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FRESH INSPIRATION COUNTRY STYLE AT ITS BEST A Victorian schoolhouse conversion with vintage finds Florals & a thatched roof epitomise rustic charm An expertly executed oak-framed new build

LOOKS TO LOVE

See chic spaces by interior designers

GARDEN DESIGNS From stunning outdoor entertaining areas & clever small spaces to indoor planting ideas

June 2021

14 COVER STORY

country

24 30 38 Period charm and character typify this converted Victorian schoolhouse (page 110)

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46 50

L I V I N G T H E D R E A M One family

embarked on a new rural life when they took on a farmhouse restoration in Hampshire R U R A L B L I S S After a full renovation, this couple can now enjoy the lifestyle that their Kent countryside property promised M O D E R N R U S T I C A dated farmhouse in the Netherlands has been transformed into a stylish home with an industrial edge R E C I P E F O R H A P P I N E S S This 1930s rectory in West Sussex, owned by a Bake Off star, has been given a Georgian-style treatment C R E AT I V E T H I N K I N G A derelict

62 83 88 100

Somerset barn has been turned into a characterful family home F U L L O F C H A R A C T E R This couple’s idyllic Cambridgeshire home is the quintessential English country cottage S U P E R N AT U R A L Surrounded by trees, one family has set up home in a magical wood keeper’s cottage in Ashdown Forest E A S Y E L E G A N C E A Californian house built in a Tudor style has been given a modern makeover that’s sophisticated and laid-back M A D E T O M E A S U R E This oak-framed home in Lincolnshire was built from scratch

contents

110 121

O L D S C H O O L C H A R M Vintage finds give this

converted schoolhouse in Worcestershire a timeless appeal O R D E R R E S T O R E D The sensitive update of a Georgian house in Yorkshire is testament to the owners’ love of historic houses

city

20 78 96 106 116 124 128

J U S T T H E R I G H T T O N E A neglected top-floor flat

in London has been updated with a beautiful colour theme U R B A N R E T R E AT A second home in the city has been designed to suit three generations of one family C I T Y S L I C K E R Mid-century furniture provides star quality to this converted warehouse in the capital I N F I N E F O R M Building a home from scratch paid off for this family in Melbourne – their new house is the epitome of chic style T O P T O B O T T O M A complete overhaul was required when it came to updating a Victorian house in Leeds T H E R I G H T C H A N G E Moving from London to Edinburgh allowed this couple to buy a bigger family home, which they’ve given a colourful revamp W O R T H T H E WA I T Patience paid off for the owner of this London terrace when she was finally able to carry out the renovation she had been planning for a decade

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c oa s ta l

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O N E A N D O N LY Inspired by the style of luxury hotels,

the owner of this Victorian terrace in East Sussex used his creative eye to curate a home with individuality L E A P O F F A I T H Lockdown prompted these owners to move to Cornwall and live in their holiday home full-time

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8 14 56 68 74

B R I G H T E R O U T L O O K A Cape Town home has

been given a fashionable and vibrant makeover with the help of an interior designer P A L E & I N T E R E S T I N G A fresh, airy look is achieved in this 1930s house with a neutral palette throughout D E S I G N F O R L I V I N G The need for more space led two house-hunters to a Hertfordshire semi ripe for extending N E W H O R I Z O N S One couple in Berkshire decided to take the plunge and build their own home that draws inspiration from its natural surroundings and is filled with an abundance of natural light A R T I S T I C I M P R E S S I O N The owner’s passion for colour and creativity is reflected in the artwork that fills every room of this home in Yorkshire

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R O O M E N V Y The scheme that’s inspired us this month 2 5 B H J UN E 202 1 | 5

EDITOR’S LET TER

| 25bh

25 BEAUTIFUL

HOMES EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Sarah Spiteri Homes Editor Fiona Mace Group Creative Director Emma Williams Group Chief Sub Editor Jennifer Spaeth Content and Product Development Director Michael Holmes Brand Development Director Laura Crombie Homes Content Team Editorial Director Rhoda Parry Group Art Director Alison Walter Art Editors Melanie Brown and Paula Jardine Senior Designer Hannah Bennewitz Head of Subs Operations Maxine Clarke Hub Chief Sub Editor Carly Rigley Senior Sub Editors Marian McNamara and Karen Wiley

MANAGEMENT Chief Content Officer Angie O’ Farrell Managing Director of Homes Jason Orme Chief Audience & Ecommerce Officer Aaron Asadi Finance Director Mags & Subs Dan Jotcham SVP Global Operations & Marketforce Adrian Hughes

S Y N D I C AT I O N Sales Executive Efi Mandrides (efi.mandrides@futurenet.com)

C I R C U L AT I O N Circulation Manager Katie Greenan (katie.greenan@futurenet.com)

MARKETING Head of Marketing Sian Cupid (sian.cupid@futurenet.com) Deputy Head of Marketing Laura Timms (laura.timms@futurenet.com)

ADVERTISING Commercial Director Rob Biagioni (rob.biagioni@futurenet.com) Brand Director Rebecca Vincze (rebecca.vincze@futurenet.com) International/Luxury Accounts Manager Carole Bunce (carole.bunce@futurenet.com) Classified Senior Sales Executive Charlotte Beckett (charlotte.beckett@futurenet.com)

WELCOME Brighter Outlook is the name of our stunning opening house (page 8) and we wanted the same confident, life-affirming feel to carry through all the homes we feature this month.

Miranda Gore Browne’s delightful old rectory (page 46) is full of the type of country charm that never fades. In complete contrast, we were so impressed with how designer Bhavin Taylor drew on his Indian heritage to inject a new vibrant style into a neglected top-floor city flat (page 20).

For many of our homeowners it’s taken several years to achieve the sort of home they’ve wanted to create, but for all of them the rewards have been worth it. So if you’re contemplating a renovation or wondering if yours will ever end, we do hope each of these homes will inspire you.

FIONA MACE, HOMES EDITOR

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

PRODUCTION Head of Art Production Nicola Tillman Art Production Designers Chris Saggers and Phil Dunk Group Production Manager Clare Scott Production Controller Bill Argent Advertising Production Manager Nick Williams (nick.williams@futurenet.com) Senior Ad Production Manager Jo Crosby

I N T E R N AT I O N A L L I C E N S I N G 25 Beautiful Homes is available for licensing. To find our more contact us at licensing@futurenet.com or view our available content at www.futurecontenthub.com Head of Print Licensing Rachel Shaw

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Brighter outlook

A cosmetic overhaul has given Danica Slatter’s family home a dazzling and multifaceted new personality FEATURE JULIET BENNING | PHOTOGRAPHY ELSA YOUNG/BUREAUX/LIVING INSIDE

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home truths THE PROPERTY Detached modern home L O C AT I O N Cape Town R O O M S Family room, games room, dining room, kitchen-diner, outdoor dining area and lounge, cloakroom, five bedrooms (one en suite), five bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a new-build home in Johannesburg,’ says Danica.

OUTDOOR DINING AREA Director chairs bring a laid-back vibe to the room, where plants tie the space with the surrounding garden.

Pitt folding director chairs, £114.99 each, Sklum, are similar. Chunky rattan planter, £175, Cox & Cox, has this look ALFRESCO LOUNGE The folding shutters can be closed for an intimate setting.

Custom-made sofa upholstered in Osborne & Little’s Maranta fabric, £65m, Jane Clayton

D

anica Slatter’s home, in a suburb of Cape Town at the foot of Table Mountain, is a thriving community within itself. Accommodating her husband Laurie, triplets Emelia, Felix and Layla, 11, Mila-Belle, nine, as well as three dogs, Lily, a German Pointer, George and Truffles the Labradors plus three cats, the house is a constant hive of activity.

The family had relocated from Johannesburg to Cape Town in order for the children to start school there. ‘We’d been looking for quite a while then Laurie viewed the house on a show day and we all came down a month after that,’ Danica says. ‘We were attracted by the expansive feeling

of space and the beautiful garden. It’s also a wonderful and secure neighbourhood very close to the school.’

On the downside, the interior was run down and needed a bit of TLC. ‘For a long time we didn’t unpack everything and only made gradual changes,’ says Danica. With so many plates to keep spinning and with a house in need of a refresh, Danica sought the help of her friend, the interior designer Simone Hirsch of Simone Katherine Interiors (simonekatherineinteriors.com). ‘Simone’s interior design was a completely new chapter for the house,’ says Danica.

The commission was also very exciting for Simone as Danica and Laurie gave her a lot of freedom with the design and

H A L LWAY The size of this chunky table works with the large scale of the house.

A local artist was commissioned to create the dried-flower display.

Nichole dining table, £847.50, Andrew Martin, would work here

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GAMES ROOM Dramatic fabric makes a characterful backdrop, while the glass chandelier brings a glamorous twist.

Curtains in Reveries in Vert Buis, £93m, Christian Lacroix at Jane Clayton.

Glass leaves chandelier, price on request, Cécile & Boyd

DINING ROOM Hand-painted wallpaper and a monochromatic scheme denote this as a more sophisticated space.

Source similar woodland wallpaper at Andrew Martin. Almandite eight light chandelier, £334.08, Dusk Lighting, would work here

KITCHEN-DINER The banquette is a showstopping centrepiece, while the deep blue has been used as an accent colour throughout the house.

Cabinetry designed by Simone Katherine Interiors; in Hague Blue estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

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E M E L I A’ S R O O M Dusky pinks are hues that will stand the test of time.

Paradise Birds wallpaper, £91.20 a roll, Boråstapeter at Jane Clayton SHOWER ROOM Tropical houseplants thrive in

this humid environment.

Milano Elizabeth traditional apron showerhead, £179.99, Big Bathroom Shop, is similar L AY L A’ S R O O M The handmade chandelier casts leaf-like shadows at night.

Classic four-poster bed, £549, Get Laid Beds, has the same look B AT H R O O M Dark oak flooring anchors this elegant scheme.

Burlington free-standing roll top bath, £1,017.44, Tap ‘n Shower

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were happy to make bold choices. ‘Busy running the household, Danica had little time to think about interior design but Laurie loves it and was prepared to push boundaries,’ Simone notes.

‘I wanted to bring cohesion and to create a home that was whimsical and fashionable but resilient to children and pets.’

Prompted by the colour of the kitchen, Simone’s tactic was to bring navy accents throughout the house, later adopting greener tones nearer the garden and in the covered terrace. Hand-painted wallpaper in the dining room brings a charismatic and unique flavour. ‘This is a more grown-up room, so I felt the monochromatic scheme would strike a sophisticated note,’ Simone observes. ‘For the games room, we wanted to create a real wow moment so chose these incredible crazy Christian Lacroix curtains with dragons and Queen of Hearts,

lots of references to poker and card games.’ Upstairs the cohesion fades, becoming a series of unique bedrooms. Each of the children had their own input into their bedrooms while the main bedroom was stripped back to a calmer scheme.

After months of preparation Simone asked the family to go away for a week’s holiday while she busied herself and her team with the installation of the new interiors. ‘Simone had shown us mood boards and come in to take measurements but when we came back from our holiday we were completely unprepared for the transformation,’ Danica says. ‘We’d got back late that night but we were so impressed we immediately invited lots of our friends over the following night to celebrate.’ Simone hadn’t missed a trick. This vibrant family home is everything the family hoped for and is perfect for welcoming guests too.

POOL The daybed continues the blue and green theme of the house.

Maupiti outdoor bed, £1,731, Made in Design, would work here

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Pale & interesting Katy Hamilton’s semi is a masterclass in how to do neutrals with panache FEATURE SHARON PARSONS/NARRATIVES | PHOTOGRAPHY RICHARD GADSBY

KITCHEN-DINER Light floods into the beautifully designed extension thanks to the vaulted ceiling’s generous skylights and bi-fold doors.

Kitchen units handmade by Andrew Lord Furniture.

Cupboards and island in French Grey Pale intelligent eggshell, £69 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene.

Montagu high-back bar stools, £265 each, Neptune

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H

aving just had her fingers badly burnt in a bidding war for a house, Katy Hamilton was not overly confident when she discovered there was a semi-detached up for sale in an area she had always loved. ‘The estate agent was holding a viewing day, so my ex and I went along and wandered around with other people,’ says Katy. ‘We thought it was a really special place and though we put a bid on it, we didn’t hold out much hope.’

The 1930s house, with only three previous owners, was in need of a lot of work to bring it up to modern standards. The decor was extremely tired and all the utilities needed replacing – a major renovation was clearly necessary. ‘I’m not sure if that’s what put people off, but incredibly our bid was accepted,’ says Katy.

The couple got the keys in late 2013 and wasted no time tackling everything from the wiring to the plumbing and essential renovation, and they then went on to build a major extension.

A large kitchen and dining area was added across the back of the house with the existing kitchen space incorporated on one side and a new utility room and cloakroom built next to it. On the other side, what had once been the dining room now became a cosy open-plan snug.

SITTING ROOM Layers of texture, beautiful wood pieces and pops of pink enhance the neutral scheme.

Clover buttoned coffee table in Stone linen, £265, The Cotswold Company. A similar sofa is the Butterbump in Carnival, £2,195, Loaf. Letter artwork (behind sofa), from a selection at Desenio, from £7.95

home truths THE PROPERTY A 1930s semi-detached L O C AT I O N Berkshire R O O M S Kitchen-diner, sitting room, snug, cloakroom, utility room, three bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had a modern house on the outskirts of Reading,’ says Katy.

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SNUG The picture shelf is home to a characterful display.

Similar pom pom chenille throw in cream, £45, My Vintage Home. Poppy Field rug, £125, French Connection

‘I love all my eclectic little collections – I move things around from time to time so they don’t stop catching the eye’ favo u r ite ite m s

Katy had originally wanted to have a glass roof over the actual kitchen extension, but after sitting beneath one on a sunny day she had quickly revised her plans. ‘I realised it would sometimes get far too hot,’ she says. ‘So I decided on a high vaulted ceiling with big skylights instead. I’m so glad because even in the summer the room feels bright without being stifling.’ Katy had also spent a long time choosing a style of kitchen that would do the new space justice, not least because the space wasn’t a standard size or shape. Luckily, she came across a carpenter who specialised in hand-built kitchens. ‘He did the most fantastic job – it’s exactly how I’d envisaged it,’ she says.

On completion of the building work, which included a new patio outside, Katy could finally enjoy the ‘fun’ part of the project – choosing the furnishings and decorative elements, along with

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BEDROOM Black accents bring definition and a modern edge.

Walls in Slaked Lime absolute matt emulsion, £53 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Oliver bed, from £425, Feather & Black. Karaikal quilt, £250, Oka

MAIN BEDROOM Different materials – linen, wood, cotton – add depth.

Walls in Skimming Stone estate emulsion, £49.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Loire bed, £1,550, Feather & Black. Garth cushion cover, £60, The White Company B AT H R O O M Two tone walls are a dynamic look.

Isis bath, from £2,495, Ashton & Bentley.

Walls above dado in Slaked Lime absolute matt emulsion, £53 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Walls below dado in Mole’s Breath estate emulsion, £49.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

‘It’s important to have items with similar tonal qualities that are in proportion to one another, so the look is balanced’ d e c o r at i n g t i p

the final colour schemes. Sadly, the couple went their separate ways five years ago, but Katy’s ever-evolving finishing touches have allowed her to put her own stamp on the house since.

‘A lot of the furniture we’d held in storage didn’t really work here,’ she says, ‘but that gave me the opportunity to consider new styles that really suited me and the house. I’ve become an expert at finding and upcycling old furniture that has been discarded – it’s so satisfying to see how a bit of TLC can make these lovely pieces special again.’

