Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2024 i 25 Beautiful Homes

The countdown to Christmas is underway and when it comes to amazing places to celebrate the festive season, Tish Potter’s converted stable block has to be one of the best. Her magical home is filled with warmth and seasonal charm and is perfect for enjoying big family get-togethers (p8). For more seasonal inspiration, take a look at Sarah Stanley’s Cornish cottage (p93). She likes to decorate her home with natural materials and greenery from the garden and the result is original and wonderfully calm. And as a Christmas present to you, we’ve teamed up with Cox & Cox to offer 25 per cent off all of the brand’s wonderful ranges. Turn to page 92 for details. Happy shopping.…

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace built in the 1900s ROOMS Living room, kitchen-diner, utility, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, cloakroom LOCATION West London it was serendipity that led Victoria Summer and her family to their present home. Living almost down the road they had been exploring much farther afield in their bid to move to the country but turned their attention back to their own doorstep when nothing came up. ‘I saw this house and first went to view it on my own and I knew it was the house I wanted to live in,’ says Victoria. ‘My husband had dismissed it in five minutes but fortunately he was persuaded it was a good buy and that it had good bones.’ By today’s standards it was a good-sized family house…

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Grade II-listed cottage, parts of which date to the mid-17th century ROOMS Sitting room, conservatory/dining room, kitchen, snug, utility room, office, five bedrooms, two shower rooms, games room, cinema room LOCATION north Cornwall Christmas comes naturally to Sarah Stanley – quite literally. ‘I love foraging for interesting branches to decorate, along with mosses, lichen and dried flowers,’ she explains, adding, ‘These natural, earthy textures really suit the schemes.’ With its cob walls and traditional thatched roof – and interiors decorated with textural linens, jute rugs and repurposed pieces – this Grade II-listed cottage in Cornwall does, indeed, lend itself well to Sarah’s foraged finds. ‘The house has a lovely restful feel, and with the fire crackling and the candles lit, it is incredibly cosy,’ she adds.…

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Georgian townhouse ROOMS Sitting room, dining room, kitchen, study, cloakroom, playroom, five bedrooms, five bathrooms LOCATION Central London HOW DID YOU COME TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT? We were recommended by a previous client – which is always the best way! WHAT WAS THE BRIEF? The family was making a big move from the US. They were expecting their second child and both of the clients have demanding jobs. The brief was essentially to interior decorate every room, combining some of their existing pieces shipped from the US with new pieces to complement the scale of their new home. DESCRIBE YOUR/THE HOMEOWNERS’ STYLE. The homeowners like a neutral palette, timeless pieces and items that evoke memories, such as their artwork. WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST PRIORITIES…

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Converted Georgian cowshed and stable block ROOMS Sitting room, kitchen-diner/living area, snug, four bedrooms, two bathrooms LOCATION Kent growing up in the Kent countryside on the family farm and visiting her old home with her husband Jim and children, Edie and Tom, was always seen as a privilege by sculptor Tish Potter (tishpotter.co.uk). Living mostly in London, but with her sister based near her parents, there was a draw to be among them and they were frequently welcomed to stay. ‘My parents’ home is special, but it was a lot to expect of them whenever we descended on them,’ says Tish. ‘A property on their land was the best option and I’d always eyed up one of their barns and could see it was a property…

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY A detached farmhouse-style dwelling, built in 1926, and extended and renovated last year ROOMS Sitting/dining room, kitchen/living area, boot room, cloakroom, office, three bedrooms, two bathrooms LOCATION Washington DC Olivia and Isham Randolph both have connections to the deep southwest of America. She is from Texas and he was previously based over the border in Mexico. ‘We have been living in the Takoma neighbourhood of Washington DC for 10 years but the southwest blends deeply into our aesthetic and our traditions and we wanted to reflect that in our home,’ says Olivia. The dream was for an exciting, light-filled contemporary space with a stylish nod to desert life and the Santa Fe landscape, reflected in rich terracotta materials, pottery and huge cacti – and a home…

no. 17 HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY A renovated 1950s bungalow ROOMS Sitting room, kitchen/dining area, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, basement LOCATION Denmark Jill Mee Lyma and her husband Peter, a mason, live with their children, Celina, 13, Maximilian, seven, and Louie, three, in a beautifully renovated 1950s bungalow in Denmark. The serene, Nordic-inspired home is a testament to Jill’s passion for interior design and Peter’s craftsmanship. The interiors, characterised by subtle grey tones and elegant design choices, transform seamlessly into a minimalist Christmas wonderland each December. When Jill and Peter first saw the dark, outdated bungalow, they weren’t deterred by the work ahead. ‘Even during the first viewing, I had so many ideas,’ explains Jill. Peter’s expertise as a mason meant he could see the potential, too. ‘We knew we…

no. 20 HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Grade II-listed Georgian home ROOMS Sitting room, family room, dining room, kitchen-diner/sunroom, utility room, cloakroom and boot room, five bedrooms, five bathrooms, laundry room, study, basement bar and snooker room LOCATION Yorkshire ‘IT HAD BEEN NEGLECTED FOR YEARS, WITH TREE BRANCHES AND IVY GROWING THROUGH THE BASEMENT WINDOWS’ WHERE WERE THE OWNERS LIVING BEFORE AND WHAT DREW THEM TO THIS PROPERTY? John and Jane Hughes were living across the road from the property, which had been on the market for some time due to the vast amount of work required. Jane was keen to save the house and inject life back into it. She knew it had great potential as a family home. HOW DID YOU COME TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT? A…

