Backing straight onto the River Rother with uninterrupted views across the salt marshes, the unique collection of buildings that creative director and film-maker John Carver and branding and personal curator Anna Carloss call home are testament to the couple’s creative backgrounds.

TEST One of Cache’s beautifully presented bespoke coffee table books

One of Cache’s beautifully presented bespoke coffee table books

TEST More of John’s artworks, made in collaboration with artist Luke Hannam, hang in a downstairs bedroom above a pair of vintage water skis

More of John’s artworks, made in collaboration with artist Luke Hannam, hang in a downstairs bedroom above a pair of vintage water skis

TEST Sheets of weathered corrugated metal on one wall contrast with the floor-to-ceiling wooden panelling

Sheets of weathered corrugated metal on one wall contrast with the floor-to-ceiling wooden panelling

TEST One of Cache’s beautifully presented bespoke coffee table books

One of Cache’s beautifully presented bespoke coffee table books

TEST Outside, there are two timber decks, both with tables and chairs to eat out on. The deck outside the guest cabin has an outdoor ping pong table and an adjacent fire bowl, surrounded by tree trunk stools. For even closer river watching, there’s a large jetty at high tide level

Outside, there are two timber decks, both with tables and chairs to eat out on. The deck outside the guest cabin has an outdoor ping pong table and an adjacent fire bowl, surrounded by tree trunk stools. For even closer river watching, there’s a large jetty at high tide level

TEST Outside, there are two timber decks, both with tables and chairs to eat out on. The deck outside the guest cabin has an outdoor ping pong table and an adjacent fire bowl, surrounded by tree trunk stools. For even closer river watching, there’s a large jetty at high tide level

Outside, there are two timber decks, both with tables and chairs to eat out on. The deck outside the guest cabin has an outdoor ping pong table and an adjacent fire bowl, surrounded by tree trunk stools. For even closer river watching, there’s a large jetty at high tide level

TEST If Chandler’s Reach sounds like a bit of a boy zone – you are not far off it. The interiors of all four buildings continue the theme of man-toys, with decorative features including vintage water skis, wooden canoes, framed posters for Steve McQueen movies and original art work for Ozzy Osbourne album covers

If Chandler’s Reach sounds like a bit of a boy zone – you are not far off it. The interiors of all four buildings continue the theme of man-toys, with decorative features including vintage water skis, wooden canoes, framed posters for Steve McQueen movies and original art work for Ozzy Osbourne album covers

TEST Crisp white ceilings and floral bedlinen are the perfect foil for the rustic reclaimed wooden flooring and panelling in one bedroom

Crisp white ceilings and floral bedlinen are the perfect foil for the rustic reclaimed wooden flooring and panelling

TEST The couple put in a new kitchen with large drawers – instead of cupboards – fronted with American barn oak. The wood has been used to brilliant effect as facings on an off-the-peg kitchen, so it has a hand-built, rustic look

The couple put in a new kitchen with large drawers – instead of cupboards – fronted with American barn oak. The wood has been used to brilliant effect as facings on an off-the-peg kitchen, so it has a hand-built, rustic look

TEST The lofty master bedroom features a balcony which looks out onto the river

The lofty master bedroom features a balcony which looks out onto the river

TEST The landing. Scarves are tied onto the bannisters, introducing pops of colour to an otherwise neutrally painted space

The landing. Scarves are tied onto the bannisters, introducing pops of colour to an otherwise neutrally painted space

TEST A collection of vintage German pottery in warm shades of orange and red complements the honey-toned sideboard in the hallway downstairs Left: Artwork for Ozzy Osbourne’s album No Rest for the Wicked, for which John was Creative Director, is framed in an ornate gilded frame

A collection of vintage German pottery in warm shades of orange and red complements the honey-toned sideboard in the hallway downstairs Left: Artwork for Ozzy Osbourne’s album No Rest for the Wicked, for which John was Creative Director, is framed in an ornate gilded frame

TEST A collection of vintage German pottery in warm shades of orange and red complements the honey-toned sideboard in the hallway downstairs Left: Artwork for Ozzy Osbourne’s album No Rest for the Wicked, for which John was Creative Director, is framed in an ornate gilded frame

