with a baby but now, with another on the way, it’s good to know we finally have a home to grow into.’

MASTER BEDROOM Oak-veneered MDF units made by Luke provide invaluable storage space.

Skymningen pendant light, £65; Vindum rug, £129, both Ikea. The Pendial bedside light, £16, Iconic Lights, would also work

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home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y Grade II-listed 18th-century cottage L O C AT I O N Cotswolds R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, playroom, utility/ boot room, snug, study, two cloakrooms, six bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We were living in a smaller cottage nearby,’ says Jane.

TRUE COLOURS Jewel hues and boldly patterned wallpapers gave Richard and Jane Stark’s Cotswolds cottage a vibrant update FEATURE VIVIENNE AYRES | PHOTOGRAPHY POLLY ELTES

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Jane paired deep teal with gold accents for a cosseting feel.

Walls in Teal architects’ matt emulsion, £56 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library.

Try Bluebell loveseat in Deep Turquoise velvet, £1,250, Sofa.com. Gallery Direct Louis mirror, £156, Olivia’s, would work

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W

hen Richard and Jane Stark first viewed their extended cottage in the Cotswolds, their initial impressions were highly favourable.

‘We were living in a cottage nearby and were looking for a slightly larger property we could transform into the family home we wanted,’ says Jane.

‘This house was far bigger than the places we’d previously viewed but we were very taken with its characterful exterior and its cosy, lived-in feel.

We felt at home immediately.’

The house had begun life as a cottage in the 1700s and was then extended until the Strawberry Hill Gothic facade was added in the 1800s.

The interior, however, with its low ceilings and oak beams looks like a typical English country cottage.

Another attraction was the large

KITCHEN-DINER

The teal island adds contrast to this classic country-style Shaker kitchen.

Island in Teal architects’ eggshell; units in Truffle architects’ eggshell, both £68 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library. Large skeleton wall clock, £120, John Lewis & Partners, has this look. Try Covington reclaimed wood pedestal dining table, £529, Barker and Stonehouse.

CH24 Hans Wegner Wishbone chairs, £956 each, The Conran Shop

SITTING ROOM

Deep blue walls continue the colour story that runs throughout the house.

Walls in Blue Blood architects’ matt emulsion, £56 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library. Empire coffee table, from £469, Scumble Goosie. Windowpane throw in Grey, £110, Abraham Moon

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garden, which the couple felt was perfect for their young son Oliver, seven, plus Willow, their cockapoo.

Fortunately for Richard and Jane, the house was in good condition throughout and didn’t require much modernisation. ‘The previous owners had renovated the house from top to bottom, so for us, it was a case of redecorating and tidying up rather than being faced with any major structural work,’ says Richard.

The exterior of the property and some of the windows did need attention. ‘Since the house is Grade II-listed, work had to be done using traditional methods and materials,’ says Richard, ‘which meant we had scaffolding up for quite a few months.’

The front facade was instantly transformed when the window frames were repainted in a fresh shade of green, creating a contrast with the

DECOR ATING TIP ‘Use bold colours to put an individual stamp on your home’

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cream-coloured exterior. The kitchen, with its Shaker-style units, was also given a decorative facelift. Shades of taupe and deep teal were chosen to complement the classic cream Aga and the rustic wooden beams.

When it came to reworking the decor, Richard and Jane had a clear vision of how they wanted the interior to look. ‘The aim was for the house to feel welcoming and comfortable, while still respecting its history,’ says Jane.

Key elements of the update were the use of bold and vivid colours, along with eclectic furniture, antiques and accessories. ‘With such large rooms, we thought the house could cope with plenty of colour,’ says Jane. ‘In the snug, for instance, we went for vibrant tones of teal and purple, as I wanted a jewellery-box feel.’ In the spacious hallway at the opposite end of the house, the couple chose painted

wooden panelling and dark patterned wallpaper to bring the space more in line with the rest of the house. ‘When we first viewed this area, it was full of ancestral portraits and antelope heads,’ says Richard. ‘Initially we were daunted by its scale, as it’s totally different to the rest of the house. Then we hit upon the idea of making it a library-style room with panelling and wallpaper – it works really well.’

The house is proving to be the perfect family home. ‘The location is idyllic and we all enjoy the garden – we’ve recently refurbished the tree house for Oliver,’ says Richard.

