ALL IN GOOD TIME
Transforming their Edwardian villa over many years, Hannah and Kieran Sherlock have proved good things really do come to those who wait
Patience was a virtue when it came to the renovation of this East Sussex villa
As soon as they laid eyes on the property, Hannah and Kieran fell in love with their new family home in Hove due to its generous-sized rooms, high ceilings and enormous garden. ‘Our old home ticked many boxes but it was in a conservation area so our renovation plans were restricted. It would have been too expensive to extend for our growing family,’ says Hannah.
When the couple and their two children Paddy, 16, and Esther, 13, moved in, the house needed some major TLC. A top-totoe makeover started straight away: ceilings were replaced, downstairs floors were sanded and varnished, a new central heating system installed and the walls throughout were replastered and painted.
‘One of the selling points of the house was the ground floor potential,’ says Hannah. ‘We love to cook and entertain, but the kitchen was long, dark and disconnected to the rest of the house, with no direct access to the garden. We decided to live in the property for a year and reflect on how we wanted the space to work.’
In 2008 the financial crisis hit and Hannah and Kieran, who runs a property consultancy, had to rethink their funding plans and it was 10 years before they could afford to make the changes they dreamed about. ‘The advantage of having to wait so long was that we had time to consider what we really wanted. On reflection we had many good times in our old kitchen and with a young family it didn’t matter if things got messed up,’ says Hannah.
In November 2018, the downstairs renovation work started. They couple decided to work within the existing footprint as time had taught them that they had enough space. They knocked
down internal walls and blocked up the hall doorway to maximise wall space and create a large open-plan kitchen-diner.
‘One of the most important changes was to connect the inside to outside, says Hannah. ‘We wanted to see the garden, so we worked with an architect and joiner to design and install French doors, which has been a game-changer.’ Natural light floods into the integrated living area allowing Hannah to use the space as her photography studio. The couple also had bifold doors installed from the kitchen to the garden.
The original sash windows throughout the house have been restored, bathrooms updated, a new en suite adjoins Esther’s bedroom and downstairs there is a new wet room. ‘Decor-wise, I like to keep things neutral using lots of colour along the way,’ says Hannah. ‘I would describe my style as eclectic, mixing vintage with modern.’ The garden has also been completely redesigned and now has a large L-shaped composite deck to create different zones, including a daybed area, dining spaces and an outdoor office for Kieran. New planting beds are framed by sleepers around the lawn.
Hannah summarises their renovation process as a positive experience that brought the family together. ‘We feel so incredibly lucky and happy with our efforts, so never give up on your dreams, even if it takes a decade to get there!’