American Beauty
Paul and Gemma Sinclair have given their tired bungalow a New England-inspired makeover to create their dream home with space for the whole family
A dated chalet bungalow in Bournemouth is given a stylish New England-inspired makeover
It was the worst house on a nice street,” says Paul Sinclair of the tired 1930s Spanish-style chalet bungalow in Bournemouth he and wife Gemma bought 10 years ago. “We knew immediately that we could do something special here, and we invested money in ripping everything out. We sketched ideas down and made a list of must haves and like to haves,” he says. “We also knew we liked the softer feel of New England-style architecture as it’s classic and doesn’t age.”
The couple knew their designer Tony Holt through colleagues and friends, and approached him with an outline brief to give the house an overhaul inside and out.
Planning Woes
With a series of extensions and a recladding scheme proposed, the couple made a point of keeping the neighbours informed, and went round the neighbourhood to share their plans. “Sadly, it’s not an area that really likes change,” admits Paul. “There were 20 letters sent in to our solicitors before plans were even agreed.” Planning was, nevertheless, granted first time.
“At the end of the day, we’re not developers and we expressed that we wanted to create a family home that we could enjoy for years to come in a beautiful location, so we wanted to get it just right,” Paul continues. “We did a lot of research into the local vernacular, and the theme was very ‘ beachy’. We knocked on doors to ask where certain finishes and fixings came from. It was quite a personal process, and we talked to anyone and everyone.”
Wanting to be on hand and get stuck in, Paul and Gemma project managed the work themselves. “We lived and breathed it,” says Paul. “As work began, I’d walk around the site trying to get a feel for it. During that time I changed my mind a lot about where things should go and be. One of these changes came in the form of a new driveway, resulting in a long delay.
“On the original plan there was a rightangled drive with two edges. This was changed to be curved, which gave the neighbours something to complain about and as a result we had to stop work; the local authority wouldn’t sign the house off for a year. Our retrospective planning application was declined and even when we moved in we were not allowed to finish the house — for a while it was a bit of an eyesore. It then took an additional year before we were allowed to finish the driveway and wall to the front of the house.”
Further challenges also came in the form of a blanket Tree Preservation Order (TPO) which required constant communication with the local planning authority, particularly to ensure the retention of a large mature tree to the front of the property.
A Home Transformed
Despite the challenges, the project has delivered a beautiful home — almost unrecognisable as a once tired chalet bungalow. To the front, the entire elevation has been extended forward by 3m, with a large side extension to the left housing a new garage with room above — the old
garage on the lower ground floor has been converted into an annexe for the children’s au pair, comprising kitchen, dining room and lounge opening to the garden.
Twin gables and the new Marley Eternit Cedral weatherboarding help to create the New England feel. Local stone clads the lower ground floor level to add contrast; this material also helps embed the home within the slope. A new Spanish slate roof replaces the old-fashioned concrete Roman tiles. “Tony went to the next level with the design and materials, especially having the purlins coming out from the top of the roof — it adds so much character,” adds Paul.
Inside, the dark, cramped spaces have been completely opened up, and from the entrance door you are met with views straight out to the garden beyond.
“The priority was open plan living, which is now a standard requirement for families looking to self-build or renovate. Paul and Gemma were no exception and we extended the footprint to give them a large open plan area which all of the family could enjoy,” says designer Tony Holt. “We also felt it was important to retain some additional separate living areas, providing private spaces when preferred. We included a terrace allowing the family to break out from the open plan kitchen/dining/family space. On the first floor, the focus was on the master bedroom, creating a large luxurious space complete with dressing room and en suite. A covered balcony here offers distant views across Bournemouth.”
Elsewhere, a second bedroom to the front of the property features a vaulted ceiling and a small mezzanine area, while the remaining bedrooms sit under the existing roof profile. “In retrospect, we would have probably knocked down the whole thing and then at least we’d have been able to reclaim the VAT,” laughs Paul.
Now the project is complete, the family are able to enjoy the home and the new lifestyle it affords.
“During the build Gemma gave birth to our second son, and by the time we moved in we’d had twins! Four children down and we’ve stopped building and have the perfect family home for all of us,” says Paul.
“We have so much space now and it’s such a luxury — we feel so lucky. Having the open fireplace outdoors is a great feature too as we can have everyone round to hang out, and it’s a focal point on summer nights after a BBQ or a day spent at the beach. Every time I drive home from work I get a spark of happiness as I drive up to the house.”