Transformed Coastal Sussex Kitchen with Tones of Natural Wood and Warm Olive Hues: Project by Isabella Worsley
In the picturesque West Sussex, a charming house near Chichester Harbour undergoes a stunning renovation, transforming its interior design to reflect a harmonious blend of nature and modernity. Led by interior designer Isabella Worsley, the project aims to create an interplay between the inside and outside of the house, bringing the beauty of the surrounding coastline indoors.
Art consultant Olivia Paterson of the Lyndsey Ingram Gallery was enlisted to help choose pieces for the house. One of the standout additions is a large-scale botanical portrait by Kate Friend, which serves as a significant addition to the house's interior design. The portrait, one of the pieces selected by Paterson, adds a touch of natural richness to the space with its earthy tones and intricate details.
The kitchen island, designed in-house and made by Arcadia Antiques, features a dragged finish to the olive paint, lending the surface depth and a sense of organic charm. A pair of rust-coloured pendant lights from Norfolk Decorative Antiques were installed over the island, further enhancing the space's character.
The designers aimed to introduce a sense of richness to the space with tones of natural wood and warm olive for the kitchen. Materials like timber and bronze were used to create a balance between luxury and rusticity. Utilitarian fabrics like checkered cotton were employed for curtains and bed linens, providing a relaxed and organic look.
The house's renovation involved reconfiguring the layout, moving the bedroom to the ground floor, and creating an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living space on the top floor. This open-plan space on the top floor opens onto an expansive terrace overlooking the sea, creating a seamless connection between the interior and the exterior.
Kitchen specialist 202 made a run of cabinets with contemporary-style flush doors in a walnut finish and bronze handles, adding a modern touch to the space. The pitched roof is clad in timber and painted with a Bauwerk limewash, further emphasizing the connection to the surrounding coastline.
In a nod to Arabella Youens' coverage of top designers and architects in the field of interior design, this renovation showcases the art of blending traditional pieces with modern fabrics and materials, and incorporating natural elements to enhance the ambiance of the space. For those interested in learning more about such design choices, Arabella Youens' work often delves into discussions with designers, such as her recent piece on Nicola Harding's design choices in a country home in Somerset.
[1] Youens, A. (2021, March 1). Nicola Harding's Country Home in Somerset. [Online]. Available: https://www.countryliving.com/uk/homes-interiors/design-ideas/a32469486/nicola-harding-country-home-somerset/
[2] Youens, A. (2020, October 1). Inside Nicola Harding's Coastal Home. [Online]. Available: https://www.countryliving.com/uk/homes-interiors/design-ideas/a31880744/nicola-harding-coastal-home/
- The large-scale botanical portrait by Kate Friend, a significant addition to the house's interior design, adds a touch of natural richness to the space, aligning with the lifestyle and home-and-garden theme of the project.
- The renovated house in West Sussex reflecting a harmonious blend of nature and modernity, prides itself on an interior design that incorporates natural elements, thus mirroring the home-and-garden focus alongside its interior design, as demonstrated by the use of olive paint, wood, and botanical art.
