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MORE I NSPIRA TI O NA L HO MES T H A N A N Y O T HER MA G AZI N E

HOMES FEEL-GOOD STYLE PROJECTS TO INSPIRE

REAL STORIES

Hear from homeowners how they realised their dreams

Complete property transformations Cool kitchen extensions Creative bathroom renovations

MODERN SCANDI

Relaxed furniture, laid-back neutrals and natural textures – discover stunning spaces that work this look

March 2021

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BLENDING OLD WITH NEW

A South African mid-century farmhouse has been given a stunning contemporary makeover R E C L A I M E D C H I C One woman’s passion for interesting finds has given her 18th-century Suffolk property a unique appeal WA R M W E L C O M E Simple Scandi touches and minimal furnishings enhance the rustic feel of a barn extension in Wiltshire A TA S T E O F F R A N C E These owners sensitively restored the interior of a Périgord farmhouse, updating it for the 21st century while retaining its authentic Gallic flavour

COVER STORY

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F R E S H P E R S P E C T I V E English cottage

style meets modern Scandi in this remodelled former barn in West Sussex C H A R A C T E R B U I L D I N G With plenty of nooks and crannies and intriguing antiques, this Cotswold cottage is full of historic charm S T R O N G C O N N E C T I O N S This east Devon new build was designed to sit comfortably in its glorious green setting S T Y L I S H B Y N AT U R E An abundance of plants, cherished artefacts and mementoes picked up on travels abroad fill this Norfolk property with personality

This former barn has been given fresh Scandi schemes that are chic and full of charm (page 106).

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of a London apartment has optimised the light and space B O U T I Q U E C H I C Being brave with colour and introducing quirky vintage pieces means the owners of this west London flat have a home with flair D E S I G N F O R L I V I N G How one couple turned a dated London semi into the family home of their dreams A L L C H A N G E Renovating a London terrace provided the catalyst for a whole different career for this owner O P E N H O U S E The boundaries between indoors and out are seamless in this home in the capital U P WA R D LY M O B I L E Buying the flat above their Victorian home in London gave this pair the space to extend and create a dramatic double-height living space E C H O E S O F T H E P A S T Interior designer Elizabeth Hay used her skill for mixing colour, print and pattern to refresh the decor in this historic Singapore villa P E R F E C T M I X Expert input helped achieve a charming Scandi-meets-country aesthetic in this London terrace R I V E R S I D E R E T R E AT Exposed brickwork and an industrial chic aesthetic reflect the heritage of this converted former grain store on the banks of the Thames

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B E T T E R A N D B R I G H T E R The reconfiguration

C L E A R V I E W Maximising the space and the

spectacular panoramic seascape was the aim when revamping this Regency apartment in East Sussex L E T T H E R E B E L I G H T A top-to-toe renovation has turned a dark and dated Edwardian villa in Brighton into an elegant light-filled home B O L D A P P R O A C H Luxurious finishes and a monochrome palette set the tone for this striking property in New York State R A I S E A G L A S S A search for the perfect home led this couple to a Scottish pub they used to frequent as young adults, which is now a cool, calm family space

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A L L A B O U T A R T A treasured collection of paintings

is at the heart of this suburban London new build S TA R T I N G O V E R The owners of this Nottingham semi decided to rethink their neutral schemes and add colour R E N O VAT I O N G A M E This Victorian detached family home in Surrey was once ten bedsits P L A N N I N G A H E A D The timeless schemes in this rejuvenated Devon townhouse were designed to be enjoyed now and in the years to come

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

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HOMES EDITORIAL

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

MANAGEMENT

Chief Content Officer Angie O’ Farrell Managing Director of Homes Jason Orme Chief Audience & Ecommerce Officer Aaron Asadi Commercial Finance Director Dan Jotcham Commercial Finance Director Simon Fish

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 Alan Edwards (020 3787 9161)

MARKETING

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

ADVERTISING

Commercial Director Rob Biagioni (rob.biagioni@futurenet.com) Publisher and Head of Homes Joanne O’Hara (joanne.ohara@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)

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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

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BACK ISSUES

Safeship Fulfilment support@mags-uk.com (01795 662976) Vol 24 No 3 ISSN 1369529 © Future PLC, 2021.

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

WELCOME This issue’s theme is feel-good style. From the calming hues and organic textures of our cover story, an Edwardian barn in West Sussex, to the joyful use of colour in designer Elizabeth Hay’s Singapore villa, we focused our edit on uplifting spaces with ideas to steal. Whether you are considering an entire remodel or working up a mood board for one room, you will find inspiration to help you make your home a sanctuary, which is more important than ever right now. And remember, a subscription to 25BH is the most affordable and convenient way to enjoy this magazine.

From next month, I am handing over the writing of this letter to the Houses Editor, Fiona Mace, who has long been curating the selection of beautiful projects. I am really looking forward to following what she has to say.

SARAH SPITERI, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

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BLENDING OLD WITH NEW Charlene and Ruan Oberholzer added a modern extension to their 1940s farmhouse and the result was worth all the ups and downs FEATURE MELANIE WHITEHOUSE | PHOTOGRAPHY ELSA YOUNG/BUREAUX/LIVING INSIDE

SITTING AREA All the internal walls of the farmhouse were knocked down to create a large open-plan living space. This area opens onto a sunroom and terrace. The striking ceiling beams are original.

Harlow sofa in Mountain Grey, £799, Made, is similar. Cairo Silver Luxmi rug, from £315, The Rug Shop, would work here. Try the Zuiver Cupid coffee table in Copper, £149, Cuckooland. Swoon’s Aero shelving unit in Black, £499, has this look

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home truths THE PROPERTY Detached house, built in 1949 L O C AT I O N South Africa R O O M S Open-plan sitting area, kitchen-diner, study, sun room, playroom, four bedrooms (one en suite), three bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2011 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘A small, two-bedroom house,’ says Charlene.

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o realise the potential of their house, with its large garden and established trees, Charlene and Ruan Oberholzer knew that a top-to-toe renovation was the only way to create the home of their dreams. ‘The original property, a farmhouse built in 1949 in the style typical of the area, was cold and dark. It had little windows, two bedrooms, one bathroom and a small living space,’ says Charlene. ‘We decided

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to keep the existing shell to preserve its heritage, but demolish the internal walls to create an open-plan space that would focus on the garden. We also wanted to build a new hallway and an extension for the bedrooms.’

Charlene called in architect Nadine Engelbrecht, who specialises in sustainable architecture. But the work wasn’t all plain sailing. ‘The existing roof trusses weren’t structurally sound so we had to remove and replace them

all,’ recalls Charlene. ‘Initially they looked very busy, but once they were painted white they became an interesting feature.’ Problems also arose with the custom-made steel doors and windows. ‘Because steel windows are out of fashion here, we used a small firm which didn’t have the necessary expertise and unfortunately most of the windows had to be redone,’ says Charlene. ‘It caused huge delays – the renovations took about a year for the

c o u ntry | 25bh D I N I N G S PAC E Charlene loves to set antique pieces, like this favourite dining table, against the modern monochrome backdrop.

Try the Botticelli extendable dining table, £1,210, Perch & Parrow.

Ikea’s Teodores chair in Dark Grey, £22, would suit this space. For a lookalike antique cabinet, try the Pablo sideboard, £699, Tikamoon KITCHEN AREA ‘We chose a black worktop and splashback so that they blend in to the background of this open-plan space,’ says Charlene.

Feature wall in Dark Graphite matt emulsion, £20 for 2.5ltr, B&Q. Glass cylinder tank vase, £19.80, Whittingtons, is similar

construction, on top of the year it took to get planning approval.’

However, it was clearly worth the wait. The new part of the building now links with the old property via a simple, single-storey, rectangular entrance hall, while the overall minimalist, monochrome decorating style allows the original bones of the house to shine through. Tall windows in the new extension ensure light floods into the property, while the pure, brilliant white of the walls in the flexible living spaces provides a blank canvas for furniture and fittings. These are in natural finishes like wood, marble and metal, with fabrics in muted shades to echo the colours of nature outside.

‘I love plants; I love the organic feel they give to our home,’ says Charlene.

‘And I love art, although not necessarily pieces by famous artists. I only have art on my walls that I like.’ Pale-wood flooring contrasts with darker wood

furniture, much of it with an industrial vibe. ‘I love antique pieces, and the fact that the furniture and flooring doesn’t match,’ says Charlene. ‘I don’t like stuff that’s too matchy-matchy; it’s more homely that way.’

The renovation inspired Charlene to set up her own business, Live Simple, creating minimalistic, modern pieces of furniture. But even for a seasoned designer like her, there was still much to learn about renovations, and Charlene is honest when it comes to her mistakes. ‘The cement floor in the scullery wasn’t the best choice, because it’s not hard-wearing enough for such a high-traffic area,’ she says.

What makes this property stand out from those around it are the striking new windows, which bring the outside in yet preserve the family’s privacy. All the hard work was worth it as the family now have their dream home that masterfully blends old with new.

MASTER BEDROOM Fabrics, the flooring and plants add layers of texture.

Alternative Flooring’s Fine Herringbone Heston wool carpet, £71sq m, Designer-Carpet, has this look. Trouva’s Van Dyck Dark Green throw, £120, is similar. Try Lucide Gipsy Plaster spotlights, £28.99 each, Lighting Direct

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c o u ntry | 25bh

H A L LWAY This new space channels light into the house.

Similar Moroccan floor tiles, Abbey Decor grey, £38.40sq m, Porcelain Superstore

B AT H R O O M A stand-alone tub ensures a sense of luxury.

Vive bath in Polished White, from £3,200, BC Designs, would work in this space

BEDROOM An inset window in the wall gives a glimpse of the pool.

Try the Aiden chair, from £449, Marks & Spencer.

AM.PM eyelet curtains, from £85 a panel, La Redoute, would work

POOL AREA The shape of the pool mimics a traditional South African farm dam, hinting at the heritage of the original property

home truths THE PROPERTY Converted Victorian apartment L O C AT I O N North London R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen, dining room, study/ bedroom, two bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in rental apartments in Paris and Madrid,’ says Victoria.

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BETTER AND BRIGHTER Victoria and Angus McSwiney called in the experts to get help reconfiguring their period apartment to optimise light, space and flow FEATURE ALI HEATH | PHOTOGRAPHY ALEXANDER JAMES

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SITTING ROOM Every piece was considered carefully – from the mirror that bounces light around to the armoire that hides the TV. Iggy sofa in Yoert by Designs of the Time, from £1,460, Sofa. com. Armchair (far left) reupholstered in Canvas, £62.50m, Kvadrat. Armchair (near window) upholstered in Sahco

by Elemento with contrast piping, £1,550,

The French House.

Bespoke coffee table, Robinson van Noort.

Rug, £384, Urbanara.

Gustavian linen press, £3,000, Blanchard Collective. 1940s Murano chandelier, from a selection, The French House

DINING ROOM A bench gets more people around the table. This space is almost open-plan to the kitchen thanks to a wide opening

(right). The antique cabinet (also right) provides elegant storage.

Cabinet adapted from a British Library unit, £3,500, Lassco.

Antique sideboard (above), £3,600, Sigmar. Dining Table Two, from £1,995, Another Country. Hans J Wegner Wishbone chairs, from £495 each, The Conran Shop. De La Espada bench with back in oak, £2,950, Studioilse

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oving back to England after some years spent living in France and Spain meant Victoria and Angus McSwiney had distinctly European tastes when it came to searching for a new home.

‘As soon as we saw it, we were drawn to the imposing Parisian feel of this period north London apartment,’ says Victoria.

‘We understood how the space could be revitalised and a third bedroom incorporated into the design.’

The couple were attracted to the work of Robinson van Noort (robinsonvannoort.

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com), an interior architecture and design practice co-founded by Alister Robinson with his wife Carolyn van Noort in 2001, and commissioned them to help achieve their aim. ‘The planned transformation involved stripping the single-floor, Victorian Villa conversion apartment back to its bare bones, ready to reconfigure and totally renovate,’ says Victoria.

Alister shared the couple’s passion for properties with tall ceilings and period features and inspired them to bring more natural light into their home. At the heart of the property an unused part of the central

hallway was repurposed into a separate study-bedroom zone by installing a reclaimed 19th-century glazed screen, which also allows light to flood into the core of the building. In the master bedroom, a new statement glass partition affords the adjoining bathroom a natural source of daylight and outward view. Reflective surfaces including oversized period mirrors, Murano glass chandeliers, a colourful glass kitchen splashback and glazed display cupboards are used throughout.

‘Alister and Carolyn were brilliant at managing our complex project – from the

KITCHEN The design blends high-sheen units with wood and stone for a bespoke look.

The display case also contributes to the room’s unique feel.

Kitchen, £25,000 plus appliances, Robinson van Noort. Units in Basalt intelligent eggshell, £66 for 2.5ltr; walls in French Grey Pale absolute matt emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltr, both Little Greene. Ashorne

vitrine, £4,000, Ali Robinson Furniture.

Enamel pendant, £360, The French House ST U DY/ BEDROOM This versatile space was created by zoning off part of the central hallway with a reclaimed 19th-century glazed screen. The bespoke green lightbox artwork is by Alister Robinson.

Desk joinery,

Robinson van Noort.

Ikea chair, eBay. Stool, £3,500, Ali Robinson Furniture. Alphabet 1 artwork (above desk), £100, Ronald King, via Robinson van Noort.

Westowe three-seater sofa bed in Pebble textured linen, from £2,085, Willow & Hall.

Retro red wall clock, £375, Clockprops.com.

Similar ceramics, from £15, Habitat

25bh | c it y MASTER BEDROOM The restful space balances perfectly a relaxed, muted palette with antiques and more modern textiles.

Blind in Taka, £66.50m, Designs of the Time.

Similar throw, from £74, West Elm. Swedish Gustavian chest of drawers, £1,984, Blanchard Collective.

Endellion bedside lamp, £820, Antonia’s Pearls.

Italian brass mirror, £1,000, Pamono. Walls in Rubine Ashes absolute matt emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene

MASTER EN SUITE This elegant bathroom is a lesson in understated design. The glazed partition with bespoke blind ofers the opportunity for privacy or inclusion.

Bespoke vanity unit joinery, Robinson van Noort. Belgravia threehole basin taps, £293 a set, C.P. Hart. Azulej Grigio Renda tiles, £200sq m, Casa Ceramica. Ball pendant lights with flex cords, £1,080 each, Michael Anastassiades

f a v o u r i t e f e a t u r e ‘The internal window between the bathroom and bedroom. We gain light from the street window but can retain privacy with a blind’ conceptual ideas, right through to the interior design and decoration,’ says Victoria. ‘Their mix of skills and talented team bought a wealth of expertise and craftsmanship to our renovation.’ At the core of the project was a fastidious attention to detail. ‘Alister spent four to five months working very closely with us on ideas, planning and costs, but by the time the building work started the actual project only took 18 weeks to complete.’

Inspiring antiques are combined with newer designs and showcase the couple’s love of mixing high with low, old with new.

‘Everything here is informed by things we 18 | 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1

love, places we have lived in and spaces we have respected,’ says Victoria. ‘It was important to us for everything to be part of our story. Pieces that have been with us for a long time sat alongside newer finds – chosen for a lifetime, not come-and-go trends.’

Throughout, carefully considered storage encourages a feeling of space. Less visually pleasing technology has been successfully hidden: including the TV, disguised within a beautiful Gustavian armoire, sourced specifically for the space.

Stylish joinery solutions elevate the look – in the form of the handmade, contemporary kitchen, bespoke master bathroom

cabinetry, a space-saving built-in study desk and generous hallway storage.

Paint hues combine the classic and contemporary, with brighter shades of green, ochre, dark blue and red adding colour pops to the muted pale grey backdrops. Elegant furniture and artwork made by Alister lends a nod to more modern forms – including the steel-encased coffee table made from the apartment’s original floorboards. ‘Spaces juxtapose a mix of traditional, modern, mid-century and handmade finishes,’ says Victoria. ‘It feels like a celebration of all periods – a 21st century response to a historical framework.’

