INSPIRING
Completely transformed to make the most of its location, this once-neglected 1950s home set bet ween the sea and the South Downs is now a st ylish family haven and an inspirational work space for its creative owner
HOME PROFILE
WHO LIVES HERE Marie Walshe, a jewellery designer (sorrelbay.com), her partner Sam Kinloch, a land and property auctioneer, and their two children Seth and Sorrel, plus Moth, their Bedlington terrier Italian greyhound cross THE PROPERTY A 1950s chalet bungalow with three bedrooms and two bathrooms in Saltdean, near Brighton, East Sussex
WORK AREA
This page and opposite Marie Walshe at her workbench, with Moth the family dog. As well as the gems and rocks she uses to make her jewellery, Marie loves to be surrounded by plants and artworks. Wall prints, Sarah Arnett (left) and Lee Baker (centre)
LIVING AND WORK AREA
Almost all the internal walls and doors on the ground floor were removed to create the open-plan space, and to make the most of the stunning views that inspired the simple neutral colour palette. Oak parquet flooring adds a warm, mid-century feel. Parquet, Ocean Flooring. Sofa, Made. Lamp and Ercol sideboard, both flea market finds
After their son Seth was born, Marie Walshe and Sam Kinloch decided they wanted to live somewhere more spacious and convenient than their maisonette in the Brighton and Hove area, and made the decision to relocate to nearby Saltdean. ‘There’s such a lovely atmosphere here,’ explains Marie. ‘And I love the lido and easy access to the beach. The town is built in a beautiful way, set around an oval with the green in the centre.’ So it was a stroke of luck that while on a run one morning, Marie spotted a ‘for sale’ sign on a tired chalet bungalow with stunning views, and instantly knew it was the house for her and her family: ‘We felt as though we were buying a big portion of the sky.’
After being empty for years, the house was in need of modernisation. However, the couple are ‘pretty handy’, so did much of the work themselves along with the help of specialist trades. As it’s a corner property, surrounded by gardens and vistas of the South Downs, they wanted to take advantage of the views and the natural light, so removed almost all the internal walls and doors on the ground floor. Aself-confessed light addict, Marie ensured that ‘anything that had been a window became patio doors or bifolds’.
Initially, the couple worked with an architect who tried to persuade them to divide the huge kitchen in order to create another bedroom and therefore add value. But for this family the value is in the light and space that an open-plan layout has given them. ‘It’s a wonderful place to cook and entertain in,’ confirms Marie. Instead, they re
