CALL OF THE SEA
Sue Green has transformed her home with a lightness of touch and a muted palette that echoes her coastal surroundings and complements her artwork
As artist Sue Green steps into the light-filled studio inside her tranquil coastal home, she recalls the full circle journey that’s brought her to her home just a stone’s throw from her previous beachside house. ‘My husband, Neville, and I were enchanted when we discovered this beautiful area on the shores of West Sussex,’ Sue reveals. ‘However, having lived in a property directly on the beach for several years, we hankered after somewhere less remote and, since nearby Arundel is a bustling market town with a lively art scene, we moved there.’
Despite enjoying their time in historic Arundel, Sue, whose semi-abstract oil paintings are predominantly influenced by the coast, began having misgivings. ‘I missed that clear, magical light, the smell of the sea and being able to stroll to the water’s edge within seconds of shutting my front door,’ she says. Making a U-turn, the couple relocated back to the coast and, having bided their time, were delighted to hear that a property, adjacent to their former home, was on the market.
‘Back then, it was a mock-tudor house,’ Sue explains. ‘The interiors were a little dark and it wasn’t quite to our taste.’ Despite the negative points, Sue, who has a background in interior design, instantly recognised the potential.
Once they had moved in, the couple set about renovating every inch of their home. One of the first jobs entailed building a spacious conservatory at one side. The downstairs layout was rejigged to create a better flow, which allowed Sue’s studio to be accessed from the new conservatory.
Determined to enhance their home’s ambience by making it brighter and more aesthetically pleasing, Sue replaced the mocktudor fireplace in the sitting room with an antique limestone one. ‘The 19th-century fireplace was the starting point for our eight-month transformation,’ Sue says, ‘which involved replacing everything from the kitchen to the bathrooms, doors, windows, tiles and flooring.’
Walls were painted in a muted palette of pale greys and creams, and the dark beams in the living and dining rooms were all lightened. ‘The aim was to create a neutral backdrop, ideal for displaying our cherished pieces of furniture and our artwork,’ Sue says.
Over the years, Sue and Neville’s Gustavian-style and French furniture have informed the design in virtually every space. ‘I have always loved furniture and bought interesting pieces as far back as I can remember,’ Sue says.‘my first Gustavian-style purchase was a chandelier, spotted in my friend’s antique shop called in London.’
The couple’s carefully considered choices and vision have resulted in a bright, uplifting home that’s testament to their artistic talents, eye for detail and Sue’s flair for interior design.
Moving back to the coast has been a decision that the Greens have never regretted. ‘Over the years, any time I have tried to move away from the coast, in terms of both house location and my artwork, somehow, the sea always lures me back,’ Sue says. ‘When I paint, those subtle, ever-changing colours are a constant source of inspiration. Working in my coastal studio, in a beautiful home, is a real privilege.’ View Sue’s artwork at suegreenart.co.uk