News
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 23, 2020
Despite initially dismissing a tired Fifties house, Sarah and Ken Loveday took another look and saw it could become the spacious family home they needed.
When Sarah Loveday and her husband Ken first saw a ‘soulless’ Fifties home in Leamington Spa, they dismissed it out of hand. ‘There wasn’t much I liked about the house – apart from the fact that it offered us the space that we needed,’ says Sarah, a brand designer and interiors stylist. ‘We told the estate agent we weren’t interested and the house soon sold. But then it came back on to the market.’ The estate agent persuaded Sarah to look again. ‘With some reluctance, we realised it was just what we needed,’ she says. ‘It was dull, plain and empty – but offered us plenty of space. Annie, our middle child, was just three weeks old at the time and we were desperate for more room.’ But the family faced an unexpected challenge when they moved in that almost put a stop to renovation plans. ‘The house was infested with rats,’ says Sarah. ‘It was horrendous. For the first nine months, we weren’t sure if we’d stay because we just couldn’t get rid of them. They were in the cavity space above the kitchen, the sitting room and the studio – knowing they were there was horrible. It wasn’t until they were gone that we felt we could start making the house ours.’ The first task was to widen the hallway, which Sarah describes as narrow and out of proportion to the rest of the house. ‘We had plenty of space in the sitting room, so we pushed that wall back. We also put in a new front door and added a chimney breast to the sitting room, which made a real difference as it gave the room a much-needed focal point.’ Working to a budget, the couple decided to postpone doing a full kitchen renovation, instead fitting new Shakerstyle cupboard fronts for a fresh look. ‘We didn’t start the loft until three years – and another baby – later,’ says Sarah. ‘The space was boarded and separated into two rooms joined by a narrow corridor, and there were windows, but nothing else. We did originally plan on putting two bedrooms upstairs but instead we moved a few walls around and turned one of the rooms into a large en suite.’ With the loft conversion finished, the children – Bella, now nine, Annie, seven, and Todd, five, had the space they needed – and Sarah and Ken had their own attic sanctuary to escape to. Downstairs, the sitting room is full of character and colour, with an eclectic, bohemian mix of vintage prints and artwork, cushions, rugs, antiques and treasures that fill the space with personality. ‘I adore textiles and antiques,’ says Sarah. ‘I like nothing more than scouring auction houses for pieces and picking up textiles on our travels to fill the house with – it gives it so much soul.’ As the house dates from the Fifties, Sarah has incorporated this era into her aesthetic by sourcing vintage furniture online and reupholstering mid-century chairs in bright fabrics. ‘Colour is such a joyful thing to have in your home,’ she says. ‘But I never want my interiors to feel too garish or contrived so I ground them with natural textures like jute and wood. ‘It’s been seven years since we moved in and it has taken time to get the house to a place where it feels like our home,’ Sarah continues. ‘It’s been a slow process and moving to a more modern house was definitely a compromise, but now we love the space we’ve created here.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 22, 2020
Pared-back design and a pretty palette of neutrals and pastels are the hallmarks of Rosemary and Justin Bickers’ serene home.