‘We have wildlife all around us, including woodpeckers, thrushes, owls, buzzards, foxes, deer, rabbits and badgers. There is a large terrace and when we open the double doors in the kitchen to enjoy the natural world, it feels like we’ve always been here.’

HALLWAY

‘We wanted to make the space feel cosier and added the wow factor with panelling and a statement wallpaper,’ says Jane.

Adam’s Eden wallpaper, £126m, Lewis & Wood. Panelling in Apple intelligent eggshell, £66 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene

BEDROOM

Calm neutrals teamed with ochre accessories create a relaxing scheme.

Coco bed, £995, Loaf. Hemnes bedside table, £50, Ikea. Bronte by Moon herringbone throw in Honey, £95; Agra cushions in Saffron, £35 each, all John Lewis & Partners

BATHROOM

A roll-top bath was the perfect choice.

Astonian Luxor cast-iron bath, £1,526, Aston Matthews, has this look

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Crafty conversion Philippa May’s search for a business premises brought about an unexpected opportunity to create a home right in the heart of a historical city FEATURE IFEOLUWA ADEDEJI | PHOTOGRAPHY ADAM CARTER

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i n s p i r a t i o n ‘The style in the main area is definitely Scandinavian; we wanted it to feel like a gallery space because it’s so big’

F

ive years ago, Philippa May was working as a freelance designer when she decided to launch her new business (maydstudio.com). She was looking in her local area of Bath for a commercial property that could house a studio and work as storage space – and it didn’t take long for her to find a former garage that seemed ideal for the business.

Once Philippa and partner Guy visited the property, however, Guy immediately saw how they could transform the space into something completely different. ‘I wasn’t thinking about renovating it, but Guy believed we could transform it into a home,’ explains Philippa.

Bath is known for its historic listed Georgian buildings so finding a space like this really was a unique opportunity to buy in a sought-after area. ‘We spoke to the estate agent selling the property and asked what it would take to turn it from business to residential use; it all seemed quite straightforward,’ explains Philippa. The property is located between two Georgian buildings and was in a state of disrepair, and when the couple spoke to the neighbours about their plans, they seemed keen for the project to go ahead.

Work to transform the building took a year and the couple discovered several interesting details about their new home during this period. ‘In one of the bedrooms there was a flying freehold. That space was part of an old pub in the 19th century called The Bunch of Grapes,’ Philippa says. ‘Behind all the breeze blocks and cladded

KITCHEN AREA A subtle use of pattern and a variety of neutral tones add character.

Unit fronts, £2,000, Atelier Cabinet Makers.

Marble Quartz worktop £1,800, Bath Granite and Marble. Marble herringbone tiles, £65.28sq m, Mandarin Stone SITTING AREA A large cosy corner sofa is used to separate the main living space from the dining zone.

Try Sofalogy.com for similar corner sofas, from £2,000. Indus nest of tables, £294, Dunelm.

Engineered washed-timber flooring, £75sq m, Boniti

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home truths THE PROPERTY Garage conversion L O C AT I O N Bath R O O M S Sitting room/dining area/kitchen, utility room, two bedrooms (both en suite) P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived with our family in a converted five-bedroom granary barn,’ says Philippa.

DINING AREA Philippa chose a large neutral rug and statement lighting to define this space.

Eight-light Spider pendant, £90, Beautiful Halo, would work here.

Filskov rug, £55, Ikea, is a close match. DSW Eames chairs, £375 each, Nest. Grand Sucre sideboard, £895, Loaf

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walls was a space with the original pub’s fireplaces.’

There were many challenges along the way including squaring off oddly shaped rooms, but thankfully seeking listed development permission from Bath council was a straightforward process. ‘The fact that it’s not a listed building made everything easier, especially as we weren’t changing the facade,’ says Philippa. The structural work the couple did undertake involved replacing the roof and windows and erecting internal walls to make everything safe and watertight.

To bring light into the kitchen area, the flat roof that was previously made up of corrugated plastic has been replaced with a bespoke roof light that illuminates the open-plan space. ‘It’s hard to believe that I used to be able to drive through here and park in what is now our kitchen,’ says Philippa. ‘It was a great parking place in the centre of town!’

A new wall between the original garage door and the open-plan space has created a front porch area with handy storage space where the couple can leave shoes and coats. However, because the property is located in a conservation area the front of the home still looks like a garage. ‘This is quite good for us as it’s nice knowing no-one can look in,’ says Philippa.