BOUTIQUE CHIC Colour and individuality were the two things Jason Rowlands and Craig Morley wanted for their flat and they have achieved just that FEATURE JANE CRITTENDEN | STYLING CIARA WALSHE | PHOTOGRAPHY MEGAN TAYLOR

home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y Garden flat in an arts and crafts house L O C AT I O N West London R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen, dining area, study, bedroom, bathroom, P U R C H A S E D 2019 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in the top-floor flat in the same building,’ says Jason.

DINING AREA

‘We love the 1960s table and chairs,’ says Jason.

Mid-century dining chairs, £1,699, Vinterior.

Rattan shade in Natural, £150, Cox & Cox. Hikira rug, £1,640, A Rum Fellow

KITCHEN

Aged brass in lighting and the peninsular fascia adds warmth.

Konsthantverk Stav pendants, £265 each, Funktion Alley. Printed blue cotton rug, £75, Birdie Fortescue.

Brass-bronze tile-effect fascia panel, £1,398, Quirky Interiors

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SITTING ROOM

‘Green was a strong theme in our mood boards. It’s so calming and connects with the garden,’ says Jason.

Mid-century lounge chairs, £764 for the pair; mid-century rattan Franco Albini coffee table, £395; mid-century

sideboard, £595, all Mustard Vintage.

Chartreuse Kashmiri Crewel cushions, £80 each, Samarkand Design. Cooper mirror, £395; Allis chandelier, £565, both Soho Home.

Spring/Black/Autumn Cherry Tree prints, £130 each, Rachel Busch

J

ason Rowlands and his partner Craig Morley took their design cues from a favourite haunt when they moved into their two-bedroom garden flat in London. ‘We normally like socialising in small groups, somewhere cosy, rather than going to big, glitzy places,’ says Jason. ‘Soho House captures a warm, personal feel with its mix of eras and styles – without being overstylised – and we wanted to bring that feeling to our home.’

Buying the garden flat was an easy move for Jason and Craig, as they’d been living in the top-floor flat of the converted property. However, they were in the middle of buying a four-bed Victorian terrace when they heard their neighbour wanted to sell. ‘The terrace was tall and narrow with a small garden, whereas the flat had gardens at the front, side and back,’ explains Jason. ‘There was the same amount of floor space, but the proportion of living to sleeping space in the flat was more in line with our lifestyle.’

The neutral decoration and high-quality bathroom and kitchen offered them a good blank canvas so they were able to put all their energy into transforming the decor.

Straightaway they decided to reinstate all the missing period features and spent time collating ideas for the interiors with Pinterest boards. The couple then called on the expertise of interior designer Brooke Copp-Barton, who had been highly recommended by neighbours. ‘We had the main visual 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1 | 2 1

STUDY

The floating desk is a great space-saver.

Lolita table lamp in Emerald glaze, £116, Pooky. Titica rug, £1,085, A Rum Fellow. Blind in Papyrus in Malachite, £98m, Lewis & Wood

HALLWAY

This space may be compact but it’s still packed with stylish touches.

Four-hook coat racks, £36 each, Ines Cole.

Antique brass round mirror, £125, Cox & Cox. Vintage kilim runner, £625, Vinterior

BATHROOM

A tiled bath panel is a unique touch.

Walls in Dix Blue estate emulsion, £47.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Blue Santona floor tiles, £5 each, Bert & May. Gelato Azura tiles, £47.47sq m, Mandarin Stone

elements in mind – blues and greens, dark wood parquet floors and outbreaks of soft fabrics – but we didn’t want to be too safe,’ says Jason. ‘We needed Brooke to push us with the details and to balance colour, furniture and lighting.

She did a brilliant job.’

Moving away from the Scandi look of their previous home, the couple started again with their furniture, following Brooke’s suggestions for a comfortable mix of vintage, bespoke and new. An olive-green sofa in the sitting room sits with mid-century East German lounge chairs that have been newly upholstered, while modern table lamps stand on vintage furniture. ‘I like the feel of individuality, and having pieces that are a little unusual or quirky, such as the vintage rattan coffee table in the sitting room,’ says Jason.

Colour was high on the brief to Brooke, while avoiding the garish. Strong blue walls feature in the bathroom and master bedroom, for example, where an emerald green velvet headboard and deep-pile patterned rug emphasise the soothing tones with added tactile softness. ‘A friend stayed over recently and said she didn’t want to leave,’ says Jason.

‘That tells us we’ve achieved our aim of creating a warm and inviting home; in fact, we’ve had more friends visit us here than we ever did when we were living upstairs. Brooke built on our vision and opened our eyes to ideas we wouldn’t have considered – we’re overjoyed with the result.’

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d e c o r a t i n g t i p ‘Quirky vintage pieces will give a home a sense of individuality’

MASTER BEDROOM

‘We like greens, blues and touches of mustard,’ says Jason.

They are fresh and give a mid-century modern feel.

Balmoral headboard in Varese Velvet Emerald, £1,249, Heal’s. Zapora rug, £3,440, A Rum Fellow. Nellie lamp, £105; Cream Tipu Tiger lampshade, £58, both Pooky. Walls in Oval Room Blue estate emulsion, £47.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

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DINING AREA The statement black brick wall adds drama.

Benchmark oak herringbone flooring, £35sq m, Barham & Sons.

White dining chairs with natural legs, £44.95 each, Stone Butterfly.

Etsy sells similar dining tables, from around £175.

Wall calendar, £59.95, Stendig, is similar. Try the Hell Yeah sign, £120, Neon Beach. The black rattan bar stools, £195 each, Rockett St George, would work here

home truths THE PROPERTY Edwardian semi detached house L O C AT I O N East London R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, cloakroom, utility, four bedrooms, family bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We were living in a two-bedroom apartment before moving here,’ says Chloe.

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DESIGN FOR LIVING Not afraid of taking on a big project, Chloe and Adam Roberts have worked wonders on a dated semi to make it the home of their dreams FEATURE RICHARD WEBBER | PHOTOGRAPHY COLIN POOLE

c it y | 25bh KITCHEN Neutral Shaker cabinetry works well with the monochrome scheme.

Kitchen units, £10,000, Moores.

Hot water combined tap, £1,049, Perrin & Rowe SITTING ROOM ‘I used classic shutters to create a sleek look,’ says Chloe.

Shutters, price on request, Plantation Shutters. Walls in Rectory White emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene.

Try single sheepskin

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hen Chloe Roberts and her husband Adam were househunting in east London, they wanted a property they could adapt to their changing needs. ‘We were planning to start a family and wanted this move to be for the next 10 years,’ says Chloe, who you can follow on Instagram @cactusandcandles. ‘We saw it needed a fair bit of work and investment, as the layout and decor didn’t work for us, but we’re not averse to a project.’

The couple had originally planned to live in the property for a while before beginning the work, but then fate took a

rug, from £35. John Lewis & Partners.

Antique chairs upholstered in Alvar, £16m, Clarke & Clarke. Cushions in Longleat, £19.95m, Prestigious Textiles S TA I R C A S E The tiled runners make a bold design statement.

Casino Baccarat tiles, £52.25sq m, Fired Earth. Interior architecture design

by Peter Lancaric HECTOR’S BEDROOM Colourful accessories strike a playful note.

Try the Mula abacus, £10, Ikea

25bh | c it y BEDROOM An oversized floor light adds the drama here.

Single sheepskin rug, from £35, John Lewis & Partners.

Try the Teal waffle bed throw, £69, Secret Linen Store MASTER BEDROOM ‘We designed this room to be serene,’ says Chloe. One alcove has become a vanity.

Simba upholstered bed, £449, John Lewis & Partners.

Try the Knitted olive green blanket, £79, Secret Linen Store. The Alana dressing table,

£199, Made, is similar. Try the Ali wall lamp in Black, £20.78, Sklum S H E LV I N G UNIT A nook in the eaves houses a bespoke shelving unit.

Scented candles, from £49, Jo Malone B AT H R O O M ‘Here we balanced style and practicality,’ says Chloe.

Try Metro White tiles, £20sq m, Topps Tiles. Taps and shower, £1,800, from a selection at Bespoke Taps

hand. ‘Within a fortnight of moving in, I discovered I was expecting our son Hector, now three, so we had to get started on the changes,’ says Chloe. The couple promptly engaged architect Peter Lancaric to design a replacement side extension and help reconfigure the layout. The new extension was combined with the old lounge and kitchen to create one large family space, with a utility and WC. ‘We opted to bring the black bricks, which form the back of the house along with white render, into the living area as an alternative to reclaimed brick,’ says Chloe.

A T O TA L M A K E O V E R

Another key stage of the renovation was in the hallway, where the open tread staircase was moved from the centre of the house to the party wall. ‘This was a fairly big decision, but gave us so much more usable space we felt it would be worth it in the long term,’ says Chloe.

With the building work in full swing, Chloe took time to revise the decor. The bold statement wall in the ground floor extension provided the starting point for the monochrome theme throughout the rest of the house. ‘The back of the house is fully glazed with a roof light above the wall so there’s plenty of light to balance the dark,’ says Chloe. ‘We also chose Brilliant White for the rest of the room, along with light ash flooring and light grey kitchen units to maintain a light airy space.’

The couple varied decor slightly in the sitting room. ‘This was the only room with original features, so we wanted it to have more of a traditional cosy feel,’ says Chloe.

‘We chose plantation shutters, which give us privacy while allowing in plenty of light.’ Reupholstered antique chairs, safari fabric and antique ornaments have been combined to give the room a distinct feel.

G R E AT U S E O F S PA C E

Upstairs, the existing bathroom was rather cramped so Chloe decided to extend slightly into the adjoining nursery, allowing her to create her dream bathroom. To keep the nursery feeling spacious, the ceiling was raised into the loft and a roof light installed.

With the project now complete, Chloe and Adam are delighted with the results. ‘Our architect really helped us optimise the layout,’ says Chloe. ‘We wanted the ground floor living space to be sociable yet functional. It’s now our favourite part of the house and where we spend most time as a family.’

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ALL CHANGE Working on her fourth refurbishment project with her husband Matt, Polly Ashman not only created a wonderful home for their family but also a new career for herself FEATURE RACHEL LEEDHAM | PHOTOGRAPHY MALCOLM MENZIES/LIVING INSIDE

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace L O C AT I O N West London R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, TV room, cloakroom, four bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2018 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a smaller terraced cottage nearby,’ says Polly.

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KITCHEN-DINER

Fuchsia pink chairs add a burst of colour to this cool grey and blue and white scheme and a wallpaper marks out the dining area.

Ivor chairs in Pink, €70 each, Design Store.

Cabinets, Wilstons of Avebury; in De Nimes estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball.

Super Stanley pendant lights, £142 each, Pooky. Oak farmhouse bar stools, £175 each, Graham and Green. Dômiers wallpaper, £63 for a 10m roll, Nina Campbell

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DECOR ATING advice ‘Paint the upper and lower halves of walls in two different colours – we did it in our boys’ room’

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his Victorian terrace in west London is the fourth property Polly Ashman and her husband, Matt, have renovated and for Polly the project proved the impetus for a complete change in career. ‘We’ve worked with the same building company, Lofty Creations, on all of our houses and after this project they asked me if I would like to join them to head up the design side of their business,’ she recounts. ‘I’ve been part of the team for a year now and I absolutely love it.’

Polly’s passion for interiors is evident throughout the home she and Matt share with their two sons, aged four and two. The pair have successfully transformed what had been two run-down flats to 3 0 | 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1

recreate a welcoming home, reinstating period details such as sash windows and fireplaces while also adapting the layout to modern living. ‘I love the open feel of the ground floor – I can be cooking while chatting with the boys in the TV room,’ says Polly of the layout, which flows from the front of the house to the back, where a new kitchen extension opens the room up to the garden.

For Polly, fitted joinery was an essential part of the design. ‘I like to add coving and skirting boards so that it feels as if the storage has always been there,’ she says. ‘In the TV room, I also incorporated lights to illuminate the bookshelves.’ Part of the middle bedroom on the first floor was turned into a utility room, and the rest of the space

SITTING ROOM

Twin armchairs and ottomans create a pleasing sense of symmetry.

Ottomans in Kit Kemp Travelling Light in Orange, £210m, Christopher Farr Cloth. Jonesy sofa, from £1,195, Loaf. Walls in Farrow & Ball’s Drop Cloth estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr

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MASTER BATHROOM

Marble tiles and brass accessories create a sense of understated luxury.

Serac honed tiles, £49.93sq m; Serac hexagonal mosaic tiles, £164.40sq m, both Topps Tiles. For a similar tub, try the Aegean, from £4,250, The Albion Bath Company

BOYS’ ROOM

The two-tone paint scheme is a simple way to create a bold decorative feature.

Lower section of the wall in Blue Gray estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball.

Blind in Dinosaurs, £26m, Sophie Allport.

Bedspread in Rabanna, £120m, Fermoie

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MASTER BEDROOM

An upholstered headboard adds boutique-hotel-style comfort.

Headboard in Figured; cushion in Quantock, both £130m, Fermoie. Stevie wall light in antiqued brass, £59; empire gathered shade in Savannah, £32, both Pooky

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DESIGN tip ‘Try painting fitted storage the same colour as the walls to help it to “disappear” in the room’

became an en suite for the master bedroom. ‘For me, it makes sense to have a laundry room close to the bedrooms,’ explains Polly.

A keen advocate for colour, Polly has selected schemes that have infused the house with warmth. ‘I grew up in the New Forest with the colours of the countryside and I then developed a passion for travel, which has also influenced my choices,’ she explains of a welcoming palette that spans a rich denim blue for the cabinetry in the kitchen to a gentle shade of grey-beige for the walls of the sitting and TV rooms and a restful silvery blue in the master bedroom.

Polly also loves beautiful fabrics, and is always looking online to find designs by her favourite brands at bargain prices. ‘You can

sometimes hit lucky and buy a whole roll of material, but even finding the odd metre or two of a fabric is perfect for cushions, a footstool or an ottoman,’ she explains. ‘I’ve even used a couple of linen tablecloths to recover an old Ercol sofa.’

Antiques are peppered throughout the house and include purchases from online auction houses as well as inherited pieces.

‘I have a beautiful chest of drawers and a dressing table from my grandmother, while Matt has his grandmother’s wing chair, which I re-covered in a geometric weave,’ says Polly. ‘We cherish these pieces; they feel like old friends. We’ve surrounded ourselves with things that make us happy – that’s how a home should make you feel.’

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HOUSE Every room of Lisa Sharistani’s Victorian terrace is spectacular, but the inside-out feel of the kitchen-diner gets top marks FEATURE JO LEEVERS PHOTOGRAPHY KASIA FISZER

KITCHEN Two walls of glazing and a sky light connect the inside and outside.

Kitchen, bespoke by KEMSI with worktops in Calacatta Gold quartz. Fusion 3-in-1 boiling water tap in brass, £1,777, Quooker DINING AREA Bespoke storage doubles as a seating bench for extra guests.

Hooked 6.0 pendant in brass, £814, Buster + Punch.

Mickey dining chairs, £95 each, Habitat, are a good match. Try the Carra dining table, £790, First Furniture

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home truths THE PROPERTY A Victorian terraced house L O C AT I O N North London R O O M S Sitting room, family room, kitchen-diner, study, music room, cloakroom, four bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved from a two-bedroom flat in the same area,’ says Lisa.

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n sunny weekends, Lisa Sharistani and her family usually find themselves gravitating towards their chic kitchen-diner, where bifold doors draw back to create a relaxed inside-outside space with the garden. Ironically, this was the last room the couple renovated when they reconfigured their Victorian home five years ago. ‘We had to be patient before we could enjoy this room, but it was worth the wait,’ says Lisa.

That said, the rest of this family home, which Lisa shares with her husband Ali and their son Sami, seven, and daughter Mia, four, is just as stylish and well thought out. ‘I wanted our home to feel calm, comfortable and elegant,’ explains Lisa, who is co-founder of interior design company KEMSI. At home and at work, Lisa’s focus is on how a home is experienced, rather than the superficial elements of design. ‘Interior design goes beyond colours and cushions: it is about how a home makes you feel,’ she explains.

