rooms with a hue
A tasteful palette and pops of pattern were chosen for this grand Georgian villa in Kent
Nicki Conn and her husband Christopher Peabody had their hearts set on a small seaside escape when they began looking for properties. ‘I’d had my eye on the East Kent coast for a while,’ says Nicki. ‘Our children were going back to school and I wanted another project. We’d visited various coastal towns, none of which felt right, but then in February 2017 we decided to view some houses in the small town of Deal. As soon as we arrived, the town just clicked with us.’
After seeing some two-up, two-down cottages, the couple happened upon a grand Georgian property set back from the sea. ‘It wasn’t what we were looking for, and it was twice our budget, but I fell in love with it,’ says Nicki. ‘It just felt like our home and we could instantly imagine ourselves living
there. Best of all, the owners had already carried out the renovations, so we just had to tidy it up and decorate it.’
The sale went through in 12 weeks and, on the May bank holiday, Nicki and Christopher arrived at the property with their sons, Gabriel, 10, and Raphael, seven, and a lorry-load of furniture. ‘That weekend, we started putting the house together,’ says Nicki. ‘ When I see things I love, I buy them and keep them until I can use them, so I had a lot in storage. We also took some items from our London home, plus other pieces bought from brocantes in France, which we visit a lot.’
Nicki’s eclectic taste has given the house a luxe, bohemian edge. Original art, plush sofas, metallic accessories and ornate mirrors offset the softly coloured walls, and piles of cushions and rugs give the rooms a relaxed, cosy feel. ‘Texture and colour bring a space to life,’ Nicki says. ‘I particularly love the mix of floral cushions and patterned bedspread in the pink
bedroom. I tend to put patterns together. Prints are nothing to be afraid of and are an easy way to change the feel of a space.’
The kitchen and dining area are located in the basement. Farmhouse-style cabinetry and flagstone flooring make the space feel welcoming and friendly, while a bespoke dining table ensures plenty of room for eating meals together. ‘The previous owners had this amazing table built to fit the space,’ says Nicki. However, the fact that the family are not living in the house full time did present challenges. ‘It took me a while to understand how the house was used,’ Nicki says. ‘For instance, we didn’t have a coffee table and after a few visits from friends, we realised that if you have eight people in the house, they need somewhere to put their coffee cups!’
But it is the overall character of the property that has won Nicki’s heart. ‘This place has a story,’ she says. ‘I don’t believe in spirits, but I think homes have a personality you can sense. I feel like there have been some good times in this home. People have laughed and lived here, and now it’s our turn.’