Indholdsfortegnelse for September 2016 i 25 Beautiful Homes

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached 1950s weatherboard bungalow LOCATION Melbourne ROOMS Kitchen-diner/ sitting area, four bedrooms, bathroom, cloakroom PURCHASED 2006 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before this, we had an Art Deco apartment in the bayside suburb of St Kilda,’ says Cherie. Back in 2006, when Cherie Slater and Angelo Sansano were expecting their second baby, Milo, the pair were on the hunt for a family home in inner-city Melbourne. Having outgrown their suburban apartment, Cherie and Angelo were determined to find the right property in time for the new arrival. Cherie fell in love with a Mid-Century house before she’d even seen beyond its charming picket fence and weatherboard exterior. ‘I asked the estate agent for the legal paperwork as I was walking up the front path,’ says Cherie. ‘She said,…

Putting together a cohesive, creative and practical children’s bedroom scheme is no mean feat. The key is to introduce flexible and accessible storage, colourful accents, and one or two striking elements for a look that can evolve over time. Go for growth A child’s space needs to be versatile, accommodating their changing needs from babyhood through to teenage years. So with big-ticket items such as beds, chest of drawers and wardrobes, choose designs that will stand the test of time. Deonne Rowland has opted for some surprisingly grown-up touches such as a house-shaped canopy bed in her son’s bedroom (above) – a fun take on a four-poster – and a pretty coronet with cascading fabric in her daughter’s room. These will both make the transition to teen years smooth. Introduce…

NEW-BUILD HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Former grain store LOCATION Somerset ROOMS Kitchen-diner/sitting room, five bedrooms (all en suite), cinema, indoor swimming pool and games room CONVERTED IN 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We also have a traditional stone farmhouse close by,’ says Gemma. After buying their traditional farmhouse near Somerset’s Quantock Hills, Gemma and Chris Saunders recognised that a derelict grain store that came with the property had the potential to be a stunning home. ‘The remote setting was the perfect place to create additional space for visiting friends and family,’ explains Gemma. So the couple, who have two children, Digby, 9, and Tabitha, 8, decided to convert it. Planning permission was granted in summer 2014, and the renovation began in earnest. First the main structure was stripped back to its steel…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached villa, built in 1906 LOCATION Hamburg ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, five bedrooms, three bathrooms PURCHASED 2011 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had a large apartment in the centre of Hamburg before moving here,’ says Maria. Maria and Thilo von Hahn were living in an apartment in the centre of Hamburg when they thought of moving house. ‘Our family was growing,’ says Maria. ‘I’d just had my son Carl, now 6, a baby brother for our daughter Amalia, 8. Thilo and I both agreed that it was time to buy a larger home on the outskirts of the city, with a garden for the children.’ The couple, both designers, began house hunting in a leafy Hamburg suburb when they were blessed with a stroke of luck.…

When decorating a barn conversion, it can be easy to lean towards the traditional country style. However, the simple but carefully chosen pieces in this vaulted space lend a modern Mediterranean feel, and a sense of fun not usually associated with a rural renovation. The modern transparent chairs stop the look becoming too cluttered and act as a perfect foil for the weathered, shabby chic table, which is painted in a pale shade to harmonise with the walls and flooring, and to allow the soaring rustic beams to define the space. The quirky linen print of Italian ingredients adds a vibrant, informal burst of colour and echoes the feast set up at the table, ready for guests to gather until night falls and subtle lights illuminate the characterful corners of…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Four-storey terraced house, built in 1890 LOCATION South London ROOMS Drawing room, family room, kitchen-diner, cloakroom, four bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms, roof terrace, cellar PURCHASED 2011 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We used to live in a modern one-bedroom apartment in London,’ says Patricia. There is a new property trend that is becoming increasingly popular with young professional families looking to enjoy the freedom of global travel and the ability to work from anywhere in the world – international house swapping. For American couple Matthew Allen and his wife Patricia, this concept has become an integral part of how they choose to live. ‘We’ve been in the UK for 10 years,’ says Matthew. ‘I’m from California and Patricia is from Chicago, but we met while working…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY A 13th-century listed farmhouse LOCATION Worcestershire ROOMS Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, snug, utility room, cloakroom, four bedrooms, three bathrooms PURCHASED 2006 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a small cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon,’ says Jackie. When Jackie and Stephen Blakey felt squeezed for space as their son Cameron turned 6, they decided to move deep into the country. ‘Ruralite Stephen says if he hadn’t become a pilot he would have been a forester,’ says Jackie. ‘So we moved from Stratford-upon-Avon to a more remote area.’ The house the couple fell in love with had a history dating back to the 1200s. ‘I was attracted by the high ceilings and large windows in the Victorian extension,’ says Jackie. ‘Stephen liked the traditional elements in the older…