Striking a balance between minimalism and warmth is a tricky task for any homeowner, but add four small children into the mix and you’d be forgiven for giving up on style altogether and heading straight down the ‘practical’ route. This hasn’t been the case for Rosemary and Justin Bickers, who – over the past six years – have turned an unloved doer-upper into a beautiful haven for their family, which includes Alfie, seven, Tom, six, Daisy, four, and Dorothy, six months. ‘We had been searching for the right property for over a year,’ says Rosemary. ‘My late father had been hoping we’d stay close to my family home and he was delighted when we found a house just 10 doors down from it.’ Although the property was in need of a complete overhaul, Rosemary wasn’t fazed. She had grown up on the road and over the years had been in many of the neighbours’ houses, so had seen how they had been reworked. It also helped that Justin is an electrical contractor specialising in lighting solutions. The first room to be tackled was the kitchen. ‘It was really dated,’ says Rosemary. ‘It was going to be a big job, but we had to be practical and do it on a budget and in stages as there was so much more to be done in the house.’ New electrics and plumbing, plus replastering and repainting throughout were also on the to-do list. After careful planning and budgeting, it was decided that phase one would be to extend out at the back and into the side return to get a bigger kitchen and also a cloakroom. The old cabinetry was replaced with pale-grey, Shaker-style units that have a clean, crisp look, but also give the room character. Phase two of the downstairs renovation was knocking through to the garage to create a dining space and a family room, both of which are linked to the kitchen through large openings. The dining room also has floor-toceiling glazed doors that lead out to the garden. One area downstairs that hasn’t received Rosemary and Justin’s magic touch yet is the sitting room. ‘We decided to keep it as a traditional “best room”,’ says Rosemary. ‘We will get around to doing it up in the future, but it hasn’t been a priority so far.’ The children’s rooms and Rosemary and Justin’s own bedroom were phase three and all have been decorated in off-whites with pretty pastel accents for a serene feel. Rosemary also likes to buy original artwork to give each room personality. ‘Styling my home feeds my creativity,’ she says. ‘I also take a lot of inspiration from places we’ve visited or hotels we’ve stayed in. The Swan Hotel, nearby in Southwold, is one I love. And my mum is great with colour and has a good eye, so I’ll often ask for her advice. She’s also a lover of collecting ornaments – just like me!’ And are Rosemary and Justin happy with all they have achieved? ‘Definitely,’ says Rosemary. ‘The family room is my little hygge nest. It’s my favourite area of the house to sit while the children play and I’m feeding the baby. I also love our dining room. It’s where the family comes together to feast and to chat. Luckily, we all love our food. Simplicity and balance is what we wanted to achieve, and I think it’s what makes this home such a happy one.’
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 20, 2020
Allison Lindeman and her husband Oeyvind were determined to bring their cosy, minimalist take on Nordic design to their renovation plans.
Incorporating Scandinavian design into their Victorian semi in southwest London was a priority for American interior designer Allison Lindeman of Saltbox Interiors and her Norwegian husband Oeyvind. They wanted to create a huge, open-plan family living area that still felt ‘hyggelig’ – cosy and welcoming. ‘When we looked at houses, we struggled to find one that fitted the open-plan concept, as properties within our budget tended to have lots of rooms – a front room, dining room and separate kitchen. So we decided to go for a cheaper house that we could change to suit our lifestyle,’ says Allison. To build their dream living space, the couple knocked four rooms – the dining room, breakfast room, kitchen and conservatory – into one, and created a main living space with different zones. ‘There’s a TV and play area, a sitting area with a fireplace, a dining area and a kitchen,’ says Allison. The result is a light, minimalist and relaxed family space where children Piper, eight, Finn, six, and Kaia, four, can eat and play and where everyone gathers to spend time together. Allison’s love of Scandinavian design is evident throughout the house. Downstairs, walls are white, and there are plenty of industrial touches in keeping with the Scandi design aesthetic – metal stools, brick tiling, raw wood shelving and a handleless kitchen. Even the floor tiles in the downstairs hallway and bathroom have an industrial edge. ‘They’re ceramic, but meant to look like cement,’ says Allison. The clean lines of the living space are softened by cushions and rugs. ‘The risk with this type of design is that it can come across as cold if not done properly,’ says Allison. ‘But good Scandinavian design is layered and varied, using texture and materials to create depth and interest.’ Throughout the house, the couple’s much-loved art collection provides splashes of colour against the monochrome backdrop. Yellow rugs, cushions, throws and chairs throughout the house pull the design scheme together. Upstairs, Allison painted her en-suite bathroom a stunning, deep blue. ‘I am particularly proud of the en suite,’ she says. ‘We converted a bedroom to a bathroom when we redid the house and the room was so large that I experimented more with colour and played off the blue in our bedroom.’ Keeping the interior design practical was a major priority for Allison. ‘A house with small children needs to work for everyone without any stress that things will get ruined,’ she says. ‘Our Ikea dining table also serves as a craft area, painting workshop and glitter palace. The kids can make a mess and draw on the table without worry as it usually wipes clean, but if it doesn’t, I don’t stress. We used wipeable paint throughout the house and had lots of storage built in so we can tidy away all the toys and easily create a grown-up space for relaxing and entertaining in the evening. It’s the perfect family home.’
