Houzz Tours
House Tours
Houzz Tour: From Dated Bungalow to Cool, Contemporary Home
An amazing before and after: slick, open-plan living replaces chintz and garish colours in this restored chalet bungalow
At first sight of their dilapidated 1920s chalet bungalow, seasoned property developers Sarah Rossiter and her husband Ed Patey were confident they could transform it into their dream home. The property was in such a terrible state, the couple had been the only ones to go for a second viewing and put in an offer.
“The project took us nine months, but we didn’t live on site – we had a flat nearby,” explains interior designer Rossiter, who runs design and build company Pataross with Patey. “We finished moving in on New Year’s Eve, had a glass of champagne, then went to bed before midnight because we were both exhausted!”
“The project took us nine months, but we didn’t live on site – we had a flat nearby,” explains interior designer Rossiter, who runs design and build company Pataross with Patey. “We finished moving in on New Year’s Eve, had a glass of champagne, then went to bed before midnight because we were both exhausted!”
When the couple bought the bungalow, it was dark and dated and carved up into a series of small internal rooms. In fact, there was very little from the original building that they were able to keep.
“We did a lot of work inside the property and changed every internal wall except the one that was attached to our neighbours’ house,” smiles Rossiter.
They did keep hold of the original stained glass, which they are hoping to upcycle, and they retained the original floorboards which they used to clad a garden wall and a chimney breast in the snug.
“We did a lot of work inside the property and changed every internal wall except the one that was attached to our neighbours’ house,” smiles Rossiter.
They did keep hold of the original stained glass, which they are hoping to upcycle, and they retained the original floorboards which they used to clad a garden wall and a chimney breast in the snug.
A polished plaster feature wall, finished with silver wax, stretches above the fireplace and can be illuminated with LED lighting – either white for everyday or colour-changing for a party atmosphere.
“The bespoke plaster leads up to the ceiling and helps to visually separate the living room area and make the space cosy,” adds Rossiter.
Plaster wall by Darren Barnett, Art in Plaster. Riva stove, Stovax.
“The bespoke plaster leads up to the ceiling and helps to visually separate the living room area and make the space cosy,” adds Rossiter.
Plaster wall by Darren Barnett, Art in Plaster. Riva stove, Stovax.
The huge L-shaped living space combines a kitchen, dining area and living room.
The colour palette here is cool and modern with greys and blues warmed up with bold hits of vibrant orange and red.
A smooth resin-type floor with underfloor heating unifies the space and gives an industrial vibe. “It’s a Mortex floor, which is a flexible waxed concrete material that can go straight onto floorboards,” says Rossiter. “It is trowelled on by hand, so can be as textured and ‘swirly’ as you choose.”
Sofas, Camerich. Cushions, Rockett St George. Rug, Ikea.
The colour palette here is cool and modern with greys and blues warmed up with bold hits of vibrant orange and red.
A smooth resin-type floor with underfloor heating unifies the space and gives an industrial vibe. “It’s a Mortex floor, which is a flexible waxed concrete material that can go straight onto floorboards,” says Rossiter. “It is trowelled on by hand, so can be as textured and ‘swirly’ as you choose.”
Sofas, Camerich. Cushions, Rockett St George. Rug, Ikea.
By changing the hip roof (which has sloping ends) to a gable, the couple gained an extra 40 cubic metres of space, with more room upstairs and a large central hallway with two 2m roof lights to flood the space with natural light.
A separate cinema room and guest snug is hidden behind the fireplace wall and accessed through the grey storage wall.
There are no skirting boards, or architraves around the doors, as the couple wanted the walls clear and uninterrupted.
A separate cinema room and guest snug is hidden behind the fireplace wall and accessed through the grey storage wall.
There are no skirting boards, or architraves around the doors, as the couple wanted the walls clear and uninterrupted.
The bespoke steel and timber staircase in the centre of the house is one of Rossiter’s favourite parts of the design.
“The rods creating the banister and holding the stairs to the ceiling are like rigging from a boat,” she explains. “It was inspired by the rod rigging that I had on my J/109 racing yacht. My love of sailing is one of the reasons we came to Brighton.”
The raw, edgy look is enhanced by the plaster wall – the same material used for the fireplace backdrop.
“I hadn’t used these materials before but had always wanted to. They are both a very textured, black plaster with a silver wash over the top, which looks great as the sun streams in through the roof lights.”
Staircase, Iron Designs.
Discover how a reconfigured staircase can transform your home
“The rods creating the banister and holding the stairs to the ceiling are like rigging from a boat,” she explains. “It was inspired by the rod rigging that I had on my J/109 racing yacht. My love of sailing is one of the reasons we came to Brighton.”
The raw, edgy look is enhanced by the plaster wall – the same material used for the fireplace backdrop.
“I hadn’t used these materials before but had always wanted to. They are both a very textured, black plaster with a silver wash over the top, which looks great as the sun streams in through the roof lights.”
Staircase, Iron Designs.
Discover how a reconfigured staircase can transform your home
A downstairs shower room with vertical brick tiles comes off the cinema room and main entrance. This leads to a separate utility room with laundry appliances, a drying rack and Belfast sink.
The open-plan kitchen and dining zone sits on the other side of the all-in-one living area. It is a warm combination of deep blue cupboards and wooden worktops.
“I designed the kitchen,” explains Rossiter. “I didn’t want white, grey or black, so decided to use dark blue with the gingerbread-coloured wood adding a richness and warmth.”
Kitchen, Windmill Kitchens.
“I designed the kitchen,” explains Rossiter. “I didn’t want white, grey or black, so decided to use dark blue with the gingerbread-coloured wood adding a richness and warmth.”
