Inspired by far-flung travel and traditional craf ts, a designer has created a vibrant family home on the south coast, with an eclectic bohemian vibe and a lot of positive energy
KITCHEN
Every surface is a platform for creativity, including the top of the fridge. Units and worktop, Ikea. Table and chairs, vintage. Cabinet, Maisons du Monde. Pendants, Lampsy. Walls in Jewel Beetle, Little Greene. Tiles, Bert & May. Artwork, H&M. Rug, La Redoute
HOME PROFILE
WHO LIVES HERE Sam Grigg, an interior stylist and designer, her daughters Pearl and Olive, dog Lola and cat Tallulah THE PROPERTY A detached three-bedroom bungalow built in 1969 in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex
WORKSPACE
‘I zoned off my desk area with a large rug and filled it with art, vases and plants so it doesn’t feel too work-like,’ says Sam. Desk, reclaimed scaffold boards. Trestle legs, Ikea. Desk chair, Wayfair. Filing cabinet, Mustard. Hanging chair, Rose & Grey. Ceiling pendant, vintage store. Blinds, Ikea. Artwork, Erika Simm, Hülya Özdemir
‘When I found this bungalow, I could see immediately that it had the potential to be something very special,’ says Sam Grigg of her coastal home in St Leonards-on-Sea – a vibrant, arty town bursting with character. She was also enticed by the property’s simple footprint; a long rectangular box with a lovely sloping garden, a big weeping willow and lots of mature shrubs. ‘Coming from a third-floor flat in London, it was heaven!’ she enthuses. The original owner bought the property when it was first built in 1969 and hadn’t changed anything, so Sam and her then-partner certainly had their work cut out. But it had strong bones, including the clean lines and expansive glazing typical of mid-century Modernist homes. ‘The generous windows in the main living space were another reason we decided to buy this place,’ Sam recalls. ‘There are beautiful views across the valley and summer sunsets that fill the room with a warm glow.’
To improve the flow of the layout, the first job was to remove the walls separating the kitchen from the sitting room and hallway. The lean-to conservatory was also demolished and the fitted kitchen replaced with a four-metre run of base units and a wraparound worktop. Large sliding doors were installed to lead out onto a new raised terrace and the uPVC white windows were upgraded to smart black aluminium replacements.
But even more change was afoot. ‘After the girls’ dad moved out a few years ago, I completely redecorated – papering and painting practically every surface,’ Sam explains. ‘The equivalent of a new haircut for an interior stylist, I guess! I really felt the need to bring a new energy to the house and “cleanse” it with colour. It was probably therapy for me as my surroundings ha
