DREAM HOME
INDUSTRIAL STYLING AND A MONOCHROME PALETTE HAVE CREATED AN ELEGANT AND EDGY COASTAL ESCAPE FOR JAMES BRETT TO RELAX IN WHEN OFF DUTY
FEATURE ALISON GIBB/CARRIE MITCHELL STYLING CATHY DEAN
HOME NOTES
WHO LIVES HERE?
Geologist James Brett lives here when he is home from his globetrotting day job.
THE PROPERTY
A beautifully renovated and extended threebedroom stone cottage in Northumberland.
Living room
Natural materials, warm paint colours and cosy fabrics contrast with bold black elements. ‘Interior designer Cathy Dean introduced me to Benjamin Moore paints – its warm shades are perfect for the country setting,’ says James.
HANGING LAMPS
Sculptural lighting provides drama and interest against soft furnishings and natural stone textures
James Brett was brought up near the cottage where he now lives, on the beautiful Northumberland coast. His parents still live in the village, and once he graduated and became established in his career, which involves a lot of international travel, he realised he wanted to have a base near home.
His mother had previously worked with interior designer Cathy Dean of Studio Dean, and James was lucky enough to be introduced to her at just the right time.
‘I’d bought a dated cottage and wanted to revamp it into something a bit more unique,’ he explains. ‘It was pine-lined with lowered ceilings and lino on the floors. An architect had come up with a solution that gave me the three bedrooms I wanted, but it didn’t quite work for me; it was filled with lots of corridors and very little storage. I wanted the house to flow better, and when I met Cathy, I felt her ideas had much more potential, so I was delighted to engage her.’
Kitchen
The kitchen is cleverly laid out so James can enjoy the views while cooking at the peninsula. Scorched reclaimed wooden doors added to Ikea cabinetry create an industrial edge.
ORIGINAL DETAILS
Exposing the original beams and rafters restored the period charm, while adding height and a sense of space
BARN DOOR
Conceals a boiler room, utility room and linen store, separating the functional spaces from the atmospheric kitchen and dining area
They came up with a simple solution – adding a porch and extending the kitchen. ‘The extension includes a wall of glass that leads out onto a raised patio and the views, which you can enjoy inside while cooking or from the
