25bh | regency terrace
S
ome 10 years ago, artist Mark Rochester and
knitwear designer Martin Storey swapped their
two-bedroom house in south London for a
four-storey Regency terrace in the north Devon
seaside town of Ilfracombe. While the couple both loved
living in London, the move was prompted by the need
for more studio space. ‘I grew up about 10 miles down
the coast from here, and I knew we’d be able to find a
suitable property,’ says Mark. Even so, he was surprised
when the third property they saw on the first day turned
out to be everything he and Martin wanted. ‘Its position
overlooking the town was fantastic, as was the light that
poured into the southwest-facing front rooms,’ he says.
‘At the rear, we completely reconfigured the rooms,’
Mark continues. ‘It was a labyrinth of claustrophobic
rooms, but getting rid of the internal walls transformed
the space.’ One of the ground-floor rooms is now Mark ’s
studio, while Martin’s is at the top of the house. ‘The
floors in between are our living spaces,’ says Mark. ‘We
couldn’t believe how spacious it was at first, but once
we’d moved in, those empty rooms filled up quickly.’
Minimalism is not a concept that either Mark or
Martin are familiar with. ‘Collecting is in our DNA and1 kITChEN
This space at the rear _
formerly two rooms –
had the ceiling stripped
out and the walls painted
white and kept free of
cupboards, so decorative
pottery and glasses could be
displayed on open shelves.
Driftwood boats, price on
request, Rachel Sumner.
Battersby wall clock, £115,
Newgate. Find vintage
enamel bread bins, from£38, Etsy. Bistro chair in
Willow Green has this look,
£62, The Worm That Turned
2 DININg ROOM
A pretty floral wallpaper
designed by Mark creates a
seamless blend between this
room and the walled garden.
Antique museum cases, price
on request, Pamono. See
details of Mark’s paintings
and exhibitions on Instagram
@markrochesterpaintings2
1
36 | 25bh july 2019