Looking around the home today, the fresh, airy palette provides a subtle backdrop for all Katy’s treasured finds. ‘I love the drama of dark, moody schemes,’ she says, ‘but I have to admit, they’re not really me. One thing I learnt as I renovated the house is how interiors can make you feel – and lighter and brighter definitely suits me best.’

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SITTING ROOM Painting the walls and woodwork in one colour lends a sophisticated feel.

Walls in Long Acre marble matt emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Mylands.

Mobile chandelier, £399, West Elm. Bailey leather sofa in Luster Cappuccino, £1,849; storage stool unit, £325, both John Lewis & Partners. Cabinetry

by Carpentera. One Point Perspective print by Simon C Page, from £130, King & McGaw KITCHEN The blue and white scheme is fresh and inviting and the charcoal coloured handles and sockets add depth.

Cabinets and work surfaces supplied by Schmidt Kitchens.

Coastal Glaze Dew Pond tiles, £65sq m, Claybrook

JUST THE RIGHT TONE Designer Bhavin Taylor achieved a beautiful balance of colour and light in this once tired top-floor flat FEATURE JULIET BENNING | PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS SNOOK

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F

ive years after he bought it, Bhavin Taylor’s client was finally ready to change up a gear and renovate his neglected top floor flat in south London. ‘I wanted my own space and liked the idea of buying something that required work; both to save money and to make it the way I wanted. I didn’t expect it to take five years to start the project,’ he says. ‘I wanted

someone who could turn my unstructured thoughts into a coherent vision and design.

I have strong opinions about what I like, but don’t have the design ability or time to create them myself,’ he adds.

The owner was familiar with Bhavin’s design style (bhavintaylordesign.com) through the office renovation of the company he worked for, and was confident

their tastes would align. ‘When I first saw the property, my initial reaction was that it was tired and missing the love and attention it deserved.’ Bhavin recalls. ‘The floors were uneven, there were damp patches in the ceiling and the kitchen was falling apart.’

Knowing that a significant proportion of the budget was set aside for building work, Bhavin planned a cost-effective interior 2 5 B H J UN E 202 1 | 2 1

DINING AREA Attention to detail – like coordinating the colour of the pendants, chair legs and frames – results in a considered look.

Kyoto wide pendant lights, £246 each, Heal’s. Rustic dining table with reclaimed steel legs, £319.16, Etsy.

Whistler dining chairs in Dusty Grey, £99 each, House

by John Lewis & Partners.

Vase, from £17.99, H&M Home. London and Paris street carving maps, £124 each, Street Carving

design tip

home truths THE PROPERTY Top-floor flat L O C AT I O N South London R O O M S Sitting/dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I was living in a rented flat with friends not too far from Oval,’ says the owner.

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‘It’s the practical touches, like blackout

scheme that would make a strong impact.

‘My business is all about colour and pattern and I knew that injecting these into the flat would be a starting point from which I could achieve the best value for money. I wanted to create a strong colour block theme throughout with all the skirting boards and doors painted in the same colour as the walls,’ he explains. His client also requested a clean, minimal maintenance property but with a lived-in feel and some industrial elements.

‘I had to restrict my use of wallpaper, which

as a designer who loves wallpaper came as quite a sacrifice,’ Bhavin concedes.

The owner had already bought some key furnishings, including the dining room table, sofa and armchair, so Bhavin took his cues from these. As the furniture was quite big and he wanted to make the room feel spacious, he took a while to figure out the right layout. He was also keen to keep the kitchen and main living space separate as he knew knocking through would be a problem for furniture placement.

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MAIN BEDROOM This dark blue scheme creates a cocoon-like feel while the mint throw lifts the look.

Walls in Mayfair Dark marble matt emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Mylands. Boyd pendant light, £60, Habitat. KanthaStitched quilt, £148, Anthropologie

blinds and the placement of sockets, that really enhance the living experience’ The vigorous use of solid block colour throughout the flat echoes Bhavin’s identity as a designer. ‘As a British-born Indian, a lot of my inspiration comes from my Indian heritage, growing up living and breathing lots of festivals and weddings that are so colourful and full of pattern. Here we don’t live in the sunniest country in the world but if your surroundings are full of life and colour, then you can feel happy all year round.’

In addition to the upbeat and vibrant tones, Bhavin has considered every angle

of space-saving convenience, much to his client’s delight. ‘Of course I love the look and feel of the flat, but to me the most successful elements of the project are the very practical touches that really enhance the living experience – from the blackout blinds and the placement of the sockets to kitchen storage that is actually fit for purpose and the steamproof bathroom mirror. They’re all small details that add so much to my day-to-day life,’ says the owner.

BEDROOM The neat cabinetry and upholstered headboard bring a hotel-like luxury.

Walls in Soho House marble matt emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Mylands.

Amalfi bed, from £649, Danetti. Cotton linen and velvet Corners cushion cover in Pink Stone, from £29, West Elm B AT H R O O M Black accents give this practical scheme a chic, contemporary twist.

Marvel Gloss Timber Wolf Pale Grey wall tiles, £22.95sq m, Walls and Floors.

Duravit vanity cabinet, £1,704, C.P. Hart

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LIVING THE DREAM A love of the countryside persuaded Alexandra and Simon Young to renovate a charming Georgian farmhouse, opening up a new rural chapter for all the family FEATURE MAGGIE COLVIN | PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT SANDERSON/NARRATIVES

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SITTING ROOM The pretty pastels are grounded by the addition of rich wood pieces.

Fireplace, £4,600, Marble Hill Fireplaces. Walls in Joa’s White estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball.

Curtains in Brocatello, £114m, Zoffany

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DINING ROOM The wallpaper and panelling combination is the perfect balance of whimsical and subdued.

Eleonora wallpaper, £83 a roll, Zoffany. The dining chairs came from Hong Kong. Barock chairs, £297 each, Scumble Goosie, are similar ORANGERY It’s hard to believe this space is a new addition.

It’s based on an 18th-century design.

Chandelier, £1,400, Vicky Davar at Battersea Antiques Fair. Leksand dining chairs, from £137 each; Oval Pearl table, from £695, all Scumble Goosie

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home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y A Grade II-listed Georgian farmhouse L O C AT I O N Hampshire R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen, dining room, cloakroom, boot room, snug, five bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2008 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We were living in a terraced house in London,’ says Alex.

M

oving to the country was a carefully researched adventure for Alexandra Young, determined to find a rural haven for her family.

With her then just one-year-old baby Isla in the back of the car, she spent a year exploring and eventually tracked down a Grade 11-listed Georgian farmhouse with two acres of well-stocked garden on the edge of an idyllic village near Winchester.

‘I googled the local train timetable and that settled it as it was an easy commute for my husband Simon,’ says Alexandra.

‘Our children, Isla, now 12, Poppy, 10, and Digby, seven, were delighted with the prospect of keeping pets and riding their own pony.’

The charming Georgian facade of this one-time hunting lodge instantly appealed to Alex, who is an experienced interior designer (alexandrayoungdesign.co.uk).

The previous owner was a doctor who ran his surgery from the house, and before that, it had been a working farm. It seemed that design decisions had been taken for purely pragmatic reasons, but Alex was determined to restore all the house’s original graceful features, especially the fireplaces, panelling, old doors and coving.

For the first three years the family camped in the house with partial heating and rising damp. ‘This was actually useful to be able to register the seasonal changes,’ says Alex, ‘especially with choosing the right colours for each room.’

As the property was listed, it took time to get planning permission and even

KITCHEN A lamp on the worktop immediately softens the entire scheme.

Kitchen designed and supplied by Plain English; painted in Rita Says, £74 for 2.5ltr, Paint and Paper Library.

Belgium Blue Limestone worktops, price on request, The Marble Group

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i n s p i r at i o n

‘My passion is to hoard vintage offcuts in sun-faded muted colours. Many times they provide the springboard for a whole new colour scheme’

MAIN BEDROOM A shaped headboard adds another decorative element.

Headboard designed and made by Alexandra Young Design; covered in Bertram fabric, £89m, Colefax and Fowler

EN SUITE Putting the bath centre stage felt appropriate in this dramatic space.

Walls in Ludlow wallpaper, £97 a roll, Cole & Son

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before that, to find the right architect. ‘I met with six architects before taking on Ian Adam-Smith,’ says Alex. ‘He quickly gauged our taste for relaxed simplicity and knew how to deal with the local planning authorities.’

When planners gave them the thumbs up, the family moved out while the house was gutted. A new orangery was added with a grand 18th centurystyle roof lantern, arched windows and panelled doors in a graceful Georgian style. ‘We were so lucky to be allowed this traditional extension,’ Alex reflects.

‘Planners these days tend to prefer modern extensions. We have Ian Adam-Smith to thank. He was also good at juggling space. He managed to fit a new laundry room, cloakroom and boot room, which doubles up as a workshop for Alex, whose themed party events business is gaining a local clientele.

A significant part of Ian’s design was the creation of an elegant dining room with new French doors opening onto the garden. The York stone was lifted to install underfloor heating, new antique fireplaces replaced modern designs and a pretty fanlight was reinstated over the front door. ‘There was so much more to change and put right than we originally bargained for,’ says Alex.

Fortunately she believes that the best houses are done up gradually. ‘I just prefer to wait for the right solution to turn up,’ she says. As most of her furniture has been found at auctions or on trips to antique shops, the look of the house has evolved and is still an on-going project.

As an example Alex sites the missing gaps on either side of the front door. ‘Seven years after the renovations began and I have still not found the perfect lantern.

But that’s all part of the joy of homemaking. I am always thinking of creative ways to add the final touches which make all the difference.’

Rural bliss home truths THE PROPERTY A 1940s semi-detached L O C AT I O N Kent R O O M S Sitting room, kitchendiner, snug, office, three bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had a detached Arts and Crafts house nearby,’ says Wendy.

Taking on a wreck in the country was far from straightforward for Wendy and John Gillah, but now they’re reaping the rewards FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL | PHOTOGRAPHY BRUCE HEMMING

SITTING ROOM ‘Adding wall panelling introduced a period feel,’ says Wendy.

Walls in Strong White estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr; panelling in Shadow White estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, both Farrow & Ball. Antique French style overmantel mirror, £369, Homes Direct 365, would work here. For log carrier baskets, from £48, try Marquis & Dawe

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SNUG A wood burner creates an attractive focal point.

Clearview Pioneer 400P stove, £1,374, Direct Stoves.

Blackcurrant throw, £85, Bronte by Moon, is similar. Try the Dormouse Herringbone rug, £245, Vegan Haven

fter deciding to downsize from their elegant Arts and Crafts house in Tunbridge Wells, Wendy and John Gillah were under no illusions as to why they were buying a 1940s semi a few miles further out in the Kent countryside. ‘It was the worst house in the best location,’ says Wendy.

The ex-council property was built for agricultural workers in the area but had become run down, and in Wendy’s words, ‘needed to be loved’. Unlike most of the dwellings in this conservation area, this one wasn’t full of period charm or listed, so structural changes would be fairly unrestricted. The couple particularly loved the fact that it was set back from the road and slightly hidden – in fact, a bit too hidden for John’s liking. ‘It was fronted by a row of massive leylandii that completely blocked the views,’ he says.

Adamant they could add some character and make better use of space, the Gillahs were thrilled when their offer was accepted.

Their delight was rather short-lived, though – on the day of completion Wendy opened the door, looked around at the forlorn space and in that moment, the magnitude of their task hit home.

She turned to John, burst into tears and said, ‘What have we done?’

But the couple quickly looked at the positives – they both have design backgrounds so could easily visualise its reincarnation. As well as reconfiguring the rooms so that unused rooms, such as a coal store, an outside toilet and a utility room were knocked into one to become part of the main house, the

KITCHEN-DINER Shaker cabinetry suits this space perfectly. ‘The framed vintage poster adds character,’ says John.

Bespoke Shaker kitchen units with Quartz worktops, price on request, Harvey Jones. For classic seaside posters, from £11.50, try Retro Print Shop. Engineered rustic oak flooring, £75sq m, UK Flooring Direct

number one priority was adding an extension to give them a new dining area plus open up the snug.

After a year or so, the building work commenced, with the odd little hiccup keeping the pair on their toes. ‘While waiting for the new foundations to dry, we had a major flood in that area, which set us back a couple of weeks,’ says Wendy. ‘Then we discovered we were sharing a mains water supply with next door, which explained the trickle of water when we ran the bath.’

To the Gillahs’ relief, their water problems were eventually rectified and shortly after, the dining extension was completed.

The adjacent former outhouse was duly transformed into a beautiful kitchen, to which Wendy and John added a vaulted ceiling with skylight, not to mention a bespoke Shaker style kitchen.

With all the structural work complete, and the whole house renovated, including new electrics and plumbing, Wendy and John could finally turn all their attention to investing the place with a homely feel. ‘Luckily, coming from a bigger house, we had more than enough furnishings to fill this place,’ says Wendy.

After just a few years, the couple were finally able to enjoy the fruits of their labours. ‘The leylandii have long been removed, which gives us uninterrupted views across fields and we can fully enjoy the lifestyle that this place promised us,’ says John. And for Wendy, it’s about embracing those everyday signs of rural life. ‘A hay-laden tractor blocking the lane may not be everyone’s idea of bliss,’ she says, ‘but that’s country life and we love it.’

B AT H R O O M Hexagonal flooring gives the coastal theme a unique twist.

Walls in Hague Blue estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Roman blinds in Duck Egg Denim ticking fabric, £57m, Vanessa Arbuthnott. Try Ashford Hexagon floor tiles, £19.95sq m, Victorian Plumbing

MAIN BEDROOM The dark feature wall adds an element of drama.

Main wall in Down Pipe estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. The Avery bed has this feel, £1,299, Bensons for Beds. Try the Newgate Wimbledon wall clock, £149, John Lewis & Partners

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O N E A N D O N LY

To create spaces with individuality, Oliver Cunningham sought out quirky vintage finds, eccentric modern pieces and a striking collection of art FEATURE JANE CRITTENDEN | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH | STYLING MARISHA TAYLOR

KITCHEN ‘I’ve always wanted a pink kitchen in a shade that’s soft and elegant,’ says Oliver.

Cupboards in Confetti intelligent gloss, £33 for 1ltr, Little Greene. Glass rod drawer knobs are similar, £3.95 each, Graham and Green. Sphere IV bulb, £50, Tala

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DINING AREA Opting for one single oversized artwork on the feature wall is a standout choice.

Chandelier, £1,200, Ardingly Antiques Fair.

Reclaimed pine dining table is similar, £1,082, Maisons du Monde. Tell Me Beautiful Untrue Things print, from £150, The Connor Brothers

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace L O C AT I O N East Sussex R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, cloakroom, four bedrooms, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2018 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I lived in a one-bedroom ground-floor mansion flat with a garden,’ says Oliver.

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liver Cunningham gets his interiors inspiration from a very unlikely source. His work as a hairdresser takes him into his clients’ homes and sometimes even luxury hotels if he’s asked to work with visiting celebrities, and these experiences have gone on to influence the interior style of his home.

‘I wanted my home to be individual. I didn’t want rooms to look predictable, but to be a little eccentric with a quality feel,’ he explains. ‘I really admire Soho House design – it’s effortlessly classy, it’s opulent and quite decadent, with gorgeous fabrics and light fittings, where old and new pieces are seamlessly put together.’

BIG PLANS

SITTING ROOM Dark walls and woodwork create a cocooning effect.

