Polnkb

MO RE INSPIR AT I O NA L HOM E S T HA N AN Y OT HER MAGA ZINE

25 BEAUTIFUL

HOMES GENIUS IDEAS

Sunny schemes for every room SAVVY SOLUTIONS Make a kitchen island work Bring pattern to an en suite Big designs for small spaces

PROPERTIES REMODELLED

• Terraces • Family houses • Apartments

‘Classic elements gave our new build old bones’

STEAL THE STYLE FROM THIS STUNNING COUNTRY HOUSE

Dream looks you’ll love Cottage, glamour, mid-century... and more!

JUNE 2022

JUNE 2022

25 BEAUTIFUL

HOMES MOR E IN SPIRATIO NAL H O M ES T HA N AN Y OT HE R M AGA ZINE

no.

2

no.

7

A longed-for move to the country led to a woodland cottage in need of work (p16)

3

no.

4

8

no.

9

no.

no.

Traditional elements have given this rural new build a classic, timeless look (p8)

5

no.

10

no.

no.

1

6

Knocking down internal The renovation Floral fabrics and A globetrotting walls gave an Edwardian of this bungalow vibrant colours help to lifestyle informed the house contemporary maximises its incredible breathe new life into decor of this maximalist appeal (p22) estuary views (p30) this sitting room (p34) family home (p37)

no.

A very rewarding project, Creating a colourful creating a beautiful but retreat for entertaining practical house with was the aim of this disabled access (p44) renovation (p50)

Luxe materials and a minimal palette are used in this apartment for a fresh feel (p57)

no.

11

A new open-plan A subdivided Victorian kitchen with dining area villa has been reunited is perfect for social and returned to its gatherings (p64) former glory (p69)

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 3

13

no.

no.

18

no.

no.

23

no.

no.

12

no.

no.

17

14

This historic house in One couple worked This redesigned flat is the West Country is hard to turn a tired, a little gem in the heart a wonderful blend of dated semi into a dream of London’s famous past and present (p74) family home (p84) jewellery district (p88)

A bold new extension has given this midcentury terrace plenty of wow factor (p103)

no.

22

A radical redesign has enhanced the light and space in this top-floor apartment (p126)

4 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

no.

15

Unique elements and carefully chosen colour bring a personal touch to this kitchen (p94)

19

no.

24

no.

20

The decor of this Clever ideas turned this A main bedroom has Portuguese home was Edwardian terrace into been given a glamorous inspired by the local a comfortable home for transformation that area and culture (p107) modern living (p112) oozes elegance (p118)

An en suite with statement brassware strikes a modern industrial look (p130)

Better flow and functionality were key to this property’s chic new look (p132)

25

A dream client-interior designer relationship made this makeover a roaring success (p137)

no.

16

no.

21

Serial renovators utilised every inch in the makeover of a maisonette (p98)

Chic furnishings and sumptuous finishes have taken this home to new heights (p121)

Room Envy Miami’s Goodtime Hotel channels a reimagined art deco aesthetic (p146)

EDITOR’S LET TER

| 25bh

25 BEAUTIFUL

HOMES EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Rhoda Parry Homes Editor Fiona Mace Group Creative Director Emma Williams Group Chief Sub Editor/Production Editor Jennifer Spaeth Group Art Director Alison Walter Art Editors Melanie Brown and Paula Jardine Group Production Editor Maxine Clarke Hub Chief Sub Editor Carly Rigley Senior Sub Editors Marian McNamara and Karen Wiley

MANAGEMENT Senior Vice President, Women’s, Homes & Country Sophie Wybrew-Bond Managing Director of Homes Jason Orme Finance Director Mags & Subs Dan Jotcham SVP Global Operations & Marketforce Adrian Hughes

SYNDICATION Sales Executive Efi Mandrides (efi.mandrides@futurenet.com)

CIRCULATION Circulation Manager Justine Lazauskas (justine.lazauskas@futurenet.com)

ADVERTISING Commercial Director Rob Biagioni (rob.biagioni@futurenet.com) Head of Homes Nicola Ponting (nicola.ponting@futurenet.com) Sales Manager Kelly James (kelly.james@futurenet.com) International/Luxury Accounts Manager Carole Bunce (carole.bunce@futurenet.com) Classified Advertising Enquiries Simone Adams (simone.adams@futurenet.com)

WELCOME We’ve been particularly impressed in this issue by how many homeowners have skilfully combined the old and the new in their decorating schemes. This blend of modern and traditional can often be a tricky path to navigate, and judging by how well these houses have been designed, it’s a testament to the vision of the owners. So if you’re wondering how to add a contemporary twist to your period property, look no further than Lisa and Harry Bowcott’s house (p74) to discover how they updated their 12th-century former seminary without sacrificing any of its character. For Abby Fox (p112), an extension was the best way to introduce a new vibe, as well as much needed light and space to her Edwardian terrace. And, of course, adding flair and charm to a new build can be just as challenging, but this is what Anna Ward did (p8). The results speak for themselves.

FIONA MACE, HOMES EDITOR

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

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

INSTAGRAM Follow us @25beautifulhomesmagazine DIGITAL EDITIONS Find back issues on your device

SUBSCRIBE to 25 Beautiful Homes from £37.50 and receive a free gift (see page 82).

Go to magazinesdirect. com/25BHJUN22

INTERNATIONAL LICENSING 25 Beautiful Homes is available for licensing. To find our more contact us at licensing@futurenet.com or view our available content at www.futurecontenthub.com Head of Print Licensing Rachel Shaw

SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES help@magazinesdirect.com

BACK ISSUES Magazines Direct help@magazinesdirect.com (+44(0)330 333 1113) magazinesdirect.com Vol 25 No 6 ISSN 1369529 © Future PLC, 2022.

Distributed by Marketforce (UK) Ltd, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR (020 3787 9001)

We are committed to only using magazine paper which is derived from responsibly managed, certified forestry and chlorine-free manufacture. The paper in this magazine was sourced and produced from sustainable managed forests, conforming to strict environmental and socioeconomic standards. The manufacturing paper mill and printer hold full FSC and PEFC certification and accreditation.

All contents © 2022 Future Publishing Limited or published under licence. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any way without the prior written permission of the publisher. Future Publishing Limited (company number 2008885) is registered in England and Wales. Registered office: Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All information contained in this publication is for information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press.

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

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

Editorial Complaints We work hard to achieve the highest standards of editorial content, and we are committed to complying with the Editors’ Code of Practice (ipso.co.uk/IPSO/cop.html) as enforced by IPSO. If you have a complaint about our editorial content, you can email us at 25beautifulhomes@futurenet.com or write to 25 Beautiful Homes, Future PLC, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR. Please provide details of the material you are complaining about and explain your complaint by reference to the Editors’ Code. We will endeavour to acknowledge your complaint within five working days and we aim to correct substantial errors as soon as possible.

Subscription delays We rely on various delivery companies to get your magazine to you – many of whom continue to be impacted by Covid. We kindly ask that you allow up to 7 days before contacting us about a late delivery on help@magazinesdirect.com

Future plc is a public company quoted on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: FUTR) www.futureplc.com

Chief executive Zillah Byng-Thorne Non-executive chairman Richard Huntingford !ǝǣƺǔ ˡȇƏȇƬǣƏǼ ȒǔˡƬƺȸ Penny Ladkin-Brand Tel +44 (0)1225 442 244

25 Beautiful Homes is published by Future PLC, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR. Printed

by Walstead UK Limited. Cover printed by Walstead UK Limited. Publisher’s subscriptions rates for 12 issues (including p&p): UK, £59.88; Europe and Eire, €113.88; USA and Canada, $155.88; rest of the world, £155.88. For all subscription enquiries and UK orders, please email help@magazinesdirect.com.

2 5 B H J U N E 202 2 | 7

Country style After years of residing in California, Anna Ward found a leafy plot in England to build her classic house FEATURE KAREN JENSEN-JONES | PHOTOGRAPHY NICK SMITH

8 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

no.

1

SITTING ROOM Interior designer Lisette chose a mix of fabrics, including stripes, patterns and plains, in similar tones to ensure they work together harmoniously.

Large William lV sofa, £3,590, David Seyfried; covered in Bryce fabric in Stone Green, £90m, Colefax and Fowler. Try the Garrat coffee table, £465, Laura Ashley. Similar large green lamp base, £325, Wicklewood

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached new build L O C AT I O N Essex R O O M S Sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, study, utility room, cloakroom, four bedrooms (two en suite), dressing room, bathroom P U R C H A S E D Plot bought in 2017; house completed in 2021 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I lived in a detached house in California,’ says Anna.

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 9

H A L LWAY The crisp architectural lines are softened by an antique rug and a stunning floral display.

Bespoke table, Lisette Voûte Designs. Safavieh handmade oriental wool rug , £312, Overstock, is similar

E

very detail in the elegant home of Anna Ward has been crafted with a thoughtful, timeless quality. It’s hard to believe that this generously proportioned new build, with its unobtrusive, but noticeable luxury, doesn’t date from the last century.

Anna had lived and worked in California for 30 years but a few years ago, the time felt right to come back to England to spend more time with her family. She bought a plot of land to build her forever home, but the distance

10 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

meant she couldn’t do the interior design work herself, so a trusted architect was imperative, as was the decision to work with highly recommended interior designer Lisette Voûte of Lisette Voûte Designs who literally brought her vision to life.

Anna was keen to create an English country home reflecting the rural setting of the house with the added panache of breezy, Californian living. She’d seen Lisette’s portfolio and loved her taste and when they talked, Lisette

‘Traditional elements, such as panelling, beams and sash windows, make the new house feel like it has old bones,’ says Lisette

DESIGN TIP

KITCHEN The bronze three-light pendant adds just the right amount of glamour to this pared-down scheme, while the boarded ceiling brings a contrasting, old-world charm.

Bespoke stools, Lisette Voûte Designs; covered in Ashfield in Teal, £73m, Linwood. Quoizel Emery three-light weathered brass bar pendant, £527, Kes Lighting & Home

B R E A K FA S T A R E A Lisette designed this cosy nook for informal dining using rattan chairs to create a relaxed vibe. Pretty cushions in an array of fabrics add to the comfortable setting.

Bespoke table, Lisette Voûte Designs.

Rattan dining chairs, £700 each, Arteslonga. Lampshade in Blue Wicker, from £110, Fermoie

EN SUITE Two coral prints echo the blue on the walls in the hallway, creating a sense of continuity.

Set of two blue coral framed pictures, £62, Graham and Green. Toulouse freestanding bath, from £3,610.50, Victoria + Albert Baths

immediately understood Anna’s idea of English country living injected with an American aesthetic. ‘I produced detailed mood boards with photographs, fabrics and colours for each room and this really helped to direct the overall style,’ recalls Lisette.

Large sash windows to ensure natural light, generous cornicing and high skirtings complete the structural detail with Lisette’s discerning choice of colours, fabrics and furnishings creating the final look. The architect

designed the double-height hallway with a lovely roof light and Lisette complemented her idea with panelling in the space to cover the large expanse of wall. She suggested using it throughout the house, including the kitchen, and boarding some of the ceilings to add a traditional element, depth and texture. ‘For me, this is one of the key features which has undoubtedly captured the spirit of a timeless look,’ enthuses Lisette.

A cool backdrop of crisp whites and clean taupes 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 13

MAIN BEDROOM Anna’s favourite colour, blue, has been used throughout the scheme.

Silk wallpaper adds depth and helps reflect light around the room.

Bespoke silk wallcovering, James Hare. Headboard in Lanark Plaid in Old Blue, £130m, Colefax and Fowler.

Gannet table lamp, £550, I&JL Brown, has a similar look. Bedside table, £789, Chelsea Textiles

layered with subtly placed bold colours, and Anna’s love of blue, has created a calm, tranquil home. Plush sofas in soft colours, stripes and patterns add to the feeling of relaxed luxury. ‘Burnt orange in the study, dusty pink and raspberry red in the guest bedrooms and bold green lamps in the sitting room help to balance the look, making it warm and cosy yet fresh and airy,’ explains Lisette.

Lisette sourced everything for the house, apart from Anna’s personal possessions, and her choice of antique 14 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

and new furniture, vintage rugs for softness underfoot and carefully curated artwork has culminated in a collected look rather than a brand new show home.

‘There’s a simplicity and understated luxury to the house that’s hard to achieve but so easy to live with,’ says Lisette.

Despite working with Anna from a distance, Lisette’s attention to detail and understanding of her brief has resulted in an elegantly proportioned home with a charming sophistication that’s a joy to live in.

LEAP OF FAITH

When Hayley and Alex Cobbett moved to the country, they chose a cottage that was in need of a top-to-toe transformation FEATURE/ASSISTANT STYLING KAREN DARLOW PHOTOGRAPHY KASIA FISZER | STYLING PIPPA BLENKINSOP

16 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

no.

2

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached 17th-century cottage, with later additions L O C AT I O N Dorset R O O M S Sitting room, snug, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, five bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2009 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We were in London before our move to the country,’ says Hayley.

G A R D E N S E AT I N G ‘We made the furniture ourselves from pallets and I upholstered the seat cushions,’ says Hayley.

Summerhouse painted in a similar colour to Pointing, £70 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 17

A

lex and Hayley Cobbett often talked about moving to the country before they decided the time was right to make their dreams a reality. ‘We’d both spent many years living and working in cities,’ explains Hayley. The couple focused their property search in Dorset. ‘Alex grew up there and his family are nearby, so he knew the area well,’ says Hayley. They eventually came across a suitable property and had their offer accepted, however, Hayley admits that she felt less than enthusiastic. ‘I can’t say I fell in love with it, but I could see its potential and Alex knew the location,’ she says.

Despite Hayley’s reservations, the property ticked a great many boxes. With forest walks from the doorstep and beaches only a short drive away, the location couldn’t be bettered. The cottage is set back from a country road where ‘rush hour’ means two tractors, so it’s blissfully peaceful, too. Inside the couple also agreed they needed to reconfigure the layout, as well as lighten the rooms as much as possible.

Although the central section of the cottage dates from the 17th century, there were further additions in almost every century since and the sitting room gable was built in the 1980s. The result was a patchwork of rooms with no overall sense of cohesion. Hayley and Alex began by re-structuring the garden, to improve the natural light. Next, the windows were replaced with modern energy-efficient wooden ones in keeping with the property’s period style. Carpets were ripped out and heavy fitted cupboards were removed from the main sitting room, where they’d dominated the space.

‘I lime-washed the dark wooden beams, which made the ceilings seem higher,’ she says. ‘I also painted the mantel.’ Hayley then worked through the house room by room, decorating and transforming with her own personal take on classic country style, making all the curtains and soft furnishings herself.

One of the largest jobs was reconfiguring the kitchen. ‘The old kitchen was built in Victorian times, and although it was cosy, it was simply too small,’ says Hayley. ‘I wanted something that would do justice to the rest of the house.’ To achieve a room to suit a modern lifestyle, walls were knocked through and the house was opened up to extend the original kitchen.

‘The extension has made a huge difference to how we live,’ says Hayley. ‘The whole house now feels much more open and light.’ As a result of all the couple’s hard work, Hayley’s initial reservations have all been overcome. ‘The house is now elegant, characterful and homely – all at the same time.’

KITCHEN Hayley brightened the space by giving the solid oak units she inherited with the house a coat of paint in a paler shade.

Units in Beige Shadow eggshell, £65 for 2.5ltr, Sanderson

18 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

SITTING ROOM The unusual lamp was crafted from a piece of wood that Hayley found in an antiques shop and decided to turn into a lamp base.

Cushions in Reverse Dusky fabric, £85m, Susie Watson Designs

DINING ROOM Hayley had the woodburning stove painted sage green to tie in with the decor and create a sense of visual continuity.

Woodburner powder painted in sage green, price on request, Charnwood

SNUG The front door opens straight into this space, which has now been opened up into the kitchen.

Hayley reupholstered the sofa in as similar fabric to Brera Lino in Hibiscus, £75m, Designers Guild

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 19

MAIN BEDROOM Hayley chose a restful green and white palette.