Her studio search has worked out in a completely unexpected way, resulting in a home that she could never have imagined buying. ‘This is such a sought-after area,’ she says. ‘Creating our home here has been a dream.

BEDROOM Neutral shades ensure a sense of peace and calm.

Walls in Dulux Polished Pebble matt emulsion, £16 for 2.5ltr, B&Q. Matheney bed frame, from £224, Wayfair, is similar MASTER BEDROOM ‘The furniture we brought with us works well here,’ says Philippa.

Botson bed, £1,100; chair, £700, both Brissi.

Brittany quilt, £180, The White Company B AT H R O O M The vanity unit is made from reclaimed wood.

Orchard Wharfe bath, £449, Victoria Plum

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CREATIVE THINKING Fashion designers Emma and Nick Rossi put their visionary minds to use to make a dated Victorian property gorgeous FEATURE MARISHA TAYLOR | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH

DINING ROOM ‘We bought the table from the previous owners and it’s become the hub of our home, from arts and crafts with the children to entertaining friends,’ says Emma.

The Camille limewash oak table, £599, The Cotswold Company, is a good alternative. Try the Theodore oak dining chairs in Natural, £179 for two, Perch & Parrow

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SITTING ROOM A high ceiling, wooden floor and grand chandelier bring traditional elegance to this space.

Try the Raphael Champagne chandelier, £879, Furniture Village.

Estere gold and marble coffee tables, £475 each, Graham and Green.

Afaw Berber-style rug, £280, La Redoute

home truths THE PROPERTY A house which was once part of a grand Victorian manor L O C AT I O N Hertfordshire P U R C H A S E D 2018 R O O M S Sitting room, dining room, kitchen, five bedrooms, three bathrooms PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in a small three-bedroom, Victorian terrace in Battersea,’ says Emma.

N

ick and I had been living in a small Victorian terraced house in Battersea with our two girls Minnie and Alberta, now nine and four, working hard and saving up for something bigger,’ recalls Emma. ‘When I became pregnant with our third child, Federico, now two, the need for extra space became an absolute priority and our focus turned to finding our dream home.’

Emma and Nick fell in love with Dellfield the minute they saw it. In the leafy suburbs of a town in Hertfordshire, it had once formed part of a large manor house and grounds, and had been cleverly divided into two homes in the 1930s. A grand, elegant building, it was covered in wisteria with an incredible stained-glass window above the front door. Inside was full of character with a much welcomed feeling of space. ‘The house had strikingly high ceilings, complete with icing cake coving, original fireplaces and beautiful double doors that opened onto the garden,’ says Emma. ‘The decor wasn’t to our taste, but it had been well kept. Buying the house had stretched us to the top of our budget, so we had to make do with a bit of redecorating.’

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their jobs and the three children. ‘Nick and I both work in fashion and have really enjoyed transferring our love of design and pattern into the house,’ says Emma. By complementing the traditional elements of the building, what has emerged is an eclectic home that radiates with colour and style. Budget restrictions have meant that the couple have worked with what they had, with surprisingly good results.

The dull, beige-coloured family bathroom, for example, has been completely transformed by simply repainting the existing wood panelling, roll-top bath and flooring, and by adding a playful wallpaper design. ‘I didn’t realise the power of wallpaper until we used it in our home – it really adds personality and I’m a complete convert,’ says Emma.

‘Doing the work ourselves has given us such a sense of achievement and the process has made us realise how well we work together,’ she continues.

‘While I tend to have more ideas of how I’d like things to look, Nick is very practical, teaching himself the skills to cleverly bring our ideas to life.’

Eventually the couple plan to knock through from the dining room into the kitchen to open up the space as they spend so much time in those rooms.

‘Finding and creating a warm and spacious home for our growing family was so important to us, and that is what we have now. Dellfield is a joy to live in.’

KITCHEN Emma breathed new life into the kitchen by painting the existing cabinetry a beautiful dark blue and the walls in a contrasting pale pink.

Walls in Calamine estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr; cabinetry in Hague Blue estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, both Farrow & Ball.

Eneryda brass cup handles, £9 for two, Ikea. See more of Emma’s renovation journey on instagram at @casamiadellfield

tow n | 25bh A L B E R TA’ S BEDROOM The canopy creates a decorative focal point.