Walls in Off-Black estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Simmonds brass and marble coffee table is similar, £349, Swoon. Cheetah candlestick holder, £24, Rockett St George

Oliver’s move to this Victorian terrace on the coast of East Sussex was the next rung on the property ladder and appealed because of its period charm. ‘I’d been spoilt by my previous flat with its 14ft-high ceilings and ornate features so I was drawn to the Victorian character of this place,’ he says. ‘Also, the existing decor was bland, the bathroom and kitchen needed replacing, and the loft hadn’t been converted, all of which made it the ideal project.’

Oliver made plans to fit metal-framed doors across the back kitchen wall, opening out onto a newly landscaped patio garden and he decided to add two bedrooms and a bathroom in the loft. However, he did decide to sacrifice a bedroom to make a generous bathroom. ‘The old bathroom is now an upstairs utility, which is much more practical than having the washing machine down in the kitchen,’ he says.

Oliver’s creative eye meant he had the colour scheme mapped out early on, contrasting the daytime light of the pale pink kitchen with a dark moody vibe in the sitting room, where he tends to wind down in the evenings.

‘Inspired by Soho House’s private cinema room, I set out to decorate the entire sitting room in dark grey, but I couldn’t find a dark enough tone nor a grey corner sofa to fit the space,’ says Oliver. ‘The pink velvet sofa has worked out well as it’s not only a striking contrast against the black walls, it’s also reference to the kitchen’s colour palette.’

INDIVIDUAL STYLE

Vintage furniture and a grand French chandelier above the dining table fuse with modern purchases from Soho Home, Graham and Green and Rockett St George. In every room, the emphasis is clearly on the quirky – from a cheetah candlestick in the sitting room to a stone cherub candleholder in the bathroom. Vibrant art, often bold and oversized, draw on the eccentric, too.

‘I like to be different in all aspects of my interiors,’ says Oliver. ‘My art is inspired from clients’ houses and I follow galleries on Instagram. It just so happens that many of my pictures have a bit of pink in them so they work very well with the colour palette.’

Oliver already has his eye on the next project. ‘I love the grandeur of the Regency rooms I had before, which could command the big furniture and huge chandeliers that I’ve had to put into storage,’ he says.

‘So in the future I’d like to do this again on a bigger scale. But for now, this place suits me fine.’

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c oa s ta l MAIN BEDROOM A lustrous gold antique mirror pops out against all the blue.

Altesse mirror is similar, £154, Maisons du Monde. Walls in Craig & Rose Payne’s Grey, £40 for 2.5ltr, Rockett St George

B AT H R O O M ‘I like the contrast of the modern bubble light in the traditional setting,’ says Olivier.

Frosted Bubble chandelier, from £149.99, Dowsing & Reynolds

BEDROOM The gold wall light adds to the opulence.

Cleopatra wall sconce, £145, Graham and Green. Tiger throw, £139; Palm leaf cushion, £30, all Fy!

B AT H R O O M The lush potted plant is a striking contrast to the glossy ceramics.

Burlington Edwardian basin and wash stand, £712, Victorian Plumbing

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MODERN RUSTIC

Anne-Marie and Oscar van Leeuwen’s once dated farmhouse is now a stylish home that is a little bit country and a little bit contemporary FEATURE KAREN JENSEN-JONES | PHOTOGRAPHY CORINE HOGE BAVEL-JANSEN

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fter living in the countryside in the Netherlands when their children were young, Anne-Marie and Oscar van Leeuwen decided to try life in a busier village, but despite having a newly renovated 1930s townhouse in a desirable location, they missed the rural countryside. ‘Oscar loves old houses and was keen to pursue his hobby renovating rural properties,’ says Anne-Marie. ‘Coincidentally, my parents suggested we move into their farmhouse a few miles away in rural Lekkerkerk, which is an agricultural community.’

Despite some initial reservations, Anne-Marie decided to consider the opportunity – much to the delight of Oscar. ‘My parents’ farmhouse had been completely renovated before they moved in and there was very little authentic detail left,’ says Anne-Marie. ‘The kitchen was situated at the back of the house and the whole ground floor was completely tiled in white so it was never to our taste. When Oscar suggested we could renovate the house completely to our liking, I suddenly felt more optimistic.’

While her parents continued living on the ground floor, awaiting completion of a new build they had

SITTING ROOM The lime paint on the walls and the painted glazed doors give the space a cool industrial look.

Similar modular sofas, from £1,516, Camerich. Aura Peeperkorn coffee table, €595, Herbers Lifestyle. Velvet cushions in Nutmeg, €39.95; faux flowers, from €7.50, all Kekkedinge. Vittsjo shelving unit, £65, Ikea, is similar. For wood burners, from £1,119, try Stoves Are Us. Hanover medium lamp, from £75, is a similar lamp at Neptune. Mustard knitted foot stool, £59.99, Homescapes, is a good match

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‘I love the atmosphere of my kitchen – it’s where the family comes together for meals and chats and it holds lots of beautiful memories for me’

favo u r ite ro o m

home truths THE PROPERTY Renovated Dutch farmhouse L O C AT I O N The Netherlands R O O M S Kitchen, dining area, sitting room, garden room, cloakroom, three bedrooms, bathroom I N H E R I T E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had a 1930s house in a nearby village,’ says Anne-Marie.

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commissioned nearby, the couple began their renovation on the first floor and second-floor attic to create three bedrooms, a bathroom, a walk-in shower and dressing room. ‘After a while, my parents moved into their new home and we began the overhaul of the uninspiring white-tiled ground floor,’ says Anne-Marie.

‘I set to work replacing the old look with a more rustic-inspired kitchen style I discovered when I visited a design fair in Amsterdam and it was exactly to our taste.’ The reclaimed-wood cupboards, a muted palette using lime paint on the walls and Belgian bluestone

floor tiles all have a charming natural feel. ‘We also reconfigured the rooms, moving the kitchen to the front of the house,’ says Anne-Marie.

Preferring an open-plan style to keep their home as light as possible, the couple created a dining area with a handmade wooden table and bench, and a comfortable sitting room with a wood-burning stove and the original fireplace.

‘Our previous home was so much smaller so I had to start again with furniture, which was the fun part of the job,’ says Anne-Marie. ‘We did bring our old

DINING AREA Oscar made the table from recycled wood.

For handmade dining table and wooden bench, from £1,990, try Makers.

Foxglove dining chairs, £140 a pair, are similar at The Cotswold Company KITCHEN Anne-Marie bought the cabinetry at a design fair in Amsterdam.

Bizz hanging light by Frezoli, £906, Gravel Hill. For limed-grain kitchen fronts, price on request, try Naked Kitchens. Wire cloche, £19.99, Crocus

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dining table, which is now used as a writing desk, and we upcycled the china cabinet to accommodate our daughter’s bedroom. But it wasn’t difficult as my taste is consistent and hasn’t really changed over the years.’

Despite their strong desire to keep their surroundings rural, Anne-Marie admits she has enjoyed incorporating more striking features. ‘We didn’t want to make the finish look overly fussy so by adding the painted doors and other sturdy elements, the house took on an industrial edge which I think complements the rustic charm.’

Outside, the couple have made just as many changes, firstly demolishing an old barn to open up the views and creating a stunning garden room. ‘We’ve added a fireplace for keeping warm and a kitchen for cooking outside and Oscar made a dining table from recycled wood,’ says Anne-Marie. ‘We fitted the kitchen ourselves and feel very proud of our achievement as it’s a wonderful place for coming together with our family.

After an unexpected journey, it finally feels like we’re living the life we’re meant to, here in the countryside – and it’s the happiest place to be.’

MAIN BEDROOM Leaving brushstroke marks on the wall enhances the decor.

Nice Plaid bed throw in Cloudy Gray, €199.95, House of Style. For a similar wall paint, try Limewash in Elephant, £22 for 10ltr, Mike Wye B AT H R O O M ‘We made the vanity unit ourselves using reclaimed wood,’ says Anne-Marie.

For a similar reclaimed wood vanity unit, price on request, try The Simply Bathroom Furniture Company

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Recipe for happiness For Miranda and Edward Gore Browne, buying a 1930s rectory was an opportunity to fulfil a lifelong dream FEATURE MAGGIE COLVIN | PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT SANDERSON/NARRATIVES

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home truths THE PROPERTY Rectory built in the 1930s L O C AT I O N West Sussex R O O M S Front and rear hall, sitting/music room, kitchendiner, study, laundry, pantry, boot room, five bedrooms, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2010 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a smaller house in the village,’ says Miranda.

DINING AREA

In the new extension, diners can enjoy leafy views through three tall arched Georgian style windows.

Pink striped tablecloth, £42, Susie Watson Designs.

For similar chairs, try Echo, £240 each, Oka

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KITCHEN

Miranda runs The Kitchen School from this spacious room.

Bespoke cabinetry, Chalon. Bar stools in Middleton Pink estate eggshell, £67, Farrow & Ball. Pendants, £32 each, Wayfair

BOOT ROOM

An old advertising sign makes a fun statement.

For similar signs, try Etsy.

Seat in Louise Blue chalk paint, £21.95 for 1ltr, Annie Sloan

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SITTING ROOM

‘A blue and white colour scheme is so suited to the sitting room with big sky views,’ says Miranda.

Curtain fabric, £95m; striped cushion covers, £95 each, all Cabbages & Roses

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f an award existed for the most dramatic transformation of a house façade it would surely go to Miranda and Edward Gore Browne’s.

‘We simply couldn’t afford a Georgian property, so we decided to create a similar version with the ingredients at hand,’ says Miranda, who is well known by viewers of The Great British Bake Off for her inspirational ways with culinary ingredients.

What viewers may not know is the couple’s talent for doing up houses, which she and her husband Edward have honed over the years.

GARDEN CHARM

She first spotted the house they currently own while out walking. ‘Honestly the house façade was red brick and downright ugly but the garden was huge, rambling and very promising,’ says Miranda. By chance, three years later, they discovered the house was for sale and, undeterred by the warren of small dark rooms inside, put in a successful bid.

The couple had already started a file collecting design ideas leafing through interior design magazines, web pages and books on Georgian architecture.

Miranda says she owes a lot to Tom Freeborough, a local architect who more than anyone helped deliver their vision of reorientating the house by adding an extension with three tall arched Georgian windows and a door onto the garden. ‘The new kitchen-diner, now the most loved room in the house, has become the heart of my work life, and the focal point for our children, Thomas, now 13, Eleanor, 10 and Henry, 6,’ says Miranda.

Several elements, like the tumbled limestone floors were chosen to give the

house the look and feel of an earlier date. Old wooden doors were sourced from a local reclamation company.

What had been silently voted one of the most unattractive house facades in the village was gradually transformed. The red brickwork was rendered, a Georgian front door and a pretty porch installed and new rectangular sash windows were repositioned.

To further advance the authenticity of their 18th-century lookalike, Miranda blocked up a ‘window’ next to the front door. ‘Never a real window of course,’ she explains, ‘but a reminder of the window tax which forced some owners to block up a window to save tax back in the 18th century.

It fools many of our friends.’

Having spent much of their budget on the builders and quality curtains and beds as well, Miranda worked her magic on the interiors with what was left.

Car boot sales, flea markets and eBay became her most frequent places to shop. An eclectic mix of old adverts and paintings collected on their travels gives the home its cosy quirky character.

A R T I N S P I R AT I O N

MAIN BEDROOM

A brass antique bed and pretty floral chintzes set a charming country theme.

Bianca brass bed, from £440, Land of Beds, has this look

BATHROOM

The life ring, from an old Isle of Wight ferry, adds charm.

Roll-top bath with chrome claw feet, £419, Victoria Plum. Towel, £25, Cath Kidston

Some posters of cyclists express personal ambitions.

‘Edward is crazy about cycling and loves advertising signs,’ says Miranda. ‘We both love boats and the seaside, so we have a few nautical paintings. I am most thrilled with the painting of our view, by my artist friend Rachel Redfern and I’ve always had a secret desire to paint, so a few of my own hang in our bedrooms.’ In between Miranda’s tutorials, cooking and looking after the children, life at The Old Rectory is clearly busy, fulfilling and happy.

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C R E AT I V E THINKING

First-time homebuyers Natalie and Josh Smith saw in a derelict 19th-century barn the potential to create a fantastic place to live FEATURE RACHEL LEEDHAM | STYLING SIAN WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY POLLY ELTES

SITTING AREA A generous corner sofa creates the perfect space for relaxing by the wood-burning stove.

Crawford sofa, £3,265, Arlo & Jacob. Moss stitch cotton throws in Mustard and Forest Green, £99.95 each, Nkuku. Akora rug in Sandstone Melange, from £99, Urbanara.

Rattan pendant, from a selection on Etsy

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home truths THE PROPERTY 19th-century stone and brick barn L O C AT I O N Somerset R O O M S Sitting area/ kitchen-diner and snug, utility room, cloakroom, four bedrooms (all en suite), nursery P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We were renting a one-bedroom flat in Bristol,’ says Natalie.

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‘I really love the slatted timber screens that separate off our sitting area’

KITCHEN Taking the window across the entire wall provides a striking design element.

Butler kitchen cabinetry in Nightshade, Tom Howley DINING AREA Unusual pendant lights made from laser-cut MDF help delineate this area within the large, open-plan space.

Nicolamp Tesla pendant lamp, €299; Spotnik lamp, €249; Granny Smith pendant, €299, all Van Tjalle en Jaspers SNUG Josh’s father gave the couple the beautiful piece of ancient olive tree which they made into a coffee table.

Trudy sofa in Blush Pink velvet, £549, Made

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hen Natalie Smith’s husband, Josh, spotted this handsome stone barn on an auction website four years ago, he wasn’t initially wearing his firsttime-home-buyer hat. ‘The barn was derelict but it had once been used as commercial premises and Josh, who is an entrepreneur, was considering its potential as a co-work space,’ recounts Natalie. ‘We were just starting to think about buying our own place, and I suggested that it could make an amazing home.’

Interest in the barn was so high that the couple only got the chance to see it from the outside before they made a bid on it. ‘It was probably just as well,’ says Natalie, who goes on to describe what awaited them once they were handed the keys: ‘Half of the barn had

been used as offices or storage and it had rotting carpet on the floor, while the other half was simply a shell,’ she recalls.

It took the couple almost a year before they appointed an architect and builder. ‘We had rather naively thought that we would be able to undertake a lot of the demolition works ourselves and we spent hours and hours working on it in our free time,’ Natalie explains. ‘It became evident that we weren’t up to the job in hand, though, because once we got the builders in, they managed to clear the place in around five days.’

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bring lots of character to the interior, as does the sitting area’s beautiful stone wall, discovered beneath a layer of white render.

The kitchen is at the centre of the living space and here, the couple opted for cabinetry in a deep shade of blue. ‘We have light pouring in through the skylights and so we felt that a pale kitchen would simply be too bright,’ explains Natalie, who turned to her interior designer friend, Rebecca Storey (@rebeccastorey14), for help furnishing the main sitting area, the main suite and one of the guest bedrooms. ‘Rebecca provided us with a palette of colours that nicely complement the rustic features, such as dusty pinks, yellows and greens. That really gave us a tool box when it came to furnishing the rest of the spaces,’ notes Natalie, pointing out a trio 5 4 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 1

of unusual pendants in just the right shade of muted pink, which she spotted on Instagram and purchased to hang above the dining table.

The couple have had to be clever with their budget: ‘We were keen to have wooden vanity units to bring warmth to the bathrooms but everything was incredibly expensive, so instead, I sourced affordable wooden media units and asked the builders to remove the legs and seal the wood to make it water resistant,’ Natalie says.