Coco bed, £1,395, Loaf, has this look.

Try Classical white mirrored armoire, £1,995, Sweetpea & Willow. Catkin Megha linen cushions, £58 each, Susie Watson Designs

‘The location – the village is so quiet, you can always hear the birds singing’

FAVO U R ITE FE AT U R E

AT T I C BEDROOM This room, tucked under the eaves, is full of character.

Pensham single bed, £245, Cotswold Company, would work. Try Water Hyacinth storage trunk, £45, Dunelm EN SUITE Painted furniture and panelling add subtle colour here.

The paint colour is similar to Rolling Fog Dark, £68 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Try Batik tiles, £49.69sq m, Topps Tiles

20 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

New beginnings A total rethink of Anna Heasman’s Edwardian family home resulted in a better layout and schemes that delight FEATURE RACHEL LEEDHAM | PHOTOGRAPHY ANNA STATHAKI

2 2 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

no.

3

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERT Y Detached Edwardian house L O C AT I O N Lincolnshire R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner with separate dining area, playroom, cloakroom, boot room, utility, six bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2020 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We were living in a 1920s house in Cambridge,’ says Anna.

KITCHEN

A terrazzo floor teams beautifully with the grey-green of the cabinets.

Cabinetry in Suede with open walnut shelving, price on request, Puccini Kitchens. Flat rattan counter stools, £350 each, Cox & Cox. Vintage pendant lights, Agapanthus Interiors. ES9032 Botticino Terrazzo tiles, £84sq m, Love Terrazzo

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 2 3

DINING AREA

A Crittall-framed partition links this space to the kitchen.

Bramante extending table in Matt Grey, £550, Made, has a similar look. Teak and wicker chairs, £480 each, Homemonger

2 4 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

SITTING ROOM

A pair of fuchsia pink velvet armchairs enlivens a predominantly neutral scheme.

Byron piped sofa, from £1,365, Love Your Home. Find a similar vintage G Plan table, Vinterior

BOOT ROOM

Pale pink is contrasted with tongue and groove in rust red.

Hasuko birch bench, £350, La Redoute. Ezra Green Décor porcelain tiles, from £44.40sq m, Mandarin Stone

HALLWAY

Pendant lights resembling molten gold add a modern touch.

Melt pendant lights in Gold, £750 each, Tom Dixon. Walls and ceiling in Carolina Gull, from £24.50 for 0.94ltr, Benjamin Moore

DINING AREA

Tongue-and-groove panelling in forest green helps demarcate the informal dining space.

Similar mid-century expandable dining table, from £789, West Elm. Panelling in Caldwell Green, from £24.50 for 0.94ltr, Benjamin Moore

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 2 5

26 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

‘It has to be the hallway – it was such a transformation and the new look really draws you in’

FAVOURITE SPACE

I

t was the bones of the property that sold it to us,’ recalls Anna Heasman of her first viewing of this double-fronted Edwardian house in Lincolnshire. ‘We loved the details, such as the stained-glass windows and the original cornicing, as well as the hallway with its grand staircase. We could see, though, that the layout at the back of the house was quite disjointed and that it didn’t really lend itself to modern family life.’

The couple approached interior designer Fiona Duke to help them improve the flow of the property. ‘My husband and I have done a couple of renovation projects and I think that they have encouraged us to become bolder in our approach. For this house, we were keen to experiment with pattern and colour,’ says Anna. Rather than add an extension to what was already a sizeable footprint, Fiona suggested opening up a warren of small rooms to create an eat-in kitchen with an adjoining dining area, as well as a separate playroom for the couple’s daughter, who is now two. ‘Knocking down internal walls isn’t perhaps the most cost-effective solution but it made so much more sense of the house,’ says Fiona, who worked with the couple’s architect to come up with plans that included annexing outbuildings to create a boot room and a utility.

The revised layout provides ample entertaining space. ‘My husband and I are both from very large families and often at the weekend we will be 12 around the dinner table,’ explains Anna, who

MAIN BEDROOM

Petrol coloured velvet curtains soften the strong lines of the bed.

Goa four-poster bed, £540.50, Maisons du Monde. Curtains in Tango velvet in Petrol, £93.20m, Linwood

STAIRCASE

The couple adore the original Edwardian staircase.

Walls and ceiling in Carolina Gull, from £24.50 for 0.94ltr, Benjamin Moore. Anderson console table, £425, Made

loves the new dining area featuring a glazed partition that helps pull light into what was formerly quite a dark space.

With its wealth of oak features, the entrance also felt somewhat dark, so Fiona suggested painting the walls and ceiling, as well as some of the timber, a fresh green. ‘We needed to lighten it up and make it more suitable for a young family,’ affirms Fiona, who opted for paint by American brand Benjamin Moore: ‘The different finishes are perfect for creating a uniform effect. I thought it was important to see the colour on the walls, the cornicing and the doors as one so that you can focus on details such as the oak pillars and the balustrade,’ she explains.

Elsewhere, the couple have embraced pattern, opting for a bold floral wallpaper for the playroom and a punchy print depicting exotic birds in the cloakroom. In the family bathroom, a Japaneseinspired wallpaper and patterned porcelain tiles give the space an uplifting feel, while even the boot room and the utility have been enlivened with bold colour combinations. ‘I love the fact that these functional rooms are now so enjoyable to use,’ comments Anna.

For the first phase of the works, the couple renovated the ground and first floors only but now they feel ready to tackle the guest bedrooms on the second floor. ‘Fiona has already started to send over some ideas and we are very excited,’ says Anna, adding, ‘colour and wallpaper are definitely part of the brief.’

FAMILY BATHROOM

A frameless shower screen allows the beauty of the tiles and the gold-tone sanitaryware to shine.

Cuban Star Forest porcelain tiles, £43.26sq m, Tiles Direct. Shower enclosure, price on request, Kudos

MAIN BATHROOM

A beaded chandelier provides a striking decorative feature.

Salome beaded light, £296, Maisons du Monde. Picasso bath, from £1,395; Stratford vanity with Carrara marble top, £1,695, Lusso Stone

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 2 7

no.

4

POSITIVE outlook Having found a property with the glorious views they craved, Caroline and Keith Parker set to work converting it into their ideal, modern home FEATURE ANNABELLE GRUND | PHOTOGRAPHY COLIN POOLE

3 0 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

KITCHEN

Pine kitchen cabinetry was built to the couple’s specification and they painted it themselves.

A vintage workbench makes for a unique island.

Cabinets in Off-Black modern eggshell, £77 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Linear White Gloss tiles, £36sq m, Topps Tiles

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY A detached bungalow, built in 2000 L O C AT I O N Cornwall R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, studio, office, utility room, two bedrooms, (both en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a new build in a nearby village,’ says Caroline.

A

fter decades living in different spots along the North Cornwall coast near Newquay, Caroline and Keith Parker moved to a smart new-build property a few miles inland. However, Caroline was soon itching to return to their old haunts. ‘I missed the views over the Gannel Estuary so much that it felt like a gaping hole,’ she says. ‘We’re hands-on, habitual renovators and we’d made major changes to every other house we’d owned, so we were hankering for somewhere with real potential for improvement, too.’

After investigating several properties, they found a bungalow perched high above the estuary that ticked their boxes. The

old-fashioned decor was ripe for refreshment and the layout was dated, but the location was perfect, the views stunning and the possibilities clear. Over the next two years the couple revitalised the property, redesigning the ground floor to be more open plan, and converting the loft into a main suite. Every room has been completely refurbished and redecorated, and every inch of space utilised, with a neat home office on the landing and concealed storage in the eaves.

‘Keith has both building and architectural know-how, so aside from a bit of plumbing and electrical work, we did everything ourselves,’ says Caroline. ‘I knew we’d be spending all our time in overalls but we absolutely love the process, because it’s so satisfying.’

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 3 1

‘I’m a big advocate of making mood boards for each room – they really help you focus on the key elements and bring a strong look together’ DESIGN TIP

The pair started by knocking the kitchen and adjoining dining area into a single, sociable space. They designed the kitchen furniture themselves, cut and fitted the granite work surfaces, laid new flooring and even created the lighting feature over the island.

Caroline, who runs her own business, Waistcoat & Badger Interiors (waistcoatandbadger.co.uk) opted for a relaxed, modern look for the rooms. She combined a limited colour palette with an easy-going mix of old and new, to achieve a calm, cohesive vibe.

The kitchen china cabinet was originally a wardrobe. ‘It didn’t fit upstairs here, but we needed kitchen storage, so Keith put shelves in it and it’s perfect,’ explains Caroline.

3 2 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

Working with the proportions of the rooms and spending wisely, Caroline has focused on introducing much-needed character, depth and drama to the interior. ‘Magazines and TV programmes are great for ideas, and I love studying the decor in hotels and restaurants, too,’ she says. ‘Then I’ll find an affordable way to achieve the effect I want.’

If Caroline and Keith were to follow their usual pattern, another move might soon be on the cards, but Caroline is in no rush this time. ‘For once, I haven’t started getting itchy feet,’ she says. ‘We’re in an amazing spot with incredible scenery and there’s nothing else I’d change about the house. We’re really happy here.’

MAIN BEDROOM

OFFICE AREA

The loft space has been cleverly sectioned into a bedroom, en suite, dressing area and storage. An all-white scheme, including a painted floor, enhances natural light, and soft textures add depth and interest.

Similar Ice Queen faux fur throw, £120, The French Bedroom Company

Customised shelving and an open design, wood-topped balustrade turn a bright corner of the landing into a useful home office.

Dark Raw Nickel hanging lamps, from £39, Uneeka

EN SUITE

The plastered walls were left bare.

‘The soft colour is gorgeous and I like seeing the brushstrokes, so I’ve just varnished it,’ says Caroline.

Similar Frances Gunmetal pendant light, £30, Dunelm

MAIN BEDROOM

Carefully chosen furniture fits neatly under the dressing area’s sloping ceiling.

Similar Grey occasional chair, £299, Beauty Tables

SITTING ROOM

The calm scheme is energised by layers of texture and vibrant pops of orange.

Panelling in Down Pipe modern eggshell, £77 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

BEDROOM

Geometric patterned curtains boost the simple, Scandi-style feel.

Similar Mini Geo Stripe curtains, from £50, Next

SITTING ROOM FOCUS

FINELY TUNED Opulent fabrics and vibrant colours helped turn a tired-looking sitting room into a lively space that now hits all the right notes FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL | PHOTOGRAPHY DAVE BURTON

3 4 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

no.

5

A

room that hasn’t been decorated for 20 years is bound to show the ravages of time, but when Natalie Davies was asked to refurbish the sitting room in this North Yorkshire Georgian country house, it proved the most pleasurable of tasks. She knew that as the house had the most beautiful period features and with the original cornicing intact, she would simply need to update the decor to create a more contemporary yet elegant feel that was still in keeping with the age and style of the property.

‘Simply put, it needed a little TLC,’ says Natalie.

THE BRIEF

‘My clients – a couple with two teenage children – felt the room was very dated and didn’t meet their needs as a family,’ says Natalie. ‘They love to entertain and are very musical, often hosting concerts around the spectacular grand piano in the huge bay window, so the room had to be able to accommodate that.’ They also wanted a space where they could relax, read or listen to music.

DESIGN SOLUTIONS

Taking on board her clients’ wishes for the room not to look ‘like a show home’, Natalie set about giving it a look of having evolved over time and reflecting the family’s personality. ‘Colours were chosen that showed off their art to best effect,’ says Natalie. ‘The bay window overlooks a stunning garden, so I wanted to connect with that, too, hence the profusion of floral fabrics.’

FINISHING TOUCHES

The furniture in here is a mix of old and new. ‘We chose the new pieces very carefully so that they sit beautifully colour- and style-wise with the existing items, and I’d like to think you can’t really tell which is which,’ says Natalie.

LESSONS LEARNT

Although the sofas were old, they were of very high quality, so by reupholstering them and replacing the legs, Natalie made them look brand new. ‘Even I was amazed at how these minor changes transformed the feel of the room,’ she says. ‘It proves you don’t need to get rid and start again.’

The clients were delighted at the outcome – so much so that I’m now working on other rooms in the house.’

P R O J E C T D E TA I L S D E S I G N E R Natalie Davies of Natalie Davies Interior Design (nataliedaviesinteriors.co.uk) P R O P E R T Y Georgian detached house in Yorkshire W O R K To refurbish a dated family sitting room

B A C K T O N AT U R E ‘To allude to the garden, which my client loves tending, we chose floral fabrics in greens and blues – one of my favourite colour combinations,’ says Natalie.

Walls in Inchyra Blue estate emulsion, £52 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Blinds in Carnival fabric, £140m, Christopher Farr. Sofas reupholstered in Mali velvet, £73m, Jane Churchill. Coffee table reupholstered in Marshall velvet, £76m, Designers Guild. Czarina chandelier, £2,560, Heathfield & Co

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 3 5

no.

6

SITTING ROOM ‘I love the 1970s disco aesthetic of Studio 54,’ says Vix. ‘My cowhides add sex appeal, texture and fun.’

Similar 75cm mirror ball, £702, Stage Depot. Zebra printed cowhide rug is similar, £495, Graham and Green

A SPECIAL BLEND A mix of cultural experiences from abroad influenced the interiors of Vix and Don Brenninkmeijer’s family home FEATURE JANE CRITTENDEN | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH STYLING MARISHA TAYLOR/VIXSTARELLA INTERIOR STYLING

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 3 7

SITTING ROOM Mexican vases were made into lamp bases to go with the Chinese shades.

‘I filled them with seeded balls from a Brazilian flower market and colourful glass,’ Vix explains.

Similar Chinese antique sideboard, €4,850, China Collection. Chinese

3 8 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

vintage adverts, £8 each, Vintage Wall Graphics on Etsy have this look DINING ROOM ‘Finally, I’ve been able to bring together my whole Mexican star light constellation,’ says Vix. Try Stella star pendant, £165, Pooky

KITCHEN ‘Our gallery wall is a reminder of wonderful people and places,’ says Vix. ‘I especially love my signed Bucks Fizz photograph!’

Striped Ooty kilim rug is similar, £59.99, Soul Destiny. Notonthehighstreet.com is a good source for frames, from £9.50

SNUG Vix knew instantly that the patterned curtain fabric would bring together the cherry red chairs (opposite, top right) and khaki green walls.

Curtains in Kimono linen in Chilli Mocha, £130m, Lewis & Wood. Leopard cushion, £160, Oka. Try Fibre silk lampshade, £150, Lighting Lover

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 3 9

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY 1800s detached house L O C AT I O N South-west London R O O M S Sitting room, dining room, kitchen, snug, study, cloakroom, six bedrooms (three en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2019 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We rented a detached house in Germany,’ says Vix.

KITCHEN The raw brick walls, vintage chandeliers and brass bar were inspired by the Olympic Studios members’ club.

Ballroom chandeliers, £780 each, Venice Beach House. Bar painted in Burnham Red, £42 for 2.5ltr, Neptune

4 0 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

A

rollercoaster lifestyle with moves between Latin America, China and Europe took interior designer Vix Brenninkmeijer of Vixstarella Interior Styling to places all over the world. Fired by her experiences, she returned to London and shaped an eclectic maximalist look for the new home she shares with husband, Don, and children, Theo and Ferdie, both 12, Rafaella, 10, and Reuben, five.

‘Ideas for this house started percolating the moment I moved to Brazil in 2005, where Don was working for a retail company,’ says Vix. ‘We spent 15 years abroad and our house has been informed by every place we’ve lived.’

Vix studied fine art and worked for BBC Radio before moving to São Paulo, where she taught English and made shower caps for a local boutique. ‘I loved the joy and hope in the colourful Brazilian folk art and was fascinated by the enormous flower market, all of which inspired me to decorate our flat,’ she says. ‘Soon friends were asking for advice, and when we moved to Shanghai, I launched an interiors business helping expats make their rented properties feel like home.’