In both the sitting room and family room she has created an airy, easy mood by keeping the spaces uncluttered. Her go-to palette is monochromes with blush and greys; then she adds depth with textures, while glass tables and flashes of brass bring smooth gleam into the spaces.

Lisa also favours modern furniture shapes and contemporary prints. ‘I love seeing these modern elements within a Victorian home,’ she says.

During the renovation the couple took care to preserve or reinstate the house’s original period features, including intricate plaster cornices and ceiling roses, shutters and

SITTING ROOM A clean-lined sofa and a glass coffee table keep the look comfortable but minimalist.

Carmo sofa, from £1,830, BoConcept.

French kiss poster, £23.95, Desenio.

Lugo coffee table, £329, BoConcept, is similar. Try the Tibetan sheepskin cushions, £75 each, Cox & Cox

F A M I LY ROOM Walls are painted in three shades of grey to highlight the original features in this playfriendly space.

Walls in Cornforth White; cornice and picture rail in Strong White; ceiling and top of wall in All White, all estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

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fireplaces. ‘We needed to do a full renovation but it was just what we were looking for – we wanted a project,’ says Lisa.

Over the course of six months they gutted every room – finishing with the kitchen, where they added a rear extension. ‘We flipped the floor plan, moving the dining area to the new extension then brought in more natural light with bifold doors and a skylight,’ says Lisa. ‘It completely transformed the way we experienced the space and gave us a connection with the outside.’

Bespoke kitchen cabinets store everything neatly and even the toaster is hidden away in its own unit. A bench seat conceals more storage, but can then be pressed into service as extra seating when friends or family join them for meals.

Throughout this home, in fact, storage is key to Lisa’s uncluttered look. ‘In every room, I designed plenty of storage so that things can be easily tucked away, whether it’s toys in the playroom or a printer in the home office,’ she explains.

During lockdown, Lisa and Ali’s home proved how well it worked for family life. ‘The children could be playing out in the garden while I worked at the kitchen table,’ she says. ‘I’m so glad we waited until we knew what we wanted from this space before we redesigned the kitchen.

Leaving the best until last has definitely paid off.’

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SAMI’S BEDROOM The monochrome scheme is a timeless choice.

Similar playhouse, £139, Royal Design.

Bunk bed, £349, Furniture123. Prints, from £10, Desenio

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MASTER BEDROOM Tones of grey and tactile velvet add up to a luxe, calm space.

Malm bed frame, £165; picture shelf, £5, both Ikea. Monroe square cushions, from £65 each, Soho Home

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4 B AT H R O O M A graceful corner bath shape adds impact to this white, refined bathing space.

Happy bath, around £1,555, Duravit. Plant stand, £25, Ferm Living at Nordic Nest, is a good option

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M I A’ S BEDROOM A house-shaped trundle bed makes a fun hideaway.

House bed, £549, Kiddic.

Similar print, from £10, Etsy

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home truths THE PROPERTY Detached Queen Anne property built in 1707 L O C AT I O N Suffolk R O O M S Sitting room, family room, kitchen-diner, conservatory, seven bedrooms, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a five-bedroom house in Muswell Hill,’ says Lisa.

Reclaimed chic

Lisa Waldron has curated a vintage treasure trove in her 18th-century home, where every piece has a story to tell FEATURE KAY PRESTNEY | PHOTOGRAPHY CATHY PYLE/NARRATIVES

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f a v o u r i t e i t e m ‘Our huge kitchen table, which was a gift from my parents. I love that we can fit so many family and friends around it’

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idden away in the Suffolk countryside, this attractive period property has been lovingly restored into a characterful family home

by Lisa and Tom Waldron, who share a passion for travel and interesting finds. When the couple moved from London in 2012, seeking more space and a slower pace of life, they viewed many houses, but this one captured their imagination with its period features, large number of rooms and potential for renovation.

The property had undergone various transformations over the years, expanding and contracting with different occupants. Dating back to 1707, it was increased in size during the Edwardian period, before being divided into three dwellings in the mid 1950s. At this time, the old servants’ quarters and stables became smaller properties, leaving the majority of the main house to form what is now Lisa and Tom’s home which they share with their five children, Oliver, 19, Henry, 17, Arthur, 12, and twin daughters Harriet and Edith, eight.

The house is filled with a wonderful collection of reclaimed pieces – Lisa’s favourite pastime is visiting local vintage shops and reclamation yards. All around the house large vintage zinc containers, rescued from old factories, are now upcycled into attractive and practical storage for the toys, shoes and clothes that accumulate with a family of seven. ‘I love the texture of traditional materials like galvanised metal, wood and ceramics,’ says Lisa. ‘They are beautiful and also brilliantly durable.’

It hasn’t all been plain sailing, however. When the couple moved in they decided to remove an internal wall

KITCHEN-DINER

Antique cinema seats and Singer sewing chairs offer quirky seating in this large family space, where the handmade kitchen units are combined with vintage cupboards for a relaxed feel; the original parquet flooring has been beautifully restored. Lisa has repurposed vintage finds, such as an old metal flour container to display seasonal flowers.

Kitchen units painted in Hardwick White modern eggshell, £71 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Find similar vintage Singer chairs, £455 each, at Original House. Discover more of Lisa’s style on Instagram @mylocationhouse

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SITTING ROOM

‘I love to create tactile interiors with a variety of textures and vintage finds, like this old leather trunk, to create a room that’s both stylish and comfortable.’

Vindkast light, £25, Ikea, has this look. Similar Cabin trunk, £325, Life of Riley. Try Cowhide rug in Beige, £169, Hide Rugs

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d e c o r a t i n g t i p ‘If you find a vintage piece that you love, try to repurpose it. We used old crates as shelves in the girls’ bedroom’ MASTER BEDROOM The French-style bed has been painted to blend with the wall colour, while metal bedside cabinets continue the industrial look.

Bed in Old White modern eggshell, £71 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Find similar cabinets, £225.90 pair, Melody Maison

to create a large kitchen-diner, but when the builders started work they discovered asbestos. The family had to evacuate for a fortnight while it was removed. ‘It was so stressful, but after a lot of hard work and mess we created the open-plan, light-filled space that we’d imagined when we first viewed the house,’ says Lisa. This is now their favourite room and the hub of their home.

Lisa’s love of a Scandinavian aesthetic, influenced by holidays in Denmark and Sweden, has informed the eclectic style of their home, where sheepskins abound against a muted-palette backdrop. Keen collectors of vintage prints and large signage, Lisa and Tom have used typography throughout to make bold statements.

Their collection includes large vintage maps, enamel advertising plaques and the bold bus sign in the conservatory, which they found on holiday in Denmark.

With its orange stripe, it makes a unique backdrop and can be glimpsed through the sitting room window.

As a nature lover, Lisa always keeps her eye out for pieces made from enduring natural materials, such as wood, metal and linen, as well as collecting foliage on their walks in the surrounding countryside. The house reflects its rural surroundings with vases and vintage pots often filled with seasonal finds or garden cuttings.

‘I love to bring the outside in and to decorate the house with foraged discoveries,’ says Lisa. And having spent the last six years creating this beautiful house, she is now setting up her own business offering the space for location and prop hire. ‘It’s such a great opportunity to share my house with others,’ she says.

BATHROOM

Neutral panelling in the family bathroom ensures a modern Scandi look, which creates the perfect backdrop for a classic mid-century chair.

Vitra Eames DAW armchair, £495, Innes. Find a similar antique mirror, from £300, Louisa Grace Interiors

TWINS’ BEDROOM

A set of old wooden crates attached to the wall creates quirky bookshelves, while vintage signs bring a splash of colour.

Similar wooden crates, £60, Vintage Crates at Notonthehighstreet.com.

Vintage double desk, £160, Blue Ticking, has this look

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U P WA R D LY M O B I L E When Mark and Abi Lewis needed more space, rather than move house, they went in a vertical direction FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL/JENNY TUCKER | STYLING MARY WEAVER | PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL RAESIDE

c it y | 25bh LIVING AREA To achieve this double-height space, ceilings were removed and a bedroom was lost upstairs.

Try the Snooze loveseat, £1,799, Heal’s. Footstool with decorative bronze studs, price on request, Mark Lewis Interior Design. Kerman rug, from £421, Rug Vista.

Distressed-oak flooring, price on request, Havwoods

home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y Victorian terraced house L O C AT I O N North London R O O M S Kitchen-diner/living area, utility room, pantry, cloakroom, three bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2010 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘A Victorian flat, a few miles away,’ says Mark.

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fter renovating and extending their Victorian ground-floor flat, Mark Lewis and his partner Abi got the chance to take it to the next level – literally. ‘When we moved in 10 years ago we turned a bathroom into a bedroom and added a small side extension.

Then, five years later, the upstairs flat came on the market,’ says Mark. ‘We loved the area, and the idea of more space was appealing, so it seemed logical to buy it and knock the two properties into one.’

It was another three years before they had enough cash to carry out the work but finally, in 2018, the family moved out of the property for eight months while the builders moved in. ‘It really does help being an interior designer as I’ve got the experience of my day job and I’m fortunate enough to have access to a wide range of inside info,’ says Mark, who was also able to project-manage the whole thing, which kept costs down.

Some design decisions were certainly not for the fainthearted. ‘Abi has always been keen on loft living and this was a Victorian building with boxy rooms,’ says Mark. ‘To give the house an open feel and lots of light, we knocked upwards and sideways, taking out the ceiling and walls of our original flat to create the dramatic double-height kitchen and large living space.’

It meant losing a guest bedroom and bathroom, but the couple agreed that the result would justify it. Mark’s design style

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means that he veers towards a subtle approach, preferring not to end up with something that looks ‘brand spanking new’.

The couple’s home features a blend of clever ideas, vintage furnishings and gentle hues that create a welcoming and calming feel. The use of beautifully graphic wallpaper in the bedrooms, delicate greens (Mark often mixes his own colours) and natural flooring add to this seamless mix of modern and Victorian. ‘Someone said to me recently that our daughter Olive’s bedroom looks like it belongs to a Second World War evacuee, which I took as a compliment,’ he laughs.

To get the effect he wanted, Mark has put time and effort into the process. In the kitchen, the cabinetry was custom-made then handpainted and waxed for an aged look.

The walls were stripped back to the original bricks and finished in a lime plaster.

Mark also feels strongly about upcycling.

‘Establishing a home takes years and years, so if you reuse the materials that have already been part of the house, then you’re giving it a kick start.’ Examples of his creativity are everywhere – the brickwork in the dining area was once the old garden wall, and the distinctive pieces of handed-down furniture have been reupholstered or repainted.

Mark emphasises the need for his home to be for the family to appreciate as they grow older. ‘I moved from pillar to post as a child,’ he says, ‘So I want this house to be a solid anchor. We’re here for the long term.’

c it y | 25bh KITCHEN The hanging pendants emphasise the amazing height of this room.

Aston Lantern pendants, £980 each, Fritz Fryer.

George cast-bronze cup handles, £15 each; utensil rack in cast bronze, £195, all Mark Lewis Interior Design.

Smeg Opera range cooker, £2,348, Appliances Direct DINING AREA Vintage-style furniture is complemented by raw brickwork.

Origlia Lady P chair, £30, Steve Ward Styling. Neo Classic radiator, £440, Salvage Doctor. Upton glass pendant, £150, Fritz Fryer

25bh | c it y F A M I LY B AT H R O O M The working fireplace is one of Mark’s favourite features.

Astonian Epoca bath, £3,959; Deca basin, £282; Brass basin mixer taps, £712, all Aston Matthews. Oval Bulkhead wall lights, £195 each, Urban Cottage Industries MASTER BEDROOM Graphic wallpaper in soft hues creates a retro feel.

King-size carved bed, £2,780, Soho Home. Bedside shelf, from £105, Mark Lewis Interior Design. Swan-necked wall lights, price on request, Urban Cottage Industries

MEZZANINE LANDING An armchair makes a colourful statement.

Chair covered in Omni Drips, £126m, Timorous Beasties

OLIVE’S ROOM ‘I love these adult-sized bunk beds,’ says Mark.

Custom-made beds painted in Lichen estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Gilly Flower Blue wallpaper, price on request, Robert Kime

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All about ART Carefully curated artworks give Graham and Helen Bolon’s new build character and individual style

home truths THE PROPERTY Detached new build L O C AT I O N Richmond R O O M S Hallway, kitchen, sitting room, dining room, breakfast room, study, cinema room, playroom, boot room, gym, four bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms B U I LT 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had a chateau-style house in South Africa,’ says Graham.

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FEATURE KAREN JENSEN-JONES | PHOTOGRAPHY NICK SMITH

KITCHEN

The pendants add just the right amount of glamour.

Orb pendant lights, £1,126 each, Porta Romana. Who chairs by Rodolfo Dordoni, price on request, Molteni&C. Kitchen units, price on request, Extreme

BREAKFAST ROOM

The vibrant painting creates a striking backdrop for the otherwise muted scheme.

Rainbow Brigades artwork by Ndidi Emefiele, price on request; find similar work by this artist at Rosenfeld.

Leather pouffe, price on request, Poltrona Frau; for similar, try raffia pouffe, £245, Design Vintage

HALLWAY

Windows either side of the door let light flood in.

Move rocking armchair, from £15,141, Giorgetti

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SITTING ROOM

Statement pieces, like the chairs, give the room a twist.

Hug occasional chairs, from £7,260 each, Giorgetti. Lederam Manta S1 ceiling light, price on request, Catellani & Smith.

Artwork, Ndidi Emefiele

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elocating to the UK from abroad gave Graham and Helen Bolon the unexpected opportunity to build their dream family home in a leafy suburb close to central London. ‘We chose Richmond because it suits family life and is close enough to the city for both work and socialising,’ explains Graham. ‘However, once we began talking to architects about renovating the house we had found, we soon realised how costly the changes were going to be. When it was suggested to us that we knock it down and start again, which we hadn’t considered, it gave us a blank canvas to create something unique to us.’

The new build took almost two years and with the couple living in Paris at the time, they kept a close eye on progress through on-site 5 2 | 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1

cameras and regular visits. Having two children, Myla, who is now eight, and Oli, aged six, the couple were mindful about planning around them. ‘A boot room, a playroom and good storage are very important with a young family – and so is lots of space,’ says Helen. ‘Our friends laugh because our home always looks so neat and tidy, but that’s because we’ve been thoughtful and planned the house around how we like to live.’

The Bolons also called on the services of Paul van den Berg from interior designers Cécile & Boyd. ‘We’ve been collecting contemporary African art for some time and were keen to incorporate these pieces,’ says Graham. ‘Paul understood exactly what we were trying to achieve. We like that our home appears

DINING ROOM

‘We love the drama of the chandelier,’ says Graham.

Luceplan Hope chandelier, £2,500, And Lights. Artwork, Nelson Makamo

FAVOURITE space ‘The sitting room - we adore the fusion of linen wallpaper, leather, wood, granite, fabrics, glass and plants’

25bh | tow n MASTER BEDROOM Muted fabric colours offset splashes of colour.

ION dressing table desk, £8,640, Giorgetti. Artworks

by Samson Mnisi, prices on request; find similar work by this artist at Artsper

BASEMENT HALLWAY

The vibrant artworks create a stunning feature.

Artwork on right by Amadou Sanogo

EN SUITE OLI’S BEDROOM

This playful bed makes bedtime fun.

Cabin bed, from £2,231, RH Baby & Child. Wall mural, from £22sq m, find similar at Wallmur

Book-matched marble elevates the look.

Book-matched marble wall tiles, price on request, Porcelain Tiles. Picasso bath, £1,295, Lusso

DESIGN TIP ‘Always think carefully about the materials you choose for your home – some natural materials, such as stone, need maintenance and aftercare, which can prove timely and expensive’

very European and then, surprisingly, you have this amazing, colourful African art everywhere.’

‘Choosing a neutral backdrop of greys and creams for the walls and floors has naturally enhanced the art and allows the colours to really pop out at you,’ says Helen. ‘We’re so pleased with the flow of the interior and how the art complements each room. We’ve even hung it in the children’s rooms because they’ve known it since they were small and they love it, too.’