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 19, 2020
An eye for stylish vintage finds helped Esther Patterson turn her former design studio into a colourful and intriguing home.
Originally bought as a design studio for Esther Patterson’s bespoke lighting company Curiousa & Curiousa, this former malthouse in a Derbyshire village has, in a few years, gone from practical workplace to stylish home. Built in the 1800s, the property has been through various guises, but the unique style of the interior struck a chord with the couple. ‘My husband Paul and I were living across the road, but our studio space in this building gave us lots of options,’ says Esther. ‘Firstly, we had the idea of creating a small independent cinema, The Northern Lights Cinema. Then we realised that as our company grew, we would need another base for our lighting company, so the seed was sown to create a home for us and our son Gabriel, here above the cinema,’ says Esther. The couple were confident about making changes to the upstairs apartment. Despite being in a conservation area, the property wasn’t listed so the interior design was open to options. ‘The brick walls and beams were a beautiful feature to showcase,’ says Esther. ‘And we wanted to be able to stand at one end of the building and see all the way through, so decided on glazed walls made from Crittal windows to divide the open-plan space. The glass was sound-proofed and we put up curtains for privacy.’ Keeping the original floor was a priority but, with the cinema below, they needed to consider sound insulation once more. ‘We realised we needed to install new plumbing and electrics, so we raised the floor to allow for all of this,’ explains Esther. ‘And it was beneficial, as the varying levels divide the different areas.’ A pantry was fitted in behind the kitchen to house appliances and more storage. ‘I wanted somewhere I could just stash all the household stuff away,’ says Esther. ‘It is a godsend.’ With a good eye for reclaimed materials and vintage buys, Esther and Paul gave their home a bespoke look, which evolved naturally, enhanced with a selection of their own lighting. ‘I’m not one for finding solutions at the beginning of a project and have it all spot on,’ says Esther. ‘It was like creating a foundation for a home to develop on its own. It has grown as we’ve grown, which is why it feels so comfortable, reflecting exactly what we’re all about.’
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 18, 2020
When Gill Deriu and her husband Sanero bought a cottage in Ireland, they created a characterful family house with the coolest of kitchens.
When Gill and Sanero Deriu moved to Cork from Sardinia in 2008, they weren’t looking to buy a home. ‘We had been renting a house and had just started searching for another rental property with more space,’ says Gill. ‘But then a friend told us that this house was for sale. It was everything we had been looking for – a detached cottage with a big garden and an interesting layout. We loved it.’ The couple put in an offer, but were dismayed when their mortgage fell through. But Gill was determined not to lose the house. ‘I asked the owner if we could rent the property while our finances came together, and he agreed,’ says Gill. ‘I promised we’d look after it like our own. He kept it on the market, though, which was stressful as people kept coming to view the house and I thought we’d lose it.’ Eventually Gill and Sanero secured the mortgage they needed and the house was soon theirs. ‘I fell in love with the feel of the place. The front door opens onto the sitting room, and stairs run from there to the upstairs.’ Another selling point was the large garden, which offered plenty of space for the couple’s children, Elia, now 11, Jasper, nine, and Isa, five, to play. However, the property needed work. Walls were dry-lined upstairs and downstairs to get rid of damp, and outdoor drainage was put in. The couple converted a large bedroom into two smaller rooms, and turned the master en suite into a family bathroom. ‘We redecorated everywhere,’ says Gill, ‘and we did most of it ourselves.’ The kitchen needed an overhaul, but mindful of budget, the couple worked with the existing units. Gill replaced the wall cabinets with open shelving. ‘I painted the cupboards, and we put in an oak surface on the island. I also installed pendants – getting lighting right was important to me, as it’s so critical in creating atmosphere.’ The result is a large, contemporary kitchen-diner where the family gather and the couple can entertain. ‘Our kitchen has changed so much since we moved in,’ says Gill. ‘It makes the house feel bigger and gives us so much living space. I loved its light, airy feel from the beginning, but now it has more character and depth.’ Upstairs, tactile fabrics and muted colours help make the bedrooms feel soothing and peaceful. ‘We’ve kept the bedrooms tranquil by mixing up natural materials,’ says Gill. ‘In our room, there’s a lot of wood and we’ve added texture with natural linen.’ Downstairs, Gill’s eclectic taste and love of colour bring a modern, bohemian edge. ‘It’s definitely more colourful downstairs,’ she says. ‘The fabric, furniture and rugs make the sitting room cosy, but we’ve kept clutter to a minimum.’ And she adds it need not cost a fortune to add personality. ‘I love rummaging in second-hand shops. In fact, I think pre-loved finds add to the charm of a house. Charity shops are brilliant for finding picture frames – and art doesn’t have to be expensive. We’ve framed keepsakes and the children’s artwork – they all bring personality to our home.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 17, 2020
Relocating from Ireland to Scotland has given Claire Johnston the perfect opportunity to create a new home and business venture in one.
