Brighton townhouse transformation

Architectural designer Oliver Heath and wife Katie combined vibrant colours and eclectic patterns to create their home by the sea

 

After years of developing properties for his clients, interior designer Oliver Heath was looking forward to testing out his design skills on his first house. Oliver’s new townhouse was a compact three-bed, which had been rented out to students for more than 10 years.

In a small townhouse like this, it is important to make the space work harder. Planning permission was needed for a glass balcony that extends out from the kitchen, creating a second outdoor space and Oliver increased the size of the ground floor patio door to let in more natural light.

The owners

Oliver Heath, an architect, interior designer and TV presenter, and wife Katie Weiner, a jewellery designer, both pictured, lived here with daughters, Layla, nine, and Ottilie, seven

The property

A three-bedroom, 18th-century townhouse in Brighton, East Sussex

recycled glass hearth in a brighton townhouse

The hearth has the same glass surface as is in the kitchen. Vases, Snooper’s Paradise. Blot cushion, Habitat. Chair, Ercol

Townhouse-blue-hallway

vintage leather sofa in a Brighton townhouse

A vintage leather sofa from Spitalfields market helps to zone the open-plan space. Katie made the curtains in fabric from Zara Home

alfresco dining couryard in a Brighton townhouse

The lower-ground floor outdoor space is flooded with light. Bespoke benches made by Oliver’s carpenter from recycled wood make handy corner seating. Rug, Bert’s Homestore. Table and mirrors, Ardingly Market; for similar, try Graham & Green. Cushions, Habitat and Homesense

unframed vintage bird prints brighton townhouse landing

The hallway and landing walls have been painted in a vivid blue colour; for similar, try Lost Lake by Dulux. It creates a stunning backdrop for a display of unframed vintage bird prints held

Brighton townhouse exterior

The old window shutters were removed from the front of the house, giving it a simpler, less cluttered look

bathroom in a Brighton townhouse

Bathroom sanitaryware and shower screen, Kohler. Speckle pebble mosaic floor tiles, Marble Mosaics. For similar wall tiles, try Neutra N06 Moka Mosaico, World’s End Tiles

Brighton townhouse before image

master bedroom with colourful bedspread in a brighton townhouse

This reclaimed wooden slat wall was added for texture. Bedside tables made by Oliver with legs from North Road Timber & Joinery. For similar ikat curtain fabric, try Prestigious Textiles. Gold garland floral light shades, Habitat

single beds with ethnic bedspread Brighton townhouse

Layla and Ottilie’s room overlooks the outside patio. It has been revamped with

Cole & Son Great Wave wallpaper, Designer Wallpapers. For similar curtain fabric, try Khitan, Fabrics & Papers. Lappljung rug, Ikea. Haden grey throws with tassels, Habitat. Skittle rattan light shade, Litecraft

Costs

Building work: £41,900

Total: £75,000

Maxine Brady
Maxine is a freelance interior stylist and writer. She can be found blogging on her site We Love Home, where she covers the latest trends and her own projects in her Victorian terrace in Brighton where she lives with her dog Teddy.