GLOBAL INFLUENCES

Another move with Don’s work took the family to Mexico and then four years later they went to live in Germany. When Don’s career changed direction, the couple settled in the UK to be near family and bought a period property close to one of London’s parks. ‘We were both in awe of this large house overlooking a green space yet on the doorstep of central London,’ Vix says. ‘We modernised the traditional look with Crittall windows and opened up the kitchen and dining rooms to have a place to gather all the people we’d missed for so long.’

Working with architectural lighting designer Isla James Interiors and expert builders Roland Woodward and RBuild, Vix let her creativity run riot. A disco ball in the sitting room sets off party vibes echoed in animal prints and a trio of chandeliers above a bold brass and red kitchen island. ‘It reminds me of our heady lifestyle in fast-paced Shanghai and the fun of Annabel’s club in London,’ she says. ‘We’ve experienced so many different aesthetics, I’m also influenced by New York loft style, Gatsby grandeur, Mexican hacienda – the list goes on.’

STYLE CONNECTION

Vix established continuity throughout with paint colours – relaxed neutrals upstairs and a more vibrant feel downstairs with dusky pink, khaki and red. Furniture is from Brazil, China and Mexico – warm red wood tones for energetic spaces and lime-washed in calmer rooms.

Framed vintage Chinese cigarette adverts decorate walls alongside Brazilian carved doves and street art. Mexican star lights form a constellation and spherical Chinese lampshades in varying proportions catch the eye. ‘We’ve made homes worldwide and I’ve held on to everything,’ says Vix. ‘It’s so lovely being able finally to bring all our treasures together. It might be a mash-up of styles but somehow everything makes sense here, like they’ve found a resting place, perhaps a bit like us – for now.’

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 41

EN SUITE ‘Abigail Ahern inspired me to use tadelakt plaster, which has a gorgeous sheen that’s also waterproof, over the walls and ceiling,’ says Vix. Tadelakt in Perfectly Pink, £147.50sq m, Roland Woodward.

Karndean Korlok Baltic Washed Oak flooring, £39.95sq m, Flooring Supplies

H A L LWAY ‘The dove is a spiritual symbol in Brazil,’ says Vix. Similar silk Lotus lamp, £35, Shimu

Fantasia Jungle Animals wallpaper in Light Pink, £12.49 a roll, World of Wallpaper. Vanity painted in Vintage Denim, £52 for 2.5ltr, Designers Guild

B O Y S ’ B AT H R O O M Vix gave each of the bathrooms a different feature wall.

MAIN BEDROOM ‘The celadon blue of the lamp is a typical Chinese colour,’ says Vix.

Similar Natalie table lamp, £79, Cotswold Company. Black and white stripe cushion, £45, Trouva THEO’S BEDROOM Theo loves Cornwall and the sea and the colour scheme reflects that.

Hemnes day bed, from £279, Ikea

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 4 3

HOME TRUTHS D E S I G N E R Joanna Simpson, director and architect at Simpson Studio (simpson-studio.com) H O U S E Grade II-listed Palladian villa in Devon W O R K Internal reconfiguration, lift installation, specialist fit-out of a disabled bathroom, interior design

4 4 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

WIDE OPEN

no.

LIVING AREA Simpson Studio introduced a new focal point into the open-plan space with a hand-blackened steel hearth and woodburner, creating a cosy living area.

AGA Ludlow multi-fuel stove, £795, Stoves Are Us. Squishmeister sofa, from £1,445, Loaf. Throw on the sofa is Marianne & Harriet quilt, £204.40, Society of Wanderers. Stockholm rug, £169, Ikea

7

Architect Joanna Simpson explains how she has opened up the space in this home to meet the needs of her clients while respecting the listed property FEATURE CHARLOTTE LUXFORD | PHOTOGRAPHY JONATHAN GOOCH

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 4 5

KITCHEN-DINER The classic Shaker cabinetry was chosen to blend in with the Georgian features, while metro tiles, crisp white walls and open shelving prevent it from being too dark.

Real Shaker kitchen in Pantry Blue, from £12,000, deVOL. Hector Bibendum pendant lights, from £185 each, Original BTC. Find a similar G Plan oval dining table, from £412, Vinterior

4 6 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

H O W D I D YO U C O M E T O B E I N VO LV E D I N T H I S P R O J E C T ? This is the third project we’ve

done for this client, a good friend who gave me my first-ever commission, and nine years later we’re still working together.

SITTING ROOM Mid-century style furniture adds a stylish retro vibe to the room.

Bailey corner sofa, from £2,199; No.045 plug-in wall light, £60, both John Lewis & Partners.

Ekenäset armchair, £199, Ikea

H O W I N VO LV E D W E R E T H E H O M E O W N E R S ? The client was really involved, she

has a great vision and style, and brought lots to the table with ideas and colour schemes. She also had a number of unique requirements because of the complex needs of her disabled son, as well as balancing life for a family of six.

This meant we talked a lot about their day-to-day routine to really understand how they spend time together.

DESCRIBE THE HOMEOWNER’S STYLE.

Rich, interesting and colourful. She wanted a space that was decluttered, so lots of clever storage, which was then layered with interesting colours and textures.

W H AT W E R E T H E B I G G E S T P R I O R I T I E S F O R T H E H O M E O W N E R S ? The main priority

was to make the house completely accessible for their disabled son, so lots of the brief was driven by function and practicality. This sat alongside a strong vision that all of these additional needs could be delivered with a gorgeous homely style. The renovation work also needed to be in-keeping with the listed building, while delivering light and airy spaces with a good spatial flow and a connection to the garden.

W H AT WA S T H E H O U S E L I K E B E F O R E ?

The house had lots of separate spaces and little connection with the garden. It is elevated at ground level, like many Palladian villas, with steps up to the front door – a real challenge when you’re creating disabled access. The house is also Grade II-listed, so all of the changes we made had to be sensitive to the original building.

W H I C H R O O M WA S T H E M O S T I M P O R TA N T T O T H E H O M E O W N E R S ?

Their son’s bedroom and accessible shower room. At the time we started the project he was five years old; he requires assistance with every aspect of daily life, as well as lots of time to help him find ways to communicate, and to keep his mind and body active. Creating a house that made caring for him easier was the most important thing.

W H AT WA S T H E B I G G E S T C H A L L E N G E ?

Integrating the lift and hoist system into a Grade II-listed building. This required sensitive design, technical specialist and a detailed planning and listed building application.

W H AT WA S T H E M O S T S AT I S F Y I N G A S P E C T O F T H I S P R O J E C T ? Delivering a space

as beautiful and fun as any other, while also maintaining a higher degree of practicality. Physical space and emotions are so heavily intertwined, and if creating a better environment can improve an individual or a family’s life and wellbeing, it is a hugely rewarding thing to be involved in.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD C H A N G E ? No. We have started on a final phase of design

for the client, which we’re excited to complete. Working with a client over a number of years allows us to review and evolve our approach each time to create something even better.

W H AT I S YO U R A D V I C E F O R C R E AT I N G A S U C C E S S F U L S C H E M E ? I think having a clear

brief and a solid understanding of how you want to live and use a space is key to achieving a really successful scheme.

P L AY R O O M A large pocket door was installed to zone off the children’s playroom from the adult’s entertaining space.

Nympheus wallpaper, £117 a roll, GP & J Baker at Wallpaper Direct

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 47

LANDING A new lift was installed between the ground and first floor, with wide corridors for wheelchair access. Various vintage finds are dotted along the landing to give the space character, while a neutral palette keeps it light.

Timber flooring, price on request, Beach Bros. Carpet runner, price on request, Alternative Flooring

4 8 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

F A M I LY B AT H R O O M Joanna maximised the potential of this large bathroom with bold patterned floor tiles, a statement roll top bath and salmon-pink walls.

Walls in Sulking Room Pink estate emulsion, £52 for 2.5ltr; bath in Hague Blue dead flat, £71 for 2.5ltr, both Farrow & Ball. Argyle vinyl flooring, £59sq m, Atrafloor. Sanitaryware, price on request, Vado.

Basin, price on request, Lusso Stone

MAIN BEDROOM Simpson Studio reconfigured the space to include a study, dressing area and en suite.

The blue theme features mustard accents and an eclectic mix of new and old pieces.

Mid-century three-drawer chest, £789, West Elm. Dixie sofa, £1,745, Loaf. For a similar bed, try Hugger, from £1,195, Loaf. Walls in a similar colour to Green Blue estate emulsion, £52 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

no.

8 HALLWAY

Blush pink walls create an inviting look.

Walls in Lilac Pink emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. Castellau console table, £1,050, Oka. Hám Leaf lamp base in White, £645, Studio Hám. Marbled lampshade in Green 03, from £25, Munro and Kerr

DINING AREA

Tess used two large tables to create this banquet-style setting.

A wall of art and bespoke lighting add character.

Callanish dining tables, £3,595 each, Oka. Portland buttoned back chairs, from £285 each, The Dormy House; in Fresco N-121; and Savernake 008, both £150m, Fermoie. Art from a selection, Ballater Gallery.

Bespoke pendant light arrangement, Fritz Fryer

HOUSE of FUN Tess MacGeachy helped her parents create a colourful, convivial home that is designed for social gatherings FEATURE RACHEL LEEDHAM | PHOTOGRAPHY DARREN CHUNG

5 0 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Semi-detached property dating to the early 1800s L O C AT I O N East Neuk of Fife, Scotland R O O M S Kitchen-diner/living area, snug, library, utility room, four bedrooms, three bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2020 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We live in a mid-19th-century former bakery in the same village,’ says June.

SNUG

Bold stripes and rich green joinery create a warm, enveloping feel.

Tribal Stripe in Palm wallpaper, £26m, Rapture & Wright. Joinery in Goblin intelligent eggshell, £72 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Vintage pendant light, Anemone Interiors

KITCHEN

Bright orange doors offer a punchy contrast to the green joinery.

Bespoke cabinetry, David L Douglas.

Tall cabinets in Charlotte’s Locks estate eggshell; other cabinetry in Green Smoke, estate eggshell, both £70 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

LIVING AREA

A mix of fabrics unites the colours.

Florence sofas, £2,157 each; Florence armchairs, £954 each, all Love Your Home. Pink sofa in Emiko in Rose, £49m, Sanderson. Green sofa in Aventurine N-123; armchairs in Savernake 004, both £150m, Fermoie

S

hortly after Tess MacGeachy decided to leave the interior design practice she had been working for in order to strike out on her own with her company Amber Yard (amberyard.co.uk), she was approached by her parents, June and Robin, with an exciting proposal: they had purchased a Georgian house in their village, and they wondered if Tess would like to undertake its refurbishment and redesign. ‘It really was the dream project for me,’ recounts Tess, adding, ‘I got my eye for interiors from my mum, who loves colour and pattern, so I knew that a big part of the brief would be a bold palette and some fun design touches.’ June continues the story: ‘The house was designed as a spill-over from our own home for our friends and family,

including our three grown-up daughters; it provides the social spaces and additional bedrooms that we weren’t able to offer.’

Situated in a fishing village in the East Neuk of Fife in Scotland, the property overlooks a golf course with the coast beyond, and Tess’ parents were keen to maximise this glorious view. Working with Fiona Merrylees from Unit 5 Architects, they opened up the back of the building, adding a new extension that provides a large entertaining area. ‘This room perfectly fulfilled our brief for a big, sociable space,’ notes June, adding, ‘it fits a table that can seat 22 people so we can really throw a banquet.’

Tess has delivered on her mother’s request for bold colour, starting with the kitchen joinery where the tall larder units were

FAVOURITE PIECE ‘It is exciting finding a beautiful antique such as the hot air balloon pendant light in the snug. The moment Tess showed it to me, I knew we had to buy it!’

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 5 3

DESIGN tip ‘Having a good architect, interior designer and project manager is essential

as unexpected problems will arise that require a flexible attitude, creativity and teamwork’ painted orange as a punchy counterpoint to the rest of the cabinetry, which is a grey-green shade. The shelves in the living area beyond were painted raspberry pink. ‘The colours are strong but they all have slightly smoky undertones which means they work well with the age of the house,’ says Tess, who used these hues as a starting point for the fabrics, a mix of lively patterns and textural plains.

The palette of oranges and greens has been carried through to the snug, where Tess designed a wall of joinery that has been painted a rich, inviting green. While June might have opted for bold colours on every wall, Tess persuaded her to incorporate some neutral hues to enhance the sense of flow, most notably in the hallway where a welcoming blush tone was then carried through to 5 4 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

the main entertaining space. ‘It forms a lovely backdrop to the wall of art behind the kitchen table,’ approves June, who worked with gallerist David Reid to select the paintings. ‘He brought lots of artwork for us to try, helping us to create this feature, which looks rather like a wall of tapestry,’ she adds.

Each of the four bedrooms has been given a strong identity with wallpapers that range from an arresting William Morris print to a dynamic stripe that lends a sense of fun to a dormitory-style space.

‘Whichever room I am in is my favourite,’ proclaims June. ‘Tess has created a beautiful home where colour and pattern are at the forefront but nothing is overpowering. It makes you smile as soon as you walk through the door.’

BEDROOM

Bold wallpaper creates drama.

Pomegranate wallpaper in Raspberry, £74.35m, Lewis & Wood. Kenmure chests of drawers, £1,695 each, Oka. Bench in Ottoman Flowers in Cherry/ Indigo, £72m, Sanderson. Matilda chandelier, £1,585, Soho Home

BATHROOM

Pale tiles ensure a calming feel.

Cornubia Matica Moon tiles, £48.30sq m, Craven Dunnill

CHILDREN’S BEDROOM Yellow walls add a playful touch.

Panelling in Naples Yellow eggshell,

£80 for 2.5ltr, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. Block Print Stripe BP 768 wallpaper, £114 a roll, Farrow & Ball

BEDROOM

The headboard is the star here.

Elsie headboard in Dark Turquoise velvet, £1,250, Trove

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

LET’S GO OUTSIDE

S

Create a stylish oasis to use all summer long when you transform your garden with designs from Topps Tiles

pending more time outdoors has played a large part in all of our lives over the past couple of years; socialising, entertaining and just taking those quiet moments for ourselves.

Thankfully, now it’s choice rather than necessity that is drawing us outside once again. The summer is upon us, which lends itself perfectly to a refresh of your outdoor space – and Topps Tiles is here to help.

LIGHT TOUCH

The Everscape Inara tile is a stunning concrete-effect design that offers a timeless look that will work in a range of outdoor spaces. The word Inara means ‘shining light’ and the tile gives a gentle sparkle thanks to subtle undulations on its surface. Available in three colourways, this 2cm-deep, large-scale porcelain tile is durable and frost, fire and stain-proof, meaning very little upkeep for you. Plus, if you use the 1cm version of the same design indoors, you could create a beautiful in-out transition from your living space.

A N AT U R A L F E E L

TO FIND OUT MORE... and to view the ever-growing range of tiles, visit toppstiles.co.uk or head to a Topps Tiles store – there are over 300 located in the UK.

5 6 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

The Everscape Sandstone Grey tiles will transform a patio or courtyard

Consider the Everscape Walnut tiles for a balcony

Everscape Inara tiles have a cool concrete floor look

FEATURE LIZZIE HUDSON

Love the look of wood? Then try the Everscape wood-effect tile, available in Walnut, Oak and Grey. It’s a smart and almost care-free alternative to real wood.

Since slipping and rotting are common problems, wood decking often requires maintenance and needs to be treated regularly. The Everscape wood-effect tile is made of vitrified porcelain and is non-porous so is hard-wearing and easy to maintain. It won’t crack in the cold, it resists mould and stains and gives high slip resistance. Plus, it won’t fade in the sun.

no.

9

H A L LWAY To maximise the scale of this grand hallway, Lorla Studio installed six-foot-high photography prints flanked by wall sconces and three runners that provide texture.

