HOME + GARDEN
approvals, party wall agreements, building regs approval, contractor tender and the best part of a year of works, to finish a complete four-bedroom renovation within two years( including a ground-floor side-return extension and loft conversion) was probably as good as it gets!
What was your vision for the final result? Any briefs and style ideas that were clear from the beginning? It was important to us from the outset that this was a home from home – somewhere we could come and stay that was as lovely( or lovelier!) as our current home and filled with personality, warmth and personal touches such as artwork we love and our favourite soft furnishings. The plan was always to fill the home with pre-loved vintage finds and to use colour and pattern in unexpected, joyful ways.
REAL HOMES
Mid-Century Stag Concord Oak Chest of Drawers / Sideboard, £ 625, VNTG
Where do you start with interior styling for a holiday home that needs to combine striking design with practical living spaces and amenities that are fit for overnight guests? You can take more risks and have more fun styling a holiday home, as ultimately it’ s a getaway so there’ s an element of escapism. In practical terms, it’ s all about the moments and experiences you get when you walk in the door – what’ s the first thing you see, where’ s the wow factor and what are the little details you touch and feel, so we worried less about things like long-term storage, for example.
How did you strike the balance between an excellent design-led refurb that also kept to budget? We spent on good quality fixtures and fittings that need to withstand wear and tear over time, then balanced this with scouring vintage and antique markets for more cost-effective secondhand furniture, including a couple of reclaimed fireplaces from a local salvage yard. We also tried to recycle and repurpose elements from the home – as well as being cost effective, this approach also suited the warm, lived-in style of the characterful period home we wanted to create.
Hanglamp Mykonos 60cm Rattan Bell Lampshade, £ 89.99, Wayfair
Foyle Mirror- Distressed Gold, RV Astley, £ 376, Lime Lace
Red Cordless Lamp Base- Silver Leaf, £ 375, WEBB & GRAY
Bauhaus Graphic Print, £ 15.95, Desenio
Were there any project pitfalls? How did you overcome them? Ultimately a project like this is only as good as the team you have working on it and we were lucky to have the support of local firm Spacemaker Architects and our Canterbury-based contractor Owenbeg Contracts. Between them we were able to come up with solutions to the inevitable curveballs that came our way!
What aspects of the property are you most proud of? I particularly love the open-plan nature of the downstairs; the double reception room has a real sense of space while still being cosy and I love being able to see through both the living room and kitchen as you walk through the front door( we incorporated internal glazing in the hallway to let the light in and open up the space). It feels like there is plenty of room for large groups to gather together while also including cosy breakaway nooks to cater for the different needs and moods of family members sharing a holiday.
What made you decide to rent your home through Keepers Cottages, and what have you enjoyed about the experience? We wanted to find a hands-on letting agent who we felt were going to look after and love Ravenscourt as much as we do – and that is exactly what we have found with Keepers! They are proactive in the way they handle the property – both in terms of marketing but also in terms of ongoing maintenance and general communication – and I think ultimately it’ s a family business so it really does feel as if every owner and every guest matters.
keeperscottages. co. uk keeperscottages home _ at _ brookes
Set of Four 70’ s Amber Bulb Water Glasses, £ 40, Rose & Grey
Jashar Recycled Wool Cushion Cover, £ 49, Kayu Home
Patterned Woven Cushion, £ 65, Cox & Cox
Avoca White Wall Tile, £ 33, Porcelain Superstore
Galloway Sofa in Easy Clean Recycled Velvet in Sinopia, £ 3,019, Darlings of Chelsea
168 • www. insidekent. co. uk