faith healing A former chapel in the Warwickshire countryside has been given a thoroughly modern makeover WARWICKSHIRE HOME

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1 faith healing A former chapel in the Warwickshire countryside has been given a thoroughly modern makeover Words: Jacky Parker Photography: Paul Craig KITCHENS BEDROOMS BATHROOMS 145

2 Opening page (p145): The clean lines and handleless drawers of the double vanity keep the look clutter-free. These and the symmetry of the design allow the beautiful architectural features to stand out. When it came to choosing a forever home, the charms of a former chapel beat barn conversions and period properties for Ian Jebson and Stephanie Morgan. Set in an acre of land on the outskirts of historic Warwick, the Victorian chapel became a residence in 1910 and had been extended into a four-bedroom property in the intervening years. Our children have left home, so we didn t need a huge house, says Stephanie. The interior was dark and dated and not our style, but the property itself had character. It was quirky and surrounded by beautiful grounds and we could see that we could modernise it. Having both taken early retirement, Stephanie, a former fashion buying director, and Ian, a former chief finance officer, wanted to futureproof the property and modernise it as much as possible. They stripped it back to a shell, replaced the plumbing, electrics, boiler and rotten window frames, and Stephanie devised a new interior scheme, which included turning four small bedrooms into three larger ones. We wanted to get everything right from the start, says Stephanie, so that in the coming years it will just need maintaining. Stephanie worked closely with her friend Janet McAulay, an interior designer, to create the colour palette and concepts for the entire house. It was all about getting light into the rooms with reflective surfaces, Stephanie says. I wanted a core colour palette to work from to stop me going off in different directions. In fashion when you put a range together you do that to create a cohesive look. With warmth and light the key factors, Stephanie chose neutral paint shades from Little Greene as the backdrop throughout the house. With the master bedroom scheme set out on moodboards and ideas for the ensuite in her mind, Stephanie looked for a specialist who could bring the bathroom to life. I d heard locally that Ripples was good, she says. And when I met designer Lisa Hammond, and explained what I wanted, I could tell she knew what she was doing and was used to working with the quirky houses in the area. Situated in the eaves, the bedroom was completely open to the bathroom, which had previously included a small steam room, so the challenge was to increase privacy, without blocking any light from the windows. Functionality was also important. Stephanie and Ian wanted double basins, plenty of storage, a walk-in shower and good lighting. I ve spent a lot of time in hotels, travelling for work, Stephanie reveals, and I ve seen bathrooms that look lovely but don t work so well practically. The couple opted for dividing walls between the two rooms with a half-height modesty wall next to the WC to avoid blocking any light. We decided against doors so the natural light from the bedroom could flow through to the ensuite, says Stephanie. I d seen a modesty wall in a friend s house and in a hotel, so I knew it would work. For Lisa, the vaulted ceiling and position of the windows made the layout of the bathroom instinctive. Although it originally looked tricky to design around, the lovely chapel window and centralised archway gave the room a focal point, she explains. It made sense to position the vanity unit there with the basins either side. Due to the low windowsill, Stephanie chose counter-mounted basins so they would sit at the right height. The sloping ceilings also called for some inventive solutions when it came to lighting. Thus two spotlights are accompanied by sensor-operated downlights in the floor, which provide low-level light for night-time bathroom visits, plus an illuminated mirror. As Stephanie had already chosen the textiles for the bedroom and kept the paint shade the same in both rooms, the connection was seamless. Behind the bed, she used pretty wallpaper with hints of gold and aqua to create a feature wall and had the headboard upholstered in sumptuous chenille. Soft carpet in similar tones to the bathroom tiles covers the floor and an aqua silk-mix fabric was used for the blinds and curtains. I love strong blousy prints, but they would have been too much over the vaulted windows, she says. So I chose a plain fabric and used larger prints on the cushions. On the opposite wall the couple had the existing built-in wardrobes fitted with drawers for further storage and the doors altered with panels of bevelled mirrored glass. It had to increase the light and be practical, says Stephanie. We wanted the rooms to look luxurious, but the design had to function well too. KBB Above: The rectangular basins with their slim profile and gently curved corners perfectly suit the linear style of the vanity unit and the geometric shape of the room. 146 KITCHENS BEDROOMS BATHROOMS KITCHENS BEDROOMS BATHROOMS 147

3 Q&A Designer Lisa Hammond of Ripples Solihull says Which elements took up the majority of the budget? The bespoke items: the vanity unit and shower enclosure. What was the biggest challenge with the project? Incorporating the windows and sloping ceiling, but they also added to its success. Above left: Stephanie loves the fact that there is ample space for towels and toiletries, so everything is conveniently placed and stored. Above right: The shower wall tiles are a textured version of those on the floor. Opposite page: The rectangular hinges and door handle complement the angular shape of the glass shower door. It was created bespoke to fit under the sloped ceiling. What advice do you give clients on finding contractors? We work alongside several teams of fantastic bathroom installers. They may not be the cheapest, but on a project like this you need a professional who takes their time and wants to get the detail right as much as the designer and client. Do you have any tips for people embarking on a similar project? Do your research and make sure the bathroom company you choose to work with has experience with bespoke materials. 148 KITCHENS BEDROOMS BATHROOMS KITCHENS BEDROOMS BATHROOMS 149

4 Left: Interesting architectural details continue in the bedroom, so Stephanie used different textures and subtle pattern to add character without overwhelming the space. The mustardcoloured lampshades and pretty cushions echo the aqua and gold tones in the wallpaper. We decided against doors so the natural light from the bedroom could flow through to the ensuite. 150 KITCHENS BEDROOMS BATHROOMS KITCHENS BEDROOMS BATHROOMS 151

5 Left: A simple blind keeps the focus on the beautiful arched leaded window. Below: The contemporary wall-mounted chrome taps were chosen for their reflective qualities and geometric shape. SourceBook DESIGN Ensuite Lisa Hammond, Ripples Solihull ( or Bedroom Janet McAulay, McAulay Design ( ) MASTER BEDROOM Wallpaper Cerato Delft by Designers Guild ( or Bed Vispring ( or Upholstery, cushion and curtains The Curtain Design Workshop ( or Foot stool Robert Langford ( or Bedside tables Custom-made by The Curtain Design Workshop, as before Lamps Heathfield ( or Paint Rolling Fog Mid, Little Greene ( or Carpet Wool in eggshell white, Michael Peters Carpets ( or ENSUITE BATHROOM Bespoke vanity unit, splashback and mirrors Ripples, as before Flooring and shower wall Textured quartz porcelain tile, by Saloni ( at Ripples, as before Glass shower panel Aqata ( Ripples, as before Showerhead Hansgrohe ( Ripples, as before Towel rail Alban by Bisque ( Ripples, as before Basins and WC Living range by Laufen ( Ripples, as before Basin taps Mezzanine by BagnoDesign ( Ripples, as before Blind fabric Solaris Aqua by Jane Churchill ( or Paint Rolling Fog Mid, Little Greene, as before COST A similar bedroom would cost 15,000, and a similar ensuite bathroom would cost 17, KITCHENS BEDROOMS BATHROOMS