MODERN elegance
Rebecca and Sam Churchill’s goal for their dated 1930s house was to make it contemporary and calm
Moving from London to Surrey six years ago, Rebecca and Sam Churchill had chosen a family-size house with plenty of potential. But as the years rolled by, busy with family life with their two young daughters, stay-at-home mum Rebecca and visual effects artist Sam found themselves stumped by how to tackle the project. ‘The house was rather chaotic,’ recalls Rebecca. ‘The rooms felt cramped with an illogical layout and our storage was limited, so it was always messy.’
Things were about to change: Rebecca met interior designer Charlotte Drinkall of Shere Madness at a local street party and the pair quickly struck up a friendship. ‘I went to see Charlotte’s home, loved its timeless style and sense of calm elegance, and asked her if she could do exactly the same in my house,’ laughs Rebecca. Over several meetings, Rebecca, Sam and Charlotte began to develop plans for a complete redesign and refurbishment to undo the work of a previous Diy-enthusiast owner – who had created oddities such as a cloakroom in the middle of the entrance hall and a higgledy-piggledy layout for the kitchen – and to improve the flow.
Key to the success of the project was a side and rear extension to create a new kitchen-dining/living room with double bifold doors to the garden. ‘Sam and I both have big families and we love socialising with them and with friends, so it’s great to have space where everyone can be together and spill out into the garden on warm days,’ says Rebecca. The extension also included a study
– which proved a boon during lockdown for Sam to work from home – plus, on the first floor, a new large main bedroom and two bathrooms so that all the bedrooms would become en suite. The garage was converted into a new laundry room, pet room (for Arlo, the black Labrador, and British Blue cats, Bobby and Flo) and cloakroom. ‘Charlotte was so clever in planning a layout that is very practical, but feels spacious, and in designing storage for every room, so that everything has its place,’ says Rebecca.
Adopting a palette of Rebecca’s favourite tranquil blues, soft off-whites and warm greys, Charlotte planned a cohesive look for the house, introducing subtle variations and luxurious textures to create individual character in each room. ‘People go on holiday for a few weeks a year, often staying in a beautiful boutique hotel while they are away, and then they come home to a house that is just not as nice,’ says Charlotte. ‘Why not create that lovely, cosseted feel at home so you can enjoy it throughout the year?’
The family moved into rented accommodation nearby while the building work was underway, and it was a particular pleasure to return home when the project was completely finished. ‘I was involved in all the decisions and saw the build regularly throughout the time, except for the last three days, when Charlotte and her team dressed the house ready for our return,’ says Rebecca. ‘We opened the front door to find champagne on ice and every detail beautifully finished – it was an amazing treat.’