House-hunting while living in another country can be challenging, as Claire Johnston discovered when she moved from Ireland to Scotland in 2017. Her husband, Alistair, had already returned to his home city of Glasgow for work, while Claire stayed in Dublin. However, unsurprisingly, the couple wanted to be together full time. ‘We’d just finished renovating our beautiful Dublin house, so I was quite sad to leave,’ says Belfast-born Claire, who was able to continue her old job remotely. ‘Alistair and his brother viewed a few properties, then I flew over to see two of them myself.’ One property in particular got Claire excited about moving. ‘It was a three-bedroom ground-floor apartment within a converted period property,’ she says. ‘The lovely big driveway made a good first impression and the porch, too, but it was the period panelling and living room ceiling that really clinched it.’ The building had been split into two flats by a developer and it was a blank canvas with original floors, white walls and fireplaces. This suited Claire, who was planning to launch her business I Am Nomad – a ‘shop-curated home’, where all furniture, accessories and art would be for sale online and at open-house events. ‘I had the idea after visiting an apartment in New York where they did a similar thing,’ she says. Claire and Alistair have since furnished their home with a mixture of mid-century pieces and modern designs from Denmark and Amsterdam, alongside artwork and Turkish rugs. ‘Mid-century furniture lends itself to so many different styles,’ says Claire. ‘You can mix it with modern, traditional or retro pieces – anything goes.’ In the master bedroom, Claire has created a cocoon-like feel. ‘I’d always wanted to make one room really dark, including all the skirting boards and doors,’ she says. ‘I must have tried six or seven tester pots before getting the right shade. As there’s a large bay window and high ceilings, the room can take it.’ While Claire would love to have had a pantry by the back door, she couldn’t justify changing the developer’s units. Instead she decided a dramatic hand-painted wallpaper would add a touch of individuality. ‘I was worried I might get bored with it, as it’s such a statement,’ she says. ‘But I love it as much today as when it went up.’ Although it has taken her some time to feel settled, Claire has gradually fallen for the charms of Glasgow. ‘In some ways it reminds me of Belfast and I’ve found a talented community of creative people here,’ she says. With two of her open-house events already under her belt, Claire is planning another for August. ‘The only thing that isn’t for sale in my house is a writing bureau in the guest bedroom that belonged to my great grandfather,’ she says. ‘Living in a home where everything is for sale wouldn’t be for everyone, but when I can see that somebody loves something as much as I do, I don’t mind seeing it go to a good home.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 15, 2020
A wealth of original features keeps the character and charm of Bernie Rix’s converted barn alive.
