Your Home – August 2019

http://www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk August 2019 83

REAL HOME

well,’ she says. Two new bathrooms were
also fitted, and old-fashioned carpets
replaced with laminate flooring.
With the lion’s share of the building work
completed in just three months, Christina
then began planning the decorating
scheme. ‘Nigel and I had lived in France
for 10 years so I wanted a French country
look, and as we live beside the sea, it was
impossible to ignore the coastal influence,’
she smiles. ‘In the end, I combined the
two styles – I like to call it ‘coastal with
a French twist!’ Years of working as an
interior designer has taught Christina that
it’s important to create a sense of visual
continuity, especially when decorating
smaller properties. ‘I’ve learned that it’s
best to choose three main colours, and use
them in every room,’ she says. ‘Mix up the
patterns and textures by all means, but
stick to your three basic colours.’
Having splashed out on the bespoke
kitchen units, she aimed to save money
elsewhere in the flat by upcycling some of
her favourite furniture from her previous
home, rather than buying entirely new

Christina brought

the glass-topped

dining table and

vintage kitchen

dresser from her

previous home to

create a cosy dining

corner. The roller

blind fabric is from

Clarke & Clarke.

‘The sailing boat

pattern really sets

the coastal theme,’

smiles Christina

Christina designed

the classic Shaker-

style kitchen herself,

and had it built by

a local carpenter.

‘It looks a lot more

expensive than it

actually was, and it

was well within our

budget,’ she says.

The blue kettle and

toaster came from

John Lewis

The iridescent mosaic

tiles are Christina’s

favourite feature in the

kitchen. ‘I bought them at

Fired Earth and they were

a bit of an extravagant

buy, but I love seeing

them every day.’

Good idea!

Christina has used garden chairs

at her dining table as they fitted

the colour scheme and were a

bargain, using cushions to make

them more comfortable.