Kitchen, Windmill Kitchens.
A striking industrial-style chandelier contrasts with the Danish 1940s table and chairs in the dining area.
A neat, built-in window seat offers extra storage and a relaxed view out to the garden.
Chandelier, Chantelle Lighting. Dining table and chairs, Retrospective Interiors.
A neat, built-in window seat offers extra storage and a relaxed view out to the garden.
Chandelier, Chantelle Lighting. Dining table and chairs, Retrospective Interiors.
The peninsula bartop separates off the kitchen and creates a laid-back space for friends and family.
“This tends to be a popular area when we’ve got friends over, as people can sit, chat and drink while we cook – without getting in the way!’ laughs Rossiter.
“We’ve got the Sonos wireless home sound system and built-in speakers throughout the downstairs open-plan area and the garden, so entertaining is easy.”
Pendant lights, Chantelle Lighting. Bar stools, eBay.
“This tends to be a popular area when we’ve got friends over, as people can sit, chat and drink while we cook – without getting in the way!’ laughs Rossiter.
“We’ve got the Sonos wireless home sound system and built-in speakers throughout the downstairs open-plan area and the garden, so entertaining is easy.”
Pendant lights, Chantelle Lighting. Bar stools, eBay.
The house needed a complete overhaul, including the old-fashioned kitchen.
Plenty of storage and modern appliances, including a handy drinks fridge under the bartop, make the kitchen a practical space.
“I love cooking and entertaining,” says Rossiter. “We had a full house at Christmas and we tend to have people staying with us one or two weekends every month.
“We also have a new addition to the family due soon, so it’ll be fun to see the house transition to more of a family space. We have lots of ‘hidden’ storage in the window seats and eaves for all those brightly coloured toys. We’re determined to keep the house clutter-free – but we’ll see how it goes!”
Find smart kitchen storage hacks to maximise every inch
“I love cooking and entertaining,” says Rossiter. “We had a full house at Christmas and we tend to have people staying with us one or two weekends every month.
“We also have a new addition to the family due soon, so it’ll be fun to see the house transition to more of a family space. We have lots of ‘hidden’ storage in the window seats and eaves for all those brightly coloured toys. We’re determined to keep the house clutter-free – but we’ll see how it goes!”
Find smart kitchen storage hacks to maximise every inch
The extra-wide hallway creates a welcoming and very modern entrance. The spacious all-in-one layout stretches seamlessly from the front of the house to the back.
Bespoke door, Aldwick Doors & Windows.
Bespoke door, Aldwick Doors & Windows.
A work-from-home office was a key priority for the owners.
“I love working in the office at the top of the stairs,’ says Rossiter. “It can be open to the rest of the house, or, when the pocket doors are closed, it’s a really quiet, private space with views over the garden.”
“I love working in the office at the top of the stairs,’ says Rossiter. “It can be open to the rest of the house, or, when the pocket doors are closed, it’s a really quiet, private space with views over the garden.”
Upstairs, the couple changed one end of the roof from a slope to a gable, creating space for an extra room. The first floor now has three bedrooms, a home office and two bathrooms.
The master bedroom suite is quite a departure from the modern, minimalist style downstairs, and shows the couple’s love of pattern, bright colour and Moroccan influences.
Smoke bed, Loaf. Cushions from Goa in India.
The master bedroom suite is quite a departure from the modern, minimalist style downstairs, and shows the couple’s love of pattern, bright colour and Moroccan influences.
Smoke bed, Loaf. Cushions from Goa in India.
On the right-hand side of the first floor is the master suite, with a bedroom, dressing room and en-suite shower room.
This was originally a kitchen and a smaller bedroom when the bungalow was split into two flats.
Mirrors, Rockett St George.
This was originally a kitchen and a smaller bedroom when the bungalow was split into two flats.
Mirrors, Rockett St George.
A pair of side-by-side basins add a decadent touch and replace the bath in the en suite.
Green, geometric tiles continue the Moroccan theme and look striking against the charcoal-coloured walls.
Dandelion wall tiles, Marrakech Design.
Green, geometric tiles continue the Moroccan theme and look striking against the charcoal-coloured walls.
Dandelion wall tiles, Marrakech Design.
The second bedroom is a calm, serene mix of pale greys and soft lighting.
Serenity ottoman storage bed, Time4Sleep.
Serenity ottoman storage bed, Time4Sleep.
Wraparound white walls and ceilings and pale marble tiles enhance the feeling of space in the upstairs bathroom.
A wall-hung double basin fits neatly into an alcove.
Natural hues, a spacious walk-in shower and large mirrors bounce light around the bathroom.
The back of the bungalow now has three dormer windows but retains the original two ground-floor bay windows.
The rear garden was once a crowded space before the couple began work to open it up.
What do you think of this radical transformation of a run-down dormer bungalow? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
What do you think of this radical transformation of a run-down dormer bungalow? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here Sarah Rossiter, an interior designer, and her husband Ed Patey, a project manager, with their Border collie, Fraggle
Location Brighton
Property A semidetached chalet bungalow built in 1924
Size 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Designer Sarah Rossiter and Ed Patey of Pataross
Photos by Joanna Madziarska of PhotoHarmony
The bungalow was built in 1924, on land that was once a farm, and had been converted into two flats many years previously.
Rossiter and Patey’s plan was to turn the flats back into one property, with an open, modern feel. It was their biggest project to date but as the couple had renovated and lived in nine different properties over the past 10 years, they had masses of invaluable experience to draw on. They also had a great team of tradespeople to help out.
Central to the design was open-plan spaces for entertaining.
“We wanted it to be bright and airy,” explains Rossiter, “with a large dining room and open living area that would be great for parties.”