Glass Globe sconces in lacquered burnished brass, $468 each, Restoration Hardware

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY An apartment in an 1860 building L O C AT I O N New York City R O O M S Sitting room, dining area, kitchen, bedroom, office/ guest bedroom, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2020 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I lived in another apartment in West Village,’ says Sara.

URBAN CHIC In the heart of Manhattan, interior designer Laura Hur created a refined home full of sophisticated style FEATURE KARINE MONIÉ | PHOTOGRAPHY SETH CAPLAN

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 57

SITTING ROOM To achieve a balance that was sophisticated yet cosy, Laura used a minimal colour palette and luxe materials for an elevated feel, and sourced large, deep seating that is perfect for curling up and watching a film.

Soho tufted sofa in Graphite vintage velvet, $5,471, Restoration Hardware. Franco Albini ottomans, $760 each, Shoppe Amber Interiors. Novato chair, $799, Room & Board

5 8 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 59

DINING AREA In the sophisticated dining space the walls are graced with original artwork complemented by the custom-designed banquette and the striking steel and glass windows.

Brennan dining table, $2,699, Burke Decor. Artwork by Taryn Brown

6 0 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

O

riginally from a small town in the Midwest, 38-year-old Sara Lewis had always dreamed of living in a big city and fell in love with New York City the very first summer she spent there. ‘I moved to the Big Apple permanently in 2010 and I’ve lived in Greenwich Village since then,’ she says. One day, while she was browsing on a real estate site, Sara saw a listing that caught her attention and decided to take a closer look. ‘I knew I wanted to live there and made an offer as soon as I left the open house, and thankfully it was accepted,’ she remembers.

As well as being nestled inside an old church – which still features an impressive façade, original stained glass windows and a glass atrium – there were several elements that made the apartment so attractive to Sara.

These include the long and wide hallway that feels grand, the two outdoor spaces and the big walk-in wardrobe off the main bedroom.

Interior designer Laura Hur, who runs Lorla Studio (lorlastudio.com), then came on board to visually translate Sara’s aesthetic. ‘It is probably about 85% classic with 15% some bold or unexpected elements thrown in,’ describes Sara.

Situated on the garden level, the two-bedroom apartment is characterised by an unconventional open layout. ‘I feel very at home in my space,’ says Sara. ‘I moved in shortly after the start of the pandemic, so I have spent a lot of

MAIN BEDROOM Lara created a cocoon using dark grey paint and layers of luxurious textiles.

Find a similar headboard, £677, The Dormy House. Table lamp #107, $707, Notary Ceramics.

Loom A limited edition art print, $420, Jenny Pennywood

KITCHEN Painting the existing cabinetry brought the kitchen up to the same level as the rest of the home.

Nodes Mini pendant in Midnight Black

by Kelly Wearstler, $295, Lightology OFFICE/BEDROOM Soft, neutral furnishings create a quiet home office and cosy guest bedroom.

Martos Chocolate faux mohair office chair, $899, CB2

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 61

time there, including working from home and it’s very comfortable.’

For Laura, it was essential to choose colours and materials in tune with the sophisticated style of the homeowner. The warm white paint brightened the common areas and provided a neutral backdrop for the vintage, custom and contemporary pieces of furniture and lighting, complemented by artwork. ‘The unique ceiling conditions of this basement level unit included parts of the living room ceiling that were much lower than others due to large, bulky soffits to conceal the building’s ductwork,’ says Laura. ‘Similarly, a long soffit runs the length of the hallway. We couldn’t remove the soffits, so we used the same white paint on the ceiling and walls to let other design elements grab attention.’

The new black finishes on all the windows and doors with chrome to satin brass handles result in a modern look, with a balanced contrast to the pristine walls and light wood floors.

Touches of grey and shades of blush and pinks were introduced for a slightly feminine feel.

‘We wanted to design a home that was timeless and fresh, and a deeply personal reflection of the woman who lives there,’ says Laura. Materials such as marble, tadelakt, oak and terrazzo contribute to the chic atmosphere. ‘I really enjoyed the design process and loved working with Lorla Studio,’ says Sara. ‘I have maximalist tendencies and had a lot of fun choosing the art and decor. My home is the place where I feel most myself.’

B AT H R O O M This room was created using only the finest materials, such as marble, tadelakt and luxe gold finishes, to provide a spa-like experience.

Sputnik flush mount light, $1,637, Jonathan Adler. Similar Monaco stone resin bath, £1,395, Lusso Stone. Petite single stem vase, $425, Simone Bodmer-Turner.

Fouta Stripe towels in Cream, $136 for a set, Parachute Home

6 2 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

KITCHEN FOCUS

ISLAND LIFE

Faced with a huge open-plan space, Paul and Kate Beaney have unlocked the potential of their new kitchen by putting a large island at its heart FEATURE KAREN WILSON | PHOTOGRAPHY DARREN CHUNG

CLASSIC DESIGN Having built a traditional-style house in the country, Paul and Kate chose a kitchen with beaded detail to suit the property and location. Elegant coving blends seamlessly with the cabinetry, giving a sense of permanence

6 4 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

no.

P R O J E C T D E TA I L S O W N E R S Paul and Kate Beaney and their children, Oliver and Imogen H O U S E A six-bedroom self build in Berkshire W O R K New open-plan kitchen with dining and living areas, plus adjoining utility and boot room

10

A

fter buying their home 11 years ago, Paul and Kate Beaney converted a series of outbuildings where they lived with children Oliver, 14, and Imogen, 12, while building a new six-bedroom detached house in the grounds.

As a semi-retired property developer, Paul had used Charles Yorke (charlesyorke.com) on past projects and was confident the team could help bring his ideas for a sociable family kitchen to fruition.

THE BRIEF

One of the main elements Paul and Kate wanted was a large central island with banquette seating and views of the garden. ‘We also had our hearts set on a Wolf range cooker, Sub-Zero wine chiller and breakfast station, so the design had to incorporate all those things,’ says Paul.

Charles Yorke was also asked to create bespoke cabinetry for the TV wall and neighbouring utility-cum-boot room.

DESIGN SOLUTIONS

As the space has multiple doors leading to different rooms, an L-shaped island was used to make it flow better.

‘The island makes use of the whole space, creating different levels with the seating to break it up and add interest,’ says designer Kaye Edgar. ‘To utilise the high ceilings, we constructed floor-to-ceiling units to provide ample storage. Glazed top boxes break up the height and allow for night-time ambient lighting, while a large mantel creates a bold focal point. A sliding door mechanism was also used to hide the breakfast area, keeping the look balanced and symmetrical.’

M AT E R I A L S U S E D

The kitchen was painted in Green Smoke by Farrow & Ball and teamed with contrasting Caesarstone Moorland Fog worktops. ‘We got about 10 different samples before getting the right shade of green,’ says Paul. ‘It’s got a nice sheen to it which complements the warm beige tones of the ceramic floor tiles and rich grey stained oak dining table.’

FINISHING TOUCHES

One of Paul’s favourite features is the large stone framed mirrored splashback behind the range cooker, which really enhances the mantel area. ‘It’s a lovely feature as it makes the room feel even more spacious and reflects the garden,’ he says. Simple glass pendant lights, leather upholstery on the banquette seating and armchairs from Alexander & James add to the sophisticated, quality feel.

LESSONS LEARNT

The kitchen design has been so successful that Paul would happily replicate it in another project. ‘I’d definitely put a Quooker tap in again, as it’s great not having a kettle,’ he says. ‘I also love having two dishwashers – it makes life a lot easier as one isn’t quite enough. It’s everything we’d hoped for, so there’s really nothing I would change.’

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 6 5

A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING Cleverly planned storage in the utility room keeps the rest of the house uncluttered. The extra oven comes in handy for catered dinner parties

HIDE AND SLIDE

Retractable doors make it easy to access the breakfast cupboard. The colour inside has been chosen to match with the grey tones elsewhere.

Framed Englemere kitchen cabinetry, £80,000; similar Georgia knobs, £9.88 each; and Buckingham cup handles in brushed satin nickel, from £38.88 each; oak table with Coastal Grey stain, £5,400; Quooker twin tap in stainless steel, £1,440, all Charles Yorke.

Cabinetry in Green Smoke estate eggshell, Farrow & Ball. Wolf 1219mm dual fuel range cooker, from £19,100. Wine storage, from £11,800; fridge freezer, from £15,250, both Sub-Zero. Similar Caesarstone Moorland Fog worktops, from £500sq m, Stone Circle.

Otoro large glass pendant, £195, Nkuku, is similar.

Similar Villeroy & Boch Farmhouse 80 ceramic double bowl Belfast sink, £409.99, Tap Warehouse.

Theodore dining chair in Sand, £329, Andrew Martin, is comparable. Octopus Crazy velvet cushion, £57.99, Cushion Covers Store, is similar. Eichholtz Catene swivel chair in Clarck Sand, £1,380, Pavilion Broadway, would work here. M7240 built-in microwave, £1,299, Miele. Icona Capitals white toaster, £109, De’Longhi. Neff N50 slide & hide electric oven, £699, Currys, is similar. Perrin & Rowe Oberon mixer tap, £298.96, Sinks.co.uk, is similar. Bistrot Marfil stone-effect porcelain floor tiles, £37.50sq m, Porcelain Superstore, are an alternative

6 6 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

DINING IN STYLE A substantial L-shaped island makes the best use of space and allows for a centrepiece built-in eating area

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 67

Back together AGAIN

no.

11

After years spent travelling, Janice and Gordon Solo seized the chance to turn a subdivided Victorian villa into their forever home

FEATURE CHARLOTTE LUXFORD PHOTOGRAPHY DAPPLE PHOTOGRAPHY

KITCHEN/LIVING AREA Dark smoked-oak joinery is balanced with a polished concrete floor, while muted blue panelling adds texture and warmth to the living area.

Kitchen, price on request, Archispek.

Voronoi III pendant lights, £170 each, Tala.

Bolero bistro stools, £172 for four, Nisbets

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 69

‘We wanted to use sustainable, salvaged and natural materials, so we chose local suppliers and contractors’

DESIGN TIP

E

very once in a while, a truly unique opportunity will present itself that’s simply too good to miss. For ceramicist and architect Janice and Gordon Solo, it was a Victorian merchant’s house ripe for renovation in a leafy conservation area just outside Glasgow. The couple jumped at the chance to unify the 19th-century villa, which had been split into two flats. ‘We loved the quiet beauty of its proportions, as well as the large, mature, secluded garden,’ explains Janice.

The couple were living in a nearby apartment with their son William, 14, while they looked for the right plot or project. After travelling the world, the couple were finally ready to settle and wanted their next house to be a haven for themselves, as well as for 70 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

family and friends. They also wanted to create a dedicated pottery studio for Janice – a trained architect turned ceramic artist.

Given their background as architectural designers, they were well placed for spotting potential. However, their experience lay in larger civic projects rather than private homes, so they enlisted the help of local practice Loader Monteith. ‘We asked Matt Loader and Iain King to create an architecturally distinct home that would be future-proof,’ says Janice. ‘They designed the floor plan to allow us to potentially sub-divide the property again in order to support independent living on the ground floor as we grow older.’

Loader Monteith designed a striking L-shaped addition to create an open-plan kitchen and living area, with Janice’s studio at

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Victorian villa L O C AT I O N East Dunbartonshire, Scotland R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-living area, dining room, study, utility room, five bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2018 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We rented a ground-floor flat next door,’ says Janice.

SITTING ROOM Many of the period details were either retained or artfully restored, including the cornicing, ceiling rose and timber panelling.

Reconditioned radiator, Glasgow Architectural Salvage. Source a similar vintage leather Chesterfield at Old Boot. Chatsworth chandelier, from £695, Graham and Green, would create a similar look.

Carmella brass over arched lamp, £150, Made, would work here.

Firefly wall light, £110, Pooky STUDIO Janice’s new purpose-built pottery studio is tucked behind the kitchen. Architects Loader Monteith exposed the roof beams and installed concealed lighting, transforming the ceiling into a design feature.

MAIN BEDROOM The couple purchased the statement teak four-poster bed when they were living in Dubai.

Cu Chi large pendant light, £145, Vaunt Design. Walls in Stiffkey Blue and Dead Salmon, both £52 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Marlow four-poster king-size bed, £3,499, Heal’s, has this look EN SUITE Geometric tiles and gold-toned taps add to the boutique-hotel look.

Dandelion wall tiles, €185sq m, Marrakech Design LANDING Selecting rich blue for both the walls and carpet allows the beautiful oak flooring to take centre stage.

Engineered oak flooring, price on request, The Wooden Floor Store

the rear. The new wing acts as the central hub of the home, with large triple-glazed sliding doors running along the entire length of the south side. ‘We wanted a seamless connection with the garden and a covered terrace to sit on even when it rains,’ says Janice. ‘We have used this space continually, especially during the pandemic when social distancing measures came into effect.’

The rest of the downstairs layout was reconfigured to create a new guest bedroom suite, utility room and dog wash area at the back, with a study and sitting room at the front. An open dining area acts as the bridge between the new and existing structures.

Upstairs, the couple sacrificed some smaller rooms to create a large bedroom suite, while the attic was converted back into one bedroom.

The house is now greater than the sum of its parts, with old and new working harmoniously together to create a unified whole.

‘The Victorian part has real character; traditional features like the bay windows and old stone walls give us a feeling of solidity and comfort,’ says Janice. ‘We retained all the original details where we could, including a stained-glass window and cornicing, while also adding in new elements such as reclaimed fireplaces, cast-iron radiators and a herringbone floor. The new extension on the other hand allowed us to open the house up to the garden and it captures the ever-changing light, adding another dimension to the space. It is a sanctuary to come home to, especially as it’s our first long-term home together after travelling for 15 years.’

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 7 3

no.

12

History lesson Dating from the 12th century, Lisa and Harry Bowcott’s house is a masterclass in mixing modern and period styles FEATURE SARA BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY DAN DUCHARS

KITCHEN

Lisa introduced the wow factor with a striking copper worktop for the island, which she paired with copper drawer handles and pendant lights.

Kitchen units and copper worktop, price on request, deVOL. Dexter copper pendant lights, £118 each, Pooky. Buscot limestone tumbled finish floor tiles, £55.44sq m, Artisans of Devizes

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 75

DINING AREA

Banquette seating creates a chic cafe feel, while painted chairs add delightful colour.

Suffolk dining table, from £960, Neptune.

Banquette upholstery, price on request, The Pink Button Co. Pink tram; Fiordo di Furore; and Venice façade posters, from £12.95 each, Desenio

76 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Grade II-listed former seminary L O C AT I O N Gloucestershire R O O M S Sitting room, kitchendiner, boot room, TV snug, study, six bedrooms, five bathrooms, plus a two-bedroom barn with games room and shower room P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a Victorian terrace in southwest London,’ says Lisa.

BOOT ROOM

Tongue-and-groove panelling and a bespoke bench make this space both pretty and practical.

Carpentry, Jonathan Randall

SITTING ROOM

The upholstered furniture provides a soft counterpoint to the wood and stone.

Jøtul F400 eco wood burning stove, from £2,365, Firehouse, is similar

BEDROOM

Fabric was used to create a decorative tapestry to hang behind the luxurious four-poster bed.

Boat freestanding bath, from £1,276, BC Designs at Insignia Interiors

DESIGN TIP ‘I always decide on a room’s focal point then make sure that all my colour and pattern choices accentuate that aspect of the room’

GREAT HALL

The oak panelling and staircase, created by carpenters specialising in traditional architectural styles, return warmth and character to the heart of the house.

Architectural joinery, Arttus

MAIN BEDROOM

Bold blue walls and ceiling helps to give this generous room an enclosed, cosseting feel.

Walls in Woad absolute matt emulsion, £52 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Curtains in Bangalore No2 in Orange, £91m, Nobilis at Jane Clayton. Symbol six pendant light, £598.80, Där Lighting at Lighting Room

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 7 9

DAUGHTER’S BEDROOM

A low ceiling was removed to reveal a generous vaulted space, which has allowed for a fun mezzanine play area.

