Coastal Country Renovation Itchenor

A massive architectural and interior extension to a beautiful country home on the coast in Itchenor, West Sussex. It started with an idea to create a walk-in pantry and new laundry room, but with time the brief evolved into something rather spectacular. With lockdown, our clients needed an office space away from the hustle and bustle of a busy household. Our mandate was to design a wing which could accommodate a study, gym, cinema room and bar while developing a walk-in pantry and utility room in the main house.

It was important that the office could be accessed both via the main house and externally by visitors. A basement was created for this study, along with a sympathetic extension for the gym.
The dry-stacked limestone surround and stairs of the new extension were selected to pick up on the existing wall of the pool area. The Corten addition over the sliding doors to the study gives a modern weather protection to the outside courtyard. The courtyard is finished in charred larch to offset the stunning Japanese cloud trees. The extension on the floor above the study provides a large home gym and outside terrace for yoga and workouts in nature. Extensively landscaping was undertaken alongside the architecture and interior design.

From an interior design point of view, this was a delightful project with fantastic clients who trusted us to create their dream space with some fun touches. Our clients wanted rooms that felt which they had been there forever. In the study we designed custom joinery with an antique-look finish and panelled ceiling throughout. A bespoke oak partners desk with leather top was created, along with a study bar complete with brass shelves and antiqued mirror. An open fire was designed with a pietra grey marble surround. The room was topped off with antique brass fixtures and fittings, period furniture, and tweed curtains and cushions.

The pièce de resistance of this exciting project was an exquisite home bar that is equally suited for cold winter nights and summer days by the pool. Again, we designed bespoke joinery with an antique finish. The bar itself is accented with full grain leather panels and brass studs. The impressive bar top is over four metres long and was made from aged brass in Liverpool, along with the shelves on the back bar. The brass pairs with bronze fantasy marble, antiqued mirror, and vintage French Holophane pendants. Despite its aged appearance the bar has all the modern conveniences, including an icemaker, glasswasher, fridges and tap complete with boiling and sparkling water. Adjoining the bar is a professional level gym with access to the pool and exercise terrace. Not forgetting the original brief, the clients now also have a charming walk-in pantry and a stylish laundry room in the main house!