NEW-BUILD HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Two-bedroom riad LOCATION Essaouira, Morocco ROOMS Kitchen-diner/sitting room, two bedrooms (one en suite), office, swimming pool, spa, six-bedroom guest house PURCHASED 2000 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, I lived in Paris and in Chablis,’ says Dominique. Dominique Choupin had adventure in mind when she visited Morocco 20 years ago. Living in Paris, working for a pharmaceutical company, she craved a different pace of life. Arriving in the port city of Essaouira, she was charmed by its white beaches, artistic atmosphere and relaxed feel. ‘It’s a magical place, so alive and convivial,’ says Dominique. ‘I’d always dreamt of living by the sea, and this place really touched me.’ Captivated, she began to search for a holiday rental property, but eventually, she decided on an even more…

Having a separate dressing zone can be very useful and doesn’t always require as much space as you think. Plus, clever cabinetry, whether bespoke or bought off the peg, can maximise storage for a smart, streamlined look. Outside the box When planning a dressing area, try and think creatively. Belinda and Tim Gifford Nash have turned their spare bedroom into an adjoining en suite and walk-in wardrobe, making the space work twice as hard. But landings can also provide extra room for cupboards, or you could introduce zones in a master bedroom to create a small dressing room. Once you’ve decided on a new layout, make a note of the storage you currently have, calculating the total linear metre length of hanging rails plus the number of drawers and shelves,…

REPLANNED HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY A 1930s detached bungalow LOCATION Hertfordshire ROOMS Sitting room/ kitchen-diner, office, utility room, two bedrooms (both en suite), guest bathroom PURCHASED 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before buying this place, I lived in a two-bedroom apartment in north London,’ says Lina. During her weekly supermarket shop, Lina Li Pizzi received a phone call that changed her life. ‘I was browsing the aisles when my friend called to say she had found the perfect house for me,’ explains Lina. ‘She had been looking for a new property and was at a one-day viewing of a bungalow. It wasn’t right for her, but she thought it might be good for me. So I abandoned my trolley and rushed to meet her.’ Lina had been searching for a suitable home…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Converted 17th-century cow shed LOCATION Harrogate ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, utility room, family room, playroom, four bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom PURCHASED 2009 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in a four-storey Victorian house nearby,’ says Colleen. Colleen and Daniel Roberts viewed almost 30 properties without any luck before finding a former cow shed in North Yorkshire. ‘We even contacted the TV show Relocation, Relocation in our quest for a new home,’ says Colleen. ‘Eventually we came across this place, and liked it immediately. It had such a lovely feel and amazing views over open fields. Straight away I was visualising everything from the colour schemes to where in the hall we’d put the Christmas tree.’ Converted in 1995, the 17th-century property has…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace LOCATION Southeast London ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, study, cloakroom, three bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom PURCHASED 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We used to live in Wellington, New Zealand,’ says Deonne. When 5-year-old Harvey Rowland declared that he wanted a ‘night time wall’ in his bedroom, his mother sprang into action. Deonne Rowland, an interior designer, painted the back wall of his room in a velvety blue-black – ‘It’s surprisingly calming when it comes to afternoon naps,’ she says. A string of glowing copper fairy lights were added, along with a scattering of whimsical prints, hand-carved toys and wallhangings. The result is a room fit for a modern-day Peter Pan. It is this mix of charm without any tweeness that has transformed the London…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached 18th-century cottage LOCATION North Yorkshire ROOMS Kitchen-diner, sitting room/study, cloakroom, two bedrooms, bathroom PURCHASED 2010 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I used to live in a two-bedroom 1950s semi in York,’ says Lesley. As much as artist Lesley Seeger loved living in busy York, when her partner Michael Sessions asked her to move into his country cottage, she gladly accepted. ‘I was keen to develop my landscape painting, so it was a golden opportunity for me,’ she says. But the cottage, situated on the edge of the North York Moors, was so compact, there was barely enough room for Lesley’s easel, let alone a studio. ‘It had just two rooms upstairs, and the same downstairs,’ she says. Luckily, Michael had already got planning permission to enlarge, so…