Numero 74 bed canopy in Pale Peach, £94, Smallable. Anna junior and toddler bed, £140, John Lewis & Partners B AT H R O O M Bold colour and pattern combine to dramatic effect.

Artemis wallpaper, £185 a roll, House of Hackney. Panelling in Railings estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Bath in Painter’s Touch Candy Pink multi-surface paint, £36 for 1ltr, Rust-Oleum MASTER BEDROOM ‘This is the only room we have carpeted, so it feels very decadent,’ says Emma.

Lotus wallpaper, £125 a roll, Farrow & Ball. The Antoinette bed, from £1,095, Loaf, is similar

f a v o u r i t e i t e m ‘I loved restoring and bringing my pink bath back to life.

I’d always dreamed of a roll-top and it’s so pretty. It really makes the space’

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Calm &

C ONTE MPOR A RY

Putting their initial reservations aside, Helen and Lewis Bowman threw themselves into overhauling their dated house – it’s now thoroughly modern FEATURE MARISHA TAYLOR | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH

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KITCHEN-DINER Rather than using a splashback or tiles in this space (left), the couple have applied an eco sealer to protect the walls.

The dining area was designed to let the light flood in.

Similar Hay Copenhague extending table, £1,825; Hay J104 chairs, £175 each, all Innes. Wall light in Black, £810, Flos. Walls in Bone lime paint over Almond Flower lime paint, both £110 for 5ltr, Bauwerk. Dead Flat Eco Sealer, £55 for 1ltr, Pure & Original.

For similar bespoke concrete worktops, try Stone Made

home truths THE PROPERTY A 1930s semi-detached house L O C AT I O N London R O O M S Kitchen-diner/ living area, study, utility room, cloakroom, three bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2018 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a two-bedroom flat in Leyton,’ says Helen.

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n the brink of leaving London, Helen Bowman and her husband Lewis were finding househunting in the capital tougher than they had expected. ‘We were living in a two-bedroom conversion in busy Leyton, East London at the time,’ says Helen, ‘and were keen to move somewhere less congested with more space for our young daughters, Clémence, now five, and Ofèlia Rei, three. Both of us are freelancers and we had seriously considered leaving London altogether, but decided at that point we weren’t quite ready to make the jump.’

But after being gazumped twice on houses nearby, the couple were desperate to move before Clémence started primary school. ‘This house seemed to be the last vaguely acceptable and affordable one in the whole of south-east London,’ recalls Helen, ‘but we weren’t entirely convinced.

The property had been rented out to students for many years, and although the previous owner had refurbished it before putting it on the market, it was still in a bad state.’

However, when the couple went back on a sunny day, they had a good feeling about the space and light. There was the added bonus of a large garden and a front driveway, which felt luxurious. The house also sat directly opposite an attractive park with a sweeping landscape and beautiful mature trees. The property suddenly seemed a lot more appealing.

‘We planned to demolish the conservatory, knock down two internal walls, then replace the flooring and redecorate

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the whole property, but as Lewis’ father Eddie said, we ended up pretty much building a new house.’

From the start, the Bowmans loved sourcing and planning for the renovation. Based on elements of other homes they admired, they came up with the architectural designs and had a professional draw up the plans. ‘We found our contractor, Tigran at Lusine Christy Ltd, and he was just as excited about the property’s potential as we were and completely in tune with our needs and budget,’ says Helen.‘We knocked down the conservatory, built a timber-clad rear extension, demolished the walls between the existing reception rooms and kitchen, knocked out the cupboard under the stairs and laid bespoke birch ply flooring throughout the house. Tigran realised the plasterwork was in a bad way, so he stripped the house back to brick and re-plastered, taking the opportunity to re-wire and re-plumb the whole house within our budget.’

Despite the scale of the works, the couple felt the greatest challenge lay in the time everything took. ‘We’d been advised to triple whatever time frame we’d been given, and despite organisation and planning, long lead times dragged out the process,’ says Helen. With the work complete, the couple’s patience has more than paid off. ‘Life with small children can be hectic and we wanted our home to be calm, contemporary and comfortable,’ she says. ‘We’ve created a large, flowing living area that feels airy and light at any time of the day. Our home is transformed – and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome.’

KITCHEN ‘Custom ply shelving was a spur-of-themoment addition – it is built into what had been the doorway to the utility room,’ says Helen.

