Artful Space

Scandinavian influences, modern art and clever planning inspired Teresa Brewer and Bill Mathers as they knocked two cottages into one new light filled, spacious home

HOME TRUTHS

B2 Chaucer Business Park, Polegate, BN26 6QH

LOCATION: West Sussex coast THE PROPERTY: Two Victorian cottages knocked into one property THE OWNERS: Teresa Brewer and Bill Mathers ROOMS: Hall, sitting room, kitchen dining/living room, utility room, boot room, cloakroom, laundry, four bedrooms, two with en suite, family bathroom

www.sussexfireplacegallery.com

On first impression, the front of Teresa Brewer’s pretty Victorian cottages knocked into one, gives nothing away. It is only when the front door opens, that the impact of her light contemporary style hits you. “It is the contrast between outside and inside that surprises people,” said Teresa. “Most expect to find cottage size rooms and period features, instead of the open plan lateral space,

which we have created.” The next surprise is the sculptured stone staircase, which lit from below, seems to float in space.

Teresa and her husband Bill moved to the West Sussex coastal village over ten years ago, having bought a three-hundred-year old cottage from a friend. Teresa explained, “although we loved the cottage there was no room for friends and family to stay.” After a year or so, and through an amazing stroke of luck they eventually

Subconsciously or not, some seaside colours have crept into Teresa’s choice of soft furnishings

The painting of lilies bought by Teresa is set within a specially sized recess above the extending walnut dining table

“My kitchen is really important to me,” said Teresa who loves to cook and takes joy in its clean lines

bought two adjacent cottages to knock into one.

“We virtually built a whole new house behind the old facades using the footprint of the two cottages,” said Teresa. “Bill designed the house with the help of an amazing local builder. I remember them pouring over several drawings, editing and amalgamating the best ideas, until we were all satisfied.”

Two staircases from the old cottages were replaced by one flight of stone stairs leading off the entrance hall. The walls between the old cottages were removed to create one big living/dining space and the footprint of the Victorian front parlours now define the new hall and snug. Upstairs the space was configured to create 4 new double bedrooms, two en suite bathrooms and a family bathroom.

Buying the right fittings and furniture was an adventure enjoyed by both Teresa and Bill. “We

“We enjoy having friends over,” Teresa explained how the open living space plays a vital role in their lifestyle A horse painting blends with some smoke blue cushions in the sitting room

sourced some things in unlikely places,” recalled Teresa, as she pointed to the hall floor, which they bought off an exhibition stand on the closing day at Earls Court. A leftover piece of the floor was used to make a coffee tabletop which was added to a frame made from angle irons. Several iconic pieces like the Danish teak 50s sideboard were bought through online auction sites. Other historic pieces like the 1920s steamer chair in the hall are reminders of the proximity of the sea.

We love going to art shows and nearly always find ourselves homing in on the same works

Below the sweeping stone staircase in the hall, a bull’s head sculpture makes a strong visual statement

Subconsciously or not, some seaside colours have crept into Teresa’s choice of soft furnishings, in several shades of blue, turquoise and sea green. As an estate agent, she gets to see around more houses than most people, and as space is always such a premium, she has reached a simple conclusion; “why clutter it up? I am not a minimalist,” she said emphatically, “but I do like clean uncluttered space and simplicity.”

In the snug, which is nearest to being cosy and traditional, Teresa introduced a few simple patterns but otherwise she has held strictly to her plan for plain. “Much of the visual excitement is carried in the paintings and sculpture which

The soft relaxed atmosphere achieved by cleverly concealed lighting is a reminder of the importance of careful planning

Inspired by colours in the paintings, Teresa chose a deep blue for walls in the snug contrasted by a light oak floor

The bedroom colour scheme has accents of yellow in bedside lamps

Buying the right fittings and furniture was an adventure enjoyed by both Teresa and Bill

Bill and I collect together. We love going to art shows and nearly always find ourselves homing in on the same works.” Their collection is proudly displayed and makes an impressive statement.

Unusually for a modern house, the ceilings are entirely free of spotlights creating a seamless style, the result of the ingenious lighting plan. Light sources were built into recesses in the walls and concealed behind floating ceilings, below kitchen units and within shelves. The soft relaxed atmosphere achieved by cleverly concealed lighting is a reminder of the importance of careful planning and attention to detail. For instance, many of the paintings occupy specially sized individual recesses. In the kitchen the extractor is hidden within the depth of a single shelf. Truly this is a state-of-the-art venture. “It is our largest project to date,” said Teresa. Somehow you sense there could be more in the pipeline and there is a talented group of people destined to improve the housing stock. Teresa and Bill definitely fall into that category. l

Photos: Living4Media/Robert Sanderson Styling & Writing: Living4Media/Maggie Colvin

Restful simplicity characterises the style of the bathroom clad in white marble

Fun and Affordable Ways to Invest

The past year of general financial uncertainty has brought a fresh legion of bidders to auction rooms.

People looking for alternative ways of investing are increasingly finding auctions a fun and affordable way of spending their money, and it’s jewellery and watches that seem to generate the most interest. Gold prices have steadily increased recently, pushing the prices of jewellery and gold coins to an all-time high.

Burstow and Hewett Auctioneers, a family business based in Battle since 1790, found that during the lockdown it was jewellery and watches that had a massive following at their online auction sales.

Will Ellin, the fourth generation of the Ellin family to run the auction rooms, is a qualified gemologist and is enthusiastic and excited for the future. “The live online bidding has really

come alive over the past year, and there’s huge demand for good wristwatches. Not just the

premium names but also military watches, retro style, and pocket watches. Collectors can now bid live on our own website, so it’s much easier to get involved in an auction than ever before.”

The jewellery and watch section of the auction has quadrupled in size over the past year and the sale usually offers 600-800 lots every 4 weeks. Every lot has multiple photos and a full condition report so that buyers know exactly what they are bidding for and can bid with confidence. Will tests, grades and analyses diamonds and precious stones, so that they can have an accurate catalogue description.

So if you have any jewellery or watches that you’ve been thinking about selling, or would just like to find out what it might be worth, then Battle is the place to go. There’s no obligation to sell, and no charge for a verbal valuation.

The beauty of selling anything at auction is that your items are seen by a worldwide audience, but sold for you by a trusted local firm which has been in Sussex for generations. Come and say hello.

For free advice on selling, call Burstow and Hewett 01424 772374 or visit

burstowandhewett.co.uk

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