Welcome to my home

“I love the symmetry, large windows and pretty millwork. Mixing in some antique pieces makes a huge too” difference

Ellen Sharpe, a content creator and blogger (@featherglass), and husband John, who runs a property maintenance business, live here with their daughter Kenna, 18, and two West Highland White terriers, Scotty and Sprite.

THE PROPERTY

A three-bedroom 1920s bungalow in New England, USA.

THE VALUE

Bought in 1996 for £76,000. Now worth around £500,000.

When first-time buyer Ellen Sharpe saw this rundown two-bedroom 1920s bungalow, she was on familiar ground. ‘It was just 10 houses away from where I grew up,’ she says. ‘I remember it needed a lot of work, but it was the cottage-like exterior with the front stone chimney that really drew me in. From the moment I set foot inside, I was compelled to bring it back to life.’

Ellen and husband John spent a year making the bungalow liveable, tackling further improvements as time and money allowed. ‘I come from a large family and the interior space needed to work for gatherings, so we opted for an open-plan layout,’ says Ellen.

Four years ago the couple added a large two-storey extension at the rear, housing an extra bedroom, bathroom and bigger kitchen. They also converted the garage into an entertaining space they call the carriage house. ‘I knew I wanted to open up the back of the house to the outdoors and to flood the inside, specifically the kitchen, with natural light,’ she says.

For the kitchen, Ellen was inspired by French-style butler’s pantries and larders, which she’d always loved. ‘I didn’t have a separate room for a pantry so I designed the reduced depth glass cabinets for this purpose,’ she says. ‘It’s a major feature in the home now.’

The couple have used lots of upcycled materials and repurposed second-hand pieces, teamed with shiplap panelling on some of the ceilings and walls. ‘I’d describe my style as clean, classic and comfortable New England with some French and farmhouse elements mixed in,’ says Ellen. ‘I love that our home can accommodate my whole family for holidays comfortably, but the spaces don’t feel colossal – they still feel cosy and homey.’