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Old Coastguard House
Built by the Admiralty in 1860 as accommodation for the Head Coastguard, this substantial red-brick house stands on the Kent coast, overlooking the English Channel.
At various times, it also served as a base for naval defence operations. Today, it is home to Martin and Jane Will and their West Highland Terrier, Baxter.
The maritime connection continues through Martin, who works from his office at the front of the house and volunteers as a lifeboat crew member with the RNLI.
Jane and Martin have decorated the interiors in keeping with the simple and practical character of the Victorian building.
Farrow & Ball blues and greys reflect the colours of the sea, sky and changing coastal light, while Jane’s love of Shaker design can be seen in the wooden peg rails,
boxes and functional storage found throughout the house.
Vintage Ercol chairs, stripped wooden floors and a zinc-topped table are combined with contemporary paintings, ceramics, coloured glass and flea-market finds,
creating a relaxed and individual interior.
The handmade kitchen is painted in deep marine blue and finished with oak worktops, a freestanding range cooker and a double Butler sink.
It opens onto a sheltered sandstone courtyard with raised beds and high brick walls.
Upstairs, light-filled bedrooms in soft grey-blue tones look out across the Channel and the vast coastal sky.
The front garden is divided between a simple lawn and a shingle garden inspired by the nearby beach. J
ane’s passion for interiors also extends to a home store on High Street, which she runs with her friend, the artist Caroline – the fulfilment of a long-held dream.
Photography: André Reuter
Styling: Miriam Hannemann
Number of images: 93
Season: Summer
Country of origin: United Kingdom
English text available
German Text available on request
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