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY A red-brick mansion built in 1907 ROOMS Sitting room, dining room, kitchen, library, conservatory, four bedrooms, four bathrooms LOCATION Denmark When Niels spotted this dilapidated mansion during a run in a forest near his home, he was captivated. Despite its years of neglect and previous use as sheltered housing, he saw its great potential and immediately bought it in 1993. Over the next five years, Niels and his wife Christina embarked on a comprehensive renovation, transforming the large, three-storey mansion into a warm and elegant family home. Christina, co-owner of the company Oi Soi Oi, and Niels, a self-employed professional, dedicated themselves to restoring the mansion’s historical features while adding their personal touch. ‘We mix it all together and live with the things we like. We…

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached 1940s house ROOMS Kitchen, sitting room, orangery, pantry, office, cloakroom, boot room, four bedrooms, dressing room, three bathrooms LOCATION Surrey ‘ONE OF THE MOULDING PANELS IS MIRRORED TO HELP BOUNCE LIGHT AROUND THE SITTING ROOM’ This 1940s house’s orangery has been designed with entertaining in mind and it was the room that immediately drew Nicky Rampley-Clarke and his husband John to this home. It now exudes a timeless elegance, with calm patterns and delicate shades, but when the couple first saw it, this space was far from welcoming. ‘It was painted a dark terracotta and hanging plants obscured the beautiful arched windows,’ says Nicky, an interiors journalist. But he and John, a technical director of an engineering company, were ready to usher in a more…

Whispering quiet luxury, Regency Romance is a festive look that celebrates an opulent style inspired by stately homes and costume dramas. Simple to fashion for both grand and cosy settings, it’s a layered look where the tree swoons under glass and flocked baubles and velvet bows in vivid jewel colours. With eight inspirational trends to choose from, Cox & Cox has everything you need to style a festive home. From lights around the porch to a topper for the tree, you will find all the accessories necessary to complete your look, whether that’s a Classic Christmas in red, white and green, the sumptuous Elegance Era or the escapist charm of Nordic Lodge. As the centrepiece of every festive home, the tree is where your unique Christmas styling comes together, and…

THE DETAILS To discover the whole collection, visit habitat.co.uk or selected Sainsbury’s stores ‘Terracotta tones, forest greens and tactile textures deliver schemes that are as modern as they are cosy and comforting’…

BATHROOM FOCUSno. 18 PROJECT DETAILS DESIGNER Kaitlin Reading, West One Bathrooms (westonebathrooms.com) PROPERTY A converted shop WORK Bathroom refurbishment LOCATION West London As seasoned travellers, the owners of this stunning bathroom wanted a restorative space, away from the hustle and bustle of their busy lives, and also one that was bright instead of dark and gloomy. Designer Kaitlin Reading was on call to help 1 NAILING THE BRIEF ‘The en suite was previously dark and moody and the client had a very clear vision of what she wanted – a bathroom that was bright and fresh,’ says Kaitlin. ‘She also wanted it to feel luxurious yet timeless, designed in a classic style with a contemporary touch.’ 2 PLANNING THE DESIGN Luckily, Kaitlin was blessed with a generous room to work…

no. 24 HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace ROOMS Sitting room, dining area, kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, home office LOCATION West London WHEN AND HOW DID YOU COME TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT? We were first contacted in early March 2020 with a view to redecorating the guest bedroom which had suffered a water leak. However, the brief quickly expanded to cover the redecoration of the whole home. The property already had an efficient floor plan, so we didn’t need to make any structural changes, other than to replace windows and the side extension’s glass roof. HOW INVOLVED WERE THE HOMEOWNERS? The majority of the works were carried out towards the end of 2020 and throughout 2021. Due to Covid, the clients were very available and enjoyed site…

HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Former worker’s cottage built in 1940 ROOMS Sitting room, snug, kitchen, three bedrooms, bathroom LOCATION East Sussex Lois Cox loves the run-up to Christmas as much as the actual day itself, dressing up the pretty Sussex cottage she shares with husband Robert and daughters Dulcie, Coco and Beau with a cornucopia of treasured objects, old and new. ‘The Christmas decorations have been collected over the years,’ she says. ‘I love the new glass baubles I’ve bought for the tree which came from Susie Watson Designs.’ The trees (‘I like to have a couple,’ she says) look super stylish in vintage wooden champagne crates that were picked up from an antiques market. Lois is a familiar face at nearby Ardingly Antiques Fair and vintage shops all over…