THE HAPPY HOME

Curated displays and calming tones turn this cottage into a retreat designed to soothe the soul

A Brighton cottage designed to soothe the soul

HALL

Directly opposite the front door is this wall-hung cabinet, one of Michelle’s carefully crafted pieces. It is made from four Ikea kitchen unit carcasses, with doors from Superfront and a marble offcut top with edges painted in gold from Mylands. The Turner tile wallcovering is a favourite. ‘I love texture,’ says Michelle, ‘and think we should be surrounded by tactile surfaces as they give our eyes something to dance over.’

SITTING ROOM

The Knoll Saarinen Tulip dining table was a forever purchase, which was chosen by Michelle for its beautifully patterned marble. The bowl is by B&B Italia, while the teapot, which is made from unglazed clay, was designed by architect VW+BS. The tumbler is by Duralex and the wood tray is from Sainsbury’s Home.

SITTING ROOM

‘When renovating a space, I always start from the floor up,’ says Michelle. ‘Here, I began with the underfloor heating, which is hidden by hand-blocked parquet flooring that was stained dark brown and oiled.’ The fireplace was found in a reclamation yard and chosen to echo the age of the house. ‘I am obsessed with antique mirrors, tiles, panelling and display shelves, which feature collections of the things

I love,’ confesses Michelle. In the alcove sits a Molteni & C Gio Ponti chair, which she considers ‘one of the most beautiful pieces of design ever’. The tile-effect wallpaper is from Cole & Son and the paint below the picture rail is Arquerite by Little Greene.

WORKSPACE

‘The key to working from home is to make it feel like home,’ says Michelle. Above the desk, from Orchid Furniture, is a curated display of postcards, pictures and collected pieces. The walls are painted in two shades of lavender and a bright pop of mustard. The sofa, from Soho Home, echoes this yellow hue, while cushions made by Michelle from a mix of vintage fabrics add a bohemian touch. The Ercol chair is part of a set that was stained to match the flooring. Another design classic is the George Nelson clock.

GUEST BEDROOM

This space is dominated by a metal mobile and an antique 18th-century mirror, which helps bounce light around the room. The original door with its stained glass adds to the cottage’s character.

‘I AM IN NO SHAPE OR FORM A MINIMALIST. I LOVE ADDING UNEXPECTED TOUCHES’

KITCHEN

The extension at the back of the house, which features a working brick fireplace, overlooks the courtyard. A Robin Day sofa in pale pink velvet that Michelle admits is ‘impractical but gorgeous’, takes pride of place, with cushions from Caravane, Habitat and a prized design from Kirsten Hecktermann. ‘I love a bit of mix and match,’ she explains. Below the original stained glass window hangs a row of Fornasetti Calendar plates. The ochre colour on the ceiling was inspired by a visit to Sir John Soane’s Museum, while the pendant lights are from Tom Dixon.

MASTER BEDROOM

The bedhead has been made using H&E Smith tiles. ‘I fell in love with them and here they make a handy shelf for nick-nacks. The walls are painted in Light Blue by Farrow & Ball, while white gloss has been applied to the ceiling. ‘Sleep is so important,’ says Michelle, ‘so to me dressing the bed and the colour scheme needs careful consideration. I love to layer natural fabrics, such as cotton, linen and silk. The throw is just a length of fabric from Jane Churchill that I hemmed.’ The quilt is from Habitat and the pillowcases from Larusi. The pictures are a mix of children’s artwork, photos and a couple of flea-market finds. The pendant is a discontinued Habitat design with a Lee Broom bulb.