By a stroke of serendipity, the couple moved in just before the pandemic and are now looking forward to welcoming a new baby.

‘I still have to pinch myself sometimes – it feels as if we are in a deluxe Air B&B,’ says Natalie. ‘We feel incredibly thankful.’

See more of Natalie’s renovation on @barn.renovation

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MAIN BEDROOM A four-poster bed draws the eye to the room’s handsome pitched roof.

Celeste bed, £540, Maisons du Monde. Jiraya Berber rug, from £99, La Redoute. French market basket, £26, The Danes B AT H R O O M Hexagonal tiles have been used to striking effect.

Pod porcelain tiles, from £42.93sq m, Mandarin Stone.

Vanity unit made using the Katana TV stand, £499, Swoon BEDROOM The couple’s friend, Rebecca Storey, helped design this beautiful dusky pink scheme.

Gjöra bed, £150, Ikea. Java rattan lampshade, £69, Made

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KITCHEN-DINER/LIVING AREA The layout of the units provides a natural divider between the different spaces.

Metro tiles in Sage Green, £25sq m, Topps Tiles, would suit this scheme. Enhet cabinetry, from £34 a door, Ikea. Nero riven slate tiles, from £18sq m, Mandarin Stone, have this look. Green sofa, price on request, Living Room

home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y Extended Victorian semi-detached house L O C AT I O N Hertfordshire R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner/living area, cloakroom, three bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We were living in a two-bedroom flat in north London before moving here,’ says Joanne.

Having been unable to find a house to suit their family, Joanne Coe and her husband Pete extended a small semi to get the space they needed FEATURE AND STYLING DOMINIQUE CORLETT | PHOTOGRAPHY KASIA FISZER

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‘Don’t be afraid of using strong colour for statement pieces of

hen interior designer Joanne Coe and her husband Pete were house hunting in a leafy part of Hertfordshire, their property search was stymied by a lack of available houses within their budget. ‘We’d been living in a two-bedroom flat in Finsbury Park and wanted to move out of London for a better quality of life and good schools for our daughter Evie, now aged 11,’ says Joanne.

But there were very few three-bedroom

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properties and the larger four-beds were out of our price range. So we set ourselves the challenge of finding a two-bedroom property that could be extended to provide the extra space we needed.’

After three months of searching, their estate agent came up with a turn-of-thecentury two-bedroom house with an unusually long garden, so Joanne and Pete arranged a viewing. ‘As soon as we went into the back garden we knew it would be easy to get planning permission, because several

other houses in the road had already been extended,’ says Joanne.‘What ticked the boxes were the location and potential.’

Some couples take their time over the renovation process, but Joanne and Pete decided to tackle all the building work in one fell swoop. ‘We found an architect and building firm on recommendations from neighbours,’ says Joanne. ‘We then decamped to a rented two-bedroom flat across the road. Moving out meant we were able to tackle the build on all fronts and

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furniture, such as a sofa or upholstered headboard, to create a bold impact’

within four months, it was done.’ Joanne’s plan for the rebuild included extending the ground floor at the back, building a new upstairs bathroom, plus a third bedroom with a second-storey extension stretching as far as the new roof lantern. ‘I’d pop in to see the builders every morning before dropping my daughter Evie off at nursery and going to work,’ says Joanne.

Installing new stone flooring, underfloor heating and bifold doors mean that building costs soared, but Joanne saved money

elsewhere by choosing an Ikea kitchen.

‘Having worked in commercial retail, I knew that Ikea kitchens were hard-wearing and good value,’ says Joanne. ‘We added solid oak worktops, and we’re really happy with the result.’

With the building works under way, Joanne turned her attention to designing the interior. ‘The look in our home is a combination of period style and our own taste,’ she explains. ‘Pete and I are huge fans of mid-century style and we’ve always been

SITTING ROOM New cornicing enhances the period feel.

Interior design, Joanne Coe at Living Room. Sofa and cushions, Sally Weatherill for Living Room DINING AREA The mood board also serves as bold art.

Michael Thonet Chair 14 dining chairs, £240 each, SCP BEDROOM This doubles as an office, thanks to the addition of a 1960s teak desk and chair.

Find similar desks, from £1,011, Pamono

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design tip

‘A feature wall adds interest and can easily be updated’

passionate about design from the 1950s and 1960s. We’ve always owned vintage pieces and I think Victorian properties are very sympathetic to that look.’

Getting the colours right was a priority for Joanne and it was also her starting point for the various room schemes. ‘The minute you walk into the kitchen, you are hit with views of the garden, so green was already the dominant colour,’ she says. The walls were painted in a neutral shade and natural slate flooring completed the green-white-grey 6 0 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 1

combination. ‘I’ve continued this palette throughout the house, with added pops of colour,’ explains Joanne.

Since moving to the house, Joanne has also set up her own small design business called Living Room (@lifeatlivingroom), which she now runs out of her home office.

‘We get a lot of customers visiting us here because they like to see Living Room in a home environment,’ she says. ‘When they come here, it makes complete sense to them.

They really get what we’re trying to do.’

MAIN BEDROOM An upholstered bed in saffron orange wool is the statement piece and works well with the olive green wallpaper.

Upholstered bed, price on request, Living Room. Net and ball wallpaper in Olive, £65 a roll, Mini Moderns B AT H R O O M Joanne chose slate tiling for this room to create a sense of visual continuity with the kitchen tiling downstairs.

Piscola black slate tiles, £45.85sq m, Topps Tiles, would work. Natural oak duckboard, £79.95, Victorian Plumbing, is similar

KITCHEN

The rocking chair was given to Rebecca on her 14th birthday.

Alleman rocking chair, £176.99, Mack + Milo at Wayfair, is similar

SITTING ROOM

A window seat makes a perfect reading nook.

Blind and seat cushion in Roses, £95m, Kate Forman

FULL OF CHARACTER With its thatched roof, romantic florals and welcoming style, Rebecca and Jamie Lovatt’s cottage is the epitome of English country charm FEATURE PIPPA BLENKINSOP | PHOTOGRAPHY BRENT DARBY

SITTING ROOM

A neutral base allows the amazing original features to shine.

For a sofa like this one, try the Madrid threeseater sofa in Miami Sky Blue, £589, Sofasofa

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home truths THE PROPERTY Grade II-listed cottage, built in the 17th century L O C AT I O N Cambridgeshire R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, three bedrooms, bathroom, converted stable block with two bedrooms and a bathroom for guests P U R C H A S E D 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a canalside cottage in Cheshire,’ says Rebecca.

EXTERIOR

Simple bespoke seating has created an entertaining space.

Try the Prestige Wicker round wicker basket with handle, £22, Notonthehighstreet.com

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FAVOURITE ROOM ‘Our kitchen becomes a garden room in

summer, with windows flung open so we can gaze over the fields’

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DINING AREA

The table has been paired with mismatched chairs, which were upcycled with paint.

Chairs in Mizzle, Pigeon and New White estate eggshell, all £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Pine dresser in Château Grey and Old White chalk paint, both £21.95 for 1ltr, Annie Sloan

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W

hen it comes to finding ‘the one’, no matter how well a property fits your brief, for many it all rests on a feeling. This is something that Rebecca Lovatt, a lifestyle blogger, knows all too well after finding her dream home in rural Cambridgeshire.

‘My mother-in-law says it’s like walking in and getting a huge hug,’ she says. It was this same feeling of comfort that won over Rebecca and her husband Jamie, who owns a commercial joinery business, on their first viewing. ‘We must have seen about 40 properties, but this was the only one that we fell in love with,’ says Rebecca. ‘A listed thatch was certainly not what we set out to buy. We said, “let’s not go listed, let’s not go thatched, let’s not go really old”,’ she laughs. ‘But our hearts ruled our heads.’

WELCOMING SPACE

Besides the cottage’s inviting feel, the couple and their children, Fred, 11, and Verity, nine, were drawn to its uncharacteristically large rooms. ‘The ceiling height was amazing and it felt spacious,’ says Rebecca. ‘I think it works well because there are two huge rooms downstairs, which are perfect for a young family.’

Wary of the problems that old properties can conceal, the couple had an extensive survey carried out, which confirmed it was structurally sound. Fortunately, it had also retained an array of period features, including original beams and floorboards, and a large inglenook fireplace. In fact, the house was pretty much a blank canvas ready to be brought back to life, thanks to Rebecca’s talent for creating pretty cottage-style interiors. ‘I

definitely wanted an English country home with lots of textures, fabrics, rugs, thick curtains and comfy, sink-in sofas,’ she says.

RURAL LIVING

First on Rebecca’s wish list was a country kitchen. The couple chose a mix of cabinets and free-standing pieces for a relaxed look. Jamie’s company built the cabinets, while Rebecca sourced second-hand items, including a dresser and an island. ‘It’s a space where people can gather with muddy boots and where kids can run around,’ she says, ‘yet it still works as a beautiful room where grown-ups can sit and enjoy an evening meal.’

As keen hosts, the pair found a drawback was having nowhere for friends to stay, but they hit upon the idea of converting a stable block in the garden into accommodation. As the house is in a conservation area and is Grade II-listed, they knew planning permission would be needed. Thankfully the project was swiftly approved and the conversion now comprises two bedrooms – one of which doubles as a workspace for Rebecca – and a bathroom.

Indeed, rather than conceal its history, the couple has sought to embrace the cottage’s quirks. Decor has been kept simple with neutral hues, allowing the house’s timber frame to shine, while wood furniture and floral linens complete the country look.

Rebecca realises the family may one day outgrow the house, so has thought about extending. ‘It’s a practical solution, but I can’t help feeling that since the cottage is so perfect, we should keep it as it is for another family to continue its story.’ See more of the cottage on Instagram @myenglishcountrycottage

BEDROOM

MAIN BEDROOM

Reclaimed brick flooring has a modern rustic feel.

Wardrobe in French Linen, £21.95 for 1ltr, Annie Sloan

The bed adds chic style.

Cane bed, £1,118, Frank Hudson at Choice Furniture Superstore

BEDROOM

Simple peg rails provide display space.

The Luby reclaimed brick tiles, £79sq m, Lubelska, are similar

DECOR ATING advice ‘For a country-cottage look, you need to think about layers – pretty florals, checked blankets, comfortable cushions and lots of textures and natural materials’

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NEW

HORIZONS Interior designer Rebecca Allan and her partner Charlie Simpson, a developer, called upon all their creative talents when building this stunning home from scratch FEATURE ALI HEATH PHOTOGRAPHY ALEXANDER JAMES

GARDEN

The plot the couple built on was completely barren so they ordered mature trees and hedging from Holland.

Similar sunlounger, Savannah Grey, £649, Danetti. Wrought-iron bench, £725, Susie Watson Designs

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DINING AREA

A sleek pelmet softens the sliding doors out to the garden.

Bespoke dining table, Westbourne Homes.

Large Turkish pot (on table), £250, I gigi General Store. Walls in Dove Tale estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

home truths THE PROPERTY Georgian-style new build detached L O C AT I O N Berkshire R O O M S Sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner, study, games room, cloakroom, five bedrooms, dressing room, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before this we had a mock-Tudor new build,’ says Rebecca.

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et off a prestigious road in a lovely Berkshire town, Rebecca and Charlie’s home is reached via a private gated driveway and draws inspiration from its natural surroundings. On first glance, the house could easily have been built around an established landscape, but it was a lacklustre plot with two dated bungalows. ‘We purchased the land with planning already in place for four houses and knew instantly that the site had the potential to be something very special,’ says Rebecca.

The couple, who are engaged to be married, embarked on the site as their first official project as co-founders of Westbourne Homes. ‘Charlie has worked in construction all his life with his family, while I trained as an interior architect and subsequently honed my interior design experience with various design practices and now as creative director for our company,’ says Rebecca. ‘For this development we decided to take the plunge and combine our skills, building four houses – one as our own personal home.’

What started as a muddy blank canvas was quickly transformed with mature hedging, trees and planting, which Charlie sourced from Holland. ‘Considering the landscape at the start of a project can add significant gravitas to the feel of a location,’ he says. ‘Simple measures such as growing wisteria across the exterior and creating a mature lavender-lined pathway have also softened the look of our home and creates a welcoming, lived-in feel.’

Inside, the palette is a mix of natural shades: off-whites, soft greys, gentle blues, mossy greens, earthy terracottas and warm reds. The home is filled with an abundance of natural light due

HALLWAY

The sweeping staircase provides drama here.

Misty table base, £1,900, Julian Chichester. Pouffes upholstered in Town Asphalt, £138.50m, Mark Alexander

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SITTING ROOM

Face to face sofas add symmetry.

Sofas designed by Westbourne Homes in Pinpoint Silverbirch, £119m, Mark Alexander. Stem chandelier in bronze with silk shades, £4,485, Tigermoth Lighting.

Link floor lamp, £2,520, Tyson London

DESIGN TIP ‘Don’t overthink things – sometimes you need to follow gut instincts’ FAMILY AREA A large ottoman zones this space.

Bespoke rug, Jute 2612, £38.25m, Alternative Flooring

KITCHEN

‘I designed this for plentiful storage,’ says Rebecca.

Shaftesbury pendants, £190 each, Neptune

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BATHROOM

A marble-effect panel divides the bathing and showering spaces.

I Classici Magnum DMAG 50 panel, £155sq m; Select Marmi DMJE08 flooring and shower tiles, £80sq m, all Domus Tiles. Opal freestanding bath, £1,795, Royce Morgan

LESSON LEARNT ‘If you see an antique you fall for, buy it or you may regret it’ LANDING

This has been turned into a lounge space.

Commode with fluted carving, GUS045, £1,965, Chelsea Textiles

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BEDROOM

‘I love the enchanting feel of the lilac walls,’ says Rebecca.

Chichester beds, Holkham Sand headboard, £840 each, Neptune

town

to oversized doorways and windows, which instantly adds an uplifting feel. Spaces flow seamlessly together in a considered fashion and great attention to detail has been placed on the finish, with a handmade kitchen, chic spa-like bathrooms, bespoke storage and the curation of personally sourced artwork – including many botanicals.

‘It is important to me to always consider luxury, alongside liveable comfort and functionality,’ says Rebecca. ‘With two French bulldogs, the furniture and finishes have to be robust, and a lot of time has gone into sourcing the right materials.’

Within the relaxed open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, bifold doors open onto the back garden, where Silkie Bantam chickens roam free. ‘We love to entertain, so access from the kitchen and more formal reception rooms was a prerequisite,’ says Rebecca. ‘Coming up with the design was easy as we both have similar tastes – Charlie is more technical and I am naturally more drawn to aesthetics, so decisions are complementary. We’re lucky to have a great team of passionate in-house architects and builders, so from our initial drawings through to the final build, everything has been completed to our exacting standards.’

Throughout, a mix of wood, marble, linen, silk and wool adds a natural textural warmth, and details such as the padded wall in the main bedroom and occasional decorative wallpapers, create additional visual interest. ‘I love to combine old with new – the layers add a personal and timeless feel.’ With a creative energy that is infectious, Rebecca and Charlie are clearly at the start of their journey, both personally and professionally.

BEDROOM

Silk wallpapered walls are offset by earthy linen cushions.

Raw silk 312523 wallpaper £82 a roll, Zoffany. Bracken cushions in Clay, £265 each, de Le Cuona. Jasper bedside tables, £1,279 each, Julian Chichester

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home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y An Edwardian semi-detached villa L O C AT I O N Yorkshire R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, gallery room, six bedrooms, two shower rooms, one bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2008 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a Victorian end of terrace nearby,’ says Sarah.