The pair were adamant about avoiding an overly contemporary look that would date quickly, preferring instead to aim for a more liveable family home aesthetic. ‘Cécile & Boyd was exceptional at 5 4 | 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1

suggesting different materials and designs, but we had to be careful not to get too carried away. Of course it is hard to resist beautiful pieces, but we learned how important it is for things in our home to be practical as well as beautiful,’ says Helen.

The couple have also incorporated a carefully curated collection of unique chairs into their scheme. ‘We have always appreciated good design and I think occasional chairs are often an afterthought to fill residual space but for us, it was something very crucial to our overall design brief,’ says Helen. ‘We enjoy socialising and the chairs are always a brilliant talking point – along with the wonderful art – when we have visitors.’

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S TA R T I N G O V E R When they first moved into their Victorian terrace, Katy and Duncan Emmerson went neutral but now it’s all about bold, colourful design FEATURE MARISHA TAYLOR | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH

K

aty Emmerson didn’t think twice when she and her husband Duncan viewed a Victorian semi on the outskirts of Nottingham. ‘Our daughter Annabel, now 14, was a toddler and I was expecting again so it was the right time to look for a family home,’ she says. ‘The area had great schools,

a thriving high street and great connections into the city and surrounding countryside.’

The property had been converted into seven student flats years before so it needed a lot of work to return it to a family home, but it was within the couple’s budget. ‘The place was in a terrible state and needed gutting,’ says Katy. The scale of the work

was overwhelming initially and as it was impossible to stay in the house, they lived with family for six months while the renovations took place. ‘We moved in during the summer of 2008, and with so many decisions to make, we decided to keep the decor neutral at first, with every intention of revisiting each room. But time

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SITTING ROOM Vibrant colours and textures create an opulent feel.

Pouffe in Blush Pink, £129, Made. Eden three-seater sofa in Dusky Grey velvet, £1,995, Sofa Workshop. Olivia side table, £44, Maisons du Monde.

Bar Yong mahogany cupboard, £499, Tikamoon, is similar. Try

Windcrest flatweave Orange rug, £49, Wayfair. Natural shell chandelier, £160, Amazon, would work here. Walls and woodwork painted in Airforce Blue intelligent matt emulsion, £51.50 for 2.5ltr; intelligent eggshell, £66 for 2.5ltr, both Little Greene

DINING AREA Bench seating doubles as handy storage.

Kaleido Cluster pendant light, £149, Made. Original G Plan table, £60, eBay. HAY J41 chairs in Black, £229 each, Made in Design.

Jaipur cushions, £42 each, Effortless Trading

d e c o r at i n g t i p ‘Painting the woodwork the same colour as the walls made the sitting room feel seamless and cosy’

home truths THE PROPERTY Five-bedroom Victorian semi L O C AT I O N Nottingham P U R C H A S E D 2007 R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, playroom, five bedrooms (one en suite), family bathroom PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved here from a three-bedroom Victorian terrace a few miles away,’ says Katy.

2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1 | 57

25bh | tow n passed,’ says Katy. ‘Alice, now 12, was born and then our son Patrick, nine. We had demanding jobs and never seemed to find the time for anything else.’

Then the family’s lives changed dramatically when Annabel became ill in 2016 with an autoimmune condition called PANDAS. It was tough time for them all.

As Annabel started to recover, Katy wanted to make changes in the house so that it felt like a new beginning. ‘Part of Annabel’s illness meant she was unable to sleep in her own bedroom and so we were keen to make her room feel like a place she’d want to be in again. And as Annabel’s illness had such an

impact on the other children, we decided to surprise them all with new-look bedrooms, but we just had no idea where to start.’

Katy got talking to her neighbour, interior designer Helen Wallace (@madeupdesign) who was keen to help.

‘Helen worked with our limited budget, spending time with each child to find out what they liked, and designed their bedroom around their ideas. We unveiled the new rooms on Christmas Eve, and they were absolutely thrilled!’

After the success of the bedrooms the couple asked Helen to help with the rest of the house, as the downstairs was definitely

KITCHEN-DINER ‘Adding a basic island defined the two areas in this open-plan space,’ says Katy.

Victoria metal bar stool, £89 each, Cult Furniture, is similar. Anglepoise 1227 Midi ceiling light, from £85, John Lewis & Partners

looking tired. The playroom needed redesigning, the sitting room was pale and uninteresting, and although they had been thinking about extending the kitchen, they didn’t have the budget for a new one. ‘Helen and I came up with simple but effective solutions. Bold colour choices, for example, and ways of freshening up the rooms to make them work better for us as a family.’

Katy says there are still areas they would like to update – with Helen’s help, of course – but all in good time. ‘It has been a long journey, but we couldn’t be happier with the transformation,’ she says. ‘All we have to do is sit back and enjoy our beautiful home.’

lessons l e a r n t ‘Using an interior designer was the best choice we made. It doesn’t have to be expensive – they can work to your budget’

P L AY R O O M Fox-design wallpaper adds colour and a sense of fun.

Scion Mr Fox wallpaper, £45 a roll, John Lewis & Partners.

Similar large vintage letters can be found at Etsy, from £5 P AT R I C K ’ S R O O M ‘We incorporated Patrick’s love of animals,’ says Katy.

Set of six Safari animal

door knobs, £69.99, Notonthehighstreet.com

Fuchsia fabric cable, £3.50m, Creative Cables at Trouva

A N N A B E L’ S R O O M Pink woodwork contrasts beautifully with teal walls.

Walls painted in Air Force Blue absolute matt emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene.

Woodwork in Pink Ground estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Light cable,

ALICE’S ROOM A mix of patterns in soft tones creates a pretty haven.

Boråstapeter Trapez 1780 wallpaper, £59 a roll, Wallpaper Direct. Pink linen bed throw, £50, H&M Home.

La Volière pendant, £472, The Conran Shop

2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1 | 59

WARM WELCOME Joanna and Simon Binder are the ultimate hosts – having built this barn-style extension for guests FEATURE JULIET BENNING | PHOTOGRAPHY ADAM CARTER

KITCHEN-DINER The island, steel chairs and metallic pendant lights create an industrial twist, while the open staircase gives this whole area a lovely free-flowing feel.

Metal chairs, £59 each, Cult Furniture. Try the Brooklyn Dome pendant light, from £69, Industville. Walls in Dimity estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

c o u ntry | 25bh

home truths THE PROPERTY A new-build barn extension L O C AT I O N Wiltshire R O O M S Kitchen-diner/ living area, two bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2010 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We were living in London before moving to our country cottage,’ says Joanna.

2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1 | 61

N

o sooner had Joanna Binder and her husband Simon finished renovating their Wiltshire cottage than they began to think of building a barn-style extension. The couple love to entertain and like nothing more than having friends and family to stay. They planned to build on the site of some old stables, and connect the extension to the cottage kitchen with a brick-built corridor.

‘The idea was that it would be a self-contained unit for guests,’ says Joanna. ‘We also wanted the space for entertaining.’ So far, so good, but then the couple had to put their plans on hold.

‘Renovating the cottage used up all our money so we had to wait two years.’ Fortunately, the delay gave them plenty of time for planning.

BUILDING EXCITEMENT

They used the same architect, Mackenzie Wheeler, that they’d commissioned for the cottage renovation and had already been granted planning permission. ‘The barn took about a year to build,’ says Joanna. ‘The framework arrived on a truck and watching it go up was quite exciting.’

Although Joanna and Simon found the process pleasurable, it was not entirely devoid of complications. ‘We had issues with the drainage and had to dig up the garden,’ explains Joanna.

‘We had to run the cables through the garden for the underfloor heating, but we didn’t make the trenches deep enough, so it had to be dug up a second time, which was pretty stressful.’

T E X T U R E A N D WA R MT H

The English oak frame gives the barn its charm and the simplicity of the design is echoed in the decor. The downstairs consists of one large open-plan room with a kitchen-diner area; the seating zone is furnished with deep vibrant sofas and a log burner, and has far-reaching views of the valley. The corridor linking the barn with the cottage has now become a walk-through pantry, complete with wine fridges and a bar.

‘Upstairs, we wanted to keep the bedrooms simple with a hotel-like feel, adding texture and warmth with sheepskin rugs,’ says Joanna.

‘In the larger bedroom, you can watch the moon setting through the skylight.’

For Joanna, it was a great satisfaction to see her long-term plans become a reality. ‘The whole look and feel is slightly Scandinavian,’ she says.

‘I’m planning to put an art shelf up above the kitchen island so that we can change the pictures on display every so often.’

Out in the garden, watching the seasons come and go is a constant source of delight. ‘There are so many beautiful woodland walks around here and it’s wonderful to come back to a roaring fire,’ says Joanna. Hunkering down as country dwellers, the Binders hope to welcome their city friends to their country retreat for years to come.

6 2 | 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1

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LIVING AREA Rather than opt for largescale steel-framed windows, Joanna and Simon felt smaller panes would work better alongside the main cottage.

Dulwich dining table, £1,895, Heal’s, would work here.

Try the Balzac leather chair and footstool, £4,230, Heal’s. For similar orange upholstery fabric, try Varese in Zinnia, £75m, Designers Guild. Cushions, from £75 each, Neptune

25bh | c o u ntry

BEDROOM Joanna used minimal furnishings to create an informal but cosy feel for the guest rooms.

Fionia bedside table, £209, Nordic Nest.

Similar throws, from £150 each, The White Company. Reclaimed bench, £260, Nkuku

i n s p i r a t i o n ‘I love to emulate Scandinavian style, with its emphasis on simplicity and natural materials’ 6 4 | 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1

BEDROOM Double doors and a Juliet balcony take advantage of the long view down the valley. Both the flooring and ceiling reflect the long axis of the barn.

Lansdown chair, £265, Lloyd Loom. Ludde sheepskin, £25, Ikea. Architecture

by Mackenzie Wheeler.

Barn constructed by English Oak Buildings

CLEAR VIEW Rachel Martin knew just how she wanted to reconfigure her Regency apartment to maximise on the space and stunning views of the sea FEATURE MARISHA TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH

c oa s ta l | 25bh

home truths THE PROPERTY A two-bedroom, Grade II-listed, Regency apartment L O C AT I O N Hove, East Sussex P U R C H A S E D 2015 R O O M S Kitchen-diner/living area, two bedrooms, bathroom PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I lived in a one-bedroom garden flat in London,’ says Rachel.

KITCHEN-DINER

Rachel found beautiful handblown glass pendants for above the island that reflect the shapes of the pebbles on the beach.

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

Belid ocean ceiling lights in White Opal glass, £359 each, Nordic Nest.

Medium wicker Nature lamp, £265, HKLiving at Nordic Nest. Calligaris Atlante round extendable table, £2,792, Taskers. Blonde rattan dining chairs, £195 each, Rockett St George

2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1 | 67

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I

t had always been Rachel Martin’s dream to live by the sea, and after starting her own business, TrustedHousesitters, in 2015 and no longer being bound to London for work, she decided to make the move to the south coast.

She found the Grade II-listed apartment, in an architecturally stunning Regency mansion block, as a rental initially, while looking for somewhere to purchase. ‘The apartment was directly opposite the beach, which suited me well, being an avid paddleboarder,’ she says. ‘It was also a stone’s throw from the city with its many restaurants and cafes, which eased my transition from a busy London life.’

When Rachel first viewed the property, the high ceilings and views of the sea literally took her breath away. ‘For me the property was all about the sea views from every window, but the space had been divided in such a way that no room maximised on this,’ says Rachel.

For the next two years she rented the flat, and dreamt of how she would transform the space if given the opportunity, until one day the owners, who lived in the flat next door, agreed to sell it to her! Rachel immediately enlisted the help of a local architecture and interior design company, Stickland

Favourite Featur e ‘The balcony at over 20ft long is the most wonderful Wright to help her redesign the space and bring her ideas to life.

‘I wanted to maximise on the 180-degree sea views and create an open-plan kitchen, living and dining space that was relaxing but where I could also easily entertain.’

Because of the building’s age, it was a complicated renovation, but the team at Stickland Wright were true professionals. Working with the local heritage team and using their expertise to overcome structural challenges, they sympathetically restored the layout to what would have been more akin to the historic floorplan. They also managed to work a contemporary shower and steam room into the 6 8 | 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1

design using space claimed from the bedroom, and came up with some clever storage solutions.

‘A standout moment of the renovation was when the walls between the bathroom and living room were removed,’ recalls Rachel.

‘The whole front of the apartment was opened up and we finally got to see the incredible view in its entirety – a massive revelation and exactly how I’d imagined it.’

Square One Design then designed and built a beautiful, unobtrusive kitchen in the reconfigured space, from natural materials and textures that perfectly complement the period elegance in the room. Work then started on the bedroom, which is now home to a free-standing, copper bath, which can be enjoyed with views across the sea from the big, reinstated bay window.

Through a muted and natural palette of bamboo and light wood, alongside colours of subtle blues and pinks that reflect the everchanging seascape, Rachel has created a calmness in her beautifully designed home. ‘I feel incredibly lucky to live here,’ she says. ‘The new layout has exceeded all my wildest expectations and given me a perfectly balanced home. It’s now my dream property in my perfect coastal location.’

space to enjoy the breathtaking ocean views on long, hot summer daysÕ KITCHEN

Now a sociable place, Rachel can cook and host here at the same time.

Flat rattan counter stools in Natural, £275 each, Cox & Cox

LIVING AREA

A large L-shaped sofa defines the sitting space.

Large chaise sofa in Aquamarine linen, £9,795, Maker&Son

MASTER BEDROOM

The copper bath sits beautifully under the big bay window.

‘I was able to indulge my dark side by choosing moody blues for the walls,’ says Rachel.

Marseille Cyprium copper bateau bath, £2,995, The Cast Iron Bath Company Walls in Inchyra Blue estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

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LET THERE BE LIGHT home truths THE PROPERTY Detached Edwardian villa L O C AT I O N Brighton P U R C H A S E D 2008 R O O M S Sitting room, family room, kitchen-diner, cloakroom, six bedrooms (one en suite), dressing room, five bathrooms PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved here from a Georgian townhouse in London,’ says Kerry.

Not only have Kerry and Jat Sahi doubled the size of their house, but they also ensured every space is sunny and bright FEATURE SARAH WARD | STYLING MARISHA TAYLOR | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH

KITCHEN Unobtrusive units were chosen for this cooking, dining and living area.

Silestone worktops, £10,000; cabinets, £20,000, all Colliers Kitchens. Elica star crystal cooker hood, £1,899, angelappliances.co.uk. Bar stools, £199 each, Dwell

DINING AREA This new space still has a period feel thanks to the decorative glazing.

Drio extending table, £750, Habitat. Chairs, £49.94 each, Stone Butterfly

f a v o u r i t e f e a t u r e ‘We love the kitchen – it’s now such a welcoming, light-filled room

D

espite its potential, its vast space and some beautiful period features, Kerry and Jat Sahi’s Brighton Edwardian house needed a complete renovation when they moved in. ‘We knew it could be the family home we’d been searching for,’ says Kerry, who owns interiors styling company Sahi & Osborne Styling (sahi-osborne.com). ‘It had great potential and had amazing period features like the original stained glass and architectural detailing. And there was space either side of the property to extend.’

But to turn it into the spacious home they dreamt of, Kerry and Jat needed to carry out a complete renovation.

And with three children, Jai, now 15, Biba, 14, and Lola, 11, it was going to be a challenge. ‘The house was dark and old-fashioned, but just about habitable,’ says Kerry. ‘We didn’t touch anything at all for our first two years in the property – I wanted to live in the house first to get a real feel for it.

The hardest part was the dark, poky kitchen, which was tucked away in a corner of the house – I hated it!’

Work on the ground-floor conversion and a first- and second-storey extension started in 2010, and over the next year the size of the house was doubled. The couple decided to stay on site while the work was completed, which was a challenge – but had its advantages, too. ‘We lived in the old bit of the house while they worked on the new bit, then we 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1 | 7 1

25bh | c oa s ta l B R E A K FA S T A R E A The retro table and chairs add a vintage feel.

Eero Saarinen Tulip table, £1,812; Tulip chairs, £1,440 each, all Chaplins. Plaza pendant light in polished chrome, £180, Lights2go.