Bench seating (below, opposite) means guests can talk to Helen when she’s cooking.

Try the Trebla baskets, from £24.50, La Redoute.

Metod units with Haggeby doors, plus the internal systems, £2,000, Ikea.

Muuto Ambit rail pendant, £695, Made in Design

H A L LWAY The cupboard has been removed from under the stairs, giving the area an open feel.

Nofred Mouse bench, £290, ScandiBørn

LIVING AREA A swing has been suspended from the ceiling – a playful addition to the open-plan area that extends to the front of the house (right).

Shelves built from plywood, steel and MDF, about £500, Lusine Christy Ltd. Lillagunga Bone trapeze in oak, £116, Finnish Design Shop

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MASTER BEDROOM The aim was to make this a contemplative space, somewhere the couple could retreat to, day or night. The cute bed in the corner (far right) is often used by Ofèlia Rei. Wardrobes, custom-made by Lusine Christy Ltd. Magni handles, £14 each, Dowsing & Reynolds. Minnen bed frame (far right), £75, Ikea. Numero 74 linen canopy, £95, Smallable

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B AT H R O O M A separate WC was knocked through and the landing reconfigured to make space for a shower.

Brooklyn heated towel rail, £179,Victorian Plumbing.

Cube counter-top basins, £325 each; Luxe basin mixer taps in Matt Black, £235 each, all Lusso Stone

CLEMENCE’S ROOM Pops of colour here enliven the warm tones of natural wood used throughout the house.

Lisa bunk bed, £316, WNM Group. Walls in Rolling Fog absolute matt emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. NoFred leaf play mat, £76, ScandiBørn

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ABTA No. V4744

c it y | 25bh

KITCHEN This cleverly designed scheme makes the most of the compact space.

Brunel kitchen, £25,000, Day True; in French Grey intelligent eggshell, £66 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene.

Worktops and splashback in Caesarstone Piatra Grey, from £789sq m, The Marble Group.

Winchester solid wood bar stools, £99 each, Cult Furniture

C E N T R E P OI N T Chris Grafton knew a complete reconfiguration was needed to make this apartment in the heart of the capital work FEATURE IFEOLUWA ADEDEJI | PHOTOGRAPHY SMD PHOTOGRAPHY | STYLING SANIA PELL

2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020 | 129

25bh | c it y

W home truths THE PROPERTY 1980s mixed-use building L O C AT I O N Central London R O O M S Kitchen-diner/ living area, two bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2019 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I lived in an apartment in Abu Dhabi and transferred back to London for work,’ says Chris.

C O U R T YA R D This unique space in such a central location is a private haven for Chris.

Azulej Cubo tiles by Mutina, £140sq m, Domus. Roy lazy chair, £630, Vincent Sheppard, would work here

hen Chris Grafton found this third-floor apartment in a mixed-use building, where the ground floor was being used as offices, he was confident he could transform it into a contemporary family home.

‘It’s quite unique as the main entrance is accessed through a church frontage, which opens up into a central courtyard with fountains,’ says Chris. ‘The interior was originally quite dated, very dark and the property felt awkward in terms of the layout.’ Chris has experience in property development and knew that by engaging the right professionals, he could greatly improve on what was there. It was with this in mind that he chose Day True, who he’d worked with on a previous renovation, to create something high spec and fitting for the central London location. ‘Chris was looking for a place that needed updating,’ says Hayley Robson at Day True. ‘Ideally where the space could be reconfigured to maximise the property’s potential. The highlight of this property is the internal courtyard,’ says Hayley. ‘We wanted to make this outside space as visible as possible and one that could form the central focal point of the apartment.’

As this block was built in the 1980s and made mainly from concrete, most of it could be opened up. Over 10 months, work took place to create a two double-bed apartment with open-plan living and lots of natural light.

All the internal walls were removed and the only space that remained, from a structural and services perspective, was the guest en suite, which was originally the main bathroom. The windows overlook the courtyard garden on the ground floor and Day True were able to retain the views outside of the trees and greenery. ‘We fitted smart glass into the existing windows, which allowed the windows to turn opaque at the touch of a button to provide privacy when required,’ says Hayley.

The master bedroom has taken the place of the original sitting room and there is now a dressing and bathroom

i n s p i r at i o n ‘As it wasn’t a period building I wanted to introduce plenty of character, texture and materials to make the interior interesting.