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ARTISTIC impression Sarah Collier and Shaun Mullins have turned their family home into a live-in art gallery which reflects Sarah’s passion for colour and creativity FEATURE HEATHER DIXON | PHOTOGRAPHY COLIN POOLE

town

2 1

3

1 SITTING ROOM All the different hues work because they are all bright.

Painting over fireplace, Anthony Housman. Painting on wall, Michael Bilton. Vessel on coffee table, Pietro Sanna 2 DINING AREA Curtains draw the eye to the arched doors and window.

Try the Lisbon table, £1,750, Heal’s. Pari copper pendant, £60, Habitat, has this look 3 KITCHEN Pops of yellow lift the all-white scheme.

Try the Nordic bar stool, £195, The Farmhouse Table Company

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arah Collier hangs paintings in every room of her home – including the cloakroom. From small original landscapes to big, bold, colourful abstracts, they fill spaces and balance furniture in a way which is constantly changing and evolving. ‘I have always loved art, even though I don’t paint myself,’ says Sarah. ‘I love the impact it can have on a room and the way it finishes a space.’

Sarah certainly ‘thinks big’ in her modernised Edwardian home, which was relatively traditional when they bought it in order to be closer to the town centre.

‘As soon as we saw it we knew it would be a great family home for us and our two boys, Charlie, now 20, and Padraig, 19.

We loved the scale and proportions of the rooms, but the fittings and decor weren’t quite to our taste,’ she says. ‘We wanted to mix the beautiful traditional architectural features with modern furniture.

‘The house was in good condition and we didn’t want to alter the layout of the rooms,’ says Sarah. The kitchen had already

been extended by previous owners and it worked really well as a family house.’

The changes they made included replacing traditional Shaker-style kitchen units with sleek white modern ones, Corian work surfaces, adding a large central island and fitting new bathrooms.

They also painted all the rooms white at first, so they could develop a colour scheme gradually over time. ‘I like the fact that white is a neutral backdrop for our paintings and furniture and is very easy to keep looking light and fresh,’ says Sarah ‘We wanted to give it a contemporary feel without losing any of the architectural elements of the house or its sense of history.’

History is one of Sarah’s many interests – especially art history – and was behind recent developments in their home which led to Sarah turning two of the ground floor rooms into spaces for her home-based gallery, Silson Contemporary Art Gallery.

Sarah’s love of art and design influences everything she buys for the house, from modern sofas, cabinets and tables to

ceramics, cushions and practical accessories.

And although they started out with a blank canvas of white walls and bare floorboards, Sarah and Shaun have gradually developed layers of colour and texture to create a comfortable family home.

‘I think you have to take your time and let a house evolve naturally around you,’ she says. ‘I have an open mind and buy what I really like, rather than compromise on something I’m half hearted about. As a result we are surrounded by things we really love and appreciate every day.’

Some of the furniture came from Sarah and Shaun’s former home, but this house is larger and they have had to buy new pieces to furnish the high, open rooms.

‘I love the high ceilings and big windows because they make every room feel spacious and open,’ she says. ‘It’s the ideal house for hanging big works of art. We enjoy art every day yet it is constantly evolving as we change the exhibition spaces every three months, or as new work arrives to replace what has sold.

We have the best of both worlds.’

‘Don’t be a slave to trends. Your home should reflect who you are – not who you think you should be!’

design tip

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1 & 2 MAIN BEDROOM The modern artwork is a nice balance to the more dainty patterns in the space.

GP & J Baker Oriental Tree wallpaper, £110 a roll, Alexander Interiors. Painting by Kitty North. Calvin armchair, £429, Atkin & Thyme 3 STAIRS Colour trims give a plain stair carpet a modern twist.

Large paintings are (left) by Angeline Tournier and (right)

by Jacquie Denby 4 BATHROOM This bathroom was given a complete overhaul.

Similar marble-effect porcelain tiles, £21.59, Total Tiles 5 BEDROOM Three pendants are more interesting than one.

Similar Scion Lintu bed linen, from £65, Bedeck. Painting by Jacquie Denby

2

4

5

3

SITTING ROOM

The scheme is smart with silk-lined walls yet feels relaxed thanks to a mix of made-to-measure and auction finds.

Walls in Vyne Silk in French Grey; £52m; sofa (in window) in Beauchamp Velvet in Fontainebleau, £57m; sofa in Tamarind in Grey, £60.50m; cubes in Piccadilly in Grey, £55m, all James Hare

URBAN retreat Saffron Hare’s city bolthole is a chic terrace designed to work for three generations of the family FEATURE SARA BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY DAN DUCHARS/ THE CONTENTED NEST

city

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace L O C AT I O N South London R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, cloakroom, three bedrooms, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2018 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We also have a house in Yorkshire,’ says Saffron.

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city

KITCHENDINER

Small decorative touches – the lamp and painting – and textiles soften this practical space.

Blinds in Fitzrovia in Pink Multi, £125, James Hare. Hamilton chair, £678, Dining Chair Company; in Piccadilly in Grey, £55m, James Hare.

Nongo lamp, £325, pink velvet shade, £250; tray, £60, all Ilala

Favourite item

‘I really love the height of the kitchen window and the amount of light it lets in, and am so pleased to have a little outdoor space too’

W

hile many a city-dweller yearns for a place in the country or by the coast, Saffron Hare’s bolthole is an urban affair – a London base and home away from home from her main residence in Yorkshire. ‘Buying this house was a practical decision. A lot of my work is in the capital and the children spend time here with their father,’ she says. ‘But, on top of that, there is something lovely about having a holiday home in town. So often people have a second home and then have to find reasons to go there, but we’re always here anyway so it’s perfect.’

Saffron bought three years ago as a joint venture with her mother and they chose Clapham for its family-friendly feel and proximity to Design Centre Chelsea Harbour. Saffron is creative director of silk specialist James Hare so having a key interiors hub on the doorstep was a big draw.‘To be honest, it was the first place I saw,’ she says. ‘We had a budget and I was imagining one nice bedroom for Mum and the rest of us squeezed into a corner somewhere but I was surprised to see two good-size bedrooms plus a smaller one for the children, Oliver ,12, and India 10, plus space for Barney the cocker spaniel.’

The house was in excellent condition with attractive features including large windows and a lovely little outdoor terrace, but Saffron and her mother still took time to get to know it before decorating. Saffron admits to taking the lead on the decorating but there were compromises. ‘I wanted navy as a backdrop throughout but Mum put her foot down,’ she says. Her mother’s room is beautifully restful in classic pink and 2 5 B H J UN E 202 1 | 8 1

city

BEDROOM

‘My mother’s room has classic style as she likes a traditional look,’ says Saffron.

Headboard by Hennis Upholstery; in Java in Verdigris, £59m, James Hare. Bamboo chest of drawers, made to order, Chelsea Textiles

best buy ‘The beautiful silk wallcovering in the sitting room – it lifts the entire space with its luxury look’

green, which is echoed in the sitting room, while navy won the day in Saffron’s room with the walls covered in James Hare silk. ‘In the past I’ve tended to play it safe and go neutral for bedrooms, but I wanted to challenge myself with something bolder here,’ she says.

Saffron’s one wobble with the dark colour scheme was painting the woodwork the same dark shade. ‘The silk wallcoverings were already up and we’d chosen the shade to match but it was really intense and I knew that it wouldn’t work in this room,’ she says.

The kitchen and bathrooms needed little work and she was pleased to have a utility space in one of the bathrooms. ‘If budget allows, next year we might give the kitchen a little update to make it more our style,’ she says, ‘but everything is more or less in the right place, so it will be more about changing surfaces and finishes.’

What Saffron has added to her home is a sense of luxury and character without stuffiness. ‘It’s a lovely place to come home to after a busy day,’ Saffron affirms.

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MAIN BEDROOM

Saffron fell in love with this shade of navy on a photo shoot and knew she wanted to use it.

Walls in Orissa Silk in French Navy, £83m, James Hare

BATHROOM The two potted plants pop out against the swathes of white.

Metro wall tiles, £20sq m, Topps Tiles

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KITCHEN

Molly has used a fresh, vibrant palette here, including reupholstering the retro chairs in a sunny yellow.

Tablecloth made from Coffee Bean in Pink fabric, £95m, Molly Mahon. Source G Plan mid-century chairs at Vinterior.

Tea towel, from £12, Molly Mahon

Super natural

Deep in the woods, the Mahon family found a cottage they could bring to life with a kaleidoscope of colour and pattern FEATURE JULIET BENNING | PHOTOGRAPHY EMMA LEWIS/NARRATIVES

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home truths THE PROPERTY Wood keeper’s cottage dating back to the 1600s L O C AT I O N East Sussex R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, four bedrooms (one en suite), one bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We rented in the area for the two years before buying,’ says Molly.

T

he Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, famous as the Hundred Acre Wood in Winnie the Pooh stories, has also provided the backdrop for Molly Mahon’s family life for over a decade. ‘In 2010 my husband Rollo and I decided we wanted to move out of London, and eventually settled here because of the schools,’ says Molly, who runs block-printing company Molly Mahon.

‘It feels wonderfully rural but it’s actually only a 45-minute train ride from town.’

Deciding on the property that was to become their country home was not, however, straightforward. ‘The house we initially wanted to buy fell through so we ended up bouncing around for two years renting,’ says Molly. Fantasising about a Georgian farmhouse, she was less than impressed with the wood keeper’s cottage her husband, Rollo, who runs the business with her, had taken a fancy to. ‘He was much more open minded,’ she says. ‘He’d noticed its great location down a lovely track with the sense of being cut off, but still just a short walk to the children’s school.’

‘Aesthetically, with low ceilings and diamond windows, it wasn’t what I’d visualised, so I went away with a heavy heart,’ Molly admits. ‘We kept looking and occasionally he’d mention the cottage and finally, when our search was beginning to get tired, we decided to buy it as a project with a view to staying only a few years.’

The family, which at the time included children Lani, now 13, Algie, 11, and Orlando, eight, then a newborn, settled in

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MAIN BEDROOM

the cottage for a year before moving out into two tents for a significant renovation. ‘We moved out in April with the garage acting as our kitchen,’ says Molly. ‘By October we were getting very damp and chilly and needed to move back in, but luckily we’d been blessed with good weather and it had been a really wonderful experience. Life was so simple and the kids loved being outside.’

The renovation was aimed at opening up the ‘dark amalgamation of rooms’ on the ground floor and reorganising the bedrooms. ‘The strange walk-through kitchen didn’t even have a window so one of the first things we did was knock a wall down, then we dug the floor out, as we’re both very tall and with the low ceilings we were beginning to feel a bit squashed,’ says Molly. The staircase was moved into the centre of the house, giving a better circulation and allowing four bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs.

With the house surrounded by trees, Molly wanted to ensure the rooms were no longer dark and used a combination of white and pale pink throughout the ground floor to reflect light. Upstairs, her whimsical prints on walls and fabrics bring an effervescent joy to each bedroom.

‘We’d come from a tiny house in London so we had very little furniture when we arrived but later inherited lots from both sets of parents,’ says Molly. ‘I love the combination of my bright, slightly modern prints with the stately dark wood of the furniture. We’ve created such a mad, bombastic house, but being brave has paid off, we love it and it’s a very happy home.’

The mix of colours work because they are all pastels.

Headboard upholstered in Stripe Oyster Blue, £95m, Molly Mahon. Tree wallpaper in Pink, £140 a roll; throw in Coffee Bean fabric, £95m, both Molly Mahon

SITTING ROOM

‘The fire surround design is inspired by the fireplaces at Charleston,’ says Molly. Painted cupboards add a fun touch.

Walls in Parsonage Pink emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Papers and Paints. For similar jute carpet, try Alternative Flooring. Armchair (top) upholstered in Leaf Natural Moss fabric, £95m, Molly Mahon.

Bespoke pouffe made in Lani Gold fabric, £140m; armchair reupholstered in Coffee Bean fabric, £95m, both Molly Mahon. Munchkin chair, from £695, Loaf, is a similar style

BEDROOM

Molly’s distinctive block-printing creates a cohesive look for the space.

Leaf wallpaper in Grass Green, £140 a roll; quilt from £220, both Molly Mahon

EN SUITE

A simple curtain has updated the basin.

Leaf wallpaper in Grass Green, £140 a roll, Molly Mahon. Walls in Parsonage Pink emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Papers and Paints. Pink Pradena floor tiles would work here, £6.60 each, Bert & May. For antique wall lamps, try 1stDibs

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country

FAMILY ROOM

A pair of modern chandeliers make a flamboyant statement.

Branching Bubble chandeliers, price on request, Lindsey Adelman. Bespoke sofas in Kelly Wearstler Groundworks fabric, price on request, GP & J Baker.

Coffee table, Legaspi Courts Design

home truths

Ivy and James Fairbank’s Tudor-style home marries sophistication and laid-back schemes perfectly FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL | PHOTOGRAPHY KARYN MILLET

THE PROPERTY Detached house, built in 1963 L O C AT I O N California R O O M S Sitting room, family room, kitchen, dining area, four bedrooms (one en suite), four bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had a traditional Cape Cod-style property,’ says Ivy.

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d e c o r at i n g t i p

DINING AREA

Dark wood and leather add an air of luxury.

Ring dining table, price on request, Holly Hunt. Landon leather chair, £219, Danetti, would work. For antique French console tables, from £450, try Vinterior. Cowhide rugs, from £300, Amara

SITTING ROOM

‘Restful neutral colours play well with the dark beams,’ says Edel.

Walls in China White flat, £71 for 3.79ltr, Benjamin Moore. Sofas, from a selection, Holly Hunt. Rug, price on request, Stark

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‘Never be afraid to mix different styles of furniture – it allows

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hen Ivy and James Fairbank first viewed the house in Southern California that was to become their family home, it had so many positives, they could hardly say no. ‘The style was reminiscent of James’ childhood home in Sussex,’ says Ivy. ‘It wasn’t a coincidence, as the original owners who built it in 1963 based the design on a home they’d once rented in the English countryside.’

As well as having all the elegant architectural features of the Tudor style that inspired the design of the house, it was light and spacious – the perfect place for the couple to bring up their children, Ruth, now 11, and Dava, nine. But there was work to be done, as the interior was badly in need of a refurbishment. Ivy decided to bring on board a

designer – someone with a fresh perspective on how to marry traditional and modern design, and who was on her wavelength. ‘I knew I wanted a look that was eclectic and sophisticated – but also liveable for our young family,’ she says.

Enter Edel Legaspi, of Legaspi Courts Design, who came with years of experience that includes working under interiors guru Kelly Wearstler.

‘I wanted to bring a fresh approach to reflect Ivy and James’ lifestyle and modern sensibilities, while respecting the inherent traditional architecture of the home,’ says Edel. As with all her projects, Edel was keen to create a cohesive feel throughout while giving each room its own identity – nowhere more so than in the sitting room. Here, Edel added her trademark elegance by pairing luxurious

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the eye to wander and helps to creates a unique design narrative in your home’ KITCHEN

Elegant lighting is paired with classic cabinetry.

For similar bespoke cabinetry, try the Hartford, Tom Howley.

Try Acer chandelier, price on request, Christopher Wray

GARDEN

A decorative base gives the table star quality.

Try the Churchill chairs, £495 each, Westminster

furnishings and fabrics that complement the majestic structural features. ‘Decoration-wise, we kept the original beams the same colour but painted the wood roof panels in a warm off-white hue to create a lighter feel,’ she says. In the dining area, the more formal influence of the dark-wood table and luxurious leather-bound chairs is tempered by the presence of an antique carved console, creating a beautifully eclectic feel.

