Hollywood inspired glamour has arrived in Hastings, courtesy of Alexa and Sebastien and their Chaletfornia home. Following a huge renovation project, the couple have succeeded in creating an interior as stunning as the East Sussex views which inspired them to buy the property.

TEST The new main entrance is via a wooden ‘drawbridge’ over the steps down to the original front door. Sebastien designed the black and gold door. A metal stag’s head by Hastings-based sculptor Leigh Dyer greets arrivals

The new main entrance is via a wooden ‘drawbridge’ over the steps down to the original front door. Sebastien designed the black and gold door. A metal stag’s head by Hastings-based sculptor Leigh Dyer greets arrivals

TEST The hallway has two flights of steps down and one up. The three plates are part of a limited edition set of nine by Poole Pottery, commemorating the alignment of the planets in the year 2000

The hallway has two flights of steps down and one up. The three plates are part of a limited edition set of nine by Poole Pottery, commemorating the alignment of the planets in the year 2000

TEST Sebastien bought a cheap metal chandelier online and sprayed it neon orange

Sebastien bought a cheap metal chandelier online and sprayed it neon orange

TEST He also painted the bench in the coat and boot room

He also painted the bench in the coat and boot room

TEST The wicker bowling pin lamp was from the Conran Shop and the Diva Ostrich table is by iBide from Abigail Ahern. The 18th century tooled leather French chair is a family heirloom, as is the oil painting above it. Sebastien laid the salvaged parquet himself

The wicker bowling pin lamp was from the Conran Shop and the Diva Ostrich table is by iBide from Abigail Ahern. The 18th century tooled leather French chair is a family heirloom, as is the oil painting above it. Sebastien laid the salvaged parquet himself

TEST The snug is painted in Marigold by Little Greene. The cowhide chest of drawers came from Hastings Antiques Warehouse

The snug is painted in Marigold by Little Greene. The cowhide chest of drawers came from Hastings Antiques Warehouse

TEST Above a life-sized red dog - in wellington boots - by Belgian sculptor William Sweetlove hangs an oil of a severe 18th century gentleman

Above a life-sized red dog - in wellington boots - by Belgian sculptor William Sweetlove hangs an oil of a severe 18th century gentleman

TEST The 1950s butcher’s block cabinet came from a Paris delicatessen and was sourced from 20th Century Funking Junk in Hastings Old Town

The 1950s butcher’s block cabinet came from a Paris delicatessen and was sourced from 20th Century Funking Junk in Hastings Old Town

TEST The blue fish ‘gluggle jug’ is from Harborough Nurseries. The bronze candlesticks were a gift

The blue fish ‘gluggle jug’ is from Harborough Nurseries. The bronze candlesticks were a gift

TEST The Doughnut is a 120 layer print by Los Angeles painter Kenny Scharf, sprinkled with real diamond dust

The Doughnut is a 120 layer print by Los Angeles painter Kenny Scharf, sprinkled with real diamond dust

TEST Up the stairs you come to a half-vaulted passageway where the whole wall is given to favourite paintings, prints and photographs

Up the stairs you come to a half-vaulted passageway where the whole wall is given to favourite paintings, prints and photographs

TEST A kimono hangs on the wall of the dressing room

A kimono hangs on the wall of the dressing room

TEST It's all about the accessories

It's all about the accessories

TEST The cushions on the bed are from Hermes and the chandelier is from Rainbow lighting in Fulham

The cushions on the bed are from Hermes and the chandelier is from Rainbow lighting in Fulham

TEST The plant-filled master bathroom has views over the Bourne valley. The chandelier is a 1958 design by Gino Sarfatti from Flos

The plant-filled master bathroom has views over the Bourne valley. The chandelier is a 1958 design by Gino Sarfatti from Flos

TEST The view is framed by a porthole window

The view is framed by a porthole window

TEST Sebastien made the pendant lights by adding fringing to turned wood fittings from Habitat

Sebastien made the pendant lights by adding fringing to turned wood fittings from Habitat

TEST The mahogany bed is from Sebastien’s mother’s house in Normandy.

The mahogany bed is from Sebastien’s mother’s house in Normandy

TEST The ‘Jack and Jill’ bathroom can be entered from both guest rooms.

The ‘Jack and Jill’ bathroom can be entered from both guest rooms

TEST Above the pink velvet bed in the second bedroom is a print of a building in Acton

Above the pink velvet bed in the second bedroom is a print of a building in Acton

TEST The view from the bedroom window, stretches over the herb garden, the newly planted orchard and cleared slopes - which were until recently a mass of brambles - all the way to Beachy Head

The view from the bedroom window, stretches over the herb garden, the newly planted orchard and cleared slopes - which were until recently a mass of brambles - all the way to Beachy Head

TEST A raised bed full of vibrant planting

A raised bed full of vibrant planting

TEST Sebastien’s decorating style carries over to his business Harborough Nurseries, run in partnership with horticulturist Tony Howard. As well as a wide range of quality plants and a full garden design and planting service, there are vintage garden and homewares in the nursery shop and a separate Barnstar boutique

Sebastien’s decorating style carries over to his business Harborough Nurseries, run in partnership with horticulturist Tony Howard

TEST As well as a wide range of quality plants and a full garden design and planting service, there are vintage garden and homewares in the nursery shop and a separate Barnstar boutique

As well as a wide range of quality plants and a full garden design and planting service, there are vintage garden and homewares in the nursery shop and a separate Barnstar boutique

TEST Vintage garden wares

Vintage garden wares

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

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