Kent Coastal Retreat

PROJECT OVERVIEW

This project involved the transformation of a Grade II listed former Coastguard cottage into a high-end holiday let on the Kent coast. The client was looking for something distinctive and characterful, with a darker, more dramatic colour palette, while still respecting the historic nature of the building.

The brief required the property to work hard within a relatively small footprint, offering comfort, flexibility and strong visual appeal for short-term guests, while meeting the constraints of a listed building.

HOW WE HELPED

Our role included:

• Reviewing and improving the layout and flow of the property to maximise space

• Reconfiguring the ground floor to open the kitchen and living areas, creating a more sociable and functional layout

• Adjusting door locations upstairs to allow for a king-size bed in the second bedroom, with approval from the conservation department

• Providing full interior design, detailed drawings and schedules to support construction

• Working closely with the client’s builders and overseeing the project, including damp proofing and a full re-plumb and re-wire

• Furnishing and setting up the property as a complete, ready-to-let holiday home, including bespoke artwork

THE RESULT

The completed cottage offers a confident, character-led interior that feels both distinctive and comfortable, while making the most of the available space.

The property was awarded a five-star rating by English Country Cottages — the only one in the area — and the client subsequently commissioned us to work on a further property.