SURREY WEATHERBOARD HOUSE
An ambitious transformation saw JP Clark’s Surrey Hills house turn from overgrown wallflower to New England-style beauty
It’s hard to believe this New England-style beauty is situated right here in the UK
❝I’M QUITE A PRIVATE CHEF AND I LIKE TO REMAIN SEPARATE FROM GUESTS WHILE COOKING, SO WE ATTACHED ONE END OF OUR ISLAND UNIT TO THE WALL, EFFECTIVELY CREATING A BARRIER❞
No strangers to the renovation game, JP Clark and his husband John had completed seven property projects before embarking on their eighth – an uninspiring detached house in the Surrey Hills. ‘We got together 22 years ago and had a plan from day one to end up in a detached house somewhere pretty with a view,’ says JP. He refers to this
1920s property as ‘the house that nobody wanted to buy’. But despite the four small bedrooms, lack of light and sloping hillside garden, the couple saw potential. ‘The only reason we bought it was because of the view. The house would have to be changed completely into something bigger and much more beautiful.’
Before starting on the house, the epic job of landscaping had to be completed. ‘We knew that once the house was extended, there wouldn’t be enough room to get the diggers in to take the huge amount of soil away,’ says JP. Overshadowing the house, the wild, sloping garden made the rooms dark. ‘It hadn’t been tamed in years. There were 40ft high leylandii and other trees. You could barely see the sky,’ recalls JP. But with grit and determination, the couple transformed the garden in around five weeks. ‘All the plants were ripped out and we started from scratch. We created new terraces, based on the paddy fields of Bali.’
A passionate fan of the weatherboard architecture in New England, JP had long dreamed of recreating the look in a home of his own. Unfortunately, the council had other ideas, and the planning process was long and painstaking. Finally, the project was given the green light after one minor amendment.
With the help of Matchbox Architects, JP and John planned their new house, incorporating all the lessons they had learned over the years. ‘It wasn’t just a case of extending. Every wall was moved, and each window resized and relocated. We also built the veranda and steps,’ JP says. ‘John is amazing at house layouts. He’s able to visualise and gain space you never knew you had. He’s also the plumber, electrician, and carpenter – we make a great team.’
With entertaining a top priority for the pair, they wanted visitors to feel like they were on holiday. The large decking area at the top of the garden was repainted and it’s where they spend much of the time in summer, even late into the night. ‘It faces northwest and gets the most incredible sunsets,’ JP says. The kitchen, with its 3.4m bifold doors, is another focus for entertaining. A clever tactic for smooth service during meals was to create a separate utility prep area with a dishwasher, where dirty plates can be left in between courses, out of sight behind a partial wall. ‘It also makes the perfect bar,’ adds JP. Continuing the outdoor-indoor theme, the master bedroom features a spacious, semi-enclosed balcony, used yearround. ‘We were nearly refused planning on the balcony and had to add the enclosing walls, which has actually worked out brilliantly, as we’re always sheltered from the weather,’ says JP. Using his flair for interior design, he has created sophisticated yet welcoming schemes, featuring muted colours, characterful antiques and upcycled pieces. The result is a truly original take on a very traditional look, and a new icon for the Surrey Hills.
❝WE TRAVELLED TO CAPE COD. I TOOK MANY PHOTOS OF TINY ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS AND WE KNOCKED ON PEOPLE’S DOORS, ASKING IF WE COULD HAVE A LOOK AROUND THEIR HOMES❞