UNIQUE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Victorian chapel LOCATION North Yorkshire ROOMS Sitting room/dining area, kitchen, garden room, four bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom PURCHASED 1996 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we had a modern detached,’ says Tanya. When Tanya and John Hawkins moved in to a former Methodist chapel in North Yorkshire, it was the answer to their prayers. ‘We both run our own businesses, which can be stressful, so we liked the idea of coming home to a tranquil setting,’ says Tanya. After John bought the place, 20 years ago, it was subsequently occupied by relatives, but when it became vacant again the couple decided to relocate here. ‘When doing the conversion, I reused everything, from the pulpit and pews to the stained-glass windows and doors,’ says John. ‘I…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Stone-built 18th-century cottage LOCATION Condom, southwest France ROOMS Kitchen-diner/sitting room, two bedrooms, shower room PURCHASED 2010 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We also have another home in Paris,’ says Amy. Having fallen in love with all things French as a child, Londoner Amy de Leusse decided to au pair in France after leaving school. There, she became smitten with the unspoiled rural region near the historic town of Condom. But back then, she could only dream of living there. ‘Eventually I married Pierre-Emmanuel,’ says Amy. ‘We settled in Paris, but with busy lives establishing our careers and enjoying the city, a return to this lovely corner of the country remained a fantasy.’ Ultimately, with a family in mind, the pair began to search for a bucolic bolthole. ‘I…

VICTORIAN STYLE A stylish hall sets the tone for the rest of the house, and this is true of the Blakeys’ bold entranceway, which features encaustic tiles in cream and black. Popular since Victorian times, these decorative and hard-wearing tiles are great for introducing depth and tone. In a similar vein, these period-style designs have been laid to form an attractive pattern. Here, the earthy muted tones team perfectly with those of the smart tartan stair carpet. Colchester tiles, £203.98sq m, Victorian Floor Tiles collection at Original Style. CERAMIC DESIGNS Patterned ceramic tiles with a small design work well in the Geaves’ hall. This design looks particularly striking as the rest of the decor has been kept fairly plain. Ceramic tiles are a great way of introducing colour, pattern and…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Victorian mews house LOCATION West London ROOMS Kitchen-diner/sitting room, three bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom PURCHASED 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We used to live in a terraced house nearby,’ says Anneliese. Anneliese Gunnerud is not a novice when it comes to updating properties. ‘Since the 1980s, I’ve bought a new place each year, restored it, sold it and started again,’ she says. Then she met her husband Lasse, and they had two children Poppy, now 22, and Hector, 16, so they settled down for a while in the country. Once the children were both at school, Anneliese started renovating properties again – for herself and others. ‘We bought a holiday house in Cornwall that we extended, before buying a mews property in London that I revamped…

DISTINCTIVE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Semi-detached villa, built in 1901 LOCATION Hove ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, utility room, cloakroom, four bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom PURCHASED 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a Victorian semi near Hove seafront before buying this place,’ says Helaina. Having successfully renovated their previous house, Helaina and Nick Geaves were happy to take on another project, which came in the shape of a vast former nursing home in Hove. ‘When we viewed it, the developer was in the process of separating the building into three properties,’ says Helaina. ‘There was no staircase or kitchen, but we loved the big square rooms and original features and fireplaces.’ The developer provided drawings on how the building could work as a home, however, Helaina and Nick had…