A collection of vintage German pottery in warm shades of orange and red complements the honey-toned sideboard in the hallway downstairs Left: Artwork for Ozzy Osbourne’s album No Rest for the Wicked, for which John was Creative Director, is framed in an ornate gilded frame

TEST The bathroom walls are lined with an eclectic mix of artworks and photographs

The bathroom walls are lined with an eclectic mix of artworks and photographs

TEST The guest cabin is home to a group of six striking images that John created in collaboration with artist Luke Hannam. John takes the black and white photographs, then Luke paints over the top

The guest cabin is home to a group of six striking images that John created in collaboration with artist Luke Hannam. John takes the black and white photographs, then Luke paints over the top

TEST The guest cabin is home to a group of six striking images that John created in collaboration with artist Luke Hannam. John takes the black and white photographs, then Luke paints over the top

The guest cabin is home to a group of six striking images that John created in collaboration with artist Luke Hannam. John takes the black and white photographs, then Luke paints over the top

TEST The guest cabin is home to a group of six striking images that John created in collaboration with artist Luke Hannam. John takes the black and white photographs, then Luke paints over the top

The guest cabin is home to a group of six striking images that John created in collaboration with artist Luke Hannam. John takes the black and white photographs, then Luke paints over the top

TEST John and Anna built the guest cabin from scratch. Decorative tiles on either side of the bed were sourced by Anna from Emery et Cie in Belgium

John and Anna built the guest cabin from scratch. Decorative tiles on either side of the bed were sourced by Anna from Emery et Cie in Belgium

TEST John and Anna built the guest cabin from scratch. Decorative tiles on either side of the bed were sourced by Anna from Emery et Cie in Belgium

John and Anna built the guest cabin from scratch. Decorative tiles on either side of the bed were sourced by Anna from Emery et Cie in Belgium

TEST In contrast to the bedrooms, the dining room features cladding running horizontally rather than vertically along the internal walls

In contrast to the bedrooms, the dining room features cladding running horizontally rather than vertically along the internal walls

TEST In contrast to the bedrooms, the dining room features cladding running horizontally rather than vertically along the internal walls. A life ring and vintage water skis allude to the property’s river setting

A life ring and vintage water skis allude to the property’s river setting

TEST Glass doors lead out from the sitting room and dining area onto a deck shaded by a pergola

Glass doors lead out from the sitting room and dining area onto a deck shaded by a pergola

TEST The fireplace in the sitting room

The fireplace in the sitting room

TEST “John and I are both into the whole process of interior design,” says Anna. “Sometimes it’s a compromise, but it all works out.”

“John and I are both into the whole process of interior design,” says Anna. “Sometimes it’s a compromise, but it all works out.”

TEST A Luke Hannam painting hangs in the sitting room

A Luke Hannam painting hangs in the sitting room

TEST The wilder side of John and Anna’s creativity comes out in their choice of artworks, with large scale original paintings – and some quirky eBay finds – in every room, mixed in with some very special photographs

The wilder side of John and Anna’s creativity comes out in their choice of artworks, with large scale original paintings – and some quirky eBay finds – in every room, mixed in with some very special photographs

TEST Outside, there are two timber decks, both with tables and chairs to eat out on. The deck outside the guest cabin has an outdoor ping pong table and an adjacent fire bowl, surrounded by tree trunk stools. For even closer river watching, there’s a large jetty at high tide level

Outside, there are two timber decks, both with tables and chairs to eat out on. The deck outside the guest cabin has an outdoor ping pong table and an adjacent fire bowl, surrounded by tree trunk stools. For even closer river watching, there’s a large jetty at high tide level

  • words:
  • pictures: David Merewether
  • styling: Helen Bratby

Small house,big ideas

Architect Sophie and civil engineer Sarah certainly brought their work home with them when they took on the tricky extension of their own Victorian end-of-terrace. Making use of every centimetre of space possible, they designed side and rear extensions which...

Joined Up Thinking

Not shy of a serious challenge, Emma and Terry Hazelwood undertook a complicated listed barn conversion, successfully blending old and new to create a stunning family home House renovation, like many other adventures, is not for the faint-hearted, requiring not...

A Place in the Country

A true labour of love, Ian and Penny Ledger have tirelessly renovated their idyllic farmstead in Mayfield to be able share a slice of their beautiful, rural seclusion with groups who hire their multi-award winning retreat venue Tucked away in...