Cropland wallpaper in Candy Pink, £58 a roll, Coordonne at Wallpaper Direct. Jolly Animaux throw, £195, Lucy Tiffney

‘W

e’re still in awe that we ended up living here,’ says Lisa Bowcott of her historic house in the West Country. ‘I could never have imagined having a property like this as our home.’ Rewind a few years and Lisa and her husband Harry were living in London, juggling two high-flying careers in advertising and management consultancy, while raising their four children under the age of six. It was at this point they decided the time had come to move out of the city.

‘We had settled on the West Country as a location as it was commutable for London meetings,’ says Lisa, who has a passion for interior design and has now decided to move into property development. Having spotted the house while on holiday in Greece, the couple went to a viewing on their first day back.

The property needed a lot of work. It had started life as a seminary for monks in the 12th century, complete with chapel, moat and fish ponds. It was then converted into a home in the 15th century and passed through generations of the same family, until it was occupied by tenant farmers in the 20th century. By the 1960s it was in a sorry state, with cows grazing up to the front door and the farmer burning oil drums in the former Great Hall to keep warm. ‘The people who bought the house at that time saved it from collapse,’ says Lisa, ‘but there was still a lot to do when we took it on.’

8 0 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

The family lived in the house for six months before moving out for much-needed renovations to take place. ‘It was so cold,’ recalls Lisa. ‘There wasn’t an ounce of insulation anywhere and we only had four temperamental radiators. We used the fires a lot but they weren’t in great condition either, so the rooms frequently filled with smoke. One room was so damp that we had a dehumidifier running 24/7, which produced a bucket of water each night.’

These fundamental issues were the first to be tackled. New underfloor heating across the ground floor has now created much-needed zoning, enabling rooms to be heated separately as required. Loft installation, proper cladding, new plumbing and an overhaul of the electrics were also completed.

For the decor, Lisa has focused on mood by using a palette of pink, blue, green and yellow. ‘I’ve been particular about materials, too, especially the metals, using copper and antique bronze,’ explains Lisa. ‘We’ve also incorporated a lot of oak and, for details such as the strapwork ceilings that date from Tudor times, I’ve gone for period yellow. It’s been about finding inspiration in historical colours, but also recognising that it’s got to be comfortable for the here and now.’

As Lisa admits, ‘We fell in love with this house then shaped it, so we now feel like guardians of something much bigger than us. The property has been around for centuries and we hope, due to what we’ve done, it will now be around for another few hundred years.’

SUBSCRIBE FROM £37.50

WORT

£44.85

AND RECEIVE A FREE ANNIE SLOAN PAINT SET Your exclusive gift includes the Tilton paint set, featuring three limited-edition chalk paints, wax and an inspiration guide, a Countryside Bird stencil and a flat brush

8 2 | 2 5 B H J U N E 202 2

SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS n GREAT VALUE – ONLY £3.12 PER ISSUE! n EVERY ISSUE DELIVERED DIRECT TO YOUR DOOR n FREE WELCOME GIFT WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE

SUBSCRIBE NOW MAGAZINESDIRECT.COM/25BHJUN22 OR CALL 0330 333 1113 AND QUOTE A35X TERMS AND CONDITIONS Offer closes 31.05.2022. Offer open to new subscribers only. Direct Debit offer is available to UK subscribers only. Subscribe and pay £37.50 every 12 months. We will notify you in advance of any price changes. Please allow up to six weeks for delivery of your first subscription issue (up to eight weeks overseas). Payment is non-refundable after the 14 day cancellation period unless exceptional circumstances apply. Your free gift will be delivered separately within 60 days after your first payment has cleared. Gifts only available to new subscribers on the UK mainland. The gift is not available on digital or overseas subscriptions.

In the unlikely event that we run out of this gift, we promise to offer you an alternative gift of the same or greater value. For full terms and conditions, visit www. magazinesdirect.com/terms. For enquiries please call: +44 (0) 330 333 1113. Lines are open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm UK Time or e-mail: help@magazinesdirect.com.

Calls to 0330 numbers will be charged at no more than a national landline call and may be included in your phone provider’s call bundle.

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 8 3

no.

13 Labour of LOVE

Emily and Kev Hadley’s Edwardian semi was in need of a complete overhaul to make it the characterful and spacious home they dreamed of FEATURE MARISHA TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH

H

aving fully renovated their previous coastal property, Emily and Kev Hadley were looking for a new challenge locally when their dream home came on the market. ‘I’d spent years walking past and admiring this house on the school run,’ Emily says. ‘It’s rare that anything of this size and stature comes on the market in this area, so when it was put up for sale, we booked a viewing straight away and made an offer that very day.’

The couple knew the minute they walked into the house that it had the potential to be a wonderful family home. ‘We saw through the flowery wallpaper and dirty carpets,’ says Emily, ‘and imagined how welcoming the well-proportioned space could be. It had three spacious reception rooms, an extra bedroom and bathroom and the gardens were a brilliant size, too.’ However, the previous owners had really let the property go and soon after moving in the enormity of the project made the Hadleys question what they had got themselves into.

‘Kev and I are no strangers to hard work – our children, Finn, 15, and Flo, 13, have spent their childhoods avoiding wet paint and stepping over tools – but this house was on another level. We worked

DINING/LIVING AREA

The rug and pendants zone each area and bring texture to the space.

Moroccan rug, from £675; pouffe, £95, both Sunday and Story. Stay Safe Keep Your Distance Yellow Dot print, £19, The Printer’s Devil. Jatani Rust wire lampshades, £55 each, Nkuku.

Chairs, £45 each, Relish Lifestyle

HOME TRUTHS T H E P R O P E R T Y A late Edwardian semi-detached house L O C AT I O N Devon R O O M S Sitting room, living room, dining/living area, kitchen, five bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a house nearby which we also renovated,’ says Emily.

8 4 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

SITTING ROOM

Panelling was added to give this space a period look.

Walls in Manor House Gray estate emulsion, £52 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Dillion two-seater sofa, £1,695, Sofa Workshop.

Ekenaset chair (below), £199, Ikea. Rich enough to be Batman artwork (below) by Heath Kane

HALLWAY

A mirror bounces light down the corridor.

Try Ikea’s Stockholm mirror, £99. Moroccan encaustic cement pattern OIu2 floor tiles, £80sq m, Best Tile

KITCHEN

Metro tiles go all the way to the ceiling, creating a feeling of height.

Bespoke cabinetry, Naked Kitchens; in Green Slate Dulux Heritage diamond eggshell, £56 for 2.5ltr, B&Q

BEDROOM

Blue panelling adds a splash of colour and acts as a headboard.

Panelling in Air Force Blue intelligent emulsion, £56.50 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Balestrand standard king-size bed, £415, Ikea.

Nautical wall lights, £60 each, Black Country Metal Works, are similar

BEDROOM

FLO’S BEDROOM

Grey walls and a metal bed give an industrial feel, softened by pink accents.

Oliver bed, £499, Feather & Black. Try Barnbury’s Fuchsia Balmoral throw, £85

‘The mural was painted by our friend, artist Emily Powell,’ says Emily.

Hemnes daybed, £279, Ikea.

Sloan Green rug by Asiatic, £92.30, The Rug Shop UK

BATHROOM

Contrasting hexagonal tiles make a feature of the recessed shower shelf.

Try Hexagon Matt White tiles, £3.79 a sheet, Tiles Direct

8 6 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

Lesson Learnt ‘We’ve realised we can be braver in our choices – the areas where we went with the safe option are the spaces we now look at and want to change’

every evening and weekend for four months in the lead up to Christmas, cleaning and fixing things up just to make the house bearable.’ The initial reward for the couple’s hard labour was their first big Christmas with 20 members of the family around a makeshift table. ‘It was the first time we had stopped and just enjoyed the house, and its true colours started to shine through,’ says Emily.

Since then, Kev and Emily, both teachers, have updated every area of the house, researching and looking at different options before working out how to do the work themselves within their tight budget.

‘There are plenty of ways you can get a high-end finish without spending lots of money,’ says Emily, ‘but that approach does take time and you have to have lots of patience.’

Over the last five years the couple have renovated four bathrooms, converted an empty space into a pantry, created a utility room, stripped all the floors, added bifold doors in the dining room and replastered, redecorated and exposed original features throughout. ‘We spent a long time researching and planning the kitchen renovation. A major high was pulling out the fusty old cabinets and installing our dream kitchen. The new space completely transformed the feel of the house.’

Emily and Kev are both passionate about art and design and this can be seen throughout their stylish and beautiful home, from the original artwork and carefully sourced prints to the vintage and contemporary pieces of furniture. ‘Our home is packed with character and reflects our eclectic tastes and personality,’ says Emily. ‘It’s been a labour of love, but we now have the welcoming family home we first envisaged and are so proud that our vision and years of hard work have finally been turned into such a wonderful reality.’

FINN’S ROOM

A palette of primary colours creates a harmonious effect.

Floor lamp, £155, Barker and Stonehouse. Cork board map, £29.95, Notonthehighstreet

A REAL GEM

This compact apartment in the heart of a famous jewellery district shines bright thanks to clever design solutions from interior designer Omar Bhatti FEATURE EMMA J PAGE | PHOTOGRAPHY ANNA STATHAKI | STYLING MARY WEAVER

no.

14

SITTING ROOM

Omar designed a fluted oak media unit to add texture and storage. A carefully curated display of art on the wall behind stands out against the pale backdrop.

Bespoke media unit, Omar Bhatti at Space Shack. Iggy corner sofa, £3,560, Sofa.com. Low lounge chair in brown and rattan, £199, H&M Home. Pot Pie footstool, £645, Loaf.

Floating Disks side table, £189, West Elm

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY A one-bedroom apartment L O C AT I O N Central London R O O M S Sitting room/ dining area, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘The owners have another house in Nottingham,’ says interior designer Omar (pictured).

W

hen Chris Marks and James Brennan first viewed the apartment that’s now their home, one of the main attractions was its location. Tucked away in the heart of Hatton Garden, famed as the haunt of diamond dealers, the London property was the former home of a precious gem specialist. The interior, however, left much to be desired, so the couple enlisted the help of designer Omar Bhatti, renowned for his highly individual brand of

cosmopolitan cool. ‘The flat had no distinctive decorative features, varnished pine floors, a dated kitchen and an awkward layout that couldn’t be radically reconfigured,’ says Omar. Yet he was undeterred. ‘The aim of the remodel was to create a home that struck the right balance between being a dynamic space and a rejuvenating bolthole,’ he says.

‘Chris and James wanted a space that could work just as well for entertaining and suppers with friends as it could for unwinding at the end of a long day. Although there was 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 8 9

HALLWAY

Bespoke floor-to-ceiling cabinetry with a built-in seat is a great space-saving solution.

Bespoke cabinetry, Omar Bhatti at Space Shack. Zigzag herringbone flooring in Frozen Umber, price on request, V4 Wood Flooring. Cabinetry in De Nimes estate eggshell, £70 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

little scope to tweak the layout, there were many clever refinements that I knew would make all the difference.’

The couple’s brief to Omar had only two, slightly left-field directives: no velvet and no swathes of mirroring.

‘Before getting to the decorative details, we had to get the bones of the apartment right,’ says Omar – who trained as an architect before setting up his east London interior design practice. He began by tackling the long and narrow hallway, where he sketched out clever multi-level storage to 9 0 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

help make the space feel less corridor-like. ‘We also had the exposed pipework chased into the walls,’ says Omar. ‘Next, we removed a bulky door between the hall and living room and chose an oak herringbone floor to add a sense of depth.’

One of the cornerstones of Omar’s design approach was to create a link with nature, even in this über-urban property. ‘City apartments often don’t have gardens, so the key is to be imaginative and find alternative ways of celebrating the natural world,’ he says. ‘London is such a

‘Go for tone-on-tone schemes – they can really bring some drama into a room if you opt for deep hues’ D E C O R ATI N G TI P

KITCHEN

Cabinetry with little decorative detailing is a smart choice in a compact space as is matching the worktops and splashback for a seamless look.

Interior design by Omar Bhatti at Space Shack. Bespoke kitchen, designed by Space Shack and made by John Lewis of Hungerford. Cabinetry in Hague Blue estate emulsion, £70 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Skyscraper handles, from £20.99, Dowsing & Reynolds

BEDROOM

A bespoke lattice-cut wall feature is a striking alternative to traditional panelling and continues the blue accents throughout the apartment.

Bespoke wall panel, Omar Bhatti at Space Shack; in Green Smoke estate eggshell, £70 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Verne bedside table, £229, Swoon. Try the Astrid cone wall light, £65, Lampsy

BATHROOM

A tired-looking bath was replaced with a generous shower clad in marble-effect tiles.

Oikos gold porcelain tiles, £39.94sq m, Crown Tiles.

Novellini Zephyros sliding shower door, £369.95, Victorian Plumbing

touch point for me – I’m constantly thinking about how city interiors can be both dynamic and re-energising.’

Omar added textured warm woods, standout artwork and tactile accessories. A media unit fronted in fluted oak conceals storage in the living room and an oversized lattice cut wooden wall panel takes the place of a headboard in the bedroom. ‘These textural layers are a way of bringing the outside in,’ says Omar. When it came to reworking the decor, he chose blue as an anchoring colour, which he used

in kitchen cabinetry, echoed in the sky-blue tones of the hallway storage units and also in a sofa in the living room.

After four years of putting up with a functional but bland apartment, Chris and James totally approve of Omar’s efforts to max out in the style stakes. ‘They joke that the new space is going to make them up their entertaining game,’ says Omar. No doubt influenced by the designer’s relaxed contemporary-eclectic style, this central London apartment is ready to shine bright once more.

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 93

KITCHEN FOCUS

PERSONAL TOUCH Tony Gordon-James and Doreen Mitchell’s new kitchen was made all the more beautiful with characterful and individual accents FEATURE AMELIA THORPE | PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL CRAIG

P R O J E C T D E TA I L S O W N E R S Tony GordonJames and Doreen Mitchell live here with their Dalmatian, Solo H O U S E A three-storey end-of-terrace house, built in the 1990s, in Winchester W O R K The renovation of the whole house including the installation of a new kitchen

9 4 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

ONE OF A KIND As the cabinetry is bespoke, the couple were able to ask for small details like the extra panel on the wall units to make the kitchen feel unique

no.

15

A

fter living in London for 22 years, Tony Gordon-James and his partner Doreen Mitchell decided it was time for a change. ‘We settled on Winchester, where I had lived and farmed close by for a long time earlier in my life,’ explains Tony. ‘I have a great fondness for this ancient city with its fine medieval cathedral and fascinating history, surrounded by some of Hampshire’s most beautiful countryside.’

Doreen and Tony bought a three-bedroom house in a surprisingly quiet location close to the centre of the city, with wonderful views of the cathedral, St Catherine’s Hill and beyond to the South Downs. The house interior, however, was rather less wonderful. ‘It was very dated and really needed a complete makeover,’ says Tony, who masterminded the project including a new kitchen.

THE BRIEF

‘We both really enjoy cooking and entertaining, so we particularly wanted a room suited to our style and the way we like to live,’ he adds. Following up recommendations, Tony met Darren Taylor, managing director of local bespoke kitchen company Searle & Taylor. ‘I could tell immediately that the furniture was top quality, that Darren was open to my ideas and that he would be skilled in converting them into reality,’ says Tony, who specified personal touches and a classic look in keeping with the architecture of the house and the surrounding properties.

DESIGN SOLUTIONS

Key to the success of the design is the French-style canopy, inspired by the couple’s holidays in France, which both conceals the extractor above the hob and creates an elegant focal point in the room. A large island, carefully designed to suit the proportions of the room, replaces an awkward peninsula arrangement, and a run of tall cabinetry houses an integrated fridge, breakfast station and built-in ovens.

M AT E R I A L S U S E D

The Silestone Lagoon quartz surface worktops provide contrast to the classic Shaker cabinetry and have an extra matte Suede finish. A limestone floor achieves both practicality and good looks.

