Project Description
HASTINGS, EAST SUSSEX, UK
SEASIDE TOWN HOLIDAY COTTAGE
The brief for this seaside cottage renovation was to create much better harmonious living space; an eat in kitchen with all modern appliances; lockable attic access and storage for the owners and cleaners; to instal a new boiler and central heating throughout with a wifi controlled thermostat, so the owner can control this from abroad; a TV that can be watched from all living room areas; to sleep min 5 people; to have a bathroom with good storage for towels and toiletries; to create ample storage in both bedrooms, the living room and the kitchen; to create the look and feel of an inviting seaside cottage, which can be used as a holiday let as well as a private holiday home, and last but not least an improved outdoor sitting area;
This was achieved by removing both staircases and replacing them with centrally located spiral stairs opposite each other, which created not only ease of traffic between the there floors, but also more and more usable and harmonious space in the kitchen, living room and the 2nd bedroom.
The new kitchen is fully equipped with every appliance built in, and there is space for one or two foldable tables, which can also be taken outside to provide al fresco dining. The splash backs are made of mirror to add light and an illusion of spaciousness. The 3 burner hob fits perfectly into the previous fireplace, and a built in dishwasher is cleverly disguised behind drawer fronts to the right of the oven. A pull out drawer under the sink houses the trash bins and cleaning products.
A square spiral staircase was installed in the space that previously housed a boiler and water tank, which was replaced with a new condensing boiler. The entrance to the bathroom is now directly opposite the new stairs, whereas previously one had to cross both the living room and the kitchen to reach it.
Previously, the second bedroom could only accommodate a single bed. Now, in the additional space created through the removal of the previous stairs, a pretty double/single bunk bed now provides space for 3 people with pull out storage drawers under. A custom built drawer unit now occupies the previous fireplaces, with custom built wardrobes in each alcove either side. A blue and white colour scheme was used throughout. A combination of a warm blue feature wall with very pale shades of blue on the other walls and white for the furniture provide a fresh yet calm setting for the master bedroom.
Tongue and groove paneling was used on some walls to give the cottage more of a coastal feeling, to box in and hide away the newly installed central heating radiators and to create a window sill substitute, so that a few decorative items could be positioned on them.
The home was decorated and equipped to function both as a holiday home for letting, but also as a family home, when the family, who live in Singapore, come over to Europe. The creation of ample custom built storage space, some of which is lockable to keep it private, was, therefore, a key ingredient in this project. There is also an attic space that was renovated and carpeted, which is for the exclusive use of the family.
The sofa was custom made to fit exactly into the available space, and there are features such as a Wifi remote controlled thermostat, and a hoover hidden on each floor, so that the stairs don’t get damaged by the cleaners lagging equipment from floor to floor.