Sophisticated city living was my goal’

LIVING AREA Subtly coloured cushions, patterned throws and a marble coffee table bring this neutral backdrop to life.

Similar Sloane corner sofa, £1,528, Sofas & Stuff.

Herringbone floor, £92sq m, sourced through Day True.

Joint marble coffee table, £2,568, Porada at Chaplins, has this look. Pied de Poule houndstooth throw, £125, Caravane, is similar DINING AREA Wooden panelling helps to create a contrast with the rest of the living space and defines this area.

Native Home grey velvet dining chairs with gold legs, £240 each, Olivia’s, have the same look

2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020 | 13 1

25bh | c it y suite leading off the courtyard. ‘It was tight to fit in everything, especially when it came to the bathroom which was only 1200mm wide, so we decided to remove all the doors to utilise as much space as possible’, says Hayley.

‘The WC was hidden behind a stud wall to provide privacy and the dressing table-style vanity area was the focal point, looking into the bathroom from the bedroom.’

To liven up the neutral scheme, contrast was added using lots of texture and a vertically panelled wall in the dining area. This panelling also conceals a hidden door into the master bedroom. A glass door which leads onto the guest bedroom ties in with the glass around the terrace, and also ensures that the natural light from the bedroom windows floods in. ‘Everything is very easy to use,’ says Chris. ‘We have a smart lighting system, media and window treatment control, all of which can be managed from a phone or tablet. The whole apartment now feels up-to-date, comfortable and modern.’

BEDROOM This room has direct access to the courtyard through the bespoke glass doors on the right.

Similar Boxed linear upholstered headboard, £299, Sueno. Gold velvet cushions, £20 each, John Lewis & Partners, are a close match

13 2 | 2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020

EN SUITE A large walk-in shower has been fitted into the far end of this bathroom, hidden from view from the bedroom.

Hammam basin, £665, Rexa Design, has this look.

Milano Nero wall mounted basin mixer tap, £237, Aston Matthews, is similar

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SHORE SUCCESS Melanie Molesworth and her husband Martin’s move to the coast prompted a new chapter in their lives – and a thriving business to boot FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL/MELANIE MOLESWORTH PHOTOGRAPHY POLLY WREFORD/NARRATIVES

SITTING ROOM Melanie was delighted to finally have the space to display her favourite ceramics, artwork and other vintage finds.

Assorted vintage glassware from Lyme Regis Antiques Centre

M

elanie Molesworth can hardly believe she ended up in her extraordinary home in the seaside town of Lyme Regis. ‘Before making the move, my husband Martin and I knew very little about this gem of a town,’ she says. ‘We came across the property in 2011 around the time our two sons were leaving home and it just felt like a good opportunity to try something new.’

The Hall, as it’s known, sits on the River Lym and felt like a huge project when they bought it. ‘It was rundown with a maze of rooms and windows that rattled when the wind whipped off the sea,’ says Melanie. ‘But the bones of the house seemed sound and we could see the sea from the top floor and hear the river running beneath.’

The Hall harks back to Georgian times. ‘It has been through several reincarnations,’ says Melanie. ‘There are some lovely old

13 4 |

c oa s ta l | 25bh SITTING ROOM Dado rails form an ideal display shelf for artwork.

Stocksund sofa, £529, Ikea.

Wicker pendant light, £195, Willow & Stone, would work here. Seaweed pressings, similar from £50, Molesworth & Bird

home truths THE PROPERTY Georgian former meeting hall L O C AT I O N Dorset R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, three bedrooms, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2011 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved here from a Victorian semi in London,’ says Melanie.

25bh | c oa s ta l

d e s i g n a d v i c e ‘In a large space you can mix patterns and plains without the room feeling too busy’

KITCHEN ‘The existing units were simply repainted,’ says Melanie.

Knoxhult units, from £90 for a base cabinet, Ikea. Cabinetry in Mole’s Breath estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Hahn chrome wall rack, £160, John Lewis & Partners. Similar white console table, £124, La Redoute

13 6 | 2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020

DINING AREA An antique school table is a characterful centrepiece.

Dining table, £650, Bridport Antiques.

