‘We brought coastal cool to our Oxford home’

Inspired by the seaside and nature, art teacher Jess Jones has transformed a dated 1950s bungalow into a family living space filled with quirky murals and creative details

See how Jess and Sam Jones transformed their bungalow with renovations, vibrant colours and upcycled furniture

Jess and Sam Jones bought their 1950s bungalow in the small Oxfordshire village of Cassington eight years ago, as they liked the plot and saw the potential for it to be a wonderful family home – once they worked their creative magic on its lessthan-perfect interior. ‘We loved the area, which was near good schools, and with two toddlers and another on the way this was really important to us,’ Jess says. ‘The house was very dated when we bought it, though, as nothing had been changed since it was built by the previous owners in the 1950s. It came complete with a free-standing retro kitchen, beige wood chip and flocked wallpaper, Artex ceilings and patterned carpets – it was really quite grim!’ she adds.

Originally a two-bedroom property, they started to make plans to renovate soon after moving in. ‘We couldn’t wait to strip out the old kitchen, bathroom, carpets and wallpaper, but we also wanted to create an open-plan living, cooking and dining space. We initially thought we would just knock through the original bedroom, kitchen and bathroom walls at the back and then extend out to create bedrooms and a bathroom, but a structural engineer friend said that there was so much

‘Most of our furniture is second-hand... you can’t beat the quality and design of mid-century furniture.’

space in the attic and that we could have three bedrooms and a bathroom up there. We decided to go for that option rather than extending the bungalow,’ says Jess.

The young family were fortunate to move into another property in the village while the work was being done. ‘Amazingly, we were able to house-sit a neighbour’s home while she went travelling – the timing couldn’t have been any better,’ Jess adds. The renovation of the bungalow took six months to complete. ‘We had the builders fit basic kitchen and bathroom ranges and oak flooring throughout, and they painted the walls white as we didn’t have much of a budget or time to think about colour palettes and make design decisions back then, with three young kids in tow! But it was fine for what we needed at that time,’ Jess says.

Three years on, the family realised they were outgrowing their home. ‘We had saved

‘We couldn’t wait to strip out the old kitchen, bathroom, carpets and wallpaper, but we also wanted to create an open-plan living, cooking and dining space.’

up and decided the time was right to extend at the back of the property, so that each child had their own bedroom, but also to create a dining room and utility off of the kitchen,’ says Jess. The large hallway provided space for a new staircase, and the couple also created a small en suite for their new bedroom.

It was once this building work was completed that Jess began on her colour journey in their home. ‘We chose blue geometric tiles for the dining room, and this started the ball rolling,’ she says. Soon after, Jess was inspired to paint the sitting rooms at the front of the house, the hallway and the bedrooms. ‘I also started to upcycle secondhand furniture with tester pots of paint, like the old school lockers that used to be in my classroom,’ she adds. ‘Most of our furniture is second-hand, not just with sustainability

‘My inspiration comes from our holidays in Cornwall and Wales. I love blues, greens, yellows and pops of colour.’

in mind but also because you can’t beat the quality and design of mid-century furniture.’

The family’s home is now full of colour and Jess’s art, including her own wall murals. She describes her style as ‘quite abstract, inspired by nature and the sea. I’ve always loved the Impressionists, such as Monet.’ When her children were little, she didn’t have time for creating art at home. ‘But now I have a bit more ‘me’ time and I can get out my paints and brushes, often with the kids joining in,’ she says. ‘My inspiration comes from our holidays in Cornwall and Wales. I love blues, greens, yellows and pops of colour. Being land-locked in Oxfordshire, we wanted a coastal feel in our home that we could enjoy all year round – I think we’ve achieved that.’

Next on the couple’s to-do list are the family bathroom and their son’s bedroom.

‘At the moment they are still fairly basic from the original renovation, but I’ve got lots of colourful ideas for them that will come into fruition soon, hopefully!’ Jess says.

Jess has kept the kitchen fresh and light with white Howdens units, and added touches of blue for a coastal vibe

The couple’s once-dated bungalow has been given a new look outside and in, with a remodelled layout that works for their family

The dining room was the first space in the house Jess put her stamp on, choosing bold geometric floor tiles from Planet Tiles and Farrow & Ball’s Parma Grey on the walls One of the many pieces Jess has found by other artists and makers, a Lucy Tiffney wall hanging fits right in with Jess’s style

The open-plan lounge features coastal-inspired artwork and Danish and mid-century furniture. ‘We source it from vintage and antique dealers and online,’ Jess says The retro-look locker unit was originally in Jess’s school. ‘They were going to throw it out, so I bought it and used it in my classroom for years before bringing it home for a makeover,’ she says

Transforming one of the bungalow’s original bedrooms has given the family a second living space, with a mural in Jess’s signature vibrant style and a nest of tables she upcycled Jess’s wowfactor feature mural and Farrow & Ball’s Stiffkey Blue walls create a dramatic yet comfy, cocooning feel in the living room The hallway’s unique mural and staircase, painted in Farrow & Ball’s Stone Blue, reflects the arty vibe of the rest of Jess’s home

Rather than a standard white basin, Jess has chosen a pastel pink one from ConcreteEtc for a subtle splash of colour The couple redecorated their bedroom with walls in Farrow & Ball’s Calluna and a pink bed from Feather & Black. ‘I intend to put more pictures up, but I’m enjoying the calming lilac colour,’ Jess says

Creativity runs in the family, as Jess and Sams’ eldest daughter, Cadi, painted the mural on the ceiling herself, and has paired it with vintage furniture and artwork by OMG Kitty at Fy! Ffion’s bedroom is a colourful and cosy space, with a nature-inspired mural at one end and scalloped design on the side walls