Upstairs, the main bedroom shows this designer’s ability to merge serenity with sophistication through the use of a calming colour palette, together with a four-poster grand enough to match the scale of the vaulted ceiling. But this house is all about people and perhaps the room that reflects that the most is the aptly named family room. With

chairs and sofas casually arranged around a sculptural coffee table and branching bubble-style chandeliers that contrast wonderfully with the original beams, this is a spacious yet cosy hangout.

Pops of colour in accessories add to the liveliness, while varying shades of blues and lavenders provide a relaxed tone to the room.

With the house now finished, the reaction of friends and family is invariably positive. ‘When we’re on Zoom calls – which is fairly often these days – people are always complementing what they see in the background,’ says Ivy, for whom it still feels too good to be true. ‘James and I walk around the house and say to each other, “Do you believe how gorgeous this home is?” and we have to admit that it is all down to Edel.’

BATHROOM

The vanity includes a make-up station.

For reclaimed wood flooring, price on request, try Ted Todd. Brass drum-shape chandelier, £241, Beautiful Halo, would work here

MAIN BEDROOM

A pared-back four-poster was chosen to keep the look modern.

For a similar look try the Allerton four-poster bed, £7,390, TurnPost. Walls in Cliffside Gray flat, £71 for 3.79ltr, Benjamin Moore.

Bronte by Moon has a range of woven throws, from £85

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LEAP OF FAITH

Lockdown turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Stacey Sibley and her husband Guy, who now live in their seaside cottage all year round FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS | PHOTOGRAPHY POLLY ELTES

SITTING ROOM

The exposed stone wall creates a relaxed rustic look.

Interior design by Stacey Sibley at Beau Sala. Similar white round mirror, £125, Cox & Cox. Sheepskin rug, from £60, Graham and Green. Try the Kobina blue flatweave rug, £384, John Lewis & Partners

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KITCHEN-DINER

Slate from a local quarry is a practical, dog-friendly option for the flooring and adds definition to the scheme.

Flooring, price on request, Delabole Slate. Table and chairs (opposite), price on request, Beau Sala. Similar framed blackboard, £75, Graham and Green. Try Nkuku for wooden boards, from £49.95

home truths THE PROPERTY Former coastguard’s cottage, built around 1850 L O C AT I O N Cornwall R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, two bedrooms, bathroom, garden studio P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in Berkshire before moving here to live in our holiday home full-time,’ says Stacey.

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SITTING ROOM

Every piece has texture for interest.

Try the Tiffany sofa, £919, Wayfair

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ike many homeowners, Stacey Sibley and her husband Guy had often discussed swapping life in the fast line for living by the coast. ‘I’d enjoyed so many childhood holidays in Cornwall, and it had always held a special attraction,’ says Stacey. With this in mind, she and Guy bought a holiday cottage on the north Cornish coast back in 2016, and spent as much time there with their West Highland terriers Piglet and Alfie as their busy work schedules would allow. Then fate took a hand.

‘We’d been dreaming of living in Cornwall full-time but didn’t think it could happen for several years,’ says Stacey. ‘When the first lockdown happened, we were both working for an interior design company. Then I was furloughed and we began to rethink our lives.

Guy and I decided it was time for a major change. We left our jobs, sold our home in Berkshire and moved down to Cornwall to start our own interior design company, Beau Sala (beausala.com).’

The couple found their seaside cottage online. ‘Although it was old, it had been well maintained so we wouldn’t have to do any structural work,’ says Stacey. ‘Its location in a clifftop village really appealed, and we loved the coastal views.’ Although she and Guy were happy with the cottage’s layout, they decided to make cosmetic changes. ‘The walls were a deep grey, which made it feel dark,’ says Stacey. ‘Because the bathroom was so small, the bedrooms both had

BEDROOM

A handy shelf with hooks underneath makes good use of the wall space.

Wall rack, Beau Sala. The Great Gatsby framed art print, £130, King & McGaw

basins, which took up quite a bit of space. We also wanted to change the kitchen, adding coastal accessories to give it more character.’

To remedy the lack of space in the tiny bathroom, the couple installed a space-saving toilet with a washbasin on top. They also replaced the main bedroom basin with a more aesthetically pleasing washstand and basin. There was already a slate floor in the kitchen, which was a bonus. Stacey and Guy ripped out the carpets elsewhere in the cottage and replaced them with laminate or repainted the old wooden floorboards, to make their home more dog-friendly.

As an experienced interior designer, Stacey knew exactly how the interior should look. ‘We wanted it to be light and bright with a seaside and relaxed cottage feel, with a touch of vintage and retro style. I collected pieces from antiques shops that brought back childhood memories of staying in holiday cottages in the past, as well as seashells and other beach finds to emphasise the coastal feel.

One year on, Stacey and Guy are delighted they made their move. ‘It was a big step but we’d always wanted to work for ourselves,’ says Stacey. ‘Setting up Beau Sala is the best thing we ever did. I’ve also rediscovered my love of painting and have been selling my work on Instagram (@viddycottage) where I’ve met lots of lovely people from all over the world who also love this village. In a funny way, the pandemic gave us the courage to follow our dreams.’

MAIN BEDROOM

A washstand is tucked into an alcove.

Washstand in Flint chalky finish, £14 for 750ml, Rust-Oleum.

Walls in Egyptian Cotton vinyl matt emulsion, £16 for 2.5ltr, Dulux

MAIN BEDROOM

Stacey immediately fell in love with the bed’s curved headboard.

Bed, Gallery Direct at Beau Sala. Try Cox & Cox’s soft wool blue and white throw, £80

CIT Y SLICKER

Being a collector of mid-century furniture, Keith Burns was at an advantage when turning a dated warehouse into a fabulous urban oasis FEATURE KAREN JENSEN-JONES | PHOTOGRAPHY NICK SMITH

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S I T T I N G A R E A The mezzanine is a new addition and provides an extra living space.

Find Finn Juhl original FD-136 cream leather chairs, from £12,000 per pair, House of Finn Juhl. Premier oak engineered wood floor, price on request. The Natural Wood Floor Company

home truths THE PROPERTY A converted 1870s warehouse L O C AT I O N Central London R O O M S Open-plan kitchen/ dining/sitting/study area, mezzanine, two bedrooms (both en suite), cloakroom P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in another warehousestyle apartment nearby,’ says Keith.

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SITTINGDINING AREA Keith’s impressive collection of mid-century furniture is well suited to the open-plan layout of his apartment as it helped him to create lots of separate zones.

Custom-made solid walnut dining table (below); try Grain & Frame for a handmade table. 1stDibs often sells Willy Rizzo Alveo coffee tables in Burl Thuya veneer. Minotti sofa, £30,000; for a selection of similar sofas try Minotti London. Find similar silk and cashmere rugs at Bazaar Velvet

MAIN BEDROOM The wood and rattan of the vintage bed ties in with the industrial aesthetic.

Find a similar 1950s rattan and birch wood bed at 1stDibs

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‘A lighting system with different mood settings can make a room go from ordinary to glam at the flip of a switch’ design tip

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EN SUITE A mirrored wallcovering increases the sense of space.

Picture by Marlene Dumas.

Similar oval bath, £2,648, Old Fashioned Bathrooms

pending so much time at home this past year has given Keith Burns and his partner Bobby a whole new appreciation for their late Victorian warehouse conversion in the heart of bustling Clerkenwell.

‘Home has become such a focal point since lockdown so it needs to be more beautiful than ever,’ says Keith. ‘It feels so relaxed here and despite our central location, and with the benefit of the spacious courtyard, it’s been an oasis of calm.’

Living in the area for 20 years, Keith had been aware of the sprawling former smokehouse, which was originally used by nearby Smithfield Market for smoking meat and fish, but never expected to live there. ‘When I first viewed the apartment, it was very dated inside but I loved the character and history, and of course the location,’ he explains. Having decided to go ahead, the renovation took about nine months and included new electrics and plumbing, and the restoration of the original doors. ‘They’re such a beautiful feature and were originally used for bringing in fuel to the smokehouse.’

With a careful eye on every detail and a passion for mid-century design, Keith project-managed all the work with helpful input from Bobby. ‘The exposed brickwork and beams were in good repair and we added the mezzanine to create a quiet space where we can sit in the mornings when the light is most beautiful,’ says Keith. As the apartment is so spacious, they chose a dark kitchen and paint palette as a good contrast to the brick. They also changed the dark wooden floor for much lighter, long oak boards to maximise the feeling of space.

The luxurious interior of the apartment has been created

by Keith’s impressive collection of mid-century furniture, which started with his love of Danish designer Finn Juhl.

‘I’ve been collecting for a long time and it’s become a bit of an addiction,’ confesses Keith. ‘One designer leads to another and before you realise, you’re purchasing lots of beautiful pieces.’

The kitchen was another important factor in the planning of the apartment as there was limited space and both Keith and Bobby were keen on a streamlined look. ‘The fire door by the kitchen had to stay so we fitted the kitchen around it and made it part of the design,’ he explains. ‘The kitchen is incredibly functional with lots of cupboard space and we love to congregate around the island when friends and family visit.’

The main bedroom is equally impressive with a handcrafted desk by Italian furniture designer Paolo Buffa, a pair of elegant Fontana Arte sconces and Italian ISA chairs covered in Italian velvet fabric. ‘The bedroom needed a lot of work as the walls were completely covered so we were delighted when we finally revealed more exposed brickwork underneath,’ remembers Keith. ‘After it was cleaned, some of the original paint in green and black was still embedded in the brick but we actually like it as it feels authentic.‘ There’s no doubt that Keith and Bobby are enjoying the benefits of their labours especially when the sun shines. ‘We throw open the doors and the light streams in and it feels like our own little oasis in the middle of the city.’

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GARDEN

The back of the house overlooks the pond and the woodland beyond

Made to measure

From little acorns mighty things grow, as Helen and Victor Day discovered when they embarked upon the building of their impressive oak-frame house FEATURE CLARE GOGERTY | PHOTOGRAPHY POLLY ELTES

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home truths THE PROPERTY An oak-frame new build L O C AT I O N Lincolnshire R O O M S Sitting room, kitchendiner, garden room, library area, utility/boot room, office, three bedrooms, bathroom, two garages and a one-bedroom annexe P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We were living in a small house in a nearby village,’ says Helen.

KITCHEN

Victor and his team fitted the simple Shaker-style cabinets and oak worktops, while low-hanging pendants were chosen to help create a more intimate atmosphere around the kitchen island.

Shotley glass pendant lights, £149.60 each, Jim Lawrence

LIBRARY AREA

This light-filled space, which overlooks the garden, is the link between the kitchen-diner and the sitting room. ‘I can walk right around the ground floor without interruption,’ says Helen who loves the open-plan layout.

The Nomad knitted stool, £132, Artisanti, is a good match. For similar curtain fabric, try Salice in Marine, £47m, Harlequin

UTILITY ROOM

The peg rail, tongue-andgroove panelling and storage seat were built by a carpenter.

Tongue-and-groove in Purbeck Stone estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

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HALLWAY

Wicker lanterns make an eye-catching display.

Large wicker lantern, £49.99; medium lantern, £39.99, both Time Out Long Sutton

‘I love the garden room as it makes you feel connected to the outside all year round’

favo u r i t e f e at u r e

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t was a yearning for more outside space and privacy that prompted Helen and Victor Day to look for a plot on which to build the home of their dreams. ‘At the time, we were living in a small village completely surrounded by other houses,’ says Helen, a gymnastics coach, so when Victor spotted a perfect piece of land nearby, they decided there and then that this was where they would build their new home. It was large enough for a substantial house for themselves and Helen’s parents, while allowing for a three-quarter-acre garden. It was also the ideal location to realise Victor’s dream of building an oak-frame house. ‘Victor is a builder by profession,’ says Helen, ‘but this

was his first oak building. They have so much character and it felt just right for the site and for the country setting.’

To help realise their vision, the couple worked with oak-frame building specialists Border Oak. Helen liked its Pearmain Cottage design, which the couple used as a template for their own build, then increasing the size of the house. Border Oak drew up the plans, put up the timber frame and the insulated panels, then Victor and his team took over, adding the roof and installing the kitchen and bathroom, and everything in between.

‘When we moved in, the noise of the timber settling and splitting made it sound like a haunted house,’ explains Helen. ‘It was almost

GARDEN ROOM

Simply furnished so as not to obscure the stunning views, this relaxed room allows nature to take centre stage.

For a similar armchair, try Harriet, from £649, Cotswold Co. The Florence farmhouse table, from £370, Country Life Furniture, has this look

SITTING ROOM

Helen mixed and matched patterns in complementary shades of blue to tie the scheme together.

Try the Eden coffee table in White, £175.99, Woods Furniture

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SUMMERHOUSE

This has been furnished with generous seating – a glorious hideaway in the warmer months.

Nora hexagonal log cabin, £3,089.51, Tuin

‘When we were planning this build we thought of every detail – including ensuring each room downstairs opened on to the garden’

design tip

as though the wood was alive.’ The result is three buildings in one: the main house where Helen and Victor live; Victor’s office flanked by two garages; and the annexe, clad in weatherboarding and with a separate entrance, which is Helen’s parents’ home. Each is distinct, yet they work together as a harmonious whole.

Inside the main house, Helen’s vision of a series of free-flowing spaces has come to life.

‘I can walk right around the ground floor without interruption,’ she says. ‘The library area has no doors and is the link between the kitchen-diner and the sitting room. It has a really nice flow.’ The sitting room and garden room have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the pretty garden and pond, which is home to 10 4 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 1

families of mallard ducks. ‘Even on the dullest days, it is never dark inside,’ says Helen.

When it came to interior decoration, Helen wanted a cohesive, country-style scheme. ‘I decided to use shades of blue and grey throughout the house,’ she explains. ‘I then chose fabrics and soft furnishings in the same colour palette.’

All the rooms on the ground floor open on to the garden, brimming with cottage-garden plants.

There’s also a summerhouse for enjoying lazy afternoons. ‘I like to read in there, and we often have breakfast there on a Sunday,’ says Helen. ‘In summer, we have all the doors at the back open, so we can step straight out into the garden. It’s lovely to now have the space and privacy to enjoy a glass of wine and watch the ducklings.’

MAIN BEDROOM

The vaulted ceiling offers the space for a statement light.

Tommaso chandelier, £433.90, Lights.co.uk, is a good match

BATHROOM

Here, Helen opted for practical wood-effect vinyl flooring as it’s water repellent.

For similar flooring, try Beauflor Ultra Gambel Oak 619D, £13.99sq m, Flooring Direct

BEDROOM

Splashes of yellow and a combination of rich textures add warmth to this scheme.

Try the Windermere Yellow double duvet set, £22, Dunelm

P R O M O T I O N A L F E AT U R E

OUTSIDE ADVANTAGE Brush up on your painting skills and get fences, sheds and masonry shipshape with a helping hand from Harris, the decorating expert

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hat’s the plan for your outside space this summer? When garden buildings, furniture and fences are due for a fresh new look, painting success depends on having the right tools for the job. Quality brushes and decorating tools from Harris will make the job a lot easier and more satisfying.