Floor tiles in Cemento Silver, approx £45sq m, Porcelanosa H A L LWAY This elegant space is bursting with original features, from the stained glass in the front door to the ornate cornicing.

Walls in Strong White estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Louis console table, £600, Heal’s.

Mirror, £350, Hunters Interiors. Globe pendant, £150, John Lewis & Partners

SITTING ROOM Wallpaper in the alcoves provides a dramatic touch.

Paradiso wallpaper by Nina Campbell (above fireplace), £86 a roll, Jane Clayton.

Sofa, £3,000, Natuzzi

MASTER BEDROOM A bay window en suite creates a boutique-hotel feel.

Headboard in Zephirine, £70m, Designers Guild.

Roll-top bath in chrome, £2,500, BC Designs

l e s s o n l e a r n t ‘Budget carefully – we ran out of money halfway through so we had to stop for a bit’ swapped, living in the new bit while the builders redid the bedrooms and bathrooms,’ says Kerry.

The biggest change to the property was repositioning the kitchen, from its forgotten corner to being the central hub of the house. Kerry’s brief to the architect was to create a lightfilled, open-plan space for gathering at the heart of the home.

Kerry wanted a contemporary, clutter-free kitchen design and a space that would work for entertaining. Wooden gloss cabinets give a warm, modern feel and worktops are impressively free of appliances and gadgets and clutter. The finished kitchen is both luxe and practical, with a wipe-clean glass splashback and porcelain floor tiles, chosen for their durability.

Directly above the kitchen, on the first floor, the master bedroom is decorated in a warm grey Designers Guild wallpaper, providing the perfect backdrop for bright pops of pinks and yellows. The centrepiece of the room is a spectacular headboard, which Kerry designed herself. ‘I’m not a neutral lover,’ she says. ‘In the bedroom, I knew I wanted something that would make an impact.’

But Kerry had to compromise on her boutique hotel-style bath, which she wanted placed in the bedroom. ‘My husband really didn’t like the idea,’ she says, ‘so in the end we asked the builders to create an en suite in the bedroom bay window, and place the bath in the centre as the focal point. They also put in a wide door, which we keep open. That way, I can see the bath from the bed, so we’re both happy!’

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home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y An 18th-century farmhouse L O C AT I O N southwest France R O O M S Sitting room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room, three bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2009 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had a period house in the area with a converted barn,’ says Gloria.

A taste of France

For Gloria and Eric Stewart buying an old French farmhouse began a process of restoring the interior in a way past generations would have known as home FEATURE CELIA RUFEY | PHOTOGRAPHY JODY STEWART/NARRATIVES

74 | 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1

c o u ntry | 25bh DINING ROOM

The run of linking rooms, with its continued farmhouse flooring and muted palette, provides a sense of cohesion and a lovely vista

SITTING ROOM

With its pleasing shape and curated ornaments, the bureau forms an attractive focal point when open or shut

KITCHEN

The ceiling is boarded with rustic planks to add old-world charm.

For farmhouse tables, try Country Life Furniture.

Etsy sells vintage shelf trim (above), from £2.65m

2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1 | 75

W

hen Gloria and Eric Stewart moved into their 18th-century farmhouse, high above a valley in Périgord, southwest France, it was far from habitable. It was an empty shell that had been unoccupied for more than 35 years and, before that, only in two ground-floor rooms as there was no upper level. The rest of the long building consisted of two barns, one a tobacco drying chamber, and both with earth floors. And there was no sanitation.

To turn this blank canvas into an authentic 18th-century interior the Stewarts had to decide on criteria that would suit how they would live in the house. ‘We wanted a large kitchen, a dining room and a large sitting room.

Upstairs we needed three bedrooms, one en suite, and an additional bathroom,’ says Gloria. ‘This was tricky because we were building into the roof space.

Fortunately, our French builders were

on our wavelength, but it was still 18 months before we could move in.’

The plans Eric drew up gave them a good-sized kitchen by knocking down the wall between the two once-occupied rooms. Some of the space was released to a laundry room and a small corridor into the first barn, which was divided into a hallway with a staircase to the new first floor, and a dining room. The tobacco barn became their sitting room and 18th-century glazed double doors were sourced to fit between the two spaces. A special feature of Eric’s plan is the enfilade. This tradition in French architecture aligns rooms and doorways giving a long perspective, in this case from the sitting room through to the kitchen.

At the heart of the renovation was retaining a sense that this building was a farmhouse. ‘We’ve avoided grandeur,’ says Gloria. ‘For instance, we put wood cladding on some ceilings and the sitting room walls, a feature we’ve seen in

modest buildings in this area.’ Doors, fireplaces and floor tiles that match the period of the house have been sourced from reclamation yards. ‘To help control our budget we bought kitchen cabinets from Ikea and modified them by distressing the fronts with paint, adding old handles and fitting an oak worktop.’

The decorative finishes are simple, even rustic, and it is the furniture, pictures and textiles that Gloria has collected during the time they’ve lived in France that bring distinction to every room. However, when it comes to sofas and chairs, Gloria always buys these in England. ‘The French tend to have formal chairs and sit upright,’ she says.

‘There’s no tradition here of sinking into big sofas like we do in England.’

Of course, it is much more than comfy sofas that sum up the charm of this restored farmhouse. ‘With its connected rooms, this is a home for easy living,’ says Gloria, ‘and that was always our plan.’

FAVOURITE ASPECT ‘I love the romance of bringing together two early pieces from different periods’

SITTING ROOM

The use of wood, brick and period features reflects the era of the house, while the seating was chosen for its relaxing feel.

Lowers walls in French Gray; vertical planks in Clunch, both estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

76 | 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1

c o u ntry | 25bh BATHROOM

The blind is made up in a typical 19th-century bird print and complements the age of the corner chair.

Try Pamono for vintage chairs. The Antique Gold framed wall mirror, £165, Exclusive Mirrors, is similar

BEDROOM

The bed fits cosily into this space and features a dyed sheet converted into a chic valance.

Bespoke dyeing, Polly Lyster Dyeworks

MASTER BEDROOM

Delicate floral patterns are in keeping with the farmhouse feel.

Jacquard Jardin scalloped bedspread, from £85, Cologne & Cotton. Try Adeline bed linen, from £20, The White Company

2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1 | 7 7

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B O LD A P P ROAC H Pushing a modern look in a traditional-style property was an exciting endeavour for Shetal and Ravi Mehta FEATURE KARINE MONIÉ | PHOTOGRAPHY NICK GLIMENAKIS

80 | 25BH MO A RC NTH H 202 2020 1

SITTING ROOM The three sections of the striped ceiling create the illusion of different levels.

Horseshoe ivory lacquered linen coffee table, $899, CB2.

RAIS Woodwall firewood holders, from £240 each, Robeys. Modernist convex mirror, price on request, Restoration Hardware H A L LWAY Bold shapes and a whimsical wallpaper set the tone for the rest of the house.

Untamed wallpaper in Stone, $167 a roll, Drop It Modern

home truths THE PROPERTY Detached house built in the 1960s and then rebuilt in 2003 L O C AT I O N New York State R O O M S Sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner, family room, playroom, five bedrooms, four bathrooms.

P U R C H A S E D August 2018 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in an apartment in Manhattan,’ says Shetal.

DINING ROOM The seating area was designed to suit family game nights and larger gatherings.

Crystal Sinclair-designed banquette, made by Stitchroom.

Cowhide rug, $549, Cowhide Imports. Spindler round dining tables, $1,299 each, CB2. Candelabra Home Alto velvet dining chairs in Cascadia Blue, $54.25 each, Meadow Blu

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fter living in the Big Apple for more than 15 years, moving outside the city was a big step for Shetal, her husband Ravi and their children Roma, seven, and Sahil, four. ‘Ravi wanted to move to the suburbs many years before I did – I was somewhat reluctant as I always thought I would miss the energy of New York City,’ remembers Shetal. Both commuters, the couple looked for an easily accessible place in a neighbourhood with a family feel. That’s exactly what they found in the town of Rye. ‘After being here for two years, we appreciate even more the proximity to the beach and wildlife reserves, as well as the fact that schools and restaurants are walking distance from our home,’ says Shetal. It was not, however, love at

first sight with this two-storey, five-bedroom house.

Imagination was key to making the leap.

‘While the outside colour and style was not what we imagined in our first home, we saw the potential in the space as a blank canvas,’ Shetal confesses. Originally built in the 1960s, the property was entirely rebuilt in 2003 and hadn’t been updated since. ‘We immediately tried to modernise the style by refinishing the red wood floors to a light colour, ripping out the kitchen floor and carpet in the upstairs bedrooms, and tearing out built-in cupboards in the family room. I knew I wanted a cohesive look to the design elements so we paused there until we met Crystal.’

For Crystal Sinclair – an interior designer who runs, Crystal Sinclair Designs – having clients who wanted to go

F A M I LY R O O M The starting point here was the colourful artwork by Linda Colletta.

EN-29 rug, price on request, Loloi. Justice oak coffee table, $799, CB2. Coco tall side table, $499,Blu Dot

KITCHEN Traditional and modern elements – including the existing white cabinets, black marble and oak shelves – are successfully combined.

Turtle wall lamps, $595 each, Blueprint Lighting. Ninette counter stools, $360 each, Lulu and Georgia

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B R E A K FA S T A R E A To complement the darker kitchen, interior designer Crystal chose a light and airy style where the oversized pendant makes a statement.

Try wire-framed chairs, £59.95 each, Stone Butterfly.

Ludde sheepskin, £29, Ikea, has the same look

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bold in a house with a traditional feel was immediately motivating. ‘Pushing a modern look while still relating to the home took a degree of balance,’ she says. The owners’ green sofa was the starting point for the sitting room adorned with green and white striped ceiling. The colourful Linda Colletta painting – Shetal’s favourite element – inspired different hues in the family room; the walls of the dining space were fluted; and black cabinets, worktops and splashbacks were added to the kitchen, giving it a wonderful depth.

‘We wanted textural elements and were not afraid of daring choices; however, we leaned toward more monochromatic inspirations versus too much colour,’ says Shetal. ‘The design really reflects our love of the city and

MASTER BEDROOM A curated colour palette and luxury finishes create a sophisticated feel.

Mushroom table, found in an antiques store. Black marble side table, $399; Vortex waffle weave pillow in Teal, $39,95; Aspect grey marble box, $79,95, all CB2

makes us feel like we’re at a swanky hotel bar in the comfort of our own home. I think it also captures my personal style perfectly: a little bold and edgy but classic.’

Velvets, plaster, marble, grasscloth tables, linen drapes and leather hides were used throughout with a mix of contemporary and vintage furniture and lighting. ‘It is a place that welcomes adults and children alike’, says Crystal.

‘Our lifestyle is work hard, play hard,’ adds Shetal. ‘We wanted spaces that we could enjoy together as a family, but also needed grown-up rooms that allowed us to entertain our friends. We are so relaxed and content in our home now and it finally feels like ours, with our own personal stamp on it. Some days we still find it hard to believe what was created from these blank spaces!’

CLOAKROOM The black and white theme prevails throughout the home, including this smart space.

Magnolia Home Tea Rose wallpaper, $78 a roll, Anthropologie Find a similar mirror at Made

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Echoes of the past

Designer Elizabeth Hay expertly mixed colour and pattern to give her Singapore home a new aesthetic that also honours the house’s history FEATURE JANE BOWLES | PHOTOGRAPHY ALECIA NEO

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SITTING ROOM

Elizabeth conserved this room’s traditional feel, adding art, antiques and textiles collected at home and abroad.

Interior design by Elizabeth Hay at Elizabeth Hay Design. For a wall colour like this, try Sky Blue absolute matt emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Blinds in Ikat Stripe, £100m, Blithfield. Oliver coffee table, £1,022, Liang & Eimil at House of Isabella, is similar

home truths THE PROPERTY Detached villa, built in 1915 L O C AT I O N Singapore R O O M S Sitting room, dining room, meeting room, office, TV room/playroom, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, verandah, attap (outdoor pavilion) M O V E D I N 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We were living in London and moved to Singapore for my husband’s work,’ says Elizabeth.

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any people are used to thinking of Singapore as a bustling city of designer shopping malls and towering modern office blocks. But behind these contemporary structures you can still find echoes of its architectural past. This includes the distinctive houses called ‘black and whites’, thanks to their half-timbered facades. Although owned by the government, these properties aren’t listed, despite their history and heritage, so when Elizabeth Hay and her husband Timothy signed the rental lease on an Edwardian harbourside villa, they were free to do as they pleased with the interior. As an interior designer, Elizabeth was determined to do more than just add scatter cushions and hang pictures. Over the six years she’s lived here with Timothy and their three children, Arthur, five, Gabriella, three, and

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one-year-old George, she has knocked down walls and traded the bland, neutral schemes for vibrant colour, print and pattern.

When Elizabeth moved in, the hillside house’s two-storey layout had hardly changed since it was built. ‘The ground floor had a dining room and sitting room and the kitchen with its “retro carpentry” was in a separate annexe,’ she says. ‘We didn’t touch the kitchen, however I did knock through into the adjacent garage and added the arch, which leads to my studio and office.’ Elizabeth runs her interior design practice from home and enjoys working with local craftsmen to design bespoke furniture, such as the lacquered daybed and oak table in her home, framed by shelves of bright textiles.

Upstairs, Elizabeth removed the walls between the bedrooms and the terraces that wrap around the house. ‘It made the rooms feel

MEETING SPACE

Elizabeth painted the backs of the shelves a vibrant blue to highlight the beautiful objects on display.

Vertigo pendant light, about £861, Constance Guisset Studio. Light oak table, price on request, Elizabeth Hay Design. Carl Hansen &SØn CH24 Wishbone chairs, £798 each, The Conran Shop

DINING ROOM

This fresh scheme was inspired by Monet’s dining room in Giverny.

The bespoke furniture was designed by Elizabeth.

Interior design by Elizabeth Hay at Elizabeth Hay Design. Chairs upholstered in Moissac in Operetta, price on request, Nicole Fabre Designs

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MASTER BEDROOM Elizabeth’s design for the bed was inspired by one in Oscar de la Renta’s home.

For a similar wall colour, try Farrow & Ball’s Lulworth Blue estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr. Footstool (right) in Bamboo Cane, £120m, Paolo Moschino at Nicholas Haslam

lighter,’ she says. ‘Thick walls and high vents keep the house cool, despite the lack of air conditioning.’ She updated the bathrooms, designing basin units and adding Malaysian tiles in earthy tones. ‘I’m trying to be sustainable. Rather than rip out the whole bathroom, I make small changes to create a brighter, more liveable space.’

The palette for the house was inspired by its Singaporean setting. ‘I’ve used colours that work in this light,’ says Elizabeth.

‘Grey and yellow, for instance, looked surprisingly flat.’ A bedroom was brought to life with a wallpaper featuring crocodiles and exotic creatures. ‘Just right for this house,’ says Elizabeth. Matching antique beds were bought and painted in glowing deep red.

Having tweaked the property’s layout and fine-tuned her palette of vibrant rainbow shades, Elizabeth added the finishing 9 0 | 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1

touches with her beautiful art and textiles, collected on her travels.

There are gleaming inlaid chests and brightly coloured dhurries from Rajasthan; Japanese woodblock prints and a prowling tiger print by the Spanish designer Jaime Parladé. The house also has some reminders of England, such as marbled lampshades, fireside armchairs, paintings by Bloomsbury Group artist Duncan Grant and a lamp from Colefax and Fowler.

Elizabeth has also recently designed an attap, a traditional Malay wooden pavilion with a woven palm leaf roof and bamboo and cane furniture. ‘It’s a rustic, rustling retreat,’ says Elizabeth, ‘and it’s become a place to spend time with family and observe the wildlife, sunbirds, laughing thrushes, parrots and civet cats who frequent the garden, just as they’ve done for over a century.’

BEDROOM

‘I found the antique spindle beds locally and painted them for a new look,’ says Elizabeth.

For a similar paint colour, try Atomic Red intelligent eggshell, £66 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene

CHILD’S BEDROOM

Elephant-themed table lamps strike a fun note.

