Favourite feature

‘The sense of space produced by the natural light that pours into the rooms from different angles through the various types of glazing’

They say every cloud has a silver lining and this was certainly the case for Jack Canning in 2014, when his plans to buy a house went awry. ‘I was renting a studio at the time and wanted to stay in the area, but needed more space,’ he says. ‘I’d made an offer on a semi-detached house but it fell through.’

Jack kept a keen eye out for new properties and it wasn’t long before his present home, a 1960s bungalow, caught his attention. ‘I saw so much potential as it had a great location and a much larger plot than the house I’d missed out on,’ he says.

Having sealed the deal, Jack, who’s an interior designer, set about planning the renovation. ‘The house was essentially liveable, but had been built quite poorly,’ he says. ‘I asked a few architects to come up with a design for a first floor with four double bedrooms – which is what I wanted – but when none of them could manage it, I decided to do the job myself,’ he says.

Having worked out a set of CAD drawings, Jack commissioned a structural engineer to produce plans to comply with building regulations. ‘The final design was then modified by repositioning the main bathroom to the other side of the house, to allow space for a much larger en suite,’ he says. ‘Only one wall remained almost untouched, so it was effectively a total rebuild.’

Creating the design was not the only challenge that Jack faced. ‘The planners are very strict in the New Forest, so I was very limited as to what I was able to do to the front of the house,’ he says. Despite working full-time, Jack decided to manage the project himself and engaged a local firm, Quay Point Construction, to undertake the building work.

With the structural works in hand, Jack turned his creative eye to designing the new interior. ‘I spend my working life designing luxury yachts and I was inspired by some of the beautiful work our firm had carried out,’ he says. ‘I wanted to create the feel of fresh and honest barefoot beach living with a luxurious feel.’ The classic Shaker-style kitchen was given a contemporary edge by adding a dark blue painted island and pops of colour with yellow Eames dining chairs. For furniture, Jack opted for an eclectic mix of upcycled family heirlooms, juxtaposed with custom-designed pieces and punchy dark blue accents.

With the project complete, Jack is able to enjoy the results of his hard work. ‘I love the satisfaction of coming home to a house that works exactly as intended, that fills me with joy each time I return,’ he says. ‘It feels spacious yet also offers intimate spaces. Every day is an absolute pleasure to live here.’

LIVING AREA ‘The cofee table was made using the original dining table that broke in transit,’ says Jack. For a similar sofa, try Aissa corner sofa, from £2,275, Sofa.com. Arabesque blue and white rug, £269, The Rug Seller EN SUITE ‘This bathroom vanity unit is made from an upcycled Ercol cupboard,’ says Jack. Try Calder exposed shower valve, £1,125, The Cast Iron Bathroom Company

MASTER BEDROOM The midnight blue velvet buttoned headboard was custom-made to Jack’s design. Hugger navy blue headboard, £845, Loaf, would create the same look. Round brass side table, £135, Cult Furniture, is similar. Interior design by Jack Canning (Instagram @jackcanningdesign)

SITTING ROOM The couple chose simple colours and furnishings that complement the original cornicing, marble fireplace and pine floorboards. PK61 coffee table with slate top, £3,107; PK22 chair, from £3,026, both Poul Kjaerholm for Fritz Hansen, Twentytwentyone. Try On Reflection Mirrors for a 19th-century French mirror