Light work
Modern technology is introduced to a former fisherman’s
A former fisherman’s cottage has been brought up to date with
a mix of timeless style and modern technology
HOME PROFILE
WHO LIVES HERE Claire Winchester, 48, a garden designer THE PROPERTY
A two-bedroom Georgian mid-terrace in central Brighton PRICE £350,000 MONEY SPENT £100,000
WHAT IT’S WORTH NOW £540,000
It was while she was selling her home in Brighton that Claire Winchester stumbled across an unusual but neglected Grade II listed property. ‘It was a probate sale through the estate agent I was using to sell my house. It was very unloved and in need of a complete overhaul,’ says Claire. ‘What attracted me to it was the central location, with really good light and an outside space on each of the four floors, which is unusual in Brighton. I also loved the exterior with its black facade in what are known as mathematical tiles.’
Buying it wasn’t straightforward though. When the sale of her home fell through, she lost the house to another buyer. However, it went on the market again. ‘I was able to rebid and was successful – it took nine months in all!’ she says.
The houses in this street had originally been fishermen’s cottages. Claire’s had been bought in the 1960s by a lighting designer who changed it radically. ‘He glammed it up to be quite grand and completely remodelled the back of the house to turn what was a dark interior into a bright space,’ explains Claire. ‘He introduced the latest in lighting technology and the house was featured in a couple of books he wrote in the 1970s. In addition he changed the position of the stairs from the ground to the lower ground floor, extended the living room area and installed Crittall windows at the back.’
Once it was hers, working with local company Pisani Designs,
KITCHEN/DINER
Bespoke units from Parker Kitchens are beautifully streamlined. They’ve been painted a cool blue that has been perfectly balanced by the orange chairs. Claire chose the Doppio dining table from Ligne Roset
Claire set about an extensive renovation. ‘They did a great job of making up detailed plans for the house, which were initially used to make the applications for Listed Buildings Consent, Building Control and the Planning Application for a replacement window,’ says Claire.
‘I wanted to keep the best of the previous owner’s alterations while bringing back some character so I installed a reclaimed parquet floor, refurbished the Crittall windows and replaced the second floor dormer window, as well as putting in a marble worktop in the kitchen and restoring the original brasswork on the front door.
‘Cast-iron radiators were also added as they encompass the old and the new – it’s a vintage style that’s come back into fashion.’ She also had the house rewired and replumbed and new central heating put in as well as sound insulation and damp-proofing.
Considering the amount of work done, Claire encountered few problems, which she credits to the organisational skills of the designers.
‘The actual works were completed within three months. However I had to wait for planning permission to replace a window on the top floor and also Listed Buildings Consent for all works, which held back the start date by a couple of months.’ Everything was finally completed in June 2015 and the results are stunning.
The stylish living room is light and spacious and full of interesting features, especially the beautiful
reclaimed walnut parquet flooring that runs throughout the house. Installing it proved to be a labour-intensive process, but Claire loves it.
Walls throughout are painted in a crisp white, which adds to the sense of space and creates a clean backdrop for her collection of large colourful pieces of art.
Downstairs is the contemporary kitchen/ dining room, with powder blue units lined along one wall. ‘Pisani Designs helped me to achieve a more bespoke look by suggesting that I have a marble worktop and copper handles from a company in Sweden,’ says Claire. ‘I also had the copper lighting in the kitchen made, which I feel gives it a very individual look.’ The restored Crittall patio doors lead onto a private courtyard area, which is perfect for entertaining in the warmer months.
Upstairs, the second bedroom doubles as a workspace. Claire’s main bedroom is on the top floor, furnished in subtle and soothing pale greys, white and teal, with one wall lined with neat wardrobes. French doors open out onto a balcony. ‘I guess you could say my style’s eclectic and colourful,’ says Claire. ‘I love mixing the old with new, and I have a passion for using good quality materials as well as a few recycled items here and there.
‘It’s proved to be a fantastic home; regardless of the season it’s a joy to spend time in.’