Brighton Grade II Listed Cottage

This Grade II listed cottage, set in a picturesque village near Brighton, was purchased as a second home for a client wanting to be closer to family. A keen collector of fine art and antique furniture, he wanted the cottage to become a characterful and welcoming home that would provide the perfect backdrop for his collection.

The property required a complete renovation. Years of deterioration had resulted in significant damp and structural issues, including a failing roof, while its listed status meant every intervention needed to be carefully considered.

I managed the project from concept through to completion, overseeing the interior design, structural works, specialist contractors and bespoke elements, as well as liaising with the local authority and securing the necessary Listed Building Consent. The cottage was stripped back extensively, with a new roof installed, a skylight introduced above the staircase and vaulted ceilings created to bring light and a greater sense of space to the upper floor. Original roof timbers were retained and restored wherever possible, allowing the history of the building to remain visible.

The interiors were designed to feel collected and individual rather than newly renovated. Marble and herringbone flooring sit alongside antique furniture, artwork and rugs, with rich colour, pattern and traditional fabrics adding warmth and personality throughout.

I designed the bespoke kitchen and its curved island, together with fitted cabinetry, a bespoke bed and wardrobe. New rustic joinery was also designed to sit naturally alongside the cottage's original doors and architectural details.

One of my favourite elements is the staircase, where the walls have become a gallery for the client's collection of portraits and a bespoke stair runner was created using two antique Persian rugs. Bathrooms combine traditional sanitary ware, marble, brass and antique-inspired pieces with unexpected colour and pattern.

The completed cottage brings together conservation, bespoke design and contemporary functionality while retaining the sense that the interior has evolved over time. A highly personal home that celebrates the client's art and antiques alongside the history and character of the building.