Gorgeous Home Guide

Step inside this fresh and colourful Victorian cottage, with brick and flint exterior, owned by Jackie and Mike Ramseyer…Meet Jackie Ramseyer, who owns a boutique specialising in costume jewellery, and lives in this vibrantly decorated Victorian cottage with her husband Mike. Their Sussex Downs home has been lovingly redecorated and the inside space reconfigured – bight colour and artworks give the interior a bright, modern look. ‘When we moved in we knew the interior was ripe for a  makeover,’ says Jackie, ‘but the main challenge was to retain the integrity of the exterior.’

Apart from the façade and the roof, the property has been transformed. ‘We replaced each window, the staircase was removed from the back of the cottage and one installed in the front, and we extended the building in sympathetic fashion both at the side and to the rear,’ explains Mike.

One of the most stunning new spaces is the hall, where a traditional tiled floor contrasts with a glass-paneled stairwell. ‘I wanted maximum impact here, despite the area being quite small,’ says Jackie. The sitting room that leads off this area has also been remodeled. A contemporary fireplace is the focal point, while the fittings have a light, Scandinavian-feel. ‘To create a warm, welcoming mood, we furnished the space with plush seating, then added verve and texture by the way of soft furnishings,’ says Jackie.

The Ariana Raspberry silk cushion in the sitting room came from Heals, while the Haywood bookshelves came from Bookcasedesign.co.uk

The couple indulged their passion for vivid colour in the extension area as well, where the dining room/kitchen features an eye catching mix of pinks, reds and blues. ‘I started with a neutral backdrop, teamed with hi-gloss flooring, cabinetry and furniture,’ says Jackie. ‘Then I introduced the turquoise worktops and splashbacks, and the tutti-frutti flavours of the leather chairs.’

The bedrooms were also given a new lease of life. In the master bedroom (above) a sleigh bed is dressed in luxurious silks. The room also has an en suite bathroom tucked behind sliding doors.

The en-suite bathroom [above] and upstairs hall [below] are equally charming.

The upstairs guest bedroom [below] features vintage wallpaper from Lewis & Wood

‘Our friends and family always enjoy staying over and now the house is complete, it’s large enough to accommodate plenty of people at weekends,’ says Jackie. ‘But whether the house is full or we’re here on our own, we never tire of the view across the valley, or of the colour schemes inside.’

Words adapted from Mandy Nolan  Photos by Robert Sanderson.

Like the ACHICA Facebook page here

Follow ACHICA on Twitter here

The ACHICA Living blog brings you style inspiration from ACHICA

Already a member of ACHICA.com? Click here for current shopping promotions.

Not yet a member? It’s free to join ACHICA.com to get your daily dose of shopping promotions

For beautiful furniture, accessories and daily design ideas for your home and lifestyle, shop at ACHICA.

Tweet

You might also like

• Gorgeous Home Guide
• 6 tips to buy the best for your nest
• Gorgeous Home Guide