heart’s desire

Why this characterful country cottage in Chichester won over a downsizing city dweller

When three of Clare Standing’s five children left home, the spacious bungalow they had all lived in began to make her feel isolated. ‘But it was by the sea and I was reluctant to move away from the coast,’ she says. Nevertheless, when a cottage in Chichester came on the market, she found herself agreeing to view it.

‘I was so surprised by it,’ says Clare. ‘Even though it was just a short walk from the city centre, it was on a quiet street, with residents’ parking.’ And despite its 1980s interior, complete with dated pine kitchen units and orange floor tiles, Clare liked the square rooms and the huge garden. ‘In my mind’s eye I saw the interior transformed, with soft grey walls, and furnished with vintage accessories and painted pieces,’ she explains.

Inspired, Clare bought the cottage and set about brightening it up. The first job was

to have the light-guzzling shrubs removed from the front and rebuild the porch. And then the fun, as Clare saw it, began. She adores reworking rooms and everything that involves. Upcycling old furniture is a passion for her – it has become an all-consuming hobby – and she also loves collecting heart and angel carvings, paintings and ornaments for the home, which she buys in second-hand shops. ‘Friends have given me the nickname “Queen of Hearts”,’ she smiles.

It therefore came as no surprise to anyone that Clare’s first project in the new house was to design some panelled shutters with fretted hearts for the windows. ‘I found a local man in his eighties who made them for me, hand-carving the hearts. They look just perfect,’ she says.

Clare had the plaster removed from the chimney breasts to add a rugged touch of exposed brick, and then set to work on the kitchen. She reduced the size of the island, which had dominated the space, and moved it nearer to the garden door. A few coats of paint later and the room had acquired the tranquil character Clare wanted.

The next task was the bathroom which was in need of a total overhaul. The ‘ hideous’ old corner bath was removed, along with a wall of melamine cupboards, and finally a new floor was laid. ‘I wanted this room to be awash with heart motifs and accessories,’ enthuses Clare.

Although the renovation of the house itself is now complete, Clare still loves to busy herself with upcycling projects. ‘There is always something waiting to be painted in the shed,’ she says. ‘And when my children come home for one of our family’s famous all-season barbecues, we gather around the garden table, and my “boys” take charge of the cooking on our outdoor stove. The cottage is so cosy, with its pretty touches, that it feels like I’ve been living here for years. I’m so glad I made the move.’

kitchen ‘the units were originally a vivid orange pine,’ says Clare. Cabinetry painted in a mix of Paris Grey and Greek Blue chalk paint, both £18.95 per 1 litre, Annie Sloan. Cutlery rack £35; vegetable box, £28; both One World

guest bedroom White painted vintage furniture creates a relaxed, shabby-chic feel. the cable roman blind in Mist, from £21.81, roman Blinds direct, would work here

master bedroom soft blues and delicate wings above the bed lend an ethereal note. Josette wallpaper in duck egg, £34 per roll; walls painted in duck egg matt emulsion, £35 per 2.5 litres, both laura ashley

bathroom Coastal touches add character to this room. the emmanuel rattan heart, £39.99, Maisons du Monde, is a match. Wooden seagull, £ 41.95, coastal Home, is similar