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Being on the Coast is a way of life, for 25 years have moved no less than 12 times. Now the Browns feel they have found the perfect place to settle down - a detached house in Dorset that enjoys stunning views eastwards across tile sea to the Isle of Wight.

 

SUNNY MEMORIES

 

Jill was raised in Bedfordshire, and remembers longing for the annual summer holidays spent at Trevone.  Bav ill Cornwall. 'I loved it there and was always so sad to go home. she says. But ^,hen Jill I was 13, her dream of remaining permanently near the sea was realised when her family moved to Rock, just across the bay from the Cornish town of Padstow. 'It was idyllic,’ Jill recalls. ' That time in my life had a huge impact, and ever since then, I've wanted to stay by the coast. Derek hails from Southampton, so lie takes living by the sea for granted.'

 

 

SITTING ROOM

Jill mixes check, striped and floral fabrics to add interest. Shaded White estate emulsion, £26.50 for 2.5 litres, Farrow & Ball (01202 876141, farrow-ball.com), The sofa is upholstered in Rosemoor fabric. £26.50 per metre, Blendworth (023 9259 491), blendworth.co.uk). The footstool Is from John Lewis (08456 049049), johnlewis.com): its large Berkeley design, £450, is comparable.

 

 

STUDY

Letter writing is never a chore In this calm and relaxing space. Gustavian dressing table from £267. Scumble Goosie (01453 731305, scumble-goosie.co.uk). The curtains were made up using a Jane Churchill (020 7244 7427, janechurchill.com) cheak. Romany in Red, £31 per metre.

IDEAL LOCATION

 

From the moment the Browns first saw ^this house, they knew it had to be theirs.’It was the perfect place in the perfect setting,' says Jill. 'You can look out of the front through the pine trees and onto the beach. It's just glorious.' The previous Owner. Who was a builder, had converted it into a two-storey property, incorporating both a loft conversion and a kitchen extension at the back of the house.

 

With no structural work required, the house's decor was the main focus of attention. Its walls', which Jill recalls as being 'a horrid pale yellow,' were quickly painted using a tried-and-tested palette. ­'I'm a great fun of Farrovv & Ball's colour range,' says Jill, who coordinated restful muted tones throughout, reflecting her love Of Scandinavian interiors. 'I adore white-painted furniture and crisp linen,’ Jill adds. 'It’s such a clean, fresh look and works well here.’

 

 

 

KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM

 

The cream Aga provides the focal point in this pastel-blue scheme. Cabinetry, £15,000, Handmadekitchens­-direct.co.uk (01202 475515) Aga: $7,000, Spillers of Chard (01460 67878, cookercentre.com) , The dresser was painted with Farrow & Ball's 101202 87614), farrow­ball.com) Light Blue estate eggshell, £42.50 for 2 5 litres, Jane Churchill's (020 7244 7427. janechurchiII.com) Romany check in Aqua, £31 per metre, dresses the windows.

 

 

 

 

FRENCH CONNECTION

 

The house also has a distinctly Gallic feel, inspired by holidays in the south of France. There's a shop in St Tropez called L'Atelier and every time we visit. I end up stuffing as many items as possible into the boot of the car,' laughs Jill. 'I've bought lots of antique linen there and teamed it with modern Striped, plain or floral fabrics to add character to my schemes.

 

 

 

DINING ROOM

White-pointed furniture and dazzling blue china create a distinctly Scandinavian feel. Gustavian table. from £1,450: Rustic Rose chairs, £450 each, Rosendahl linen seat covers, £49 each, all Nordic Style (020 735 1755, nordicstyle biz) Corner cabinet, £600, Claire Rose Interiors (01590 674798, angelcourtyard,co.uk)

 

 

MASTER BEDROOM

The Napoleonic bee wallpaper is based on a pattern found In Josephine Bonaparte's boudoir. Bumble Bee wallpaper, £62 for a 1 G-melre roll, Farrox & Ball (01202 876!4I, !arrax-ball ,COm). John Lewis' (08456 049049, johnlewis.com) Mirat;zllz bedstead. £795, is in this 18th-century French style

 

GUEST BEDROOM

A delicate palette of aqua shades reflect the house's coastal location. Recreate the look with aura Ashley's (0871 230 2301, lauraashley.com) Bramwell fabric in Duck Egg, £22 per metre. For similar table lamp bases, try India Jane's (020 8961 8844, indiajane.co.uk) Piccolo wood design. £60 each.

 

 

 

HOME COMFORTS

 

But it is not Just continental flavours that are dear to jill's heart. She also admires sonic quintessential English brands. 'Agas are the best thing in the world-' she says. 'This one is Our seventh. We've installed I range in each house we've done up, and none of us - especially our dogs Tarka and Bella can now live ^Without one.’

 

The same could be said of the Browns' longstanding love affair with houses by the sea. 'This place is just heaven on earth^,’ smiles Jill. ‘Waking each morning to the sound of the waves and the smell of salt air always gives us such a thrill.

 

 

 

BATHROOM

Tumbled marble tiles are a practical, yet stylish choice. Mandarin Stone's (01600 715444, mandarinstone.com) Ecru Honed tile. from £40 per sq m, Is In this vein.Bathstore's (020 7793 9799, bathstore,com) Euro Mono design,£179, is a comparable basin.