The interior layout of the house was very boxy - low ceilings and way too many rooms and doors - so my primary objective was how to create a sense of space but still keep it cosy . I wanted the interior of the house to have a modern feel but draw from the original building as well as staying on the right side of not too ‘ beachy ’.
Externally , I wanted to keep the heart of the house ; I also wanted to keep the materials in context with the Kent / Sussex coast , i . e blacking fishing huts on the beach in Hastings and the traditional Kentish barns you ’ d find locally - the handmade roof tiles are based on Kent pegs .
In the garden , I wanted to keep in context with local coastal areas hence the shingle was sourced locally from a quarry in Dungeness ; as far as possible I wanted local plants to support local insects and animals . I also wanted the garden to drain naturally , so I removed all the paving that surrounded the house , dug French drains and soakaways . I would be lying if I wasn ' t inspired by Derrek Jarman ' s home and garden in Dungeness .
What is the ethos of The Dunes project ?
Initially the plan was purely for a family bolthole by the sea , but this has changed over time as the reality of a second home and children at school in a different town dawned . I realised I wasn ' t able to spend as much time as I had originally envisaged and rather than waste the beautiful space that we had created , I wanted other people to be able to experience and enjoy our home when we couldn ' t .
How did you find the balance between an excellent design-led refurb that also kept to budget ?
This was one of the hardest aspects of the renovation . I love well made , well designed things . I also believe cutting corners on fixtures and fittings will show , so I opted to spend money on things like taps and sinks , floor tiles and boards but then shop cheaper for kitchen units and appliances which can be swapped out further down the line . I love boot fairs and antique fairs so I was in heaven sourcing chairs , tables , cutlery etc . In and around Rye is a hotbed for such places . When it comes to contemporary or new design-led pieces I try and wait for the sales .
Where do you start with interior layout for a home that needs to appeal to a mix of guests and be rentable ?
I didn ’ t , I just did what I liked given the funds I had and crossed my fingers that other people would like it also .
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