FINISHING TOUCHES

It was Doreen who specified the colours for the cabinetry, a combination of soft grey with deep blue island to add definition to the space. Glass pendants complement the elegant style of the kitchen. Looking out over an antique dining table, the room, says Tony, blends the best of old and new. ‘We love the timeless feel and gentle colours,’ he explains. ‘It feels so much more inviting than before.’

LESSONS LEARNT

The couple feel they have reaped the rewards by taking plenty of time to carefully plan the kitchen to suit their needs. ‘The layout we chose is so much more practical, with distinct zones for each task,’ says Tony.

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 95

HIGH POINT

The tall run of units features a breakfast station flanked by built-in ovens and an integrated fridge.

Signature Bespoke Shaker cabinetry in Farrow & Ball Manor House Gray with island in Hague Blue, from £35,000; Silestone Lagoon quartz surface worktops with Suede finish, about £7,000, all Searle & Taylor. Pierre du Gard Vintage limestone floor tiles, £112.80sq m, Panoramics. Walls in Stone III pure flat emulsion, £54 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library. H7264BP oven, £1,979; H7240BM combination microwave oven, £1,979; ESW7020 warming drawer, £1,429; similar KM7474FR induction hob, £1,269; similar G5260 SCVi fully integrated dishwasher, £1,099, all Miele.

Cache 900mm built-in canopy extractor, £800, Westin.

IKB3520 integrated fridge, £1,278; SUIG1514 integrated under counter freezer, £769, both Liebherr. Mythos KBX160-50-16 undermounted stainless steel sink, £610, Franke. Flex all in one boiling water tap with pull-out hose in stainless steel, £1,150; Nordic soap dispenser in stainless steel, from £200, both Quooker. Shaftesbury pendant lights, from £170 each; Wardley dining chairs, £450 each; blinds in Harry Cloud and Apricot linens, both £75m, all Neptune.

Maloux bar stools, £20 each, B&Q. Try Vinterior for a similar antique dining table

9 6 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

D E C O R AT I V E F E AT U R E Good extraction is always important and here the extractor is concealed within an elegant hood, designed in a French style and finished with bespoke roundels and an oak shelf for displaying ornaments

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 9 7

no.

16

ONWARDS & UPWARDS

Serial renovators Nina and David McNab have taken down walls and carved out space to utilise every inch of their maisonette FEATURE JULIET BENNING | PHOTOGRAPHY BRENT DERBY

KITCHEN/ LIVING AREA

By installing a misting system for fire regulations, the couple were able to open up a large living area including a cute home office space.

The island is on wheels for flexibility.

Kitchen units, Ikea; bespoke doors, Foxstow; painted in Inchyra Blue estate eggshell, £70 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Julietta bar stools, £150 each, Made. Try Brunel sofa in V&A Brompton fabric, £3,685, Sofas & Stuff. Nirina wallpaper

by Cole & Son (in the office area), £95 a roll, available at Wallpaper UK

98 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

HOME TRUTHS T H E P R O P E R T Y Flat across the two top floors of a terraced house L O C AT I O N Chiswick, London R O O M S Kitchen/living area with office nook, two bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2020 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in David’s mother’s house,’ says Nina.

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 9 9

W

e’ve become used to being covered in dust,’ Nina McNab says about her home life with her husband David. Since getting together six years ago the couple have completed two renovations. ‘Our first home together was David’s mum’s house, which we restored and sold complete it with all the furniture,’ Nina explains.

The pair landed on their second home in west London as much because of the street as the actual flat. ‘It’s my favourite London street and has a very European feel,’ says Nina. The flat had been rented out for many years and was dilapidated. ‘It had the standard scuffed magnolia walls and filthy carpet,’ she says. ‘There were two rooms along the front next to the kitchen so we took down all these walls to create one living space. It’s always a surprise to visitors quite how much volume we were able to create in a relatively narrow Victorian terrace house,’ says Nina. Also on the first floor is a bedroom and bathroom with space carved out for a utility nook. Upstairs a new main bedroom suite was created.

While the work was going on Nina and David were able to stay in the flat below.

‘The owners moved out so we rented the flat until it was sold when we ended up at the Premier Inn for about eight weeks.’ But Nina took the upheaval in her stride. ‘When I was a child my mother had a prop hire company but also did a series of renovations.

We even lived in a caravan for a while so I’m used to it.’ David shares her enthusiasm. ‘He started his career as a chartered surveyor before he realised he was more of a creative, so he’s good at floor plans,’ Nina explains.

For their interior schemes the couple took inspiration from the Victorian architectural features and from William Morris, who had a workshop in the area.

Ideally the couple like to enjoy around 18 months living in a newly renovated home before hunting for a new challenge. ‘We were hit by delays due to the pandemic so it slowed down the project, but over the summer we will probably start to look for another property,’ Nina says.

Despite her transient tendencies, living on her favourite London street has had a strong impact on Nina. ‘I’d love to end up back here in a slightly larger house with a small garden,’ she says. For now, the couple brace themselves for their next endeavour and until their creative and constructive urges abate there will always be more builder’s dust on the agenda.

10 0 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

BEDROOM

A William Morris print wraps the walls and ceiling, its dusky pink tones matched in the cushions.

Pimpernel wallpaper, £110 a roll, Morris & Co. Blythe bedside tables, £399 each, Heal’s. Lakadema leopard table lamps, £110 each, Oka. Mirror, £97.50, Cox & Cox

BATHROOM

Blue tiles set off the sculptural shape of the tub. A wall-hung tap is a chic space saving solution.

Moroccan encaustic cement tiles, £70.50sq m, Best Tile Boutique.

Formoso bath, £2,649, Clearwater

LESSONS LEARNT

‘Take time to think about how you’ll use the space before thoroughly planning lighting schemes and sockets – it’ll make all the difference’

MAIN BEDROOM

A gallery wall distracts from the low ceiling height.

Walls in Lamp Room Gray estate emulsion, £52 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Hay Dot cushions, £78, available at Utility.

Curtains in Little Chintz by Morris & Co, £89m, available at John Lewis & Partners

EN SUITE

A narrow vanity with plenty of storage works well in this small space.

Giardinetto Bench wall tiles, £68.80sq m, Claybrook. Vanity unit, Ikea; Parallels door, from £120, Superfront.

Soho stone basin, £212, Lusso Stone

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 101

no.

17

KITCHEN A marble-wrapped kitchen island makes a natural focal point.

Kitchen, price on request, Blakes London. Victory 3 pendants, £83 each, Dusk Lighting. Ashton caned chair, £448, Anthropologie.

Cowhide herringbone rug, £564, Mission Argentina

O UTS I DE THE BOX A clever extension has given Manoela Amaro’s townhouse the wow factor – both inside and out FEATURE EMMA J PAGE | PHOTOGRAPHY JULIET MURPHY

GARDEN A contemporary fireplace, an outdoor kitchen and a generous dining area make this an effective additional ‘room’.

‘We spend plenty of time out here during mild weather,’ says Manoela

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 103

KITCHEN Deeply veined marble, raw timber and painted elements lend this space warmth and interest.

Cabinetry in Green Smoke eggshell emulsion, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Joe bar stools by Vincent Sheppard, £385 each, Viva Lagoon

HOME TRUTHS T H E P R O P E R T Y Four storey mid-century townhouse L O C AT I O N West London R O O M S Sitting room, kitchendiner, cloakroom, utility room, study, four bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom, dressing room P U R C H A S E D 2019 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved here from an identical property across the square,’ says Manoela.

N

ot many people are already deeply acquainted with the bones of a property before they’ve even viewed it, but Manoela Amaro knew just what was in store the first time she stepped inside her home, a modernist townhouse in west London.

‘We were already living in another house in the same square, and as the properties, built in the 1960s by architects Edwin Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew, are all identical, I was pretty familiar with the overall layout,’ says Manoela, who relocated

DINING AREA A roof lantern floods the space with natural light.

Liang & Eimil Fenty dining table, £1,962, Shropshire Design

to the UK from Brazil a few years ago, along with husband Ricardo, and their three children, Olivia, 10, Alice, eight, and Romeo, four. These buildings are relatively tall and slim, which can be challenging, and they tend to comprise a rabbit warren of rooms, but we felt that cleverly reworking the space was a real possibility.’

With the help of architectural design studio Momo & Co (momoandco.design), Manoela conceived an airier, brighter layout reminiscent of her former homes in Brazil and the US. The team stripped the interiors

SITTING ROOM The old window seat has been replaced.

The new walnut trim and upholstered seat pad echo the armchairs opposite.

Marylebone coffee table, £1,725, Oka

SITTING ROOM A pair of sculptural coffee tables complements the silhouette of the sofa. Beyond, Manoela’s study forms part of the rear extension.

Erme marble coffee table, £2,000, No 17 House. Supernova Rug, £1,291, Lux Deco. Vaquero stools, £446 each, Oka

right back, knocking down walls to create a largely open-plan kitchen and informal living area on the ground floor, with a formal sitting room and study upstairs, rooms for the children on the second floor and a new suite for Manoela and Ricardo on the third. Key to the reconfiguration was the addition of a contemporary Crittall door double-height rear extension that riffs on the property’s original late mid-century architecture. ‘Pushing out at both ground and first level allowed for a much bigger footprint, but also provided

the opportunity to bring in as much natural light as possible,’ says Momo & Co’s co-founder Nick Horvath. ‘The new glazed elements are a modern-day nod to the original windows, stylistically tying the spaces together.’

Though the original ceiling heights were not as generous as Manoela would have liked, stripping back to basics allowed the team to add crucial inches wherever they could, including the addition of a lozenge-shaped roof lantern in the kitchen and a large skylight on the top floor.

STUDY Floor-to-ceiling windows, part of the first-floor extension, make this an ideal work spot.

Mabel desk, £919, Andrew Martin

Some elements were introduced organically as the build took shape, such as the exposed brick wall that runs vertically through the centre of the house. ‘As we stripped the property right back to bare brick and timber joists, I realised how much I enjoyed the rawness of the brickwork and wanted to maintain it,’ reflects Manoela.

‘It tells the story of the building’s history.’

During the process, the new staircase was flipped so that it rises through the house in the opposite direction to the original. Now a key success story of the

S TA I R C A S E A cantilevered staircase elegantly connects all four floors.

Exposed brick adds texture and warmth.

Renovation, Momo & Co

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 105

EN SUITE Manoela introduced plenty of interest with marble and herringbone accents, combined swith deep blue joinery.

Vanity units, price on request. Harvey George. Alsace Honed wall and floor tiles, £104.36sq m, Mandarin Stone

LESSONS LEARNT

‘Don’t be afraid to revise your opinion and stay open-minded’

renovation, it did initially give the family a few sleepless nights. Made from wood blocks carved on site, the solid oak handrail divided opinion. ‘Manoela just didn’t warm to it,’ says Nick. ‘We convinced her to stick with it and reappraise it once the metal spindles had been put in. Fortunately, it’s now one of her favourite elements.’

Decoratively, schemes throughout combine rustic elements with high-end,

MAIN BEDROOM ‘We chose a peaceful palette of blues and greys,’ says Manoela.

Charlotte studded headboard and base, £988, Sueno

10 6 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

creating a layered fusion. A raw timber kitchen island is wrapped in Arabescato marble; painted joinery is contrasted with woven seating; exposed brick with ceramic and copper piping with elegant glass wall lights. ‘We love that combination of high and low,’ says Manoela. ‘It introduces a sense of materiality that adds depth to our home.’

Clever, unobtrusive storage abounds, from nifty under-stair cupboards and

space-saving banquette seating in the dining area to generous floor-to-ceiling cabinetry in Alice and Olivia’s bedroom.

‘I work from home and, with a busy family, we needed these schemes to be super practical as well as decorative,’ says Manoela. ‘I feel that we’ve channelled the light and space that I grew up with into this home,’ she reflects. ‘It’s vibrant and impactful, which sums up our style.’

OLIVIA & ALICE’S BEDROOM Trunk beds make this a perfect space for the girls to share.

Faraday desk, £350, Great Little Trading Co

no.

18

DINING ROOM

A stunning light and cowhide rug add a modern twist to the rustic table and chairs.

Try Italian Lighting Centre’s five light Murano chandelier with solid glass fruits, £1,135. Similar set of two bistro chairs in walnut, £350, La Redoute. The French country natural linen tablecloth, £105.99, True Linen Shop on Etsy, is similar

A sense of place Everything about this charming Portuguese home is a homage to the local landscape and culture – the design studio that worked on it tells us more FEATURE KAREN WILSON | PHOTOGRAPHY ANA PAULA CARVALHO

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 107

SITTING ROOM

Vintage mirrors displayed closely together create the illusion of one piece.

Brentham Furniture’s Tetrad Alicia Midi sofa, from £2,578, is similar. Try the Original 1227 floor lamp by Anglepoise, £269, Heal’s. Cotswold royal antique gold hanging lantern, £180, Black Country Metal Works, has this look

KITCHEN

Glass-fronted cabinets and curtained-off shelves make the space look like it has been pieced together over the years.

For a similar unit colour, try Drummond intelligent satinwood, £79.50 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene

HOME TRUTHS DESIGNERS The Joana Aranha practice H O U S E A small stone house in Portugal W O R K Total refurbishment of a ruin in keeping with the local landscape

108 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

H O W D I D YO U G E T I N VO LV E D I N T H I S P R O J E C T ? Having carried out several projects for our clients

in different corners of the world, we were excited to work on their villa in Portugal. The setting is peaceful with a stunning view, but the property was in ruins. Besides the interior design, the project involved remodelling the house to include two bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen-diner, as well as redefining the finishes.

H O W I N VO LV E D W E R E T H E H O M E O W N E R S ?

The clients gave us absolute creative freedom, but they were obviously involved in the whole process, especially since the starting point is always their history, dreams and expectations.

W H AT W E R E T H E O W N E R S ’ B I G G E S T

P R I O R I T I E S ? They wanted this house to reflect the local

simple way of life, where they could live in an uncomplicated, but warm and comfortable way. The wife wanted a retreat where she could spend weekends with friends chatting and cooking, so we designed a very cosy and rustic kitchen open to the dining area.

W H AT WA S YO U R I N S P I R AT I O N F O R T H E S C H E M E ? We get a great deal of inspiration from the context in

which houses are embedded, and this amazing cottage surrounded by sea and nature was no exception. The landscapes, the culture, the colours were all a big inspiration.

H O W D I D Y O U C H O O S E T H E C O L O U R S ? Rustic houses ask for colour. Using it is important to achieve a cosy 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 10 9

cottage feel. The tomato hue was the guiding thread, present in architectural and decorative details. It is a colour of the earth, typically used in doors, windows and shutters in this area.

W H A T W A S T H E B I G G E S T C H A L L E N G E ? The deadline we had to deliver this project was the biggest challenge although we met it in the end. We’re used to doing projects with tight deadlines, but the location made it more complicated.

W H AT WA S T H E M O S T S AT I S F Y I N G A S P E C T O F T H I S P R O J E C T ? We loved working with the materials

of the area, like the volcanic stone used in the reconstruction, and finding local artisans who were able to bring our ideas to life. The iron, reeds, lace and thick linens worked by their hands 110 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

brought that feeling of history we wanted for this home.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD CHANGE?

It would have been less restricting to start from scratch with the furnishings. We had to work with a few of our clients’ pieces which, at first glance, didn’t fit into our vision for the space. However, integrating them is a challenge that we actually enjoy and many times we were pleasantly surprised in the end.

W H AT I S YO U R A D V I C E F O R C R E AT I N G A S U C C E S S F U L S C H E M E ? When developing a cabincore

look, it is important to include natural materials in their purest state which are much more authentic and charming. Small antiques made by artisans or found in flea markets that tell a story are a must.

BATHROOM

A freestanding basin has a simple unfitted look that suits this classic scheme.

Try the black bamboo ladder, £55, Barker and Stonehouse

BEDROOM

Pretty lace and a chunky cable knit throw lend a cosy feel.

Red twist knitted throw blanket, £29.99, Amazon, is an alternative.