TOP CLASS

It’s worth paying a little extra for brushes that speed up the task. With that in mind, Harris developed the Ultimate Shed & Fence Swan Neck Brush, which applies paint or stain 40% faster on woodwork*. The range also includes an Ultimate Masonry Swan Neck Brush, which works 25% faster when tackling masonry and rendered walls*. The angled handles are comfy to use and brushes even come with a storage case to keep them wet for up to two weeks, in case you need to pause the project halfway. And NO-LOSS™ tech prevents the brushes shedding bristles. Have a long fence? You could use a Harris Seriously Good Shed & Fence Roller, or for a large wall, the Seriously Good Masonry Roller Set. WORDS CAROLINE RODRIGUES *COMPARED TO A HARRIS ESSENTIALS BLOCK BRUSH

COLOUR SPLASH

One of the most striking ways to introduce some flair to garden buildings and furniture is by choosing a main colour then adding a contrasting shade, for example on door and window frames or the legs of a table.

HANDY EXTRAS

Two final helpers are the Harris Ultimate extension pole for out-of-reach areas and the Seriously Good Masking Tape to avoid wobbly lines. When all is done, take a break in your new-look outdoors – you deserve it.

SO CHIC Put the Harris Ultimate Shed & Fence Swan Neck Brush to use with a smart dark fence look FRONT OF HOUSE If you’re painting the exterior of your home, the Harris Seriously Good Masonry Roller Set is perfect for the job

TO FIND OUT MORE To find the right brushes, tools and expert advice, go to harrisbrushes.com. You can also get inspiration, ideas, tips and how-tos by following Harris Brushes on YouTube, Facebook, @Harrisbrushes on Twitter and harrisbrushes_uk on Instagram.

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IN FINE FOR M Designing a home from the ground up is no easy task, but Melanie and Mark Ifield knew the end result would be amazing home truths THE PROPERTY Beachside new build L O C AT I O N Melbourne R O O M S Sitting room, family room, kitchen-diner, study area, office, cloakroom, three bedrooms (one en suite), dressing room, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had a two-bed townhouse in the same area,’ says Melanie.

FEATURE KARINE MONIÉ PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS WARNES STYLING NATALIE WALTON

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F A M I LY R O O M The downstairs was designed so one of the main living spaces leads straight into the garden.

Avoca sofa, AU$12,000, Kett. Around coffee tables, from AU$660, Muuto.

Shimmer side table, €1,212, Glas Italia.

Slow chair, US$2,965, Vitra OFFICE A smart console is a design-conscious storage solution.

Shale dresser, AU$3,499, Blu Dot. Pina chair by Jaime Hayon, €1,400, Magis.

Caught in the Moment artwork by Lara Merrett, Karen Woodbury Gallery

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KITCHEN Red stools lift the monochromatic scheme.

Tibu swivel stools, AU$1,032 each, Cult Design.

Cabinetry by Eveneer, price on request, Elton Group

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MAIN BEDROOM Bright artwork contrasts with the understated chair.

Harper chair upholstered in Kvadrat Coda 2, 722, AU$2,796, Jardan

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MAIN EN SUITE ‘The rose gold tapware really makes the scheme sparkle,’ says Melanie.

Arezzo mixer taps, £129.95 each, Victorian Plumbing.

Carrara marble tiles, AU$35 each, Parthenon Marble

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STUDY AREA ‘This space near the landing was perfect for a study nook,’ says Melanie.

Uncino chair, US$1,940, District. Gemma Bunny artwork

by Gina Martynova, Otomys Contemporary

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S TA I R WAY A wall in tinted glass helps keep the light flowing here.

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DINING AREA A single traditional chair adds interest.

Kiyo dining table, AU$5,074, Jardan. Visu dining chairs, AU$550 each, Muuto

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MAIN BEDROOM Rich wall panelling adds a luxe touch.

Custom wall panelling in laminate, price on request, Laminex. Cloche pendants, price on request, Porcelain Bear

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aving lived on the coast of Melbourne in Australia for 10 years, Melanie and Mark Ifield knew they wanted to raise their family in the area. ‘We love being close to the city, living next to the beach and having shops, cafes and restaurants within a few minutes’ walk – it’s also ideal for our two children, Magnus, eight, and Eden, five,’ says Melanie. The couple decided to move to this area because of its mixed demographic with young professionals, families and retirees. ‘It’s sophisticated, vibrant, fun and unpretentious,’ she says.

For their home, the couple had in mind something new and large and soon realised that building was their best option to transform their dream into a reality.

Melanie and Mark looked at an old house that already had building plans and permits in place and put in an offer that was accepted the next day. ‘It was a very quick decision on our part, but we were confident that it was the right one,’ says Melanie.

With the help of an architect, the family made the most of the generous-size lot on which the new narrow and long house sits.

‘It was fairly tricky fitting in everything we wanted and making all of the space count,’ says Melanie. ‘We managed to do this, though, and we created a lovely open-plan kitchen-diner with a family room at the rear of the house opening up into the backyard.’

The couple complemented this area with a stylish sitting room at the front of the house to create what they regard as a very family-friendly and liveable space.

When it came to the styling, the couple counted on the creativity of interior designer Adele Bates. ‘We had a good idea of what we wanted, but needed someone brilliant to put it together and improve our vision even more,’ says Melanie. ‘We were looking for a leader in the design space – someone who would inspire us to think ahead and push boundaries. When we met Adele, we knew we’d found our pioneer!’

Dark timber floors and joinery combine

with bold touches of colour through some artwork and accessories, while bespoke detailing, marble and polished plaster create the perfect sense of balance.

‘The skinny footprint of the house presented a unique challenge – to create a layering of luxurious interior elements while maintaining visual clarity and a sense of spaciousness,’ says Adele, who aimed at designing a stylish yet social and relaxed atmosphere that would adapt to the family’s evolving needs. ‘Adele sourced items we would never have known existed, let alone known where to find them!’ says Melanie.

A sense of flow now pervades the light-filled two-storey home where a mix of rich textures give a feeling of warmth.

‘We’ve always lived in modern homes and apartments but this place is particularly special,’ says Melanie. ‘Over the years, you become more confident in your style and more willing to take a risk, which is what we’ve done here – and it’s certainly proven to be very successful.’

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Old school charm

Pollyanna Green’s converted Victorian schoolhouse makes a characterful backdrop for her vintage finds and eclectic style FEATURE ANNABELLE GRUNDY | PHOTOGRAPHY COLIN POOLE

home truths THE PROPERTY Converted Victorian schoolhouse L O C AT I O N Worcestershire R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, study, utility room, cloakroom, four bedrooms (one en suite), three bathrooms, dressing room P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a new build about 10 miles away,’ says Pollyanna.

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DINING AREA

A pair of green velvet armchairs echoes the colours of the plants, enhancing the sense of bringing nature inside.

William armchairs, £765 each; Suffolk dresser, £3,380, all Neptune.

Walls in White Tie modern emulsion, £53 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

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KITCHEN

Pollyanna painted the inside of this display shelf pink to make a feature of it.

For similar vintage kitchenware, try The Vintage Kitchen Store

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HALLWAY

Blue-and-white china makes an elegant statement.

For a similar vase, try Oka’s Mandarin hand-painted lidded jar, £495. Walls in Parma Gray modern emulsion, £53 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

SITTING ROOM

A bookshelf painted in a lively green hue creates a focal point.

Shelving unit in Breakfast Room Green modern eggshell, £73 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

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ouse-hunting with her husband Nick, Pollyanna Green had set her heart on a thatched cottage, but everything changed when she spotted a Victorian village schoolhouse on the market. ‘It was love at first sight,’ says Pollyanna. ‘There were wonderful features like the school bell on the roof, the separate boys’ and girls’ entrances, and the coat pegs and washbasins in the old cloakrooms. The interior was tired and the layout confusing, but we knew this was the one.’

The schoolhouse, which dates from 1855, had been converted to a home in the 1960s, but much of the interior had been untouched for decades. Pollyanna put her ideas to an architect, and a plan was drawn up to enlarge and rearrange the property, turning it into a unique home for the couple and their grown-up children, Milly and

SITTING ROOM

Rustic and classic wooden furniture is softened by pale pinks and neutrals.

Try the Bruges coffee table, £595, Maisons du Monde.

Swaggamuffin velvet armchair, £1,045, Loaf

SITTING ROOM

Reinstated stone mullion windows are joined by an equally majestic chandelier, which the couple found in a reclamation yard.

Bagsie velvet sofa, £2,535, Loaf

Barney. The original frontage would be preserved, and an extension built at the back, adding a spacious kitchen-diner. The vast school hall would become an elegant sitting room, the staircase would be relocated, and the first-floor layout reconfigured. With plans approved, the family moved temporarily into a rented home.

However, work did not go smoothly. After a seven-month delay while a bat colony in the building was relocated, structural problems in the roof were uncovered. ‘Everything needed attention and the interior had to be stripped out,’ says Pollyanna. ‘At one point there was nothing standing but three external walls. That was distressing and hard to watch – I just felt so sorry for this beautiful house.’

Finally, 18 months after they bought the property, the family moved in. Blending the original building seamlessly with the newly 2 5 B H J UN E 202 1 | 113

MAIN BEDROOM

A tactile black headboard adds drama and luxury.

Olivia velvet headboard, £720, Neptune. Walls in Mizzle modern emulsion, £53 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

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STAIRWELL

A reclaimed oak church pew fits well here, while a vintage step ladder doubles as a quirky shelving unit.

Kobe Jade stair runner, from £190m, Roger Oates Design.

Printed pom-pom cushions, £25 each, Country Abodes

SITTING ROOM

A bookcase built into the guest bedroom door is both clever and practical.

Chair in Giselle Grande linen, £75m, Peony & Sage

added kitchen-diner was one of Pollyanna’s biggest challenges.

Reclaimed woodblock flooring extends through both areas, adding warmth, contrast and a sense of continuity. ‘We just couldn’t save the original parquet, which was sad, but we were lucky enough to source something very similar,’ says Pollyanna. ‘It just looks like it belongs here, and it’s been treated to work with our underfloor heating, so it’s the best of both worlds.’

The schoolhouse’s period charm and character lends itself well to Pollyanna’s personal taste. She is drawn to classic antique furniture, fresh, pretty colours and eclectic country elements, as seen on her inspiring Instagram account @the_old_school_house.

Having brought little from their previous home, Pollyanna took pleasure in furnishing and decorating the property almost from

MAIN BATHROOM

‘A roll-tap bath here was a must,’ says Pollyanna.

Try the Polperro slipper bath, £1,235, The Cast Iron Bath Company. Walls in Cooking Apple Green modern emulsion, £53 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

BEDROOM

Vintage-style wall lights make good use of the room’s limited space.

Hanson wall lights in antiqued brass, £146.60 each, Jim Lawrence. Luna bed, £845, Loaf

scratch. She called on local reclamation yards and pre-owned furniture emporia for key pieces, including large mirrors, lighting, bedside tables and numerous occasional items. ‘I don’t have a particular look, and I tend to steer clear of strong interiors trends,’ she says. ‘An antiques shop, salvage centre or vintage fair would usually be my first port of call. If I see something that appeals, I’ll buy it, love it and keep it for a long time.’

Although Pollyanna is now deeply attached to both her home and the area, she admits that renovating the schoolhouse was a more ambitious and complex project than she had first realised. ‘It was very hard work and not always enjoyable,’ she says. ‘That said, I wouldn’t change anything now. Visitors seem to love my home, too, and I’m delighted to say it always sparks a conversation.’

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TOP TO BOTTOM Beth and Jon Miller have carefully worked their way through their house in order to create a better flow and vibrant schemes FEATURE KAREN WILSON | PHOTOGRAPHY KATIE LEE

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SITTING ROOM ‘The scale of this space suited a more daring, grown-up look,’ says Beth. ‘The dark blue wall colour came first and when we saw the vibrant orange velvet sofa we knew it would provide a great contrast.’

Fenner three-seater velvet sofa in Orange, £1,120, Habitat.

Valentin footstool, from £289, Sofa.com. Walls in Dulux Heritage Oxford Blue vinyl matt, £30 for 2.5ltr, Designer Paint. Ourika Berber-style rug, from £220, La Redoute OFFICE Chipboard flooring is a characterful choice.

Hailey swivel chair, £129, Made.

Blind and cushion made by Curtain Call using How the Leopard got his Spots velvet, £144m, The Monkey Puzzle Tree. Walls in Dulux Heritage Mallard Green vinyl matt, £30 for 2.5ltr, Designer Paint

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oving from London to Leeds enabled Beth and Jon Miller to buy a bigger house and turn their passion for interior design into a home renovation business.

At the time, Beth was pregnant with daughter Edith, now four, and they were keen to move before son Arthur, now seven, started school. ‘Leeds ticked all our boxes with cheaper properties, the buzz of a city and my best friend already living there,’ says Beth.

They soon found a three-storey, detached 1890s house with ‘good bones’ and a sizeable family-friendly garden that required a

complete refurbishment. Starting from the top of the house, they split the huge loft bedroom into two, extended and redesigned the kitchen, and converted the damp and dingy basement into a snug and utility room. ‘We wanted the children to have separate bedrooms on the first floor, with our bedroom and en suite in the loft, plus bedroom space to accommodate visiting family,’ says Beth.

The new en suite showcases the couple’s knack for space planning. ‘The room is under the eaves and you would usually bang your head, plus the corridor leading into the room was a waste of 2 5 B H J UN E 202 1 | 117

home truths THE PROPERTY Detached Victorian house L O C AT I O N Leeds R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, snug, office, utility room, five bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a semi-detached house in London,’ says Beth.

space,’ says Beth. ‘To solve the problem, we stole an extra 30cm from above the stairwell, which gave more head height for the toilet, and moved the shower further in. Opening up the flat ceiling to the roof void and adding a bigger Velux window has made it feel much brighter and more spacious.’

Extending at the rear to square off the L-shaped kitchen was the second phase, six months after moving in. ‘Previously there was a dark, narrow galley kitchen with bifold doors where our sink is now and an impractical island plonked in the middle, which felt like a 118 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 1

roundabout,’ says Beth. ‘We wanted the living and dining areas to link to the garden instead. As we’d put loads of thought into planning our previous kitchen in London, this is essentially a bigger, better version but we super-sized a few things like the range cooker and added a hidden pantry using the original back door.’

Project managing different trades rather than using one contractor kept the costs down, as did tackling the stripping out, tiling, decorating and carpentry themselves. Jon has also transformed old materials into inventive new pieces, such as light

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MAIN BEDROOM A metal bed is a good contrast to lots of wood.

Oliver double bed, £445, Feather & Black. Orla Kiely velvet spot cushion, £60, John Lewis & Partners.

Chunky knit round cushion, £48.50, Mizz Knits

B AT H R O O M The free-standing acrylic bath was sanded down and painted dark blue.

Orchard Winchester bath, £405, Victoria Plum; in Midnight Blue mineral paint, £21.99 for 500ml, Fusion

KITCHEN Dining room floorboards were repurposed as shelves.

Soho bar stools, £95 each, Rockett St George. Pronorm Y-Line 600 handleless base unit, around £360; Stoneworld Quartz Regency worktops, from £350m, all Knaresborough Kitchens. Nikea Moroccan-style tiles, £19.75sq m, Total Tiles

fittings made from rafters and floorboards repurposed as shelves, window sills and wardrobe doors.

Luckily the pair admit their tastes are ‘scarily alike’. ‘We both love mixing old and new,’ says Beth. ‘In the sitting room there are several beautifully crafted salvaged pieces that would otherwise end up in landfill, like the vintage record player and the sideboard in the bay window that we’ve added hairpin legs to.’

Although Beth and Jon admit they didn’t love the house at first and the differential between labour costs in Leeds and London

wasn’t as wide as they’d hoped, they have no regrets about making the move. ‘With an abundance of creative people living nearby, an annual street party and regular playing out sessions for the kids, we couldn’t have wished for a better area,’ she says.

