AMERICAN BEAUTY

Jane and Roy Davison called in an expert team to help them create the coastal home of their dreams

Jane and Roy Davison had rented a holiday home in Manhattan Beach, in the South Bay area of Los Angeles for several summers, but had always dreamed of finding the perfect place to buy. ‘We were living in West Hollywood at the time and had looked at dozens of properties by the ocean over the years, but none of them fitted the bill,’ explains Jane. Then fate took a hand. ‘Our friend and builder Matt Morris was selling a plot, just a few blocks from the waterfront, so we decided to build our own home instead.’

The couple already knew Matt’s building work and liked it, so they took him on as the contractor, alongside a local architect. They decided to delegate the décor to interior designers Joe Lucas and Parrish Chilcoat whose work they admired. ‘ We loved their mix of classic style with a modern edge,’ says Jane.

Roy and Jane wanted a blend of East Coast Cape Cod and West Coast beach style, which the team

design tip‘ Up cycle old pieces to make them look new again. I gave my tired antique pedestal table a new lease of life by painting it blue’

achieved by building a shingled exterior with painted brickwork, and finishing touches like barn doors. Since the couple have three young children and also love to entertain, a key feature of the house was its first floor, where the open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting rooms flow seamlessly from the back to the front of the house, opening out onto a spacious terrace.

It took 16 months to build the house, giving Jane and Roy ample time to plan the interior, working closely with their designers. ‘I wanted the house to feel classic, yet up-to-date, with comfortable and durable finishes,’ says Jane. ‘I also craved a scheme that would showcase our treasured family heirlooms and antiques, and gave Joe and Parrish free rein to update the pieces.’ Her decorating must-haves included white and cream sofas, to keep the scheme light and bright. These were upholstered in outdoor fabrics for practicality. Jane

also wanted a library to house the collection of antique books she’d inherited from her grandfather. She was keen to incorporate a grass weave wallpaper she had found, too, which was used in several of the bedrooms.

Against a backdrop of classic whites and neutrals, Joe and Parrish created contrast and depth using the sitting room curtains as the starting point for accents in a varied palette of blue. The kitchen cabinets were painted in soft duck egg blue, while dark navy was chosen for the dining room chairs and also the living room cushions. In the second floor library, however, Jane wanted a cosy East Coast feel, so the walls and cabinets were painted a dramatic shade of blue, with an upholstered chesterfield sofa also in a deep blue.

With their home complete, the couple are delighted. ‘Everyone who steps inside says how happy it feels,’ says Jane. ‘This really is the perfect house for us.’

terrace Cream outdoor sofas and striped turquoise fabrics set the coastal theme for this spacious terrace. Laguna Aqua stripe fabric, £46m, Designers Guild, is similar. bridgman sells outdoor sofas like these, from £2,099

Kitchen Cabinets in pale blue create an uplifting feel. Howdens’ tewkesbury blue cabinetry, price on request, is similar. the Orly satin nickel lantern light, £149, Swagger Incorporated, is a match

hall this side table was painted to complement the scheme. Annie Sloan’s Aubusson chalk paint, £18.95 per litre, would create a similar effect

Guest bathroom an ornate gilt mirror adds a glamorous touch. the Céleste wall mirror, £192, maisons du monde, is a good alternative to this one

Dining area Fun floral cushions and artwork in soft, summery shades create a relaxed and welcoming ambience. Allposters sells floral pictures like these, from £5.99. Danish Design wishbone dining chair, £149, Cult Furniture. Nordic Light eggshell, £55...

Master BEDROOM grass weave wallpaper adds subtle texture to this pretty wood and cream scheme. phillip Jeffries grasscloth wallpaper, £134 per roll, Alexander Interiors

Master en SUITE antiqued mirror glass panels enhance the sense of space. Classic light antique glass, £350sq m, Antique mirror Glass. Avebury mixer tap, £1,130, Fired earth, is similar

Dining area ‘Our open-plan kitchendiner is perfect for entertaining throughout the seasons,’ says Jane. Lantern light, price on request, ralph Lauren Home. Josephine dining chairs, £284 each, La maison Chic, are similar

CHILD’S BEDROOM a space-saving white bunk bed blends seamlessly with the panelled surfaces. Islander bunk bed, £975, Great Little trading Co, is similar. See paper High’s handmade rag rug, £35