Wooden tray with handles, £32, The Nest at No.9, would suit this space. White floral Matelasse bedspread, £70, Soak & Sleep, has this look. Try set of four patterned ceramic bowls, £28, Horsfall & Wright at Notonthehighstreet.com

BATHROOM

Curtains covering the shelves have a relaxed charm.

Try Tulips & Roses Pink on natural linen, £75m, Cabbages & Roses. Tapered shade wall sconce, £76.04, Beautiful Halo, would also work here

BEDROOM

Fabric wall panels are easy to make and create a homely display.

Try green with faded rose paisley quilt, £53, Rockett St George. Feiss Bellini bronze chandelier with antique quartz crystal, £585, Kes Lighting, is similar

favourite featur e

‘The pieces made by local artisans – they give the house a sense of history’

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 111

no.

19

112 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

By extending their terraced house and paying meticulous attention to detail, Abby Fox and Louis Christie have transformed their period property into a home that will suit their needs for years to come FEATURE LAURIE DAVIDSON | PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID GILES

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Edwardian terrace L O C AT I O N Northwest London R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner/living area, study, cinema room, two bedrooms, bathroom, dressing room P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a one-bedroom flat in a different part of London before moving here,’ says Abby.

KITCHEN The couple made the door fronts by staining oak-veneered MDF, then bought the marble for the worktops from a stone yard. ‘It’s a great way to save money, while still getting a high-end look,’ says Abby.

Mater bar stools, £822 each, Skandium. Hooked 3.0 Nude pendant lights in brass, £557 each, Buster + Punch. Try Living Concrete for microcement floors

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 113

SITTING ROOM ‘The fireplace, coving, windows and floorboards are all quite traditional, but we’ve contrasted these with the more modern panelling,’ says Abby.

Walls in Hague Blue estate emulsion, £52 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Aula coffee table, £385, Made, is similar. Zebra artwork, £250, Carl Moore at Rise Art

DINING AREA ‘For the floor, we went for microcement to give the appearance of polished concrete, while being practical for the dog,’ says Abby.

Branch dining table, chairs and bench, £1,539, Heal’s. Framed I Love You to the Moon and Back artwork, £1,950, Lauren Baker. Try the Ullerslev off-white sheepskin, £29, Ikea

114 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

LIVING AREA A paned glass partition separates this open-plan area from the sitting room while still allowing it to feel part of the same space. ‘I love how bright this room is,’ says Abby.

Grey velvet sofa, £1,500 (ex-demo), Sofa.com.

The Zuiver Power marble coffee table, £395, Olivia’s, is a similar design

G

oing from a one-bedroom flat to a four-bedroom house was certainly a step up, and that was a big factor for Abby Fox and her partner Louis Christie when searching for their current home. ‘We moved to the area as we could get a lot more for our money here,’ says Abby. ‘We also loved the style of the houses on our street and the fact it’s next to a big park.’

The Edwardian terraced property was ripe for renovation, which was ideal for the

couple who were keen to use the house to showcase their company, LC/AV (lc-av.com) with the best of smart home and audio technology. They moved in and spent the first year getting plans ready to extend the place, with the big work starting the following year. ‘It gave us some time to live in the space first and really understand how we wanted to use it,’ explains Abby.

One of the first things the couple decided on was that they would make the house the way they wanted to live in it. This

meant converting two of the bedrooms, with one becoming a study, and the other a cinema room, which Louis uses for client demonstrations to show smart technology.

Outside, the property featured its original door and balcony, which was unique to the street, but inside, everything needed to be ripped out. ‘The previous owners had carried out an extension in the 1970s at the rear and in the loft, which had been done without planning permission,’ says Abby.

‘We had to rip this out and we were a bit

‘If you’re going to manage the project, you need to be on site most of the time – you can’t just dip in and out as that’s when problems occur’

LESSON LEARNT

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 115

BEDROOM ‘Find inspiration before you decorate, whether it’s online, from restaurants or hotels,’ says Abby. ‘Take photos and remember, mood boards are your friend!’

Walls in Skimming Stone estate emulsion, £52 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Alison Plus bed, £1,790, Camerich. Marble-look small end table, £480, Pols Potten at Made in Design.

ICS1 pendant, £390, Flos at Paper Rooms

concerned about what we’d find, especially since we’d stretched ourselves financially to buy the house and had to get personal loans in order to complete the building work.’

All the structural work was carried out by a building company, who left the couple with a shell, which they then took over to complete the second fix and cosmetic work.

The house has been extended and also opened up to maximise the light and space, while a large decking area in the garden offers extra room in the summer, with large

sliding doors opening out to it. ‘We wanted the ground floor to be seamless, so we spent money on raising the ceiling height to be the same throughout each room,’ says Abby.

Project managing the work themselves threw up multiple problems for the couple.

‘We’re both huge perfectionists about small details, which meant we got quite caught up about little things,’ says Abby.

Four years on, and the house is cosy and traditional at the front, while the rear is light, open and modern. ‘We like the

contrast between the two and wanted to play off this,’ says Abby. Original features have been restored and Louis has installed all of the smart home technology, with the lighting, AV, CCTV, music, heating and even the garden irrigation system all able to be accessed from each of their phones.

‘We’re so pleased with how it’s turned out,’ says Abby. ‘There’s still some bits I’d like to add and furniture I’d like to finish the space, but our budget – and energy – has been well and truly spent for now!’

‘You need to be open to your plans evolving as a room develops – the changes I made as we went along definitely improved the spaces in our home’

DESIGN ADVICE

116 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

DRESSING ROOM ‘We almost wrote this space in the rafters off as storage,’ says Abby, ‘but once we stripped everything out, we realised we had more room and it could be used as actual living space.’

Hetherington brass base pouffe in Blush Pink velvet, £125, Made. Try Graham and Green’s Zandar large gold table mirror, £235

B AT H R O O M ‘The loft bathroom was a difficult space to plan, with the small size and sloping roofline, so we made the entire space a wet room,’ says Abby. ‘It means it still feels spacious.’

Carrara polished marble wall tiles, from £91.73sq m, Mandarin Stone. Thermostatic shower with handheld shower, £495, Lusso

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 117

BEDROOM FOCUS

RICH REWARDS

A once bland bedroom has more than a hint of glamour and sophistication after embracing bold colours and standout designs FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL | PHOTOGRAPHY HEIDI MARFITT

118 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

no.

20

I

nterior designer Ann Marie Cousins of AMC Design has built a reputation for putting colour and character into her schemes, and she suspects this was the reason the new owners of this modern detached house asked her to give their bedroom a style makeover. ‘It was a cavernous space with a high ceiling, a large window and just a bed, which looked disproportionately small in the space,’ says Ann Marie.

THE BRIEF

‘The clients, a couple with a young son and daughter, had firm views on certain aspects and felt that the room should be a relaxing and welcoming space,’ says Ann Marie. ‘Their brief was to design a haven with a touch of luxury while bearing in mind the practicalities of family life. They also wanted to retain the existing curtains and blinds, which was fortuitous as I knew they could form the ideal complement to the colourful scheme that was to come.’

DESIGN SOLUTIONS

‘At AMC we pride ourselves on creating spaces with individuality and one of the main challenges with this is to design a space that oozes warmth combined with colour and pattern,’ says Ann Marie. Rich navy walls were introduced to help make the room less about the ceiling height and focus the eye on the fabulous top-floor views. She adds: ‘The elegant shapes, typified by the flowing lines of the chaise longue, also introduce a calming mood that should grace any main bedroom.’

FINISHING TOUCHES

A touch of romance never goes amiss, which is why Ann Marie added gleaming gold bedside tables and lamps, against the backdrop of a huge pink headboard.

‘This combination creates an air of glamour and makes this area feel grown-up and sophisticated,’ she says.

LESSONS LEARNT

‘I think the client discovered a lot about her own tastes,’ says Ann Marie. ‘She’d always had white walls in her previous homes, but loved how much warmer it felt once the walls were painted navy. Her husband was a bit apprehensive about the pink headboard but he was totally on board once it was all in. Happy clients are always the best part of the job!’

P R O J E C T D E TA I L S D E S I G N E R Ann Marie Cousins of AMC Design H O U S E Detached house in West Yorkshire, built in 2018 W O R K Redesigning a main bedroom to make the most of the light and space

STRIKE A BALANCE The dark navy walls show the lighter shades to their best advantage and also distract from the high ceilings to create a more intimate atmosphere.

Headboard, chaise longue and cushions, all bespoke from AMC Design. Umberto brass bedside tables, £350 each, Graham and Green. Ashinoko Gold table lamps, £225 each, Oka. Try the Rosalie Seersucker duvet set, from £25, Dunelm. Walls in Scotch Blue estate emulsion, £52 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 119

no.

21

Grand designs

Sumptuous furnishings, rich colours and a smart extension turned the fixer-upper Seda Kaya took on into something kind of wonderful FEATURE KAREN WILSON | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES BALSTON

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY A semi-detached Victorian townhouse L O C AT I O N North London R O O M S Kitchen-diner/sitting room, drawing room, playroom, study, four bedrooms (two en suite), dressing room, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2018 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a four-bedroom flat nearby,’ says Seda.

SITTING ROOM An embroidered artwork above the fireplace picks up the bronze and orange tones elsewhere in the room.

Artwork, Nancy Atakan. Mouna sofa, from £5,785, The Sofa & Chair Company. Custom Rothko Jade rug, £988m, Riviere Rugs

A

s a busy working mum of two, Seda Kaya wasn’t looking to move from her four-bedroom apartment. However, after spotting an online listing for a dated three-storey semi nearby, she and her husband hastily arranged a viewing the weekend before sealed bids were due.

‘The former owner, a costume designer, had lived in the house since she was born in 1934,’ explains Seda. ‘There was wallpaper

everywhere, coal-fired radiators and an overgrown garden, but I completely fell in love with the skeleton of the house. When I realised one of my good friends lived on the same street, her renovation was a good blueprint for what we could do.’

Interior designer Natalya Nesterova (nesterovainteriors.com), who had overseen the renovation of the couple’s existing home, joined them for the viewing and assured them it was a viable 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 121

proposition. ‘Unfortunately, we lost the bid but a few months later the sale fell through and the agents called us up,’ explains Seda.

Architect Marek Wojciechowski (mw-a.co.uk) drew up plans and the couple project managed the work themselves while living in their existing home, a five-minute drive away.

A shed and metal conservatory were demolished at the rear and a single-storey extension was built in its place. To meet the local council’s conditions, the originally proposed metal-framed doors had to be substituted for timber ones in keeping with the surrounding houses. ‘It covers the full width of the house with five arched French doors opening onto a terrace,’ says Seda. ‘With a

12 2 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

north-facing back garden, we needed as much light as possible, so there are full-length skylights and a large side window, too.’

The big design question was about the placement of the kitchen.

‘There was a lot of discussion about keeping the kitchen separate from the living space,’ says Seda. ‘But our lives revolve around this space so I wanted a kitchen-diner and sitting room that open onto a terrace to accommodate those rare but lovely summer evenings.’

By reconfiguring the middle floor, Seda and her husband now have a luxurious main bedroom suite and have turned a second bathroom into a guest bedroom with en suite. Seda commandeered the remaining bedroom as her office, while a garden room was built

for her husband’s home office. Their daughters, aged seven and five, love sharing a bedroom, playroom and bathroom on the top floor.

As Natalya had lived and studied in Turkey, she felt an affinity with her client’s Turkish heritage and pulled together a luxurious, opulent scheme with ornate lighting. ‘Our previous house was more serene with neutral colours,’ says Seda. ‘However, here I wanted pops of turquoise and orange, which led to bronzes and golds. The colour palette runs throughout the house starting at the azure blue front door and continuing up the house via a turquoise stair runner.’

Although Natalya’s mantra is to keep big-ticket items neutral then accessorise with colour, Seda has pushed the boundaries with a

D R AW I N G R O O M ‘Since the window is shaded by a tree, we deliberately made this into a dark old school club room,’ says Seda.

Walls in Stiffkey Blue estate emulsion, £52 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Try the Greco tub chair, from £2,080, The Sofa & Chair Company. Nefertiti original artwork by Nimet Kaymaz; find similar on Artfinder

KITCHEN-DINER ‘For the kitchen, I wanted a seamless design that looks like part of the living space,’ says Seda.

Oxford bar stool, £1,490, Circus 25. Pavilion Chic Bar pendant light in Bibury crystal glass, £767.20, Pavilion Broadway, is similar. Bontempi Millennium dining table, £3,890; Bontempi Margot chairs, £720 each, Go Modern

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 12 3

DESIGN TIP

‘Marble-effect porcelain slabs have the look of the real thing but are resistant to stains and easy to maintain’

EN SUITE A freestanding bath is a luxurious addition and the simple, curvaceous design fits in with the room’s clean-lined, seamless look.

Try Lusso Stone’s Picasso bath, from £1,395. Verpan shell light, £1,258.90, Lights.co.uk, has this look

12 4 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

MAIN BEDROOM A hand-drawn silk linen wall mural with an illustration of two trees meeting each other provides a romantic backdrop.

Similar Prunus Modern Chinois wall mural, from £558sq m, Fromental. Regency king-size bed, from £4,490, The Sofa & Chair Company. Medina antique brass pendant, £534, Heathfield & Co

curved orange sofa in the sitting room and bold gem-like hues of burgundy, dark blue and emerald green in the drawing room.

Natalya’s clever workarounds have been invaluable, such as suggesting a trim of porcelain slabs when the couple’s choice of hole-in-the wall fireplace looked too small. It was also her ingenious idea to blend mansion weave parquet flooring in the living area with a similar toned porcelain tile in the kitchen that was cut to the same

STUDY Building the extension allowed for a small terrace off the first-floor office.

Carson desk, from £4,530, Minotti. Try the leather office desk chair, £355.99, Homary

shape. ‘Porcelain was a better choice for the kitchen as it’s easier to clean than wood, won’t stain and looks amazing,’ says Seda. ‘But it took the poor builders three weeks to fit.’

After a year and four months, the family finally moved in weeks before the first lockdown. ‘If we ever do another project, it would be a Mediterranean house when we retire,’ says Seda. ‘But we’re very settled here and we’ll definitely stay until the girls leave home.’

P L AY R O O M Colours from the wall mural have been picked out in the rug and cushions.

Deya Meadow wallpaper by Matthew Williamson, £198 a roll, Wallpaper UK

BEDROOM Seda fell in love with the mural, which led to coral and turquoise accents.

Mind the Gap Oceania wall mural, £195, John Lewis & Partners

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 12 5

no.

22

IN A NEW LIGHT Gareth Jones and Mary Pittman-Jones radically redesigned their apartment to get a plethora of light and space FEATURE JANE CRITTENDEN | PHOTOGRAPHY ANDREW BEASLEY

126 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Top-floor flat in a Victorian building L O C AT I O N South London R O O M S Kitchen-diner/living area, office, utility room, bedroom (en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 1983 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a two-storey house in Abu Dhabi before living here,’ says Gareth.

ROOF TERRACE Double glass doors and minimal window frames let in lots of light.

Oak 121 Lime Wash flooring, £95sq m, Turgon LIVING AREA ‘The simple, minimalist style of mid-century furniture really suited the modern, breezy look we wanted in here,’ says Mary.

Ercol Marinello sofa in T239, £2,285, Barker and Stonehouse.

Ercol Marino armchairs in ash, £1,600 each, Woods Furniture.

Ercol Shalstone shelving unit, £799, John Lewis & Partners

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 12 7

LIVING AREA ‘Ivory white is light and warm and at night when the lamps are on the walls glow,’ says Mary.

Walls in Wimborne White estate emulsion, £52 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Palm tree table lamp, £85, India Jane

EN SUITE Large-format grey tiles and wall-hung furniture look sleek and smart.

Ascot vanity unit, £1,074; Tile mirror, £329, both Porcelanosa

S TA I R W E L L Having open treads means the light floods through the whole space.