The animal lamp base, £78, By On at Nordic Nest, is similar.

Nina Campbell’s Les Indiennes, £76m, is a good alternative to the bed and lampshade fabric

BATHROOM

This space was revamped with a mix of new fittings and locally made tiles.

Marrakech Bahia tiles, £76sq m, Fired Earth, have this look. Try Dorset Ivory satin ceramic tiles, £33sq m, Porcelain Superstore

DINING AREA A cluster of three pendants is a decorative choice.

Northern Bell Pink pendant, £180, Nunido. Astro Lighting Ginestra 400 pendant, £175, First Choice Lighting. Slope pendant in Grey

by Miniforms, £259, Nuastyle.

Walls in Maritime marble matt emulsion, £46 for 2.5ltr, Mylands

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace L O C AT I O N Richmond, southwest London R O O M S Sitting room, dining area, kitchen, three bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a smaller house nearby,’ says Kate.

PERFECT MIX After finding a property in her ideal area, Kate Kozina set about perfecting a charming Scandi look with a modern-country edge FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL/CASSIE PRYCE | PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID GILES

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SITTING ROOM ‘Reflective surfaces help make the space feel brighter,’ says Kate.

Comete copper-plated coffee table, £215, Maisons du Monde

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ate Kozina and her husband Gregory couldn’t believe their luck when a house on one of their favourite streets in west London came onto the market – and within budget. ‘Being in close proximity to one of the local outstanding primary schools was top of our priority list’, explains Kate. ‘The house offered the space we needed and the scope to put our own stamp on it without the need for a huge renovation.’

Structurally, the property needed few changes to fall into line with Kate’s vision, aside from removing a toilet on the ground floor to open up the space into a large open-plan layout. ‘I called on interior designer Elena Creswell, of Elena Creswell Design, to help pull the whole look together

and assist with the spatial planning downstairs,’ says Kate. ‘Plus, having the expertise of someone who knows the best places to source things to suit your taste and budget is invaluable.’

Elena was given a brief to combine Scandinavian style with a modern country edge. ‘Kate wanted to create a contemporary family home with a cottage feel to fit in with the surrounding properties and the area they were living in,’ says Elena. ‘The kitchen was the biggest challenge as we had to work around the existing plumbing within a relatively small space while designing something that would flow into the openplan area, too.’ Dividing the kitchen into two separate zones – one housing the cooker and fridge, the other the sink and storage units

KITCHEN Cabinetry in white and wood accentuate the Scandi feel.

Ringhult white gloss kitchen, £46 for a 60x80cm door, Ikea

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B AT H R O O M Hexagonal shapes add interest and elegance.

Try Misty Fjord hexagonal marble tiles, £92.31sq m, Topps Tiles

MASTER BEDROOM ‘A combination of materials creates a layered effect,’ says Kate.

Try the Mustard yellow cobweave throw, £68, The British Blanket Company

– made the best use of the space and has given both walls strong visual appeal.

To create an air of cosiness, Kate opted for dark wall colours in the living areas and bedroom, yet retained a modern edge with sleek furniture. ‘To add some period charm I found an old Victorian-style electric fire which I cleaned up and had fixed to sit as a focal point in the sitting room,’ she says.

‘This, teamed with the contemporary furniture, such as the copper coffee table, creates the balance I was hoping to achieve.’

And there was another visual ingredient that added to the look. ‘Being a florist means I love being surrounded by fresh blooms and so this works its way into our home, too,’ says Kate, whose company Fine Stems is based in London. ‘Even when we’re not entertaining, 9 4 | 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1

having a simple vase arrangement on the dining table makes a homely centrepiece.’

Thanks to the reconfigured downstairs layout, the house now offers a sociable space for Kate and Gregory and their daughters Varvara, eight, and Stefania, six. ‘We love to host friends and family so having a link between the kitchen and dining area was important to us, as it means we can all be together when one of us is cooking,’ says Kate. ‘Using the same flooring throughout has also helped the space to feel unified.’

And Kate is quick to praise Elena for her part in the success of the project.

‘Bringing her on board has made the whole redecorating process run smoothly,’ she says. ‘It’s been wonderful seeing all our ideas brought to life.’

CHILDREN’S BEDROOM A simple scheme means an easy update as the girls grow.

Minnen bed frame in White, £90, Ikea

GARDEN The string lights make the space feel extra special.

Try 5m 20 Warm White LED festoon lights, £42.99, Lights4fun

Renovation game Once ten bedsits, Fran and Jamie Smith’s abode is now a handsome family home that they reimagined with a little help from YouTube FEATURE JANE CRITTENDEN | STYLING MARISHA TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH

home truths THE PROPERTY Detached Victorian property L O C AT I O N Surrey R O O M S Sitting room, family room, dining room, kitchen, six bedrooms (one en suite), dressing room, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We were renting a three-bed terrace in London,’ says Fran.

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Fran has introduced pieces with a period feel, such as the lights.

Georgian Ermine kitchen in Sea Foam matt and Morning Mist matt, £620 for a 600mm base unit, Wren Kitchens. Iroko worktop, from £195, Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets.

Hammered pendants in copper are similar, £35.50 each, Lighting Direct

FAMILY ROOM

Blue tones tie in with the kitchen and dining space.

Bagsie sofa in Greeny Blue Clever Velvet, £2,445, Loaf. Geri rug, £298, Anthropologie.

Cushions, from £19.99, TK Maxx. Hummingbirds Close-Up print, £81, The Dybdahl Co. Murray wall mirror, £129.99, My Furniture

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hen Fran Smith and her husband Jamie came across an impressive Victorian property for sale, they immediately had a vision of its potential. ‘I’m Peruvian but grew up in the US where houses aren’t characterful so I was keen to be sympathetic to the architecture,’ says Fran. ‘Original front rooms would be dark and a little bit grander than the modern open-planned living at the back, where calm greys give all the attention to the garden.’

The couple had been renting in London when they decided to move nearer the school of Jamie’s sons, Adam, now 22, and Samuel, 20. The property went to sealed bids and they missed out at first, but then got a call to say the sale was back on. ‘We jumped at the chance to buy as this is such a handsome period property,’ says Fran.

‘When we first pulled up outside, we knew we were looking at our dream home.’

The ‘dream home’ didn’t come without its obstacles, however, having

been a council-owned building divided into 10 bedsits with communal kitchens and bathrooms. The couple took on the renovation challenge themselves, learning new skills on YouTube. Builders were brought in for the rear extension, orangery and knocking through a row of bathrooms into a master en-suite dressing room. They finished around the time the couple’s son, Oliver, now three, was born.

A L O V E F O R V I N TA G E

The house is also the first home Fran’s decorated. ‘I wanted rooms to feel lived in and loved with comfy furniture and a little bit of everything – colour, neutrals and patterns,’ she says. ‘Although blue has become a common thread.’ The couple began buying vintage and antique furniture while they were still living in London. ‘I love that we’re giving furniture another life, and buying old pieces fits with the character of the house, which itself has had a varied life,’ says Fran.

Many of Fran and Jamie’s treasured finds are from browsing online: the fuchsia pink sofa, a vintage magazine rack, to name a few, as well as various art.

Though the picture in the couple’s en suite holds sentimental value. ‘It’s by Peruvian artist, Fito Espinosa, and I’ve always loved it as it used to be in my parents’ bathroom,’ Fran explains.

G R E AT I M PA C T

As the house slowly came together, the couple became bolder in their decorating choices, adding punch to the beige hallway with a lively patterned wallpaper, and going for florals on the walls and ceiling in the guest bedroom.

There’s still work to do, but Fran says they’re now living in a house that feels like a proper home. ‘I love the warmth of the sitting room and the peace in the orangery, where we dine,’ she says. ‘It’s been hard work but we feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to live here.’

s h o p p i n g t i p ‘You have to buy vintage when you see it – you might never find the same thing again’

DINING ROOM

‘We bought lounge chairs so our guests feel comfortable at the table,’ says Fran.

Kariss Smoke Grey upholstered chairs, £99 each, My Furniture. Brooklyn glass cone pendants, are similar, £69 each, Industville

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MASTER BEDROOM

‘We wanted a relaxed, beachy feel here,’ says Fran.

Pencil pleat curtains in Lily, £75, Loom & Last. Walls in Skylight estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball.

Lydford table lamps large, £99 each, Next

DRESSING ROOM

Sliding doors in the bedroom lead into this smart space.

Try storage baskets, from £14 each, The Basket Company

MASTER EN SUITE

‘I adore monochrome, it’s timeless,’ says Fran.

Chess tiles in matt black and white are similar, £8.63m, Tiles Direct.

Bransdale Rivet cast-iron bateau bath, £1,750, Country Cast Baths on eBay

Planning ahead Holly Keeling’s historic townhouse has been brought back to life to be enjoyed now – and with an eye to the future FEATURE SHARON PARSONS | PHOTOGRAPHY RICHARD GADSBY

HALLWAY

The entrance hall hints at the stylish decor to come upstairs.

Walls in Hague Blue estate emulsion, £49.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Mirror, £340, Holly Keeling Interiors. Toulouse Garonne floor tiles, £9.44 each, Fired Earth, have a similar look

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home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y Georgian townhouse with adjoining shop L O C AT I O N Devon R O O M S Sitting room, dining room, kitchen, four bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We live in a farmhouse - we’ll move in here when the family have flown the nest,’ says Holly.

SITTING ROOM

Original features, including this fireplace, were salvaged.

Walls in Inchyra Blue estate emulsion, £49.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Cushion in Carmen by Colefax and Fowler, £152m, Jane Clayton. Try Turnberry rectangular coffee table, £470, Neptune

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nterior designer Holly Keeling (@hollykeelinginteriors) doesn’t do things by halves. ‘I’ve always taken a leap of faith when it comes to new opportunities,’ she laughs. For many years, her studio and showroom were in a converted barn next to the rural Georgian farmhouse she shares with her cardiologist husband Philip and their three children Ben, 22, Louis, 20, and Charlotte, 15, in Devon. But with the family growing fast, the couple began to feel their rambling home was not only going to be too big for just the two of them, but also a little remote.

It was serendipitous, therefore, that the solution to both ambitions presented itself four years ago in the form of an old shoe shop with a tall townhouse adjoining it in Totnes.

‘We had no doubt this property would tick all the boxes,’ says Holly. However, the couple were not yet ready to uproot from their family home, so after much discussion they decided that along with turning the shop into an interiors emporium, they would renovate the house and market it as a boutique holiday retreat for the next few years.

The entire Grade-ll listed property has a rich and convoluted history. ‘Much of it is Georgian, but some parts date back as far as the 13th century,’ Holly explains. ‘It was a lot to take on, but exciting, too.’ The tired shop was tackled first and after an extensive renovation is now an eclectic Aladdin’s cave of a lifestyle store.

The house, which is entered via the courtyard at the back of the property, was in a similarly neglected state. ‘It took quite a bit of visualising to see how it could be transformed,’

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d e s i g n t i p ‘Be brave enough to mix things up.

I love classic furniture and florals but will happily mix these with bohemian or industrial pieces’ SITTING ROOM

The aged artwork (bottom left) – actually an Indian tin roof found at an antiques fair – hits an unexpected note in the classic scheme.

Saturday sofa, from £1,190, Sofa.com. Try the Birkdale stone urn lamp with grey shade, £175, One World. Glass chandelier, £650, Holly Keeling Interiors.

DINING ROOM

This space is connected to the sitting room via original double doors.

Farmhouse dining table, from £250, Cotswold Farmhouse Furniture, has a similar look. Harrington wooden chair in Black, £89, Cult Furniture, would work here. Brooklyn dome pendant in Pewter, £69, Industville, is a close match. Try the Brookby black window mirror, £325, One World

KITCHEN

This charming space is practical and streamlined, with the exposed original brick and stone wall a testament to the age of the house.

Bespoke units, Marc Smith Bespoke Kitchens, in Inchyra Blue modern eggshell, £71 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball.

Toulouse Garonne floor tiles, £9.44 each, Fired Earth, have a similar look.

Loft cabinet, £775, Cox & Cox

LANDING

A sweet little window on the top floor landing had been boarded up, but now makes a charming feature.

Wall cladding in Oval Room Blue estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Try Laursen round bread basket, £8.99, FineNordic

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MASTER BEDROOM

The master suite is decorated in soft, restful shades for a tranquil, luxurious air.

Kalamkari Vine wallpaper in Yellow/Aqua by Anna French, £99 a roll, Jane Clayton. Sienna bed, from £1,245, Feather & Black

BATHROOM

Holly turned a small bedroom on the top floor into a spacious bathroom with unique vintage touches.

Fiorella Series Martia floor tiles, £1.14 a tile, International Tiles. For a similar table, see Fermob Opera round table in Anthracite, £282, Connections at Home.

Bath in Inchyra Blue

modern eggshell, £71 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. For a similar bath, look at Abingdon single-ended roll-top bath with black feet, £369.99, Bathroom Mountain

BEDROOM

This striking four-poster was bought on eBay and painted dark grey by Holly.

A similar bed design is the Queen Anne four-poster bed, from £799, AKD Furniture. Curtains and cushions in Villeneuve in Yellow/Grey by Anna French, £78m, Top Designer. Draycott table lamp base, £121, Pooky, has this look

laughs Holly. She decided that the original footprint should be more or less adhered to – though a bedroom in the eaves was sacrificed to create a generous bathroom and what was a cramped kitchen and dated bathroom on the first floor was turned into a practical kitchen.

‘Luckily, many of the Georgian features were still in place,’ says Holly. We were thrilled to find the original double doors between the sitting room and the dining area had been stored in the cellar – apparently, they’d been blown off by a nearby explosion during the Second World War. Holly also realised that once the crumbling plaster covering a wall in the dining room was removed, there was every chance the original fireplace and chimney breast would be revealed. ‘I got the builders to keep chipping away – it was thrilling when the arch of the fireplace was slowly revealed.’

Once all the essential renovation work had been completed, Holly was finally able to bring her decorating skills to the project. The palette employs mainly blues, soft greys and off-whites, while her love of classic pattern is seen in the master suite’s beautiful wallpaper and in the soft furnishings throughout. ‘The house has a wonderful Georgian elegance that I’ve tried to complement, but I also felt it was important to add contemporary pieces to make the overall scheme more interesting.’

Following their original plan, the house is now let out to holidaymakers (Number Six is available to rent at boutique-retreats.co.uk).

Holly and Philip also like to stay here whenever they can, getting a taste of what it will be like when they move here permanently. ‘We’re road-testing it for our future,’ laughs Holly.

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& INTERIORS M A R C H I S S U E O N S A L E 4 F E B RUA RY

Spring pickings!

GORGEOUS DECORATING IDEAS AND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR GARDEN

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Fresh perspective Natalie Woods’ home, a former barn, is now the epitome of paredback chic with a calming palette offset by gorgeous vintage finds FEATURE & STYLING ALI HEATH / NARRATIVES PHOTOGRAPHY BRENT DARBY/NARRATIVES

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home truths THE PROPERTY Grade II-listed Edwardian barn L O C AT I O N West Sussex R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, snug, three bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2011 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in an end-of-terrace Victorian house in Hampshire before moving here,’ says Natalie.

SNUG

An all-white scheme and wood panelling create a Scandi feel.

Walls in Skimming Stone estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Hanging chair, £320, Design Vintage

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KITCHEN

An old Champagne sign adds a touch of vintage chic.

Kitchen, £4,000, Howdens.

Sign, £90; wall cupboard, £65, both Hill & Co Home. Chopping boards, £90 each, No 1 Lewes

DINING AREA

‘Opening up this space has made it feel sociable,’ says Natalie.

Antique French table and bench, £400; Swedish Mora clock, £1,200, all Haus. Metal chairs, £49 each, Cult Furniture

SITTING ROOM

A few carefully chosen pieces create an elegant display.

Skittles and metal bucket, £80, Three Angels. Corner cupboard, £1,200, Scandi Living

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aving spent over a year in search of a new home, Natalie and Dug Woods had been looking to swap the buzz of a town centre terrace for the quieter pace of a more rural location. ‘The Dairy House, originally part of a larger working estate, instantly felt right,’ says Natalie. ‘It was a tiny cluster of houses, in the perfect country spot, but with an opportunity to extend and create our own mark.’

