HOMES

16 | 25bh oCtober 2017 for stockists go to where to buysize of the house, and I was keen to create alarge kitchen and open-plan living area wherewe could hang out with our son, Charlie, now7.’ But their ideas for the new room soon hita snag. ‘Halfway through the building work,we discovered a fireplace in the area we’dearmarked as the utility room, and realisedit would have been perfect for a log burnerin the open-plan family area – but it was toolate to change our plans.’ Two years ago,however, the couple finally completed theirvision by repositioning the utility room in thehall and installing their longed-for log burner.Lottie’s contemporary-meets-classicapproach to decorating is evident throughoutthis elegant, light-filled home. Downstairs,an impressive entrance hall leads to thekitchen-diner and through to a strikingsitting room and dining room, which thecouple use mainly for entertaining. Upstairs,the bedrooms have a modern, luxuriousfeel, and the same design philosophy extendsto the conservatory and pool. ‘That partof the house was full of dark wood,’ saysLottie. ‘It was really oppressive and felt likea ship’s cabin. We decided to paint it whiteand put down porcelain floor tiles.’ Thespace doubles as a playroom for Charlie, andleads out to the pool area, which has beencompletely refurbished to create a cool,calm and streamlined feel.‘Throughout the whole house, we wantedto create something gorgeous, that could alsofunction as a comfortable family home,’ saysLottie. ‘That was our goal, and I’m so happywith the result. I’ve learnt that there’s noneed to rush to make decisions – we’ve takenour time and I think it’s paid off.’design inspiration ‘We’ve stayed in somegreat hotels and I’ve got fantastic ideas from them. IfI love the way a room feels, I’ll ask for details of thecolours used, or where they sourced the furniture’CHARLIE’S BEDROOMToys are stowed away in large, built-in cabinets.Stars throw, £20, John Lewis. walls painted inFrench grey Pale absolute matt emulsion,£42 per 2.5 litres, Little greene