COUNTRY CHARACTER
A deft use of colour and pattern has given this West Sussex cottage eclectic charm
We both grew up in the countryside – me in Kent and my husband Iain in Surrey, so we wanted our children to have a similar rural upbringing,’ says Amelia Heggie, owner of interior design company Denim Interiors. ‘ We felt we needed space for the children to roam and be free. We also wanted a lifestyle change.’
At the time, she and Iain were living in London. ‘We worked on a pop-up pub at Goodwood and fell in love with the area,’ says Amelia. ‘By coincidence, my granny and my aunt came from nearby. As we wanted to be within easy reach of London and be surrounded by pretty countryside, West Sussex ticked all the boxes.’ The hunt was then on for a suitable property. ‘ We were looking for village life with a community so didn’t want to be in a really rural location.’
A chocolate box cottage came up for sale that seemed perfect. ‘It was luck and timing,’ says Amelia. ‘ We hadn’t sold our house in London and this was the first house we looked at. I drove like a maniac to view it before it went on the market and loved it. I saw it on a perfect sunny day when the owner was making marmalade, so it seemed idyllic.’ It was instant. Amelia put in an offer within seconds of leaving the house, before Iain had even seen it.
The cottage was relatively compact and had a small garden, so it wasn’t the most obvious choice for a family with three children, but that didn’t deter Amelia. The cottage also appealed as it was in a good state of repair. ‘I knew I wouldn’t have to spend crazy money and it wasn’t going to be a massive job putting our stamp on it,’ she says.
As the interior was dark, Amelia painted throughout in an off-white shade
to maximise the natural light. ‘I fitted lots of pendants, too,’ she says. new flooring was also laid to showstopping effect in the kitchen. The existing cabinets were plain wood and Amelia wanted to make a statement with the flooring and introduce some pattern, so she chose patchwork ceramic tiles that are practical as well as eye-catching. Vibrant rugs add colour and pattern in other rooms.
‘I wanted the interior to be an urban country cottage with a modern twist,’ explains Amelia. ‘I was keen to add pops of colour with accessories and lights, and to introduce some vintage and slightly industrial elements.’ It was also a great excuse to buy some new furniture. ‘ We downsized from our house in London and had to rethink the sofas and the dining room table and chairs because they didn’t fit. We bought some antique sofas that we re-covered,’ she adds.
pattern and colour play their part with feature walls in striking wallpapers and accessories and furniture in vibrant shades. Amelia’s signature style is mixing and matching colours and patterns for an eclectic effect and it gives her schemes a contemporary edge. ‘If I love something, it makes me happy and helps create a homely atmosphere. The decorating is organic and is ongoing,’ she says.
It took about a year before the house felt like home, but country life has been a huge success for the family. ‘We’re much happier here than in London,’ says Amelia. ‘Life is slower and there’s more of a community; we know the neighbours and the postman. The children love it here, too, as there’s loads for them to do, they have freedom and the chance to explore. It’s the quintessential English country life.’