Located off a quiet road in West Sussex, the group of farm buildings had been totally knocked down and rebuilt three decades ago. ‘Despite the remodelling the dairy felt somewhat dated,’ explains Natalie. ‘The ground floor was a warren of small linking rooms and a 1970s-style serving hatch connected the original living and dining areas, making the spaces feel dark and closed in. Our plan for the property was to open up the entire ground floor to create a better sense of flow.’

Working to a strict budget, with a local architect and creative team of tradespeople, the couple have transformed the interior into a stylish, English cottage meets French rustic barn. The kitchen was knocked through and updated with a combination of off-the-shelf cabinets, bespoke joinery and freestanding antique cupboards. The kitchen units themselves were budget buys, but with clever joinery, such as plate racks being cut into beams, the design feels bespoke and sophisticated.

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MASTER BEDROOM

‘Our bedroom is a very calm haven,’ says Natalie. ‘The apothecary cupboard is one of my most treasured pieces.’

Apothecary cupboard (below), £895; jars, £40 each, all Hill & Co Home. Oliver bed, from £400, Feather & Black. Shelf, £220; table, £245, both Haus. Crate, £120, Three Angels. Postes France cushions, £75 each, The Country Brocante. Lassi cups, £30 each, Pillo. Chair, £80, Lots Road Auctions

levels of the house, replacing green carpet and orange lino. ‘I have a new-found appreciation for bare wood, having previously leaned towards all-painted surfaces,’ says Natalie.

More recently, a lofty vaulted extension has been added to create a snug at the back of the building – a rustic addition that lends a nod to the dairy’s original heritage. ‘It’s a wonderful space to either relax or entertain in and the woodburner creates a focal point that’s enjoyed from within the space and from the connecting dining area and kitchen,’ says Natalie.

Throughout, the neutral palette is offset with Natalie’s vintage finds in various shades of soft yellow, blue, grey and stone. Think French and Italian decorative pots, engraved Indian lassi cups, kitchenalia, old signs, herbier originals, naive landscapes and antique floral paintings. ‘I’m a magpie at heart and am obsessed with brocantes, vide-greniers and specialist independents,’ says Natalie. ‘I love to travel and each space is peppered with one-off special pieces that have been added gradually.’

Furniture, a mix of high street and antique, is combined with vintage linens, velvets and stonewashed fabrics. The aesthetic is personal, calming and laid-back – the idea that triggered the name for Natalie’s Instagram feed @laid_back_farmhouse. Natalie’s venture into social media came about as a way of documenting the couple’s renovation journey, but it has subsequently become a passion. ‘Home is my retreat,’ she says, ‘and this renovation has been the catalyst for harnessing my love of interiors and design.’

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The upholstered bed lends a note of French sophistication.

Sienna bed, from £1,245, Feather & Black. Antique Victorian nursing chair, £80, Lots Road Auctions.

The starburst mirrors were from a French vide-grenier; try The Vintage Trader for similar. Chest of drawers, £65, Marmadukes

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KITCHEN-DINER An open terrace above allows natural light to flood the main living area.

B3 Anthracite and flint cabinetry with island worktop in Smoke Grey quartz, from £48,000, Bulthaup Mayfair. Icha bar stools by Chris Martin, £312 each, Twentytwentyone.

Grid dining chairs, £530 each, Camerich.

Lighting installation, Bruce Munro

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home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y A duplex apartment in an old warehouse L O C AT I O N London R O O M S Sitting area, kitchendiner, utility room, cinema room, library-bar, gym, cloakroom, four bedrooms (all en suite) P U R C H A S E D 2018 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We live in South Africa, but this is our London base,’ says Tony.

RIVERSIDE RETREAT Tony Gibson and Cindy Valentine’s apartment, once a waterside warehouse for storing grain, is now a space that is both spectacular and peaceful FEATURE AMELIA THORPE | PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL CRAIG

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H A L LWAY The original loading bay overlooks the street below.

Cut Plaid wallcovering, £39.11lin m, Arte International

L I B R A R Y- B A R A combination of rich colours adds a natural warmth.

Bespoke Henley modular sofa, The Sofa & Chair Company. Darcy Stone Blue rug, from £429, Katherine Carnaby

f a v o u r i t e i t e m ‘I love the drama and elegance of the light installation

S

earching for a home in London, Tony Gibson found himself looking at too many characterless properties that did little to gladden his heart. ‘But things changed when I came across a rather unassuming entrance on a cobbled street,’ he says. Taking the lift to the fourth floor of the centuriesold former grain store, he opened the door to a triple-height atrium, the centrepiece of a spacious apartment surrounded by terraces with stunning views of Tower Bridge and the Shard. ‘From the street, you’d have absolutely no idea it was here,’ says Tony.

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A stone’s throw from one of London’s top foodie destinations, Borough Market, and from the Tate Modern, Tony and his partner, Cindy Valentine, knew and liked the area. ‘We love the atmosphere around here and, although the apartment was dated and needed a fair amount of work, its sense of serenity made us see beyond the renovations,’ he explains.

Working with chartered surveyors JSRE Partners on the purchase of the property, Tony was subsequently introduced to design director Rob Soar who runs the interior design service

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SITTING AREA A curved sofa makes an eye-catching focal point.

Circa sofa, from £9,545; similar coffee tables, Wynn Collection coffee table set, from £1,175 per table; all The Sofa & Chair Company. Bespoke upholstered wall in Alma Leather America Pan suede, designed by JSRE Partners. Canyon bookcase, £2,950, La Fibule

above the dining table, juxtaposed with the industrial heritage of the buildingÕ for the company. ‘I liked him immediately and was impressed by his passion for the history of the building,’ says Tony. ‘I wanted a design that celebrated the character of the space, which Rob understood immediately – in contrast to some of the other designers I met who took a much more generic approach.’

Their first task was to unite the spaces. ‘The previous owners had bought an adjacent apartment and knocked them together to create one larger home,’ explains Tony. ‘Unfortunately, the two styles of the apartments were very different, so it all felt rather

disjointed.’ Opting for consistent wall colours and flooring throughout helped to achieve a better sense of flow, as did improvements to the layout.

Removing a wall between the kitchen and dining area was key to making the dark cooking zone feel brighter and in keeping with the open-plan style, as was Rob’s considered groupings of furniture to create distinct zones within the huge space. There are areas for cooking, dining (the couple love to entertain), listening to jazz, watching TV and reading. ‘One of my favourite 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1 | 115

S TA I R C A S E A contemporary design replaced a dated spiral staircase.

Staircase designed by JSRE Partners and Decent Goodfellow Architects

EN SUITE This room leads to a private terrace.

Falcon free-standing bath, £465, Bathstore. Dechirer La Suite tiles, £202sq m, Domus

MASTER EN SUITE Textured slate mosaics add depth and interest to the shower area.

Similar slate wall tiles, Black Slate Mini Splitface, £69.09sq m, Mandarin Stone. Boost Pearl floor and Boost Tarmac tiles, from £108sq m, Minoli.

Bespoke vanity unit designed by JSRE Partners

f u t u r e p l a n s ‘We are buying some artwork for the walls throughout the apartment – it’s a process we are really enjoying’ ways to relax in winter is to sit by the fire watching the rain fall on the river outside,’ says Tony.

Upstairs, another wall was removed to create room for a pool table and bar in the library, while a bedroom was converted into a home cinema, and a new staircase installed. Throughout the apartment, care has been taken to preserve the exposed original London Stock brickwork, original timber beams and half glazed doors, which once opened to bring in sacks of grain hoisted up from the riverside. The building’s industrial heritage is reflected in the 116 | 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1

choice of metal doors, as well as the style of the brassware in the main en suite, balanced by soft velvet and warm colours to introduce a sense of luxury. ‘Preserving the history and making the very most of the spectacular views were essential to the success of the project,’ explains Rob. ‘However, we never lost sight of the importance of creating a very comfortable and personal retreat for Tony and Cindy.’

‘All those years of staying in hotels made me realise the importance of having a home,’ says Tony. ‘I think of the apartment as our haven, where we can totally relax.’

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BEDROOM A chair adds a pop of colour.

Fig armchair, £2,448, Julian Chichester. Hooked wall lights, from £274 each, Buster + Punch.

Bespoke built-in wardrobes, designed by JSRE Partners

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TERMS & CONDITIONS: Additional entrance costs may apply. Prices are per person, based on two sharing and subject to finite availability. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. Offer operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel Ltd, ABTA V4744, ATOL 3430, a company wholly independent of 25 Beautiful Homes, published by Future Plc. Prices correct at time of going to print. Free amend up to 45 days before departure is only valid for entirely new bookings made by 28th February 2021 and can only be used once. Terms and conditions apply. *Book by 28 Feb 2021. See website for full details.

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SITTING ROOM

French grape harvest buckets are reused as log stores, adding a dash of colour to the original inglenook.

Grape harvesting basket, £220, Original House.

Bluebell sofa, £1,470, Sofa.com, is a match

CHARACTER BUILDING

Antiques and unique furnishings enhance the historic feel of Archie and Caddy Mackie’s Cotswold cottage FEATURE JO LEEVERS | PHOTOGRAPHY EMMA LEWIS/NARRATIVES

home truths THE PROPERTY Detached 17th-century Grade II-listed cottage L O C AT I O N Gloucestershire R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen, three bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in a nearby village,’ says Archie.

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addy and Archie Mackie have to remind taller visitors to watch out for the low beams that run throughout their 17th-century Cotswold cottage. They both learned long ago (in Archie’s case, the hard way) to duck or stoop at regular intervals. But they both agree that it’s a minor inconvenience for living in a home that’s so full of character.

The couple moved to the Cotswolds from London as they wanted to bring up their family, Sicily, 10, Alfie, eight and Otis, 10 months, in the country. With roses around the front door and a

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KITCHEN

A deep window sill provides a neat space-saving seat. The encaustic splashback tiles (left) are reclaimed and the worktops are former school science lab counters. ‘You can put hot pans directly on them – they are invincible,’ says Caddy.

Antique Spanish table, price on request, Original House. Blind in Honey Bees in Rose, £75sq m, Barneby Gates. Try the Estrella tile, £125sq m, London Encaustic.

Fossil Buff riven sandstone flooring, from £30sq m, Mandarin Stone, would achieve this look

flagstoned kitchen with a back door that’s often left open to the secluded garden, their Grade II-listed home is perfect. But it’s also on the petite side, which presented Caddy and Archie with a personal challenge. They run Original House, specialising in large-scale restored antiques that tend to make equally big statements. ‘When we bought this cottage, we realised that Archie would need to start seeking out a few smaller pieces,’ says Caddy.

Archie often travels to antiques fairs in Europe, so favourite smaller finds began to make their way back to their home. They

include a weathered chest of drawers in the sitting room, which contains ‘all the kit of family life,’ says Caddy. There are two French grape harvest baskets that serve as log stores and sit perfectly inside the inglenook fireplace. Their coffee table was once a trolley in a Birmingham steel works and there’s a 1930s railway clock that still keeps excellent time. Archie also has a keen eye for quirkier vintage toys, including a homemade wooden truck and a well-loved scooter, both of which now live in their son Alfie’s bedroom. ‘If Archie finds something that we both love and that fits in our home, I try and hang 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1 | 121

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The pink paint shade creates a gentle mood.

Walls in Setting Plaster estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. The Oliver metal bed, £445, Feather & Black is a modern version that would suit this setting

ALFIE’S BEDROOM

A pale animal print wallpaper provides subtle colour and pattern.

Try Mack + Milo It’s a Jungle in Here wallpaper, £24.99 a roll, Wayfair. Vintage French chair, £150, Original House

BATHROOM

Faux panelling adds to this room’s character.

Walls in Pigeon estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. The Burlington Medici basin, £381, Designer Bathroom Concepts, is like this one

LESSON LEARNED ‘At antiques markets, try to enjoy a good haggle – it’s all part of the process and helps you build up relationships with dealers’

onto it,’ says Caddy. ‘But one or two things have been known to disappear if a regular client spots them – it’s an occupational hazard.’

The house came with plenty of nooks and crannies. An old salt cabinet set into the wall by the fireplace, which was once used to keep ingredients dry, is now a handy place to hide odds and ends. Three cavities are set into the kitchen wall (original purpose unknown) and in every room, window sills and seats are up to a foot deep.

To suit the character of their cottage, Caddy and Archie bought several pieces of vintage art from fellow Cotswold dealer Medium 12 2 | 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1

Room. But in the master bedroom, two contemporary pieces by Archie’s brother, the artist Alastair Mackie, add a quieter presence.

To take the edge off some of the more rough textured vintage finds, Caddy selected gentle paint shades for the walls, from the palest greens to a soft pink. She also sought out handmade cushions, pretty patterned fabrics by Penny Morrison and handmade lampshades by Rosi de Ruig. ‘That sense of balance helps to give this property individuality and character and make it feel like a family home,’ says Caddy. ‘We feel really happy living here.’

FIND INSPIRATION AND INFORMATION ON OUR RELAUNCHED WEBSITE: HOMESANDGARDENS.COM

PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

F O L L OW U S O N

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RAISE A GLASS A renovated village pub is now a cool, calm and contemporary family home for Lynsay Rebecca and her husband Craig FEATURE MARISHA TAYLOR | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH

KITCHEN Wood and rattan accessories soften the sleek, minimalist aesthetic, with plants adding bursts of colour.

The Greenwich cabinetry in White gloss and Silestone Miami white quartz worktops are very similar, price on request, Howdens. For tiles like these, try the Regal Grey polished 60x60cm, £39.97sq m, Topps Tiles

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SITTING ROOM Black window frames tie in with the sleek monochrome scheme.

The Chantilly warm white bookcase, £449, The Cotswold Company, is a close match. For a similar large ceramic vase, try the Knabstrup, £55, Nordic Nest.

Deconstructed grey linen armchair, £525, Graham and Green. Feature wall in Colour Courage Dark Graphite matt emulsion, £20 for 2.5ltr, B&Q. The Artisan five-light chandelier, £98, Now Lighting, is a good alternative to this one KITCHEN-DINER Banquette seating has been cleverly incorporated into the units.

Lindby kitchen pendant light, £65, Lights.co.uk. The Glamm chairs in Light Grey, £71 for a pair, Sklum, would suit this space. Metal clock in Black, from £44; similar mango wood chest of drawers (below), £432, both Maisons du Monde

home truths THE PROPERTY Detached Victorian house L O C AT I O N Scotland P U R C H A S E D 2018 R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, utility room, playroom, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, patio PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had a four-bedroom new build nearby,’ says Lynsay.

MASTER BEDROOM A dark feature wall brings definition to the white bed and accessories.

Wall in Hague Blue estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. The Belmont Industrial-style white bed frame, £139, Dream Warehouse, would work. Bumble side table in Sage Green, £80, Habitat. Try the Supersoft single pelt faux fur rug in White, £10, Dunelm B AT H R O O M The plants add zing.

Carrara white gloss marble-effect porcelain tiles, £65.95sq m, Tiles Direct.

The Milano Oxley white vanity unit with basin, £259, Big Bathroom Shop, is similar P L AY R O O M Pull-out baskets and boxes are a practical solution for storing toys.

Try Ikea’s Kallax shelving unit, from £25.

The Bali natural seagrass belly basket £20, The Basket Company, is identical

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ooking for a ‘forever’ family home in their quiet village in Aberdeenshire, Lynsay Rebecca and her husband Craig never thought they would end up living in a place they had spent time socialising in as young adults. ‘The Globe had been our local village pub,’ recalls Lynsay, ‘and we’d spent many an evening there, until it closed down about a decade ago.’

When the previous owner of the imposing granite structure, a builder, renovated it and put it back on the market, the couple felt they had to go and view it. ‘The building still felt familiar,’ says Lynsay. ‘It had been well thought out – it had a stunning larch-clad extension added to the rear that was home to a bright open-plan kitchen and living area and gone was the dated pub decor, chintzy curtains and dark wood furniture. I remember saying to Craig

before the viewing that if we were going to move there, it had to tick all the boxes, and it certainly did!’

