DESIGNadvice ‘When I find something I like in an antiques or junk shop,
I thinkcarefully about where it will work in the room’couplea placetowork– Michelle,asa
designerandmakerofchildren’saccessories,
andWojtekasa musician.‘Workingfrom
homemeansI canbetherewiththegirls
astheygrowup,adjustingmydayaround
them,andworkingwhiletheyplay,’explains
Michelle,whosellsherworkthrough
her Etsyshop,TheFoxintheAttic.
Thecreativecommunityofartistsand
musicianswholivearoundtheirEastSussex
townis anothergreatadvantageofbeing
here.‘I alsolovethearea’shistorichouses
anddistinctivearchitecture,aswellasthe
many interesting events and festivals that
take place in the town,’ says Michelle.
The neighbouring areas are packed with
antiques and junk shops and many of the
period pieces in the house were bought
locally. ‘Because our rooms are large, we had
a lot of space to fill,’ explains Michelle. ‘You
buy things when you find them – that’s how
it works.’ The bedroom shared by their
daughters is full of visual inspiration, from
vintage toys to brightly painted furniture.
‘We wanted a unisex room that was
colourful and fun,’ says Michelle. ‘I likebaskets and portable storage. The girls can
play during the day, and then we can easily
store everything away in the evening.’
In a house this size, there is always
potential. ‘I’d love to redo the master
bathroom,’ says Michelle. ‘One day I will
also get to work on the garden and create a
decked area.’ The couple haven’t yet started
the attic renovation. ‘Wojtek would like
it to be a social space, with a cinema room
and a place for the girls to use when they’re
older,’ says Michelle. ‘It’s so nice to know
we have room to grow as a family.’MASTER BEDROOM
‘I love the look of raw plaster and this
is a similar wall colour,’ says Michelle.
walls in Setting Plaster estate
emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow &
ball. Jaipur green and Coral cotton
dhurrie rug, £195; griselle Indigo blue
bedspread, £339, rockett St george114 | 25bh auguSt 2019