When Sally Harrington opens the huge front door of her Kentish weatherboard home I assume that the 1950s bungalow that once stood here was demolished to make way for the new house. “No,” she says, “it’s still in here somewhere, it’s just developed into something else. I like to think that the rather dull brown chrysalis of a house that was here before has grown into something more attractive.”

this remodelled chalet bungalow has emerged from its chrysalis as an elegant family home with views to die for ...

this remodelled chalet bungalow has emerged from its chrysalis as an elegant family home with views to die for ...

The oak floorboards have been bevelled and then waxed to add texture

The oak floorboards have been bevelled and then waxed to add texture

the sitting room is filled with comfy sofas

the sitting room is filled with comfy sofas

the basin in the downstairs loo was adapted from an old bird feeder

the basin in the downstairs loo was adapted from an old bird feeder

the cool stone and wooden interior in this downstairs bathroom has the atmosphere of a Turkish Hammam

the cool stone and wooden interior in this downstairs bathroom has the atmosphere of a Turkish Hammam

the dining room table, which seats up to 20 people, was made from scaffolding boards

the dining room table, which seats up to 20 people, was made from scaffolding boards

view from the living room into the stone-flagged front hall

view from the living room into the stone-flagged front hall

the Perspex bannisters were specially commissioned

the Perspex bannisters were specially commissioned

the freestanding washstand in Sally’s bathroom was built to her own design

the freestanding washstand in Sally’s bathroom was built to her own design

Sally hand cut the stone in her walk-in shower to create a design by her brother, the artist Gary Hume

Sally hand cut the stone in her walk-in shower to create a design by her brother, the artist Gary Hume

the arched window in Sally’s bathroom looks out over farmland

the arched window in Sally’s bathroom looks out over farmland

the boiler room

the boiler room

the kitchen in the cottage are both painted a vibrant cherry red

the kitchen in the cottage are both painted a vibrant cherry red

  • words:
  • pictures: David Merewether
  • styling: Julie Simpson

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