{"id":21004,"date":"2023-05-13T10:00:45","date_gmt":"2023-05-13T08:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homesandantiques.com\/?p=42174"},"modified":"2023-05-13T10:36:42","modified_gmt":"2023-05-13T08:36:42","slug":"a-1930s-bungalow-in-cheltenham","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/rss_feed\/a-1930s-bungalow-in-cheltenham\/","title":{"rendered":"A 1930s bungalow in Cheltenham"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kelly and Phil James have given their near-derelict bungalow a new lease of life with West Coast decor and carefully curated vintage furniture and accessories. Feature and styling Clair Wayman. Photographs Jo Henderson <\/p>

By kirstylyons\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 13 May 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Stepping through the sunshine-yellow front door of Phil and Kelly\u2019s bungalow, with its sleek screed floors, elegant mid-century furniture<\/a> and largely monochrome colour scheme, it\u2019s hard to imagine that not so long ago it was nothing more than a tiny, dilapidated, one-bedroom property. It is known variously by the neighbours as \u2018The Californian house\u2019 or \u2018The house with funny windows\u2019. Either way, it is an unexpected slice of the American West Coast amongst Cheltenham\u2019s Regency terraces.<\/p>\n

The previous owner had lived in the bungalow since it was built in the 1930s and, by the time the couple went to view it, the house had suffered years of neglect. \u2018The floorboards were so damp they bowed when we walked on them,\u2019 recalls Kelly, adding that the ceilings were also black with damp and dry rot.<\/p>\n

Despite these very obvious problems, the couple could see its potential. \u2018We fell in love with the sense of openness,\u2019 says Kelly. \u2018It didn\u2019t matter to us that it was in such a poor state \u2013 we wanted a place where we could start from scratch.\u2019<\/p>\n

For Kelly, an experienced interior designer, it was a wonderful opportunity to work for herself. \u2018I found it liberating,\u2019 she says. \u2018Compared to working with clients, I put a lot less thought into my own house \u2013 I could just go with what felt right.\u2019 Phil, who is a photographer, also has a keen eye for design, which was a real bonus. \u2018Luckily, we have similar taste and share a passion for interiors, so all the decisions were completely 50\/50,\u2019 he says.<\/p>\n

You might also like<\/strong> Sue Timney\u2019s monochrome Georgian home<\/a><\/p>\n

The plan from the outset was to create a relaxed and flexible living space. The couple began by demolishing everything apart from three exterior walls, which left them free to reshape the space to suit their needs.<\/p>\n

Rotten floorboards were replaced with screed, an experimental alternative to polished concrete, which gave them the industrial<\/a> look they wanted at half the cost. To maximise the sense of space in the new extension, they designed an open-plan living area comprising dining room, living room and kitchen, with glass doors that open onto the garden. Kelly had additional glazing bars added to mimic Crittall<\/a> windows that are so characteristic of 1930s architecture; in summer these are thrown open and the connection between the house and the garden feels seamless.<\/p>\n

Once the bones of the place had been established, the couple threw themselves into decorating. \u2018We designed the scheme around our favourite furniture,\u2019 explains Kelly. The cherry wood panelling on the ceiling of the front reception room, for example, was chosen not only for its classic mid-century associations, but also because it echoes the warm tones of their favourite 1960s walnut sideboard.<\/p>\n

\u2018We love interiors that have evolved over time,\u2019 says Kelly. \u2018Places that are furnished with a mix of old and new things, pieces that have history and a story to tell.\u2019 The couple started collecting mid-century designs 18 years ago, when they bought their first house. \u2018The designs are so timeless and simple,\u2019 says Kelly, \u2018and we love the scale of the furniture and the use of dark wood.\u2019<\/p>\n

You might also like <\/strong>a Victorian home filled with vintage industrial pieces<\/a><\/p>\n

Although an avid collector, Kelly was determined to create a streamlined clutter-free space. \u2018Working in the interiors industry, looking at pattern<\/a> and colour all day, I wanted to come home to a minimal space where I could unwind.\u2019 To that end she opted for a subdued palette of dark neutrals, including almost black walls. Visual interest comes in the form of key pieces of mid-century furniture, such as the Ercol chairs, vintage signage<\/a> and classic pieces of kitsch art, such as the print of Tretchikoff\u2019s Miss Wong.<\/p>\n

In the kitchen\/dining area Kelly, whose clients include restaurants and coffee shops, decided to create diner-style banquette seating along two walls in order to keep the space as streamlined as possible. Similarly, any mess and clutter in the working area of the kitchen<\/a> is hidden from view by a sleek concrete island, the front of which is decorated with Victorian-style tiles, which soften the industrial vibe. The overall look is reminiscent of an American diner \u2013 cheerful and practical rather than stark and clinical.<\/p>\n