Joinery in Off-Black exterior eggshell, £77 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

12 8 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

A

fter spending 30 years living in Paris and Abu Dhabi, Gareth Jones and Mary Pittman-Jones decided to retire to London. They moved back into the flat they had bought as newlyweds in 1983, but it was in desperate need of work. Thankfully, they only had to look to their neighbour for inspiration.

‘Will lives in a similar flat next door and he’d opened up the space and converted the loft into an en-suite bedroom,’ says Gareth. ‘When we saw it, Mary and I were amazed. We had no idea it was possible to change our own home so radically and create so much light and space.’

The problem was that the kitchen, sitting room and bedrooms were crammed onto one floor, with a galley kitchen making it impossible for two people to be in the room at the same time. On the positive side, the position of the flat on the top floor gave them a great view over the common.’We feel like we’re living in nature,’ says Mary.

The pair decided to work with Will’s architect, Granit Architecture + Interiors, having seen the impressive results of its design first-hand. The couple’s main objective was to create light and space. They wanted their new loft bedroom to have large windows and a similar concept downstairs,

achieved by knocking through rooms to make one open-plan layout. They were also delighted with the staircase to the loft. ‘Our hallway had no light and Granit’s solution was to fit doors to the terrace with maximum glass, and a steel staircase with open treads,’ says Gareth.

‘Light now travels all the way through the stairwell.’

The couple appointed Granit’s interiors team to develop designs for bathrooms, the kitchen and joinery, as well as providing advice on paint colours and flooring. ‘Like the architecture, we wanted a light, airy, uncluttered look with pale oak floors and furniture,’ says Mary. ‘When we stumbled across an Ercol sofa while out shopping, we instantly loved the straight, clean lines and looked for other Ercol pieces.’ They ordered chairs, a bed, side tables, two bookcases and a sideboard. Their mid-century furniture is individual yet cohesive, blending spaces and rooms, along with the neutral palette.

After all the changes, the couple are very content with their home’s transformation. ‘We thought downsizing to a flat would be a transition, but it wasn’t. Being here feels like living in a bright, airy house,’ says Mary. ‘We have all the space and light we were looking for.’

‘The steel staircase that leads up to the loft lets in so much natural light and we love the contemporary style’

FAVO U R ITE FE AT U R E

MAIN BEDROOM ‘The architect designed the wardrobes so they don’t interfere with the clean lines,’ says Mary.

Moroccan throw, £95, Brixton Market. Tufted Makers pillowcase, £58 for two, Anthropologie

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 129

P R O J E C T D E TA I L S O W N E R S Richard Green and Nick Vaus H O U S E Georgian fourbedroom townhouse in southeast London W O R K A 1990s bathroom updated to a contemporary en-suite shower room

B AT H R O O M F O C U S

MODERN CLASSIC

In this statement en suite the perfect balance of the contemporary and the traditional was achieved, ensuring a look that will never be out of style FEATURE SEÁN O’CONNELL | PHOTOGRAPHY DARREN CHUNG

13 0 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

no.

23

T

he bathroom in the Georgian home of Richard Green and Nick Vaus was badly in need of a revamp when they bought the property. The existing room looked sadly dated, in a style described as ‘a study in 1990s faux terracotta’ so working with bathroomware specialists Drummonds, Richard redesigned the room to produce a contemporary look.

Architects were also used for providing early-stage layout drawings for listed-building consent.

THE BRIEF

Richard’s vision was to create a feel that was both masculine and classic. ‘I wanted the brassware to be enhanced by simple handmade tiles laid in a traditional way, with pillar lights that would cast a warm flattering glow,’ he says. The plan was to open up the space and create a walk-in shower next to the main bedroom.

DESIGN SOLUTIONS

Style-wise, the room had to coordinate with the adjacent main bedroom and dressing room, both of which were refurbished at the same time. ‘Because the room is a relatively small space our layout options were limited,’ says Richard. ‘With that in mind, the shower was repositioned to the opposite side of the room and a bespoke window screen was fitted with fully obscured glass to allow showering next to the window.’

FINISHING TOUCHES

Richard knew he wanted a walk-in shower with semiindustrial elements and brassware that had plenty of character. ‘The lived-in feel of the antique brushed brass was the perfect counterpoint to the drama and opulence of the basin surround in deep green Guatemala marble,’ he says. ‘From the start, we knew we wanted to use Drummonds, as all the products are of the highest quality and finish.’

LESSONS LEARNT

Now the project is finished, some of the benefits are even greater than Richard expected. ‘We could never go back to not having underfloor heating,’ he says. ‘Also, the new sense of flow in this space has confirmed we made the right choice in choosing a walk-in shower.’

T H E P O W E R O F P AT T E R N

A durable graphic terrazzo tile was used on the floor to add a sense of dimension. ‘It was a practical choice because it offered lots of colour and pattern,’ says Richard.

Terrazzo Monza encaustic floor tiles, £91sq m, Ca’ Pietra.

Handmade wall tiles, price on request, Balineum. Ship’s Pillar lights, from £545 each, Original BTC. Bespoke shower screen, Jacob Alexander. Single Locky vanity with Verde Guatemala marble top, from £4,860; Chessleton basin mixer, from £1,350; Grand floorstanding shower pipe, from £1,248; shower rose, from £474; thermostatic shower valve, from £774, all Drummonds

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 13 1

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Edwardian terraced house L O C AT I O N Southwest London R O O M S Sitting room, dining room, kitchen, cloakroom, five bedrooms, three bathrooms, garden office P U R C H A S E 2019 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a two-bed flat above a shop,’ says Caitlin.

13 2 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

KITCHEN

Two rooms were combined to create this space, which links seamlessly with the garden, thanks to the triple-glazed ceiling panels and French doors.

For a similar swivel armchair, try Whirligig occasional chair, £860, Robert Langford. Why Wood bar stools, £129 each, Says Who for John Lewis & Partners

LIVING LARGE

no.

24

Expanding your home to get two new bedrooms and more space everywhere is no mean feat, but Caitlin and Hugh Miller did exactly that FEATURE RICHARD WEBBER | PHOTOGRAPHY TOM ST. AUBYN

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 13 3

W

hen Caitlin Miller, who runs her own interior designer company (caitlinmillerinteriors.com), and husband Hugh purchased their house it was a three-bedroom terrace with an outdated layout. Much needed changing to bring it up to desired standard.

Upstairs, the toilet was separated from the only bath in the house and accessed via the third bedroom. Downstairs, the kitchen was divided into two small spaces on different levels. ‘The pebbledash at the front was off-putting, too, as were the dated floral wallpapers and layers of pink,’ says Caitlin. ‘But we saw the potential and, luckily, Hugh trusted me to make it our own.’

During the first few months, the couple completed mainly aesthetic changes. But when, in 2020, they discovered Caitlin was pregnant with their second child, Rory, major work had to be addressed quickly. ‘Fortunately, I already knew how I wanted to transform the spaces,’ says Caitlin. However, the US-born interior designer found it more challenging working on her own home than a client’s. ‘I see so many different, wonderful things through my work that I had to really curate what I wanted. A key element for me is always the flow of spaces and how each would be used now and in the future.’

Caitlin saw the project as a chance to experiment. ‘I used different materials I was considering for clients’ projects, such as microcement and lime paints.’ Plus, she enjoyed playing with subtle shifts in paint colours. ‘Small details can make an impact.’

Natural light in the kitchen area was poor, so to resolve the problem a side return with a triple-glazed ceiling was added, along with French doors which open onto the garden. Caitlin designed a kitchen complete with US-sized fridge-freezer, hidden bar and laundry area disguised as a buffet counter. ‘For me, the main focus was hiding away as many of the messy things as possible and creating a greater connection with the garden.’

With flow and functionality key, Caitlin closed off some openings to allow better furniture layouts while enlarging others, including the entrance to the dining room from the hallway. The opening between the living and dining rooms was also widened to create connection between the spaces.

Upstairs, the large loft room functions primarily as a playroom. ‘When guests stay over, the toys all have a place and there is even a small door to the eaves where we can sweep everything away, if necessary,’ explains Caitlin.

When it came to the main bedroom, it was all about creating a sense of relaxation. ‘I wanted a separate bath tub from the children’s where I could enjoy some tranquillity,’ she says.

Not wanting to divide up the room, she positioned the tub alongside the chimney breast and created a mantel for candles.

The calming effect is enhanced by the muted colours of the bespoke panel-effect, floor-to-ceiling wardrobes Caitlin designed plus the linen curtains framing the bed.

As a child, Caitlin remembers her mother painting murals in her room and wanted to continue the tradition for her sons, Harvey, four, and Rory, one. ‘My four-year-old wanted a “Maui in the Deep, Dark Woods” room from the Disney film Moana, hence the palm trees. Also, we had fun painting his Ikea bookcase with neon scribbles like characters from the movie.’

Despite the inevitable delays and challenges associated with a renovation during lockdown, Caitlin and Hugh are proud of what they’ve achieved. ‘This is a house that suits us, functions well and is a place which can evolve over time.’

13 4 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

DINING AREA

A simple wall mural adds a subtle decorative touch.

Bespoke reclaimed oak dining table, Pintor. Similar French wicker dining chairs, £179 each, Norfolk Bay Company

KITCHEN

An island table topped with patterned tiles brings personality to this space.

Kitchen designed by Caitlin Miller Interiors. Bespoke island table in dark stained oak, Pintor. Granito and encaustic tiles on top, £102sq m, Mosaic Factory

GARDEN ROOM

The outdoor office is a little creative haven with lots of natural light.

SITTING ROOM

Comfortable furniture and calm neutral hues create a relaxed feel.

Madison 1.5-seat armchair, £4,495; Madison ottoman, £2,495, both excluding fabric, Michael Reeves. Regnskur pendant lamp shade, £27; Lohals rug, £115, both Ikea

LOFT BEDROOM

Artwork holds special memories along with a wooden train bookshelf given to Hugh when he was a child.

Hemnes daybed, £439, Ikea. Walls in Boathouse marble matt emulsion, £55.50 for 2.5ltr, Mylands

MAIN BEDROOM

‘I love the bath tucked into the corner,’ says Caitlin. ‘It’s great for an evening soak before climbing into bed with the room smelling of bath oils.’

Formoso matt bath, from £2,899, Clearwater. Similar Ludlow tub filler, from £1,771, Waterworks

BEDROOM

Rich emerald-coloured walls make a big impact in this small space.

Casablanca lime paint, €30 for 1ltr, Bauwerk Colour. Navlinge LED wall/clamp spotlight, £15, Ikea. Try Secret Linen Store’s Elas Knit Sage Marl cushion cover, £39

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 13 5

no.

25

HOME TRUTHS D E S I G N E R Sacha Berger who runs Honeybee Interiors H O U S E Contemporary four-bedroom terrace house located in north London W O R K Redecorated throughout, added cabinetry, window dressings, furniture and soft furnishings

GARDEN

An outdoor rug is a chic addition, while the rapidly growing bamboo provides a privacy screen.

Ballito lounge set, £937.50, Cox & Cox. Jazz rug, from £109, Dunelm, would suit

NATURAL

E VO LUTI O N

Dreaming up stunning schemes comes naturally to designer Sacha Berger – here she tells us more FEATURE JULIET BENNING | PHOTOGRAPHY ELINA PASOK

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 13 7

SITTING ROOM

The neutral backdrop is enlivened with rich jewel-toned velvet furnishings.

Dora buttoned sofa in Moss Velvet, £1,721.25, Cox & Cox. Green bottle table lamp, £155, Graham and Green. Chiltern mirror, £300, The White Company

KITCHEN-DINER

Distressed, untreated wood adds character to the blue and white scheme.

Bespoke kitchen, deVOL. Reeves dining table, £699, Atkin and Thyme

DINING AREA

H O W D I D Y O U C O M E T O B E I N V O LV E D I N T H I S P R O J E C T ? I met the owner via an online interior

The table is used for both business meetings and meals. The tall built-in cabinetry conceals a printer.

Allis chandelier, £625, Soho Home

design directory, which is where a lot of my clients come from. She was already living in the area but had bought a contemporary house nearby although she was in no hurry to move in. It had been developed and was in great condition but just needed an injection of personality as it was rather neutral and bland.

H O W I N V O LV E D WA S T H E H O M E O W N E R ?

I presented the owner with room by room schemes, offering options for all the sourced items – which she then chose from – and we often met together on site. Not only did she love everything, she was also very decisive and quick to reply, yet relaxed about time frames. She was my dream client and the project was one of the smoothest and most joyful I have ever done. I put my heart and soul into it, so it was very satisfying to see it all come together and the homeowner so happy with the end result.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE HOW YOU CHOSE C O L O U R S A N D F U R N I S H I N G S ? She didn’t want

to bring any of her old furniture but instead start afresh.

Really there was no brief, the owner just liked my previous projects but I noticed that when we met that she was wearing bright colours so I thought she would appreciate an interior style that was colourful, eclectic and contemporary.

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 13 9

MAIN BEDROOM

Sacha found a dressing table with the perfect proportions for the bay window.

Shutters, price on request, Long Island Shutters

W H AT W E R E Y O U R M A I N P R I O R I T I E S ? When I

realised I had a free canvas from the homeowner I decided to use different colour combinations to create a unique feeling in each of the rooms. The owner wanted to be able to use the dining room as a home office so we created built-in cabinetry where we could conceal the printer and filing. We made the sitting room bright and welcoming as it’s where the owner and her husband spend a lot of time.

We also designed the garden, which had previously felt boxed-in with unattractive fences. We built a terrace, bought furniture and had a bespoke planter made. We filled the planter with bamboo, which has grown rapidly creating a beautiful, living privacy screen.

W H AT ’ S Y O U R A D V I C E F O R C R E AT I N G A S U C C E S S F U L S C H E M E ? You must try to visualise a

room as a whole and it really helps making mood boards for this. It’s good to work with two colours, adding in a third as an accent for added interest. I order a lot online but if you’re ordering a sofa/armchair, always try to get to a showroom to try them out first. Order fabric swatches as colour, especially velvets, can look completely different online.

Also, each company has a different delivery system, so remember to find out what it is. Having an item delivered and installed, rather than dropped on the kerbside is ideal (honeybeeinteriors.co.uk).

OFFICE

Sage green and wood is a winning combo.

Mid-century desk, £789, West Elm. Bell table lamp, £475, Tom Dixon

2 5 B H J UN E 202 2 | 141

BEDROOM

A sophisticated French look was the inspiration for this room.

Sienna rattan drawers, £1,250, Feather & Black. Artwork, Mary Jane Ansell

14 2 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

IDEAS TO SHARE The pastel schemes in The Goodtime Hotel in Miami deliver the feel-good factor

ROOM ENVY

t’s all about the sweet, sweet vibes at this new South Beach hotspot. A partnership between cultural trailblazer Pharrell Williams and Miami’s most scene-stealing restaurateur David Grutman, The Goodtime Hotel sets out to create a place that gives its guests the rare, exciting thrill felt only when discovering something truly special. Located just outside the hustle of South Beach, the hotel is conceived as a collection of intimate spaces, and encourages guests to explore every corner and tap into their sense of adventure.

Star designer Ken Fulk oversaw the playful interiors, providing a modern take on Miami art deco to dazzling effect.

Diners will find a variety of Mediterranean classics that are 14 6 | 2 5 B H J UN E 202 2

fun and flavourful, as well as ‘Club House Classics’ that promise to satisfy comfort food cravings.

The indoor-outdoor atmosphere guarantees a carefree good time. Immerse yourself in the expansive pool lounge or chill in the library, an intimate space to relax and catch your breath.

Explore the nearby Miami Design District to discover its mix of galleries, boutiques and antiques dealers. You’re bound to be blown away with the impressive art and architecture at the Pérez Art Museum, best known for its contemporary collection.

Back at the hotel, expect to find Instagram-worthy vignettes round every corner: powder puff parasols, enchanting murals and more pastel tones than a beauty blogger’s eyeshadow palette.

FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY PHOTOGRAPH ALICE GAO

I

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

9000

9 1 900