For 10 years before they bought their house on the north coast of Kent, Skye O’Neill and Jamie Corner regularly escaped to Whitstable for weekends and holidays. From their home in southeast London, with their two young daughters, Eilidh and Esme, and dog Day, it was an easy drive of just over an hour. ‘Having grown up in Sydney, I really missed the sea – Whitstable was the nearest bit of coastline we could get to,’ explains Skye, who is co-founder of Fieldfare magazine and a freelance photographer. ‘Jamie felt the same way; he grew up in St Andrews on the east coast of Scotland. Living in London can feel very claustrophobic when you’re used to being near the beach.’
The couple met in 2006 and settled in the capital. When nances allowed them to buy a home in Whitstable where they could escape urban life, they leapt at the chance. ‘We discussed it over Christmas 2018, and we found the house through a local estate agent about two weeks later,’ recalls Skye. Having already spent so much time in the seaside town, they had a very clear idea of what they wanted. ‘It was only the second house we looked at, but the minute we walked in the door we knew it was perfect for us. It lacked modern conveniences like a dishwasher and separate shower, but the atmosphere was so calming and peaceful.’
Built in 1830 as a shermen’s cottage, the house is a short walk from the seafront and just a minute or two from the centre of town. ‘For us, Whitstable was the ideal spot. It’s small enough that the kids run can around on their own, and big enough that there is plenty going on.’
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 2023 من Country Homes & Interiors.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 2023 من Country Homes & Interiors.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
A day in the country
The TV presenter and author stays close to home in the Wye Valley, walking at dawn and ending the day making supper for friends
MINIATURE MARVELS
Tiny but mighty mini bulbs bring sparks of colour to springtime garden borders and containers
UP THE GARDEN PATH
Affordable and easy to lay, these DIY path ideas will add form and purpose to your garden, providing a fast track to planting, focal points and outdoor rooms
Bring the family
Rediscover the simple life with these gloriously back to nature staycations that kids and adults will adore
'Handmade glass looks watery and beautiful'
As anyone who surfs will know, despite the crash, chaos and roar of the ocean, there is a strange moment of peacefulness when you ride a wave.
Knock on wood
Transform damaged and dingy wooden flooring with expert techniques to return its structure and shine
COLOUR CONFIDENT
Breathe new life into your kitchen with a colourful design from Magnet
STOCK UP
The best ideas for