The property had retained elements of its period charm, like the ceiling roses and architrave, but it had been completely reshaped for modern living. A sleek, white gloss kitchen had recently been installed, with in-built appliances and plenty of storage alongside, plus a new sophisticated bathroom and en suite. ‘Our daughter Ivy, who’s now three, had been born the year before,’ says Lynsay, ‘and as a new mum, all I wanted was an easy transition, so this home was the perfect start and the move was relatively stress-free.’

‘I love modern, minimalist design and a calm and organised space, and the newly renovated Globe was perfect in that respect,’ explains Lynsay. ‘It offered me a wonderful opportunity to add my own style and personality and I’ve spent the

last two years enhancing each room and adding character.’ The hand-painted murals bring warmth to the walls in the playroom and Ivy’s bedroom with their soft pastel shades, and dark-painted feature walls in the master bedroom and sitting room add a touch of drama. And by keeping to a simple palette of tones throughout, with natural wood and rattan accessories, industrial light fittings and soft rugs and carpets underfoot, the space now feels unified. ‘I wanted our home to be a space that was serene and composed, minimal but comfortable, and I think we have struck that balance well,’ says Lynsay.

The family have been living in the house for two years now and the building has evolved a great deal since its days as the local pub. ‘Its new incarnation has provided us with a wonderful home,’ says Lynsay. ‘It’s a place we know we’ll enjoy for many years to come.’

IVY’S BEDROOM ‘I hand-painted the mural using tester pots,’ says Lynsay.

Minnen bed in White, £75, Ikea. Uriel feather pendant shade in White, £23, Iconic Lights. Large canvas Indian teepee, £29, eBay

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STRONG CONNECTIONS Chris and Laura Mead have used glass, wood and brick to create a modern rustic home that complements its glorious green setting FEATURE ANNABELLE GRUNDY | PHOTOGRAPHY COLIN POOLE

KITCHEN-DINER The breakfast bar separates this space into two distinct areas, while the kitchen’s industrial vibe works well with the mid-century dining furniture. ‘We got the table on eBay and, amazingly, our friends had matching chairs,’ says Chris.

Find similar mid-century furniture at Vinterior. Oslo bar stools in White, £143.99 for two, Simply Bar Stools

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H

home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y New build L O C AT I O N East Devon R O O M S Kitchen-diner, sittingdining room, three bedrooms (one en suite), dressing room, family bathroom, shower room P U R C H A S E D Land in May 2015; moved in September 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a small flat in South London,’ says Laura.

aving decided to move from London to the West Country, Chris and Laura Mead spent months house-hunting without success. The comfortable period property they sought, in a tranquil spot, close to Laura’s family in Devon just seemed to keep eluding them.

‘Eventually we saw a decrepit bungalow for sale,’ says Laura. ‘It wasn’t salvageable, but the plot of land was perfect, with a lovely garden and gorgeous views. We’d never thought of self-building before, but we both have backgrounds in architecture and we couldn’t pass up the chance to live in such a special location.’

They were not the only ones to recognise the site’s potential and, having set their hearts on buying it, they initially found themselves outbid. Their search resumed, until they learned that the original sale had fallen through. This time they were lucky, and with their relocation plans suddenly back on track, the couple decided to continue working and living in London and manage their build project from there.

While the purchase went through, they devoted every spare evening and weekend to refining a design that would sit comfortably in the rural landscape and capture the stunning views. Their contemporary split-level property comprises a two-storey, three-bedroom house and an adjacent, single-storey reception room which are connected by a stylish glass link.

‘We wanted the feel of a cluster of rural buildings, a bit like a farm,’ says Chris. ‘We also incorporated traditional elements such as pitched roofs, oak, slate, brickwork 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1 | 129

S TA I R S The open-tread oak staircase was built to Chris’ design.

Try Luxury Vanilla parquet, £99.99sq m, Direct Wood Flooring

SITTING ROOM Huge windows draw the eye to the green outlook from this space.

Similar Layla sofa, from £1,500; cuddler seat, £599, both DFS. Hektar pendant lights, £29 each, Ikea

DINING AREA Laura’s old architect’s drawing board acts as a dining table in this sophisticated deep-blue scheme.

Walls painted in Valspar Zephyr V300 emulsion, £16 for 2.5ltr, B&Q

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and white render, which is the customary exterior finish for a Devon longhouse.’

Once the build was underway, Chris and Laura made regular weekend trips to Devon to monitor progress. ‘We were always excited on the Friday night drive down,’ says Laura. ‘As we weren’t here all the time, we could really appreciate the difference from one visit to the next.’

The house was designed to take advantage of the far-reaching country views, and glass is a key element, bringing in natural light and framing scenes inside and out. There are floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows throughout, and light floods through the centre of the house, thanks to a glass wall between the upstairs snug and landing. A simple palette of whites and greys, punctuated with splashes of vivid colour, runs through the house, enhancing the bright feel. At ground level, the modern, plant-filled glass link connects the two living areas. ‘I love greenery, so this is one of my favourite features,’ says Laura. ‘We often have breakfast there, and even the sound of rain on the roof is lovely.’

Brick and oak also feature among the materials that give the open-plan layout a sense of cohesion. Carefully laid Dutch bricks blur the boundary between house and garden, while inside a hefty chimney of white-painted brick runs up through the heart of the house, creating drama and helping to zone separate living spaces.

‘It’s amazing to watch the house you’ve designed evolve,’ says Laura. ‘I’d never say we wouldn’t do it again, but I can’t see us moving from here for many years, if ever. We feel very lucky to have found such a special spot.’

c o u ntry | 25bh MASTER BEDROOM A vintage G Plan headboard neatly incorporates bedside tables in this scheme featuring dark greys energised by yellow hues.

Sherborne duvet cover set, from £17.99, Wayfair. Frea table lamps in Ochre, £15 each, Dunelm

l e s s o n l e a r n t ÔOur very inexpensive bath taps and shower fittings soon developed problems so we had to replace them – with quality brands’

SNUG/GUEST ROOM A wall of glazing ensures light floods into the hall.

Bespoke glass wall, price on request, Fabco

B AT H R O O M Here, glass features, brickformat tiles and oak echo the decor of the house.

Sol round counter top basin, £69.95, Victorian Plumbing, has this look. Gloss White tiles, £15sq m, Tiles Direct

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STYLISH by NATURE Hoteliers Mo and Harrie Morshuis’ beautiful family home is filled with an abundance of greenery and treasures picked up on their adventures abroad FEATURE AND STYLING NAOMI JONES | PHOTOGRAPHY BRENT DARBY

SITTING ROOM

Textiles from all over the world provide a riot of colour here.

Try the Airfusion Climate DC brass/walnut ceiling fan, £280, Creoven. For a similar sofa, look at Clare Traditional, from £1,185, The Leather Sofa Shop. Large rustic arched door mirror, £160, My Vintage Home.

The gold monkey candle holder, £37.99, Clanbay, would work with this scheme

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home truths THE PROPERTY New-build country house L O C AT I O N Norfolk R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, garden room, conservatory, four bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 1999 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had a bungalow here in Norfolk,’ says Mo.

GARDEN ROOM

Mo likes colour everywhere so updated the table and one of the stools with a lick of paint.

A similar wallpaper is Hummingbird Trees, £30 a roll, John Lewis & Partners. Table legs in Radicchio estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Baskets on tall stool, around £20 each, H&M

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INTERIORS TIP ‘Most plants only need indirect light – and to be placed away from draughts and radiators’

H

otelier Mo Morshuis is in no doubt as to the most important element in a home.

‘For me, a house is not a home without plants,’ says Mo. ‘A house comes alive with greenery, but I admit to sneaking the odd faux specimen into some of the darker corners.’

While plants add life, another vital factor in Mo’s decorating scheme is her treasured collection of pieces picked up on visits to her favourite destinations, particularly Thailand, India and the Far East. ‘I choose what works for me, what touches my soul,’ she says, ‘so I don’t consider whether something will “go” or even if I’ll have room for it when I bring it home – I just buy what I love, knowing I’ll find space for it among pieces I’ve found closer to home.’

Along with her carved wooden artefacts, exuberant textiles and elegant ceramics, Mo found something even more special on one of her early adventures. ‘I met my husband while travelling in Thailand when I was in my twenties,’ she reminisces with a smile. ‘Harrie was running a hotel out there

KITCHEN-DINER

A variety of cabinetry creates an eclectic look.

Original units in Down Pipe estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Wilton Bouhjar rug would work here, £169 for 160x230cm, Trend Carpet. For a similar trio of pendant lights, try DAR RAY0375, £195, Ocean lighting

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Receive a £100 M&S gift card when you join*

Call 0800 5870 950 for a quote, or visit axahealth.co.uk/beautifulhomes †

Private health insurance is designed to cover you for the treatment of new medical conditions that begin after you join. *The Marks and Spencer gift card offer is for new customers only and one per household. Full terms and conditions, and all updates on how we’re supporting members during these uncertain times can be found at axahealth.co.uk/beautifulhomes. Future Publishing Limited is an introducer appointed representative of AXA PPP healthcare Limited.

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Write to us at: AXA Health, Phillips House, Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2PL. Lines are open 9am to 7pm weekdays. † We may record and/or monitor calls for quality assurance, training and as a record of our conversation.

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FAVOURITE FEATUR E ‘I absolutely love the conservatory as it gives a connection to the outside all year round’

CONSERVATORY

This cosy area is bathed in light 12 months of the year.

Philadelphie corner sofa, £324, Maisons du Monde. Similar knitted footstool, £29.99, Homescapes. Try pure wool Popcorn rug, from £219, Marks & Spencer. Bespoke reclaimed wood table, £500, Pallet Fever. Capri Grey dining chair, £129, Capital Dining Chairs, would work

and I left my life in London behind to be with him.

I loved making a home from all the wonderful pieces I’d find on my travels, all of which came home with us when we discovered I was pregnant with our eldest daughters, our twins Jessica and Emily, after which we decided to move to Norfolk to be a little closer to both our families.’

That was almost 30 years ago, after living in a number of properties, eventually they began looking for somewhere a bit more remote. ‘Not long after our third daughter, Hattie, came along, a builder friend told us about this place,’ says Mo of the six-acre plot that caught her attention in 1999. It was a ruined bungalow with a sorry-looking garden, but beyond was a panorama of mesmerising hills and secluded woodland, and there was planning permission for a modest three-bedroom property to be built using local brick and flint to replace the existing dwelling.

The couple debated the pros and cons and decided to make the move. ‘Although Harrie and I were after a slightly bigger house, we went ahead with the plans as 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1 | 13 7

25bh | c o u ntry MASTER BEDROOM

The bed frame gives the room a period feel.

Airedale bed frame by Victorian Design, £630 for a king-size, Hotel Contract Beds, is almost identical. Drawers in Down Pipe estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Try the Wonderplant duvet cover set by Linen House, £66.99 for a king-size cover and two pillowcases, Wayfair

BATHROOM

Monochrome flooring complements the natural wood.

Starfloor Tile Retro luxury vinyl, £34.99sq m, Carpetright.

For a similar window mirror, try the Bridgewater Portrait, £105, William Wood Mirrors. The Keinode four-tier ladder shelf unit would work here, £45.99, Amazon

DESIGN ADVICE

‘Fill your home with meaningful objects that you love and that reflect your personality’ they stood to create a workable home for the short term.’ Since building the house, the couple have been kept very busy transforming the garden and extending and modifying their home to realise their vision of a proper country dwelling. Upstairs, they added another bedroom and extended the master to provide a dressing area, and on the ground floor they enlarged the sitting room and conservatory, where Mo admits to spending most of her days drinking in the beautiful views while potting plants, reading and posting photos on her popular Instagram account (@mo_morshuis).

‘I think this house now sits perfectly on its large plot,’ she says. ‘And I feel very safely cocooned here, both inside and out – there aren’t many places you can take your dog for a walk round the woods in your PJs without fear of being seen, but that is something we can do here. The girls are all grown up and have moved out now, but we’ve made so many memories here that none of us can ever imagine a time when Harrie and I don’t live here.’

13 8 | 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1

Marketplace SOFAS

Great British Sofas Direct from the manufacturer

www.sofasofa.co.uk

sofasofa

01495244226

FURNITURE

GREAT BRITISH HANDMADE LEATHER SOFAS DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER

Aspen 3 seater sofa £1299

Call now for a brochure or visit

01443 771222 www.thomaslloyd.com

For Free Delivery (Mainland UK only) Use code BH2021 expires 31st March For details visit: www.juluhome.co.uk or call 033 022 32855

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

Marketplace CHARITIES

We’re working to create a future where brain tumours are curable.

We urgently need your help to accelerate research.

Text DEFEAT5 to 70507 to donate £5, please help us to find a cure.

thebraintumourcharity.org © The Brain Tumour Charity 2020. Registered Charity in England and Wales (1150054) and Scotland (SC045081)

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

Marketplace FLOOR COVERINGS

BEDS & BEDDING

Luxury bespoke fooring

Aspen and Ash produces artisan, hand-crafted floors for those wishing to enhance the beauty of a space with a stunning wooden floor of genuine quality.

Our designer floors use the finest quality Tregothan Oak and Olive Ash as well as 90-year-old reclaimed Douglas Fir, engineered using traditional methods to offer unparalleled stability and finish.

WINTER SALE - ENDS SOON

Aspen and Ash is committed to preserving historic woodland with all flooring cut, kiln dried and finished in Cornwall, delivered to anywhere in the UK.

Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co. Hand made in Norfolk. Guaranteed to last a lifetime.

A first and second generation family company. All our beds are lovingly hand crafted to order, on the Sandringham Estate and come with a guarantee to last a lifetime.

01485 542516 Aspen & Ash, Cardrew Business Park, Redruth. TR15 1SQ www.aspenandash.co.uk / 07980 703760 / 01209 210753

view our full range at

www.wroughtironandbrassbed.co.uk WINDOWS

Beautiful Traditional Timber Windows and Doors High quality windows and doors, made in the UK. Preserving the character of your home, while incorporating double glazing, where permitted.

Trusted trader

01344 868 668

www.sashwindow.com

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

25bh | i d e a s to s h a r e One of the suites at Cour des Vosges

ROOM ENVY

T

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

he perfect pied-à-terre for those seeking privacy, refinement and exquisite design, Cour des Vosges occupies a mansion in Paris’ historic Le Marais district. But this isn’t just any old mansion. The impressive 17th-century pile sits on Place des Vosges, one of the city’s most beautiful squares, and a favourite of the French nobility of the day, who ensured it measured up to their extravagant standards.

Step inside and every room enjoys views over the gardens.

There are 12 guest rooms and suites, each one fitted out with carefully chosen mid-century furniture mixed with edgy stainless steel. More than 100 original artworks feature 14 2 | 2 5 B H M A RC H 202 1

throughout the property – both modern and antique – curated by gallerist Amélie du Chalard. High ceilings, original exposed beams and antique mirrors mingle happily thanks to the inventive spirit of the decorators Yann Le Coadic and Alessandro Scotto.

In the suites, plush furnishings upholstered in pastel blue and pink fabric sit alongside original interior shutters.

There’s no restaurant per se, but in the typically effortless French style, a chic tea room serves light lunches and dinners.

Explore the fashionable Le Marais district, home to the Picasso museum and all manner of coffee houses, boulangeries, patisseries and bistros. Eat at nearby restaurant Anne at Le Pavillon de la Reine hotel for a Michelin-starred treat.

A Staircase Renovation From Neville Johnson Can Really Make an Entrance

*Sale discount applies to orders placed between 12/12/20 and 01/03/21.

Minimum order value £2,000 +VAT. Finance is subject to status, terms apply.

The Neville Johnson Sale* means renovating your staircase into an exquisite feature is much easier and less costly than you’d imagine. In just 1-2 days and with no building work, we will transform the heart of your home, and add value to your property with a stunning, handcrafted staircase. All in a style to suit you and your budget.

for our latest brochure

nevillejohnson.co.uk | 0161 873 8333