Original stone walls, wooden beams and an inglenook fireplace all contribute to the rustic charm that led Bernie Rix and her husband Dave to fall head over heels for this characterful family home. ‘Before we’d even stepped inside, the beautiful features had won us over’, recalls Bernie. ‘The gable end windows, the waney-edge cladding and Blue Lias stone gave the barn that rural appeal we were looking for; something very different to the townhouse we were living in.’ Originally built around 1850, the barn had been converted into a dwelling in the early Seventies. The previous owners had renovated since then, but when Bernie and Dave moved in, in 2016, it was time for an update. ‘Luckily for us, the work carried out had been done to a very high standard using good-quality materials, including solid-oak flooring and a handmade kitchen with a flagstone floor,’ says Bernie. As well as cosmetic updates, work needed to be done on the electrics and woodworm in the loft. The overgrown garden was another project in itself, with Bernie and Dave working on it at weekends. The country-style kitchen was one of the main draws of the property. ‘Although it’s about 20 years old, the quality is fantastic and we love the Shaker style of the cabinetry,’ says Bernie. ‘We repainted the units and added a bespoke island as a focal point.’ Plus, the open flow of the kitchen, dining and sitting room also makes a great space for the family’s Labradors, Odie and Rolo, who have free rein of the downstairs. With no structural changes needed, Bernie was able to put her stamp on the interior not long after they moved in. ‘The previous decor was fairly neutral, which meant it was easy to look past the existing schemes and visualise what to do with each space,’ she says. ‘As our previous home was modern and the furniture we owned just wouldn’t sit right in a property of this age, we bought several pieces at Bonds Lifestyle, a local antiques and interiors emporium.’ Adding colour through soft furnishings has brought each room to life and Bernie has paid particular attention to the window dressings. ‘I run a soft furnishings business called Rix Interiors (@rixinteriors), so I have made all of the curtains, blinds and most of the cushions myself.’ With the dark wooden beams in nearly every room, Bernie has kept the walls light in colour to maintain an open feel. ‘I chose Farrow & Ball’s Skimming Stone for most of the interior walls, as it has a warm tone to it and creates a lovely contrast.’ Preserving the charm of the original barn was a priority for Bernie, so she has cleverly mixed traditional style with more modern touches. ‘Living in a historic property doesn’t mean you have to be restricted in your decorating choices,’ she says. ‘While I’ve given a nod to the original building, I’ve still made it our own and brought it up to date with splashes of colour and personal touches.’ With two grown-up children, Amy and Joe, and Bernie’s granddaughter, Ottilie, often staying, along with extended family, Bernie has made sure the whole space works for everyone. ‘Being able to spill over from the dining room into the cosy sitting room is perfect for entertaining large groups, particularly in winter when we can all gather round the log burner.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 14, 2020
A unexpected sign pointed designers Poppy Treffry and Justin Duance in the welcome direction of a striking and individual home.
When Poppy Treffry and Justine Duance decided to move, it was the call of the surf that lured them. The couple had been living in Penzance in Cornwall but looking out for properties in a nearby village for three years. Anything that caught their eye was usually above their budget. But a chance sighting on a coastal path walk led to an unexpected purchase. ‘It was a simple handpainted sign that read “barn for sale”,’ says Poppy. ‘When we tracked down the farmer owner and arranged to meet, it turned out to be his tractor shed.’ In fact, the last thing the couple had been looking for was a project. ‘We wanted a house that didn’t really need work to be done on it, but this was just too good to turn down,’ says Poppy. Luckily, help was at hand. Her father trained as a surveyor and builder and used to specialise in barn conversions, so he got right behind the renovation. The project also required the trust and patience of the farmer who allowed the couple to do all the preliminary drawings and planning application before they had even exchanged contracts. ‘It was quite risky,’ explains Poppy. ‘We put in a lot of work and investment over a period of about a year, but he was very understanding and we trusted him not to sell to anyone else.’ One of the big draws was the location – a peaceful and beautiful spot close to the beach. And from the start, the pair could see what this tractor shed could become. ‘At that first viewing, we walked around saying “bedrooms here, the bathroom there…”,’ says Poppy. ‘I’ve still got some of our sketches from that time and it’s pretty much how it turned out.’ The couple worked on the design together with Poppy’s father advising. ‘We weren’t allowed to knock down any walls and, in many ways, those constraints were a blessing. If we’d had carte blanche we would have needed an architect but, instead, we could just focus on getting the best from the available space,’ she says. They found inspiration on websites including Pinterest, and from architects such as Rural Design who build with industrial elements in the Scottish Isles. ‘We looked for similar styles and materials as our barn had timber-clad walls and a corrugated roof.’ In remodelling the structure, they used reclaimed materials where possible. The beams needed to support a new and heavier roof, which came from Par Docks and the China Clay Works; some of the internal doors were salvaged from a hotel in Fowey and Justin made the impressive copper front door himself, working with a local coppersmith at The Copper Works Newlyn. The interior is decorated in a mid-century modern style with touches of vintage and a few pops of colour. ‘I don’t really like lots of exposed stone or exposed wood,’ says Poppy. ‘I like touches of it here and there, and nothing too austere. We were always working towards a particular feel.’ Building from a shell has allowed them to install plenty of eco features. The heating and hot water are supplied by an air-source heat pump, there are solar panels and a ventilation system thatrecyclesthe airthrough the whole house, warming it in the process. With the property now complete, Poppy remarks on how surprisingly straightforward and smooth a process it has been. ‘It did take quite a long time and it was a bit surreal when we first moved in as it felt like such a big space to begin with, but now we’re properly settled.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 12, 2020
With her heart set on leaving the city, Melissa Jones took on more than she’d bargained for when she fell for a beautiful but run down Georgian house.
