SUSSEX BEACH HOUSE

Laura and Stuart Mckay turned a bungalow on the Sussex coast into a characterful beach house that combines old England and New England style

A classic English seaside home is given a New England vibe with reclaimed elements and vintage treasures

The village of Camber is a tiny and charming coastal enclave, tucked among the sand dunes just a stone’s throw away from the historic town of Rye. Miles of sandy beaches and a smattering of wooden houses and chalet bungalows combine to create the sense of a timeforgotten land. ‘It has a lovely old-school seaside feel,’ says Laura Mckay, who has renovated a beach house here with her husband, Stuart.

The area’s history added to its appeal. Camber was under army occupation during World War II – the dunes were used for training exercises and the village was taken over by the British Army – and it is easy to see why it now has a certain vintage vibe. ‘The site of this house was the mess of the army mechanics and officers,’ says Laura. ‘When we dug the foundations we found several Jeep chassis, and hundreds of old bottles from the mess. We collected lots to display in the house, but had to leave others for history to uncover another day, as there were just too many.’

The couple were intent on creating a multipurpose house that would work as a weekend retreat for themselves and their grown-up family, and as a delightfully different holiday rental for others. ‘We’ve stayed in so many holiday homes over the years and they often felt a bit unloved and tired,’ says Laura. ‘We felt we could offer a characterful home with attention >to

❝WE HAD A CLEAR VISION OF THE FEEL WE WANTED FOR ENGLAND❞ THE HOUSE: ECLECTIC AND BEACHY MEETS NEW ENGLAND❞

detail and luxury, designed and built specifically for family get-togethers. Because of my career as a make-up artist, we also wanted to design a house with plenty of visual interest so it would be suited to film and photography shoots.’

The couple are used to collaborating on projects ranging from chateaux to London loft apartments, and completely reworking each family home they have owned. ‘So when we came across the bungalow, both our drawing boards came out and we each designed what we wanted,’ says Laura. ‘Not surprisingly, our ideas turned out to be very similar.’

Turning a 1970s brick bungalow into the New England-style beach house they envisaged meant a complete structural overhaul and it took a year for planning to be approved and the building to be completed. ‘We spoke to several contractors, and eventually found a great local builder, Timon Cooke, who specialises in wooden-framed buildings. He shared our vision of what we wanted to achieve.’

Intent on creating a large open-plan space downstairs without any supporting pillars on view, the trio had to think creatively to find a workable solution. ‘We eventually found a way of hiding the supports in walls, fireplaces and cupboards,’ says Laura. ‘We’re so happy we persevered, as the result is a wonderfully open, double-aspect room

❝PEOPLE OFTEN ASK US ITS HISTORY EXPECTING US TO SAY IT WAS AN OLD SMUGGLING INN OR FISHERMAN’S HOUSE, WHEN IT’S NOT EVEN TWO YEARS OLD❞

with daylight that floods into the front in the morning and to the rear at sunset.’

Inside, everything is reclaimed, with a restored 1950s stove, vintage furniture and lighting. Throughout, the walls have been clad with wood panelling, either whitewashed or with a dark finish reminiscent of a rustic log cabin. ‘People often ask us about the building’s history, expecting us to say it was an old smuggling inn or fisherman’s house, when in reality it’s not even two years old,’ muses Laura. ‘The wood panelling was reclaimed from Georgian buildings including working men’s clubs in east London, so if the walls could talk they’d have some colourful tales to tell.’

Laura says her interior style is constantly evolving and Landers House, as it is now known, is as unique as any of the couple’s past projects. ‘We had a very clear vision of what we wanted and it’s exactly how we planned: eclectic and beachy meets New England.’

Indeed, from the very English Georgian cast-iron fire surround to the Ralph Lauren vintage American floral wallpaper, this home is a quintessential mix of antique and vintage references from both these places. Quite fitting really, when, with its windswept beaches and being only an hour from London, this part of Camber is referred to as The Hamptons of Britain.

Landers House is available for short-term rentals, visit landershouse.co.uk

❝WE DECIDED TO MOVE TO CAMBER AS IT IS A SMALL BEACH COMMUNITY WITH A LOVELY OLD-SCHOOL SEASIDE FEEL❞

Living area The space is flooded with light thanks to the double doors that open out onto the decked patio at the front of the house. Laura and Stuart clad the walls in reclaimed timber. Walls painted in Timeless by Dulux. The floors have been painted in Egyptian Cotton Flortred floor paint, from Trade Paints in St Leonards-on-sea

Exterior Because the house is so close to the sea and salty coastal air, the exterior of the house has been clad in Hardieplank cladding. For similar vintage zinc planters, try Baileys Home

Living area Laura has used antique linen sheets and a vintage Welsh checked blanket as impromptu throws for the sofa and one of the armchairs. For similar textiles, try The Cloth Shop. Mounted deer skull and antlers, Ardingly Antiques Fair Kitchen The couple repurposed a set of painted doors that were originally from an old ice cream van to add a vibrant splash of colour to the space. Doors, Abertique Kitchen The cabinetry was hand made by Stuart together with a local carpenter. Cabinets painted in Chiltern White by Dulux. For a similar range, try Rangemaster. Kitchen fittings, handles and hinges, Boat Fittings Hall The entrance is welcoming and coastal in style. Laura and Stuart have hung a collection of vintage signs, nautical memorabilia and sepia prints to add to the character. Try Vinterior for vintage signs

Kitchen Laura and Stuart wanted to create a space that was warm and welcoming as well as functional. For similar lights, try Skinflint Lighting Dining area The pendant shade above the dining table is made from an old wicker basket. For similar light shade, try Design Vintage

Dining area The extra-large Edwardian oak dining table is the base of an old billiard table that had been dumped in a garden, with a new pine tabletop made by Tenterden Oak & Pine. Metal chairs, Tolix. Wooden bench seat, Trend Antiques

Guest bedroom Sloping ceilings add to the house’s character, as does an old knitted blanket that Laura found in a Women’s Institute shop. For a similar chandelier, try LASSCO Guest bedroom Whitewashed panelling has been used on the bottom half of the wall, and Laura sourced the vintage Dauphine wallpaper by Ralph Lauren to complement it

Main bedroom This double room has plenty of New England-style charm with whitewashed timber cladding and pretty prairiestyle floral bed linen. Try the Nadia bed, Habitat. Bedside tables, Tara Franklin Antiques