The move north has also enabled them to ditch their previous careers and focus full-time on their new renovation business, Fresh Start Living (freshstartliving.co.uk). ‘Following our gut instinct has led us to a new career and a wonderful new home that will be hard to beat,’ says Beth.

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HALLWAY

Original flooring was discovered under laminate boards.

Console table, £120, Tennants.

China umbrella stand, £59.50, The Farthing. Lamp, £20, Homesense. Walls in French Gray estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

DINING AREA

‘The table was being thrown out by a friend so we took it and painted it,’ says Nic. Table and chairs in Pigeon estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball.

Hoxton Bullet pendant lights, £115 each, Garden Trading, would work

Order restored

David Hurlstone and Nic Taylor’s sensitive update of their Georgian home is testament to their love of historic houses FEATURE HEATHER DIXON | PHOTOGRAPHY COLIN POOLE

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ost people would pass David Hurlstone and Nic Taylor’s Georgian home without so much as a second glance because it faces backwards to the road. Head round the back of the property, however, and you are in for a treat. The original frontage, with its stone-stepped door in the centre and windows symmetrically positioned around it, is picture book – well

proportioned, beautifully balanced and facing a colourful walled garden.

‘We first came in January and saw it in the snow,’ says David. ‘The fires were lit so the rooms were warm and cosy, and there was a dog asleep by the hearth.’ It marked the end of a protracted search for a period house with a garden. ‘We lived here for a while until we worked out how to improve the layout,’ says Nic. ‘The position of the old

rooms wasn’t ideal – in fact, one bedroom was only accessible through the bathroom.’

One of the first changes was the creation of a guest suite sited in a separate part of the house. Their next, and perhaps most significant improvement, was transforming the kitchen area. Here, a large room next to the kitchen, which had once been run as an antiques shop, became a breakfast room, cloakroom, utility, boot

home truths THE PROPERTY A 19th-century manor house, with modern extensions L O C AT I O N Yorkshire R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, cloakroom, utility, boot room, dining room, music room, orangery, four bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had an Edwardian terraced house in York,’ says David.

KITCHEN

A boarded half-wall and stone floor add to the country feel.

Aga range cooker, price on request, Aga Living. Spiral leg table, £50, Bishopgate Antiques.

Try Grand Paris pendant light, £85, Garden Trading

SITTING ROOM

Using the picture rail to hang paintings draws attention to all the lovely period features.

Regency sofa, £300; Victorian sofa, £300, both Tennants.

Sofas re-covered

by The Chaise Workshop in Goole.

Rug, £90, Wombell’s Auctioneers

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MAIN BEDROOM:

The deep wall colour was chosen to complement the richness of the wood pieces.

Walls in Inchyra Blue estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

MAIN EN SUITE

Period style fittings ensure a historic look.

Panelling in Stony Ground estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr; walls in Clunch estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, both Farrow & Ball.

Cambridge roll-top bath, £800, Bathstore

BEDROOM

‘The floral curtains were a bargain buy on eBay,’ says Nic. Curtains, £100, eBay. Chest of drawers, £80, Wombell’s Auctioneers

DESIGN TIP

‘Scour your local auction house or saleroom for hidden treasures at reasonable prices’

room and pantry. ‘The existing kitchen was tiny so our new kitchen-diner completely lifted the feel of the house,’ says David. ‘It’s become such a sociable space.’

Colour has played a key role in the transformation of the period property as the couple have taken the house back to its roots. ‘We both like the traditional look,’ says Nic. ‘My grandma’s Victorian house was my inspiration for this place.’ David, meanwhile, is inspired by the ‘faded

vicarage’ look – not too grand but with Georgian style and proportions.

Their biggest challenge, however, was not the decorating but their choice of furniture. ‘We stacked up the furniture from two houses in just one room,’ says David. They turned to sale rooms for the largest items, supplementing furniture they bought from the previous owners and adding antique rugs, pictures, mirrors and side tables. ‘It’s an ongoing process,’ says

Nic. ‘We often spend weekends looking round country houses for inspiration.’

For David, the house is the culmination of a lifetime’s interest in historic properties.

‘When I was growing up I would rather visit a National Trust house than follow childhood pursuits,’ he says. ‘I’m fascinated by the lives of people who have lived in the past. We even traced the great, great, great grandson of the man who built this house. It gives our home a wonderful sense of place.’

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THE RIGHT CHANGE Moving to a new city enabled Ella and Rory Fletcher to buy a spacious home and personalise it with an abundance of colour FEATURE KAREN WILSON | PHOTOGRAPHY KATIE LEE

KITCHEN ‘The tiler hated me because the tiles were hexagonal and very thick,’ says Ella. ‘But I love them so much.’

Marrakech Design Dandelion tiles in Milk/Petal, £122.99sq m, Tile Expert. Midas bar stools, £175 each; Globe pearl drop ceiling lights, £155 each, all Rockett St George

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home truths THE PROPERTY Three-storey Victorian terrace L O C AT I O N Edinburgh R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, utility room, five bedrooms, two bathrooms, studio P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a three-bedroom cottage near Heathrow,’ says Ella.

DINING AREA ‘Previously there was laminate flooring in here and grey floor tiles in the kitchen, which felt disjointed,’ says Ella. ‘Now the light oak herringbone pulls the two rooms together.’

Engineered oak herringbone flooring, from £32.80sq m, Wood and Beyond. Hay J77 dining chairs, £131.75 each, Maven

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lla Fletcher has no regrets about moving from London to a peaceful street in the Morningside area of Edinburgh.

After meeting husband Rory at Edinburgh University in 2004, the couple had always dreamed of moving back. ‘It made sense to return before our daughter started school so we planned to rent first,’ says Ella. However, Rory found a job in Edinburgh straight away, so the pair quickly sold their property in London and started house hunting.

After viewing several lovely but ultimately unaffordable homes, the pair fell for a spacious five-bedroom Victorian terrace.

‘The period features clinched it – like the fireplace, sanded floorboards, picture rails, coving and window panelling,’ says Ella.

‘Although the decor was bland, every room was a really good size and felt bigger because of the high ceilings and big windows.’

Ella’s first job was ripping up the red striped stair carpet and painting the front door yellow to make it feel like home. ‘As the house is two-and-a-half times bigger than our London home, our old stuff looked a bit like doll’s house furniture so we had to buy new pieces too,’ she says.

In the sitting room, the walls were painted dark blue and lots of artwork was added. ‘I wanted to

SITTING ROOM ‘I’d planned to paint all the woodwork in here,’ says Ella. ‘But it would’ve disrupted the character of the street as most people in Edinburgh have bare wood at the front window.’

Curved terrace table, £209, West Elm. Alfredo copper floor lamp, £160, Ruma, is similar.

Curtains in Designers Guild Appia velvet fabric in Pale Rose, £71.20m, Your Stylish Home H A L LWAY ‘These floor tiles jumped out at me as they’re similar to the Victorian black and white tiles but a bit more fun,’ says Ella.

Blue Vigo tiles, £184.80sq m, Bert & May. Industrial console table, £529, West Elm. Welcome metal box neon, £79.95, Locomocean, is similar

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keep the character but add a bit of modern glamour with print and pattern,’ says Ella, who enlisted the help of decorators at Umber & Ochre. ‘My style is colourful, fun and quirky. I’m probably bolder than Rory but he trusts me not to go too crazy.’

Of all the rooms, it was the kitchen-diner that needed most attention. ‘With black gloss units, orangey laminate floor and grey floor tiles, it didn’t suit the house,’ says Ella. ‘We brought in Rollo Developments who designed a new kitchen, created the fireplace in the dining room and restored the Edinburgh press cupboards.’

As the existing U-shaped kitchen worked well, the layout was kept the same but new dark green cupboards by Kitchens by Nick McNally were installed.

‘Luckily, the high ceilings lend themselves to a bolder look,’ she says. ‘The lighter granite worktops and light oak flooring stop it feeling too dark.’

With children, Daisy, seven, and Arthur, five, plus cat, Alfie and dog, Dougie, the house works better for family life. Ella has also started a new ceramics business (ellafletcherdesigns.co.uk), which began at home but has since moved to bigger premises. ‘I don’t believe in a “forever home”,’ she says. ‘But we certainly don’t need any more space and I can imagine living here for 15 or 20 years.’

MAIN BEDROOM ‘I particularly love our super king-size bed,’ says Ella. ‘It fits the kids in, plus the dog and the cat.’

Bergerac super king-size bed with storage, £849, Made. The Delissa king-size quilt, £168, Anthropologie, is a good alternative. Albus floor lamp in black/copper, £130, John Lewis DAISY ’S BEDROOM ‘I felt blue walls would work as we could add elements of pink without it feeling too sugary,’ says Ella.

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

Try pack of 40 pink polka dot wall decals, £18, Stickers by Anita on Etsy.

Lilly children’s pink canopy, £44, Maisons du Monde, is similar.

Greenaway bookcase, £90, Great Little Trading Co. My Fairy Door, £21.99, The Magic Door Store

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Worth the wait When she decided she couldn’t put off her house renovation any longer, Milly O’Sullivan called on experts to make the most of her city home FEATURE JENNY TUCKER | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES MERRELL | STYLING MARY WEAVER

LIVING AREA A balanced mix of modern and traditional pieces suit the period of the house.

Interior design and architecture, Studio Milo.

Try the Noelle sofa, £3,950, Pinch Design. Lady armchair, £4,218, Cassina at Chaplins. Bespoke coffee table, Studio Milo. Suspended lamp, price on request, MM Lampadari

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nterior designers say it’s often a good idea to live in a new home for a while before doing work, so as to get a feel for the space and how to use it. In Milly O’Sullivan’s case, a busy career took her abroad so often that she waited 10 years before embarking on a major renovation. ‘In 2017, I reached the point where I thought, “Enough is enough”,’ she says, laughing.

‘It’s time to give this house some attention.’

Milly cheerfully confesses that her lifestyle was pretty hectic, and this was reflected in her home. ‘My friends and family would come to house sit for me, and there was little time for interiors shopping,’ she explains. ‘I’d come back from places like the Middle East with knickknacks and rugs, but it was all a bit of a mishmash of styles and very much thrown together.’

Revamping a house can be a rather daunting prospect, so Milly decided to enlist the help of an Italian design team – interior designer Federica Gosio and architect Arianna Crosetta – who together run Studio Milo, based in London and Milan. The three women had already met a few

LIVING AREA The dark paintwork and flooring are the ideal backdrop to show off the elegant furnishings.

Graham and Green’s Sofia velvet stool, £189, is a good alternative

F A M I LY R O O M ‘I gravitate towards this room,’ says Milly.

‘It’s where the relaxing goes on.’

Togo armchair, price on request, Ligne Roset.

Shelving, price on request, Kriptonite

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home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian terraced house L O C AT I O N Northwest London R O O M S Kitchen-diner/living area, family room, cloakroom, conservatory, three bedrooms (two en suite), dressing room, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2008 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I was living in a house in nearby Camden,’ says Milly.

C O N S E R V AT O R Y The showstopper of the house, this room is doused in light by day and is a place to star gaze at night.

Charlottenborg sofa, around £2,622, Sika Design.

ClassiCon coffee tables, around £2,783 each, 1stDibs.

Vertigo pendant light, £805, by Constance Guisset for Petite Friture at Made In Design. Floor tiles, price on request, Lithos Design

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years earlier through a mutual friend and Milly felt confident that they understood what she was about. Her brief to Arianna and Federica was to honour the history of the house by remaining true to its traditional style, while also introducing a more modern slant to the interior.

Overall, the structure of the house was pretty sound, but Milly still had to move out for a year while the work was carried out. Every room had to be redecorated and basics like the plumbing and electrics also had to be updated.

A starting point for the renovation was the upcycling of the glass conservatory, which also set the theme for the decor. ‘It’s a very unique space, but it also has its faults, like being freezing in winter and hot during the summer months,’ says Milly. ‘So we upgraded it: the frames were painted black, the glass was replaced and underfloor heating was installed, along with a new tiled floor.

Milly was keen to keep the original staircase and floorboards but they were badly damaged and the colour of the wood needed changing. ‘It was a horrible orangey colour,’ says Milly. ‘Federica and

KITCHEN-DINER Traditional units and contemporary statement lighting sit happily together in this space.

Bespoke units, Studio Milo. Clay table, £5,983, Desalto at Heal’s. Beetle chair, £981, GamFratesi for Gubi at The Conran Shop. Walls in Pavilion Gray estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

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city MAIN BEDROOM The emphasis is firmly on glamour in this room, with its stunning bed and distinctive Italian lamp.

Bespoke headboard, Studio Milo. Pipistrello lamp, £749, Martinelli Luce at Made In Design

Arianna convinced me to have them painted black, but when I walked in one day, I thought, “Oh no, what have I done?”.’ Ultimately, however, Milly didn’t regret her decision. ‘As soon as the bright-coloured furnishings arrived, the dark backdrop really worked,’ she says.

The renovation was also a great opportunity for Milly to edit her furniture and belongings. ‘I ended up keeping about 15 per cent of my stuff,’ she says. ‘It was a very strict edit, but I gave loads away to friends and charity, so I did recycle well.’

Federica and Arianna then meticulously sourced new furniture and accessories, calling on niche designers to reflect Milly’s penchant for bold pattern and texture.

Now that the upgrade of the property is complete, Milly says her favourite part of the house is the conservatory. ‘I sit in here all the time now, because the light is so lovely and I feel like I am outdoors,’ she says. ‘We had an incredible birthday party here a while ago, with a DJ in the far corner. As the sun went down and the stars came out, it was completely magical.’

M A I N B AT H R O O M Classic marble and a claw-foot bath indulge Milly’s more traditional side. ‘I love soaking in the tub and I was adamant I wanted a relaxing bathroom,’ she says.

Try the Millbrook double-ended bath, £925, The Cast Iron Bath Company

BEDROOM The plush upholstered headboard strikes a note of Hollywood-style luxury.

Headboard, price on request, Studio Milo. Similar pure linen bedding, from £95, Secret Linen Store

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ideas to share One of the spacious cabin bedrooms at Three Mile Beach, threemilebeach.co.uk

ROOM ENVY

he joys of the British countryside have been appreciated anew during the last year, and the staycation has never been more popular. Neither has our coastline. Artist couple Barbara Hepworth and Ben Nicholson were onto something when they migrated to the Cornish village of St Ives in the 1930s to paint its special light and rugged coves. Since then, the resort has become an artistic outpost with international clout, drawing half a million visitors a year.

Those who want to enjoy the perennially popular coastline without the crowds – and soak up cool coastal style while they’re there – should head to Three Mile Beach, a new community of 15 beach huts at Gwithian, four miles east of St Ives. All of the two-, 13 8 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 1

three- and four-bedroom cabins are typically Cornish in feel – wooden clapboard frames and white-washed wooden furniture punctuated with rustic accessories and colourful kilim rugs, resulting in the laid-back feel you’d expect from a beachside abode.

Although coastal in style, this is the UK, so the cosier elements have been considered too. Expect deep free-standing bathtubs in the bathrooms, wood burners in the living areas and hot tubs on the decking. Perfect for when the wind blows in and you want to soothe aching limbs after a day catching the waves.

Water sports, from surfing to paddleboarding, are in abundance and there’s no shortage of action on the water since Gwithian is one of the UK’s top spots for kitesurfing.

FEATURE EMMA O’ KELLY /JACKY PARKER PHOTOGRAPH THREE MILE BEACH

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