Houzz Tour: Seaside Home's Charms Come to Light

When interior designer Denny Cartwright happened upon this terraced house near the sea in Whitstable, north Kent, England, she and husband Phil had just finished renovating a four-bedroom detached property and had sworn never to move again. “You fall for houses like you do men,” Denny says with a laugh. “You fall in love, and that’s exactly what happened with this house.” The home occupies a spot right near the seafront but is tucked away so it’s quite secluded. The couple put in an offer without even looking inside, and kept offering more until they got it.

The first time they saw the interior — after the sale’s completion — it was rather a shock. “It was very small, dark and poky, and it didn’t have the right layout at all,” Denny says. “After crying at the state of what I’d 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 and Denny Cartwright
Location: Whitstable, Kent, England
Size: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Year built: 1902

The kitchen was originally in a narrow space at the back of the house, with a bathroom tacked on to the end. “It was very dark, narrow and old,” Denny, of Whitstable Island Interiors, says. So they moved it to the front of the house. “We took a wall out and turned a front room and second reception room into a large kitchen-diner and office,” she says.

Countertops: Corian; wall paint: Brilliant White, Crown

Dream Spaces: 12 Beautiful White Kitchens


Denny opted for open kitchen shelving, which her husband made. “I like what it does visually. The eye is drawn along the lines right to the back wall,” she says. She’s stacked them with glassware, as it sparkles and reflects the light, keeping the space open and airy.

All the walls in the home are painted brilliant white. “I can’t live without light,” Denny says. “All the color should come from the things you choose to put into a home, but the walls must disappear.”

Glassware: mix of vintage, Ikea and John Lewis


When the couple bought it, the house had uneven floors that let drafts through. So they took up the boards, had the floors fixed to block drafts, then had the old boards reinstalled and a new oak floor, which they bought from a local wood supplier, laid on top. “It does wonders for insulation, and the gloss reflects light and gives you a sense of space,” Denny says. She found the pedestal dining table on eBay and painted it white.

Dining chairs: Bramley, Laura Ashley; blind fabric: Runaway Coast; clock: Thomas Kent


Denny can sew and work in this study nook, in the corner of the dining room. Phil made the desk and bookshelf himself, and Denny found the chair in an antiques shop. Everything is painted white in keeping with the rest of the home.

Enter the Office Nook


The living room is at the back of the house, where the kitchen used to be. The couple had the home extended before moving in. “We got rid of the nasty lean-to and had the old kitchen area rebuilt and extended, with bifold doors onto the garden. In summer the doors just disappear; it’s wonderful,” Denny says.

She had her sofa re-covered in white linen. “If you have decent furniture, just have it re-covered,” she says. “It gets squishier and lovelier as time goes on, and you become fonder and fonder of it.” Denny made all of the cushions herself, to make sure they were unique. “I like it that no one has the same designs,” she says.

Sofa, armchairs: Derwent; curtain fabric, John Lewis


Denny found this blanket in a National Trust shop. “You get magpie-like when you see something lovely,” she says. “My rule is that nothing must match, but everything must go together.” The door is original. “It’s nice to see something that’s not perfect — it’s scratched to pieces and is a little bit of real,” Denny says.

Radiator: Acova, B&Q; shelving: custom by Ma Maison et Moi


The hallway is covered in paintings, photos and children’s drawings. “It’s the one place where color is a riot,” Denny says. She found the old British Rail Gentlemen sign 15 years ago, and is still on the lookout for a Ladies sign to match.

Carpeting: John Lewis; wall paint: Brilliant White, Crown


The master bedroom is both snug and light. The couple made the headboard themselves using Laura Ashley fabric, now discontinued. “Often modern designs are so easy to make,” Denny says, “and it ensures you’re the only person who owns it.” The blinds are made out of simple lining material.

Denny loves the wooden chair, which she found at an auction. “It’s such a pretty seat,” she says. “It’s one of the most feminine chairs I’ve ever seen.”

Bedside table: Burford, The Cotswold Company; knitted throw: Laura Ashley; duvet cover: Harrods; bedside lamp: Arstid, Ikea


The couple rent out their guest room. “My husband did all the woodwork,” Denny says. “We wanted it to feel very cottage-y.” The built-in shelving is an efficient use of space and makes a cozy nook for the bed.

Bedspread: Urbanara; pillows: handmade by Denny

20 of the Coziest Bedrooms on Houzz


The window seat in the guest room was built by Phil, and Denny made the cushion. They painted the floorboards white to accentuate the coastal cottage feel.


The serene bathroom was formerly a bedroom. “When it comes to the bathroom, you just want somewhere to hide away — somewhere lovely, elegant and simple,” Denny says. She used travertine tiles on the walls and floor to create continuity, and kept the space quite simple for an uncluttered feel. “I didn’t want a lot of shelving,” she says.

Toilet, tub: Villeroy & Boch; shutters: Simply Shutters; sink: imported from Italy; baskets: local charity and secondhand shops


Glass jars are filled with shells. “We collected them from the beach near us,” Denny says. “They’re something local that reflect the seaside and where we are.”


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

Tell us: How have you brought light into your home? Share your tips and photos in the Comments section.

Browse more homes by style:
Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Eclectic Homes | Modern Homes | Contemporary Homes | Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Barn Homes | Townhouses | Apartments | Lofts | Vacation Homes

URL: Houzz Tour: Seaside Home's Charms Come to Light http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-25190.html