The couple are always on the lookout for interesting secondhand finds. \u2018I tend to go for small impulse buys \u2013 jugs, mirrors, small shelves \u2013 as they can be fitted into the scheme easily. I love the way vintage pieces bring warmth and character to an otherwise simple space.\u2019 When it comes to new buys, such as their bed, the generous sofa and the statement lighting<\/a>, Kelly looks for designs that are in keeping with the overall mid-century-meets-industrial aesthetic. \u2018I choose furniture and accessories with clean lines that won\u2019t detract from our vintage<\/a> treasures.\u2019<\/p>\n

Although barely recognisable from the house that the couple had originally visited back in 2011, the bungalow remains a work in progress, which is how they like it, says Kelly. \u2018We make changes whenever we see something we particularly like. We\u2019re creative souls, still tweaking, tinkering and coming up with new ideas for the house.\u2019<\/p>\n

\""1930s\"<\/picture><\/div>
The dark feature wall was originally painted white, but Kelly felt it was too bright for the south-facing room. Farrow & Ball\u2019s \u2018Railings\u2019 produces the perfect backdrop for the diner-style banquette seating and the vintage shop sign, which Phil bought for \u00a350 and had to take down himself.<\/span> <\/figcaption> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""1930s\"<\/picture><\/div>
The house is known by neighbours as \u2018The Californian One\u2019 due to its low-lying design and large windows. Kelly James runs a commercial interior design company (shadowplaydesign.co.uk). Her husband Phil is a photographer and owns a photographic and film editing studio, Shadowplay (shadowplay.co.uk), as well as his own clothing brand &Sons, which produces vintage workwear with a modern twist (andsons.co.uk). They live here with their two sons, Cooper and Jackson.<\/span> <\/figcaption> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""1930s\"<\/picture><\/div>
The sunny kitchen in the new extension is a clever mix of high street buys enlivened with retro and vintage details. The Victorian-style tiles are from Fired Earth, while the cheerful yellow shelves came from Cheltenham market. The stools are from Cox & Cox and the lamps are Ikea.<\/span> <\/figcaption> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""1930s\"<\/picture><\/div>
The hallway runs from the front door to the new kitchen-diner extension at the back of the house. The floor tiles are designed by Neisha Crosland for Harvey Maria in \u2018Parquet Charcoal\u2019. The hall wall is used for an ever-changing collection of framed prints, photographs, mirrors and antlers.<\/span> <\/figcaption> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""1930s\"<\/picture><\/div>
The stairway forms a dramatic focal point as you enter the house. The chair is one of a pair that Kelly found in a local vintage shop. The impressive-looking faux banana plant from Big Bloom Room gives the space a tropical vibe.<\/span> <\/figcaption> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""1930s\"<\/picture><\/div>
A long, low, cement shelf displays a few carefully chosen pieces and a mix of real and faux houseplants. The cane pendant lamp is from Cox & Cox.<\/span> <\/figcaption> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""1930s\"<\/picture><\/div>
The view of the kitchen-diner from the living room is dominated by a large numeral set into the tiles, which represents their family of four. The dining chairs and the Ercol armchairs came from Kelly\u2019s mother. The dining table is from Ikea and the six-arm pendant lamp is from Rockett St George.<\/span> <\/figcaption> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""1930s\"<\/picture><\/div>
Kelly\u2019s signature relaxed style is evident in the front reception room. The walls are painted in \u2018Railings\u2019 by Farrow & Ball and the ceiling is finished in cherry wood, which adds warmth as well as visual interest. The 1960s sideboard was a lucky find on eBay, as was the 1970s cane chair. The cushion is from Fforest General Stores.<\/span> <\/figcaption> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""1930s\"<\/picture><\/div>
In the living room the walls are painted in \u2018Plummett\u2019 by Farrow & Ball, which gives the room its cosy atmosphere. The Ercol coffee table was a gift from Kelly\u2019s mum, and she sanded and revarnished the top.<\/span> <\/figcaption> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""1930s\"<\/picture><\/div>
The bedroom walls are painted \u2018Hague Blue\u2019 by Farrow & Ball, a rich navy that is the perfect foil to the warm wood of the wardrobe and the mustard tones of the Welsh blanket, which Kelly bought at a house clearance sale. The bed is from Marks & Spencer, and Phil customised the headboard with leather detailing to echo the handles on the bathroom door. The wall-mounted reading lamps are from Original BTC.<\/span> <\/figcaption> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""1930s\"<\/picture><\/div>
The black hexagonal bijou tiles from Walls and Floors contrast with the antique mirror frame flanked by Ikea lights. Phil made the door handles from old leather belts.<\/span> <\/figcaption> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""1930s\"<\/picture><\/div>
Cooper\u2019s room is one of two bedrooms built into the eaves of the house. Phil bought the American number plates from a car boot sale. The hexagonal shelf is from Tiger, and the cushions are from Curio & Curio.<\/span> <\/figcaption> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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