Following her dream of living in the countryside, Melissa Jones was convinced there had been a typing error on the estate agent details about the amount of land that came with the Georgian house she’d fallen in love with. ‘It said 60 acres, but I thought they meant six, so we drove out to see it, only to discover that it was correct,’ she says. ‘And the property included two areas of ancient woodland that would need specialist care.’ But Melissa and her partner, Jeremy Hewlett, weren’t deterred. ‘This was 13 years ago and we had two small children: Harry, now 18, and Ottilie, now 16, and we wanted to bring our family up in the country. We’re all horse-mad, so we were looking for somewhere with enough space for stables.’ Originally a farmhouse built in 1825, the property stands on a hill in Berkshire with views for miles across the Kennet valley. The couple soon realised that the house would need extensive renovation, a project that would take them many years. ‘It’s been a labour of love, restoring and extending the house, and learning how to look after the land, which hadn’t been managed for decades,’ says Melissa. ‘We’re only custodians really, and it’s important that the woodlands can be enjoyed by future generations.’ Having moved into the house in 2006, the couple took their time before embarking on any big changes to the interior. ‘There was only one bathroom upstairs, and the small kitchen was on the north side of the house. It was very dated, with dark colours everywhere,’ Melissa says. But, with the imminent birth of their youngest son Bear, now 12, the couple left any major building projects for several years, completing essential work only. ‘We were surprised that the house wasn’t listed, but this worked in our favour as there are fewer restrictions,’ says Melissa. The couple decided that the best option was a two-storey extension, which didn’t spoil the original façade, and the plans went through in 2013 without any problems. ‘This new addition has taken us from one bathroom to five, and from four bedrooms to six, so everyone has their own bedroom and we have two guest rooms.’ Downstairs, the new large open-plan kitchen is a light-filled space overlooking the garden and woods. Melissa hosts dinner parties and runs her business @thepopupkitchen1 here. ‘I’ve turned my passion for cooking, which was a hobby, into a catering business for private events,’ she says. Part of the new extension remained a shell for nearly a year after it was built, but the couple slowly put the whole look together, using inherited objects, auction and saleroom finds, and a few new pieces. They took care to find furniture that had the right proportions. ‘We have some large rooms, like the new kitchen where we wanted a huge table as we love entertaining. But other rooms in the old part of the house, such as the sitting room and the dining room, are on a smaller scale, so we wanted to make sure these spaces are inviting and welcoming,’ says Melissa. She aimed for a lived-in, always-been-there look, with plenty of natural materials, such as wood, wool and stone. ‘I absolutely don’t do contemporary style and bright colours. I like muted soft colours: greys, blues and pinks.’ When it came to the extensive grounds, a management plan was put in place for the ancient woodlands and they’ve been thinned and coppiced over the last six years. ‘This has dramatically increased the light, and encouraged wildlife,’ says Melissa. ‘It’s like Springwatch from the kitchen windows.’