Le Corbusier bentwood dining chairs, £280 each; Swedish antique bench seat, £725, all Etsy. For similar lights, try Brooklyn Dome pendants, £69 each, Industville

black-and-white photographs of a celebration gathering probably taken in the 1940s, showing it bedecked with flags and bunting above tables and chairs stretching down the 60ft length of the room.’

The property has since been the local Conservative Club, a rambling holiday rental with gym and sauna, and more recently an artist’s studio.

‘Fortunately, an architect friend, Ed Howell, agreed to help us with the project and his vision proved key to turning the ramshackle collection of rooms and corridors into a viable home,’ says Melanie. Little structural work was done to the Hall apart from adding a staircase, a glazed entrance to provide access to the three bedrooms on the top floor, plus the creation of a new loft bathroom.

‘My experience as an interior stylist helped when it came to the decorating and renovating and I was thrilled to finally have room for my collection of vintage finds,’ says Melanie. ‘We repainted throughout in white and the existing kitchen cupboards were updated with new cup handles and painted dark grey.’

Martin also had skills to offer and put his love of carpentry and DIY to good use, making and fixing cupboards, shelves and

B AT H R O O M This compact space was enlarged by knocking back into the roof, revealing the beams.

Metro flat wall tiles, £43.69sq m, Victorian Plumbing. Taps, from a selection, Bathstore

H A L LWAY ‘The slim console table fits perfectly here,’ says Melanie.

Antique Georgian console table, £325, Vinterior, is similar. For a Bentwood bistro chair, £130, try Etsy

more. The worn old paint-spattered floorboards have been left intact apart from the addition of a large blue-and-white chequerboardpainted floor in the dining area, where the vintage table sits.

Melanie, who is a firm believer in the concept of recycling, found and foraged pieces – an old water tank uncovered on a local rubbish tip now serves as a side table. ‘And I always seem to come back from the beach with something to add to my random collections of old spoons, stones, shells, cracked china and dried-up crabs,’ she says. ‘I also keep a beady eye on the local antiques markets in Bridport for interesting things and I’ve found some real gems, like the old school table that is now our dining table.’

For Melanie and Martin, living by the sea has certainly opened a whole new chapter in their lives. ‘My friend Julia and I now run a seaweed-inspired design business, Molesworth & Bird,’ says Melanie, ‘and much of my time is happily spent gathering seaweed from the fabulous local coastline. It’s a far cry from our old life in London.’ Follow Melanie’s business on Instagram @molesworthandbird

c oa s ta l | 25bh

l a s t w o r d ‘Living by the sea has opened a whole new chapter for us’

LOFT BEDROOM The all-white scheme is enlivened by shots of colour.

For white metal beds, from £149, try Wayfair. Mohair throw in Terracotta, £79, Trouva, has this look. Maisons du Monde sells rattan rocking chairs, £215

2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020 | 13 9

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25bh | i d e a s to s h a r e Indulge in a cocktail or two while savouring the opulent art-deco aesthetic of this charming country house bar

ROOM ENVY

magine an autumn evening spent relaxing in the depths of this cosy ruby-red velvet sofa. From this angle, the collection of elegant seating and table lamps appears to be a vignette from a drawing room or lounge space, but it’s actually a bar.

Sir Frank’s Bar to be precise, at the glamorous Beaverbrook hotel in the Surrey Hills. This famed, late-Victorian country house once belonged to press baron Lord Beaverbrook and retains its considerable art deco grandeur today, evidenced in the many eclectic interiors updated by designer Susie Atkinson. Here, she opted for a putty-toned orange-pink on the panel-moulded walls – try Little Greene’s Blush for similar – which lends instant warmth to an otherwise imposing space. Aside from the plush 14 6 | 2 5 B H N OV E M B ER 2020

sofa, smart chairs were upholstered in Bennison Fabrics’ Jungle print, giving the room a dash of attitude, while patterned turquoise shades keep the lighting muted and moody. Continuing the property’s glamorous Gatsby-esque vibe is the impressive oil painting that serves as a visual anchor. Classical in its style, instead of the usual pastoral, religious or portrait subject matter, it shows a zoological scene of varied tropical birds. The scheme is pulled together with a woven sisal rug, which adds a rustic touch and reminds us we’re in the country, set with a contemporary glass and smoked brass coffee table. Finishing touches include a mixture of geometric, patterned and crushed-silk cushions and a handsome cut-crystal bowl, perfect for catching the late-evening lamp light.

FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY

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