Houzz Tour: A charming, bright and Handcrafted Home by the Sea

Houzz Tour: A charming, bright and Handcrafted Home by the Sea - When designer Denny Cartwright inside arrived on this terraced house near the sea in Whitstable, north Kent, and she her husband Phil had just finished renovating four bedroom detached property and had vowed never to move again. "You fall for homes you like men, 'Denny laughed,' you fall in love, and that's exactly what happened with this house. The house occupies a place near the waterfront, but it is hidden is quite isolated. Denny and Phil put in an offer without even looking inside, and kept offering more and more until they got.

The first time they saw inside - after completion - it was rather a shock. "It was very small, dark and pokey, and he has no right layout at all, Denny said. "After crying to state that I had bought for a while, I knew what I wanted to do." Fast forward three years and the Cartwrights finally have their dream home on the coast.

Houzz at a glance
Who lives here Phil Denny and Cartwright
Location Whitstable, Kent
Size 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
built 102
designer Denny Cartwright Whitstable Island Interiors

Whitstable Island Interiors

kitchen was originally in a narrow space at the back of the house with a bathroom tacked on the end. "It was very dark, cramped and old," says Denny. So they moved to the front of the house. "We took on a wall and shot a front chamber and the second reception room in a large kitchen-dining room and office," she said.

Worktop Corian. Wall painted with bright white crown.

Check whiter kitchens

Whitstable Island Interiors

Denny opted for open kitchen shelves, as her husband did. "I like what he did visually. The eye is drawn along the lines right of the back wall, "she said. It is stacked with their glassware as it shines and reflects light, with an open and airy space.

Everything in the house was painted bright white. "I can not live without light," says Denny. "All the color should come from things that you choose to put in a house, but the walls must disappear."

Tableware, a mix of vintage finds, Ikea and John Lewis.

Whitstable Island Interiors

When the couple bought the house had very uneven floors that allow projects through. So they took the boards and then had the story-test projects, reinstalled the old boards and a new oak floor, they come from a local lumber supplier, laid on top. "It does wonders for insulation, and the glossy reflects light and gives you a sense of space, said Denny. She found the dining table pedestal on eBay and painted white.

blind fabric, Runaway Coast. Clock, Thomas Kent. Chairs, Laura Ashley.

Whitstable Island Interiors

corner of the study in the corner of the dining room is a space where Denny can sit to sew and work. Phil made the office and himself shelf and Denny is the chair in an antique shop. Everything is painted white in harmony with the rest of the house.

Whitstable Island Interiors

lounge is at the back of the house where the kitchen was. The couple had extended the house before moving. "We got rid of the wicked shed, and had the old kitchen rebuilt and enlarged, with folding doors to the garden. In summer, the doors just disappear, it is wonderful," says Denny.

She his sofa re-covered in white linen. "If you have decent furniture, just have it re-covered," she advises. "It gets squishier and more beautiful as time passes and you become loving and affectionate to one -ci. "she made all the cushions itself, to make sure they were unique." I love that nobody has the same ideas, "she says.

curtain fabric, John Lewis. sofa and armchairs, Derwent.

Whitstable Island Interiors

Denny found that coverage in a national magazine Trust. "you get magpie like when you see something beautiful, she said. "My rule is that nothing should match, but must go hand in hand." The door is original. "It's nice to see something that is not perfect -. It is scratched into pieces and a few real "

Radiator, B & Q Shelves, customized by My House and Me.

Whitstable Island Interiors

The corridor is covered with paintings, photographs and drawings of children. "It is the only place where the color is a riot, Denny said. She found the old British Rail sign Gentlemen ago 15 years, and is always looking for a sign of women's match.

Carpets, John Lewis. Walls painted in brilliant white crown.

Whitstable Island Interiors

the master bedroom is both comfortable and light. The couple made the headboard using fabric Laura Ashley, now discontinued. "Often, modern designs are so easy to do," she says, "and it ensures that you are the only person to whom it belongs." The blinds are made from single coating material.

Denny likes the wooden chair, she found at an auction. "It is such a nice seat, she said. "It is one of the most feminine chairs I know."

Bedside Table, The Cotswold Company. Knit throw, Laura Ashley. Duvet, Harrods. Bedside lamp, Ikea .

Whitstable Island Interiors

the couple rent their room. "My husband did all the woodwork, Denny said." We wanted it to feel very cottagey. the integrated rack is an efficient use of space, and makes a comfortable seating for bed

Bedspread, Urbanara. Cushions, handmade by Denny.

Whitstable Island Interiors

the window seat in the room was built by Phil and Denny made the cushion. They painted the white boards here to really accentuate the coastal cottage feel.

More white room models

Whitstable Island Interiors

The serene bathroom was once a bedroom. "When it comes to the bathroom, you just want a place to hide, Denny said," somewhere beautiful, elegant and simple. She used travertine tile on the walls and floor to create continuity and kept simple enough space for a streamlined look. "I did not want a lot of shelves," she says.

toilet and bathroom, Villeroy & Boch. Shutters, shutters Simply. Basin, imported from Italy. Baskets, charity shops and local opportunity.

Whitstable Island Interiors

glass jars are filled shells. "We collected them from the beach near us, Denny said. "They are something local that reflect the sea and where we are."

Whitstable island Interiors

Phil Denny and enjoy the beach, which is just minutes from their home.

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How did you make the light in your home? Share your tips and photos in the comments below.

Houzz Tour: A charming, bright and Handcrafted Home by the Sea Houzz Tour: A charming, bright and Handcrafted Home by the Sea

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