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 10, 2020
From top to bottom, floor to ceiling, this home designed by Heather Garrett is magic… a few years in the making.
Designer Heather Garrett is no stranger to design challenges. So when her Internet entrepreneur clients called on her to redesign their newly purchased Tuscan style estate in Chapel Hill, she took on the project with gusto. “This young couple had a really relaxed approach to life, living with dogs and had a baby on the way,” Garrett says. “They purchased this fully furnished estate that was dripping with Tuscan style. Think heavy furniture, deep walls, and hanging tapestries. They wanted instead to be sunny, fresh, and chic, but in appropriate measure for the traditional architecture.” The couple both graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill but had since settled in Durham. With a new baby on the way, a travel-heavy work schedule for the husband, and a recent windfall, they both agreed that moving back to Chapel Hill would provide the peace of mind and way of life they were seeking. The home sits on the fairway of the Chapel Hill Country Club, and planning for a growing family this idyllic property was a perfect choice. The plans forthe nursery were under way in their current home, so when they decided to move, the clock was ticking to bring these plans up to speed in the new home and prepare for baby. “There was a chemistry there from the get-go with these people,” Garrett says. “And we grew together slowly on projects as we hit benchmarks that made it clear I really understood their needs. We have a great trust now.” Once the nursery was completed and their sweet baby boy was introduced into the world, they asked Garrett to get to work on the kitchen and living room so that they could spend time together as a family in those spaces. With the parents working from home and a family that loved the outdoors, enjoying a very casual lifestyle, Garrett’s goal was to create a home that transitioned seamlessly from work to play. Over the next three to four years, she was able to create a haven for this family of four, working room by room to perfect their living lifestyle – and ending, appropriately, with another nursery for their second baby—a girl.
“I think the practicalities of life are my biggest driver in creating good design for my clients,” Garrett explains. “I have two teenagers at home, and pets, and I am fascinated with how we’ve completely changed how we live in a certain room just over a period of a few years.” To that end, Garrett kept this philosophy in mind when planning the design for the master suite and master bath. The dark green walls, leather furniture, and formal sitting room were exchanged for a brighter, whiter look, a yoga space, and a play area in front of the fireplace to enjoy their children. The resulting bedroom was a true retreat with separate spaces for sleeping and relaxing. The master bath became spacious and bright with a Frenchchic vibe. “We pulled the shutters off the windows, painted the room white, and filled it with pale textiles - vintage linen, wool, and velvet,” Garrett says. “As for the master bath, we removed the vanity and cabinetry, reformatted the placement, and installed a large mirror in front of the window so that light could enter, but privacy was preserved.” As Garrett says, it’s safe to assume that you will never change your personality or patterns just to accommodate a newly decorated room in your home, so it’s best to plan it realistically, not ideally. In the case of her clients, formal living and dining rooms were nice in theory but impractical in lifestyle. They were replaced with a music room, complete with piano, and a moody, sophisticated entry and living space including a custom mural that whimsically winds its way up the staircase.
Heather Garrett may seem like a one-woman show, packing all the punch of a heavyweight designer in one tiny package, but she does have help from time to time. “Melonie St. John has sewn every custom piece I’ve ever made for fifteen years,” she credits. “She’s amazing and we have a secret language at this point. Her work is all over this project from pillows to window treatments.” Garrett also called on CAN Decorative Painting to touch nearly every surface in the home, because, as she says, “wall finishes and nuanced texture are such an important part of a finished look.” To round out the decor, Garrett shopped at Eliko Rugs, Oly Studio, and Lee Industries, as well as Julian Chichester, Made Goods, Eatman’s Carpet & Interiors, Trove, and of course, Target. “When in doubt, always arrange objects in odd numbers and heights; you can rarely go wrong that way!” At the end of the day, Garrett was able to transform a dark and heavily Italian-influenced home into a refreshing dose of modern, casual living that made her client’s new house a true home. This enterprising family is on their way to the next adventure, this time moving to Boulder, Colorado. So you can look for this gorgeous gem to be on the market in the very near future.