LIGHTING Get a fresh look VISIT OUR SHOWROOM FOR QUALITY DESIGNER LIGHTING Open 9:00am - 5:30pm Monday - Saturday • Tel: 01420 590510 • www.elsteadlighting.com Elstead Lighting Ltd, Elstead House, Mill Lane, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2QJ
over the rooftops is amazing...” His enthusiasm is infectious. I sit in one of two leather chairs by the living room window. “They were found for us by a lady in St Leonards who has a shop called Sideshow Interiors. We were after two perfect chairs, but they needed to feel loved, worn, and very gentlemanly... We saw these and just fell in love with them.” The large Edwardian sofa next to my seat they found in a skip in Leytonstone, East London, where they used to live. There is no overarching theme to this room, it’s just a mix of eras, styles and hand-picked objects – one or two of which are very ‘of the moment’; think taxidermy, retro drinks trolleys and a touch of macrame, in the form of a bright yellow hanging basket. “We did a course last year. I think the one in the bathroom is probably stronger in terms of the look – that one’s David’s. I cut the ends too short on mine!” says James, modestly. So, what’s the key to this effortless, organic style? “More people are mixing period pieces and styles and creating their own look. We buy things we really love. As you walk through the house you’ll see pieces from East Germany, we have Danish pieces of furniture, Victorian pieces, French painted cupboards. The eclectic mix is there but the way it’s styled should feel a little bit calmer.” It’s not a house that feels cluttered or cramped, despite its relatively small rooms. Even the darker basement and ground floor rooms feel artfully composed and relaxing spaces to spend time in. To appreciate the contrast in decor and natural light – as well as the view of the sea – we head up to the studio on the top floor. “This is one of our favourite rooms,” says James. “We sit up here, we chat about creative stuff, look at the view and it gives you that lovely calm feeling.” Next to the window is what appears to be a well-upholstered, firm sofa. It is in fact a 1950s, East German sofa bed. “In the summer we pull the window up... You can just lie here – or I’ll just drift off in the afternoon. I’m an early bird, so I get up at six, go for a walk with Cooper. By about three o’clock, it’s time to relax!” Simply furnished, the other walls are taken up by a book‐case – in front of a glass-topped desk – and a plain wall with a rudimentary fireplace. “The fireplace was covered over, but we knew there was something there, so we made a hole ourselves.” The space, where a fireplace should go, is stacked with logs. “We didn’t want it to feel too polished. The fireplace is a work in progress... as is the whole house.” Unlike the rooms on the lower floors, James and David have used a lighter palette on this floor. The walls in the studio are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Parchment, the doors in French Grey and floorboards in Pavilion. An ethereal lamp hovers behind the armchair in which James sits: “It was a gift from two of our closest friends, Andrew and Pip, who own the shop Le Chien et Moi in Nottingham. It’s Danish, very early 50s, but otherwise we know very little about it.” Rather than nodding off in the calm of the top-floor studio, it’s time for our tour to continue. Next door is the sparkling, 1930s-feel bathroom, with marble-effect tiling and huge old bath with wood-panelled sides painted, as are the This page: The staircase that winds up through the house is used to display more of the couple’s finds 57
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wedding Supplement inside Inspirati
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94 94 HIGH HIGH STREET GUILDFORD GU
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- Page 9 and 10: Contents February 2017 THE WINTER E
- Page 11 and 12: Unlock a New Way of Living
- Page 13 and 14: tel. 01483 268 555 www.rogercoupe.c
- Page 15 and 16: HERON GARDENS The Frenches Redhill
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- Page 19 and 20: The Audi A4 Avant quattro. Take it
- Page 21 and 22: ENHANCE YOUR HOME WITH A Bespoke Oa
- Page 23 and 24: Maker in focus... Until Saturday 25
- Page 25 and 26: Affordable, Simple and Safe: Motori
- Page 27 and 28: ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE See the full
- Page 29 and 30: ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Had enough wi
- Page 31 and 32: Award Winning Care Homes Sussex Hea
- Page 33 and 34: AMERICAN SHUTTERS Over 20 Years Exp
- Page 35 and 36: Editor’s Letter I’m always envi
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- Page 40 and 41: Words: Jennifer Stuart-Smith Photog
- Page 42 and 43: Irresistible comfort In our unmissa
- Page 44 and 45: Above: Cooper stands guard in the l
- Page 46 and 47: Art For Your Future McAllister Thom
- Page 48 and 49: “We had a very clear plan: we wan
- Page 50 and 51: WE BELIEVE In making things properl
- Page 52 and 53: We head up to the studio on the top
- Page 54 and 55: The Month of Love Celebrating STUNN
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- Page 63 and 64: This page: The master bedroom. Jame
- Page 65 and 66: Ancona cushion cover, £8, PASX pas
- Page 67 and 68: Eco Redefined Christopher Day expla
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- Page 71 and 72: Pre-book discounted tickets online
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- Page 75 and 76: Wise Owl Cider Dry slightly sparkli
- Page 77 and 78: Fresh Touch When Peter and Murielle
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- Page 93 and 94: ExpEriEncE a rEal diffErEncE Upper
- Page 95 and 96: Top: A guest room, painted in F&B
- Page 97 and 98: the perfect show for planning your
- Page 99: Weddings A Surrey Homes Supplement
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- Page 104 and 105: Pure form Photos: David Merewether
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Telephone 01737 226569 69 High Stre
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Pronovias Alana dress, £1600, The
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WEDDING & ETERNITY RINGS AT PRESTON
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Silk cami, from £120, silk kimono,
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Classic Car Hire is a privately own
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Experts in Luxury for Your Special
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skinade.com Beautiful skin from the
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WINNER Food and Drink Innovation Fo
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WT Wedding Supplement La de da! vin
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Cookery Courses ■ Chef’s Table
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CHARLIEBROWN COLOUR SALE UP TO 50%
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Our clients range from age 8 to age
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Beauty Fresh in February freeimages
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thinkaction Surrey Help is always n
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Antique & Collectors’: 15 Februar
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Garden pruning There’s always som
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FOR ALL YOUR TREE SURGERY NEEDS ALP
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HURSTPIERPOINT COLLEGE
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Through learning, inspire all to ma
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What’s On In February Children &
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What’s On In February Weybridge K
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LEEDS CASTLE CLASSICAL CONCERT SUMM
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Jane Howard’s Fables from the Far