One might expect a house belonging to both a film and television set designer and a professional gardener to be well-presented, and Derek and Tony’s Regency town house in Hastings does not disappoint.

TEST The bathroom: a handsome 18th century chair in the corner is actually a French commode!

The bathroom: a handsome 18th century chair in the corner is actually a French commode!

TEST In the kitchen Derek and Tony wanted things to be freestanding

In the kitchen Derek and Tony wanted things to be freestanding

TEST Derek constructed the walk-in pantry shelves from scrap wood

Derek constructed the walk-in pantry shelves from scrap wood

TEST Above the Belfast sink, a small group of glass vases hold single unusual specimens chosen by Mao at Shimizu Flowers in Hastings Old Town

Above the Belfast sink, a small group of glass vases hold single unusual specimens chosen by Mao at Shimizu Flowers in Hastings Old Town

TEST An Aga was installed to warm things up

An Aga was installed to warm things up

TEST The couple discovered a boxed-in fireplace and Derek made a new metal canopy for it from an old metal street sign

TEST Up the second flight of stairs you arrive at the master bedroom

Up the second flight of stairs you arrive at the master bedroom

TEST The master bedroom has wonderful sea views

The master bedroom has wonderful sea views

TEST The final flight of stairs lead up to the attic room

The final flight of stairs lead up to the attic room

TEST The sitting room. Offcuts from an elm tree have been used to make a shelf on one wall, supported by legs made from silver birch logs.

The sitting room. Offcuts from an elm tree have been used to make a shelf on one wall, supported by legs made from silver birch logs.

TEST

TEST The windows in the attic room give it the feel of a giant lantern. Here, Derek works from a sleek 1950s desk and keeps a large collection of art books. On one wall there are more of Derek’s mesmerising seascapes

The windows in the attic room give it the feel of a giant lantern. Here, Derek works from a sleek 1950s desk and keeps a large collection of art books. On one wall there are more of Derek’s mesmerising seascapes

TEST

TEST

  • words:
  • pictures: David Merewether
  • styling: Lucy Fleming

Building Connections

After nearly a decade of planning, Dominic and Eve were finally given permission to convert a pair of derelict barns, linking them together to create one very beautiful dwelling Words: Jo Arnell Photographs: David Merewether The story arc of an...

Change it up

Neil and Sharon Maidment’s reconfigured family home is the result of a very successful partnership with OPEN architecture, who opened their eyes to a new layout they never imagined was possible Words: Fiona Patrick Photographs: David Merewether The green modular...

Cut to Fit

Deborah Harrison downsized to a three bedroom house, which she renovated and reconfigured, reinstating the original Victorian features and editing family heirlooms to suit her new home and lifestyle “As William Morris says, ‘Everything has to be beautiful or useful,’”...