Wealden Times | WT168 | February 2016 | Wedding supplement inside
Wealden Times - The lifestyle magazine for the Weald
Wealden Times - The lifestyle magazine for the Weald
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Above left: The carpets have been removed throughout, to leave characterful, marked floorboards which fit perfectly with the original panelling on the stairwell<br />
Above right: The grey-painted hallway is naturally lit by an original fanlight window above the front door as well as more contemporary fairy lights and spots<br />
Sea view or no sea view, it’s clear that guests love the atmosphere<br />
at Belvidere Place, the homely touches and the romance of this<br />
majestic building, in a quintessential English seaside town<br />
It’s hard to imagine that the interior wasn’t carefully<br />
planned and curated, especially as the dark-grey walls<br />
and woodwork downstairs make such a bold statement.<br />
“It’s not a fancy Farrow & Ball colour. I was doing<br />
some woodwork and liked the colour of the grey<br />
undercoat I was using – then had a similar colour mixed<br />
especially. I’ve thought of trying other colours since,<br />
but few things go so well as they do with grey.”<br />
Jilly also takes the same ‘unplanned’ approach with<br />
furniture: “I just buy what I like.” Sunbury Antiques<br />
Fair is one place she likes to visit, as well as Dolly Miller<br />
in Margate and Spitalfields Market in London.<br />
Other sources include boot sales, a doctors’ surgery<br />
and even a skip: “A lamp upstairs was on its way to<br />
the tip, before I rescued it.” The furniture just seems<br />
to fit – rather like Jilly’s many happy guests.<br />
“I don’t do internet bookings, only phone<br />
bookings, as I like to speak to my guests when<br />
they book,” she says. “I need to talk to them, to<br />
find out if this is the right place for them.”<br />
One thing she makes clear straight away, is that there<br />
is no sea view – although the beach is only a short<br />
stroll away. “If it’s not right for them, I point them in<br />
the right direction. That way, everyone’s happy.”<br />
Sea view, or no sea view, it’s clear that guests<br />
love the atmosphere at Belvidere Place, the homely<br />
touches and the romance of this majestic building<br />
in a quintessential English seaside town.<br />
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www.wealdentimes.co.uk<br />
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