SEASIDE HOUSE
Sussex, UK
“Relaxed, artistic and exuberant”
At this East Sussex house, Jonny and Alice have had the opportunity to apply their design methodology to their own home. A labour of love, and an exercise in patience, this project has allowed us to grow as designers and expand our skills, having carried out most of the work ourselves.
This is a work in progress, but we are thrilled with what is emerging, and grateful to the talented and lovely makers, family and friends who have been involved so far.
DESIGN INSPIRATION
The proximity to the ocean led us into a watery world of mythical sea creatures, Victorian pressed seaweeds, local coastal foliage, and a foray into shellwork Frescos by Alice and her sister Chloë. Local historical archery society emblems, existing stained glass, and the shifting sands of nearby Camber all helped guide our aesthetic vision. We wanted to preserve traces of the last owner, a local artist, keeping some floors untouched and the exterior in a bleached blue copper ore.
Jonny designed and installed a five-by-three metre skylight, as well as bespoke kitchen cabinetry, alongside our good friend Jeff. We worked with local tile producers, artists, metalworkers, and upholsterers, to create a relaxed and artistic home, that exuberantly showcases their talents, and indeed our design approach.
BUILDING CONTEXT
With its unassuming façade and nestled down a back street, the house is one of unexpected proportions; becoming grander as you ascend. The first floor once connected through to the adjacent seafront building, home to photography studio Warschawski’s from 1900 up until the Second World War.
We imagine his subjects up being led up the surprisingly grand staircase to the studio on the second floor, after which the building was named. The age is listed very vaguely, as being built between 1800-1900 – but what’s a hundred years in the grand scheme of design!
Images by Kether Clouder.