KENT COASTAL HOME
Michael and Olivia Costello’s 18th-century Georgian townhouse has been thoughtfully renovated with a nod to nostalgia, along with interesting contemporary twists
FEATURE KAREN JENSEN-JONES
Whether it’s admiring the sunrise through the original Georgian windows, drinking their morning tea on the beach, or enjoying local fish and chips by the wood burner in winter, Michael and Olivia Costello are embracing life just a stone’s throw from the Kent seafront in the heart of Deal’s old town. Alengthy search eventually led to the purchase of afour-storey, listed Georgian townhouse in asought-after location with exceptional sea views.
‘My childhood memories are in Deal, as my grandmother lived here and it’s where my parents met,’ explains Michael, the owner of an advertising agency, whose wife Olivia is atravel writer. ‘I’ve always loved the houses on the seafront and even though Deal’s been through a regeneration, it has managed to keep alot of its heritage and the atmosphere of an old seaside town.’
The house was in good repair when the couple bought it, but their plan was to create amore colourful, vibrant home filled with artwork and treasures from their travels abroad. Under the guidance of interior designer Susan Venn of Susan Venn Design Studio (susanvenn.com), the transformation took ayear to complete and has resulted in arefined yet understated décor with contemporary twists, always maximising the outlook to the sea.
‘Our brief was no seagulls or seashells, but we did want the house to feel aligned with the setting,’ remembers Michael. ‘As the Kent coastline is amuted greenyblue colour, Susan suggested working with that colour combination as our backdrop. The main bedroom has uninterrupted views of the sea, so we used atactile, natural grass wallpaper as it blends with the outdoors.’
Downstairs in the sitting room, artwork of the local coastline was the starting point for the scheme. Plain and patterned fabrics take their lead from the colourful, bold canvas and modern lighting and accessories create acontemporary edge.
‘The colours have worked really well together, and we love the slightly old-school style but with the occasional modern disruption,’ explains Michael. ‘The entrance hall has asimilar feel, with an unusual, wallpapered ceiling in abotanical print to catch the eye through the glass pane above the door. It’s a unique entrance and looks intriguing as you walk past.’
The dining area, with acentrepiece blue patterned banquette, has an old English air, leading to the modern kitchen at the back of the house, painted in alively and warm mustard hue. Acurated ensemb
