8 minute read
ELEGANT REVIVAL A characterful 1930s Arts and Crafts property becomes a beautiful and inviting seaside home
Elegant REVIVAL
The transformation of a characterful but tired 1930s property into a beautiful and inviting seaside home draws inspiration from its Arts and Crafts roots
FEATURE CHRISTINE STOVELL PHOTOGRAPHY ALEXANDER JAMES
PREVIOUS PAGE In the dining room, a chandelier from Stuart Interiors hangs above the Marlowe table from Antiques by Design. The chairs from The Dining Chair Company are covered in Robert Kime’s Mughal Flower fabric. T here is a soothing sense of permanence about Kathleen and Scott Simpson’s Sussex home, emanating, perhaps, from its Arts and Crafts influences, a regard for the calibre of craftsmanship and materials which resonate in today’s world. It is also a reflection of the couple’s simple yearning to find a country house to call their own after many years of renting second properties.
The couple have a townhouse in London, where Scott, a lawyer, is based, and were renting a house in Ludlow. When the lease for the rental property came to its conclusion, Kathleen and Scott welcomed the opportunity to move closer to the sea, where they and their family could pursue the leisure activities they love. “We have three grown-up children who spend as much time as possible on or near the water, and my husband is part fish,” Kathleen says. “He’s a keen surfer, he sails and we both love paddle-boarding and beach walks with the dogs.”
Kathleen and Scott had become familiar with the picturesque villages of west Sussex through visiting friends in the area, and were drawn both by the coastal location and good links to London. Although this ideal combination would allow them to make the most of their weekends and holidays, it also created a high demand for rental properties, putting prices at a premium. “We’d always been aware of the limitations of renting a second home, but this cemented our thinking,” Kathleen explains.
The couple were charmed by the character and cosiness of a 1930s detached house set close to the sea, in a pretty village with strong yachting associations. “We liked the Arts and Crafts elements, the combination of natural light and materials. It’s a very relaxed and comfortable environment,” says Kathleen.
For all its allure, the house was in need of substantial renovation and whilst Kathleen and Scott could see how lovely the property could be, bringing it back to life was far from plain sailing. The Simpsons took the decision to move in and live with the imperfections for six months until they were sure of what they wanted for their home. “Our focus was on restoring the house to a good structural condition and modernising the interior without losing any of its character and comfort,” explains Kathleen. “We were keen to avoid any planning issues, so kept the room layout as it was with just a few minor adjustments.”
They began by employing a local builder, Nick Becker, of Tidal Bespoke, to renovate a detached annexe that was part
LEFT A symmetrical balance of decorative elements epitomises the take on Arts and Crafts that Louise Jones has created for the interiors. ABOVE Natural materials imbue the hall with a sense of calm. For a similar trolley, try Alfred Newall at The New Craftsmen. RIGHT New wood panelling coupled with an antique settle from John Howkins Antiques adds period charm and character. OPPOSITE PAGE In the drawing room, a Chinese laquer coffee table from Guinevere Antiques sits between Lawson Wood Alexander sofas. Curtains in Begum by Penny Morrison complete the look.
ABOVE The cabinets in the kitchen are by Sylvarna Kitchen Design, with Verde Italia granite work surfaces and travertine flooring from Gerald Culliford. The Tiber pendant lights above the island are by Hector Finch, whilst the glass dome pendants are from Holloways of Ludlow. LEFT The 1930s Arts and Crafts home stands in extensive gardens. As part of the renovation project, the roof tiles were relaid and handmade wooden windows installed. The couple lived in the annexe in the background during the renovations.
of the property so they could live comfortably on site whilst work progressed on the main house. “The only problem was that the annexe didn’t have a kitchen, so we had a lot of barbecues,” Kathleen adds, laughing.
The renovation spanned a period of 10 months, during which time the house was partially underpinned, the rising damp was cured, the roof tiles were relaid and the services were upgraded. Handmade bespoke wooden windows and doors replaced PVCu fittings, and engineered-oak floors were laid on the ground floor with solid oak upstairs.
Kathleen wanted to create a relaxed, comfortable home, a place where family, friends and work colleagues could enjoy time out. To help her achieve this, she turned to interior designer, Louise Jones, who is renowned for creating elegant and luxurious interiors. “Louise helped us with our home in London and has an excellent understanding of our taste. We trust her completely,” says Kathleen. “We wanted to incorporate some key pieces of furniture – pieces handed down through the family and other favourite items that have been with us for years – but we also asked Louise to find things that suited the house and our lifestyle.”
Kathleen and Louise have a shared philosophy of decorating according to the age and style of a property. “Kathleen and Scott’s London townhouse is traditionally elegant and formal, whereas their Sussex home has a relaxed, holiday feel,” Louise explains. “It’s a fresh take on Arts and Crafts, with fun, uplifting but welcoming interiors. One of the aspects of Arts and Crafts design that is especially enjoyable is that there are so many lovely wallpapers, fabrics and tiles to choose from. It was a fascinating period to research.”
Architectural details, designed by Louise, many handcrafted in the true spirit of the Arts and Crafts
ABOVE Pineapples are traditionally associated with hospitality, so the 1930s antique light fitting is perfectly placed in this cosy kitchen alcove. The bespoke table and chairs are by Titchmarsh & Goodwin and the handmade cupboards are by Sylvarna Kitchen Design. Farrow & Ball Lichen paint was used for the walls.
ABOVE Louise Jones created a quietly luxurious scheme for the master bedroom. The walls are in custom-mixed paint by Papers and Paints and the antique lamps are from Brigitte Garnier. Visit louisejonesinteriors. com to see more of Louise’s work. LEFT The walls are in Bisque TC45 by Papers and Paints, the fabric canopy is in Algiers by Robert Kime and the antique light fitting is from Brownrigg Antiques. movement, provide the backbone to the scheme, with new panelling in the hall and drawing room – where there is also a new stone fireplace – and in the period styling of the new bathrooms. Colours and patterns are drawn from the natural world, and by incorporating so many family pieces in a clever fusion of objects and styles, there is a deeply personal feel and a sense of the rooms evolving over many years.
“So many of our belongings, books and furniture have finally found a home here,” Kathleen observes with quiet satisfaction. “The Welsh dresser in the dining room, the chests of drawers which belonged to my Irish grandmother, the repainted Dragons [of Walton Street] nursery furniture in my daughter’s room. Even the rosewood bed which my parents accidentally bought at auction has finally come into its own.”
The leap of faith Kathleen and Scott took when they were beguiled by their sleeping beauty of a
holiday home has repaid them handsomely. Their commitment to making the property structurally sound and their devotion to reawakening its period feel has provided them with a sanctuary from city living and a seaside home at the heart of their family.
“We spend as much time as we can here,” says Kathleen. “We love our home in London, but this is the place we escape to for weekends and holidays. In summer, we enjoy the garden room or being outside, as well as the cosy feel of the drawing room and being able to curl up inside. But what we truly love about this place is the sense of permanence after so many years of renting. We really feel we’re enjoying the best of both worlds.” n
ABOVE & RIGHT Satin Coutances Positif Vert fabric by Pierre Frey enfolds the guest bedroom. Among the key pieces the family wanted to retain are the repainted bedroom drawers by Dragons of Walton Street, which furnished their youngest daughter’s bedroom when she was small.
