INSPIRING
Swapping their hectic lives in London for a bungalow in Brighton gave one family the chance to create a contemporary space full of personality, with a few fun touches added along the way
HOME PROFILE
Rachel and Oliver Dorman, their three sons and cats Max and Minnie. Oliver has his own property investment business and Rachel is a homemaker
A four-bedroom 1950s semi-detached chalet bungalow in Brighton
DINING AREA
‘We wanted an open-plan space that felt bright and open,’ says Rachel. Oliver worked with their architect to design a double-vaulted ceiling with curves. The vast expanse of glass offers maximum light while the circular window acts as a focal point for the entire space
KITCHEN/DINER
The bespoke kitchen nods to the 1950s era of the house. Oliver made the patinated splashback by applying different acids to sheet copper. Dining bench in Darwin Barracuda fabric, Sunbury Design. Nori copper pendant lights, Nordlux. Chairs, vintage Eames
Before relocating to Brighton, Rachel and Oliver Dorman had busy lives in west London. ‘During our time living there, Olly developed two flats while we lived in them, one in Shepherd’s Bush and one in Chiswick,’ says Rachel. ‘We loved it, but after our eldest son Monty was born, we knew we wanted to up sticks and move to a more family-friendly location.’ The couple had lots of friends in Brighton and Olly’s property development business partner was already living there, so the move from the capital to the coast and a slower pace of life made perfect sense.
They bought a house in 2012 and lived in it for three years before embarking on renovations, during which time their two youngest boys were born. ‘Our home was very rundown,’ remembers Rachel. ‘The kitchen had last been updated in the 1980s and we had one very small bathroom downstairs, as well as the main bedroom.’ To avoid having to live in a building site with their three sons for two years, they decided to move out while the work was being carried out. Unfortunately, Rachel and Olly’s planning application was refused and they lost an appeal, so they went ahead under permitted development.
LIVING SPACE
Rachel inherited the Ercol coffee table from her grandparents while the flooring is muhuhu reclaimed parquet. Shelving, Born Makers. Wall light, Heal’s. Sideboard, eBay
KITCHEN
The layout was designed by Born Designers and built by Dan Harman. The units were made from birch plywood veneered with cherry and faced with Forbo furniture linoleum in Aquavert and Smokey Blue. Puzzle floor tiles, Barber & Osgerby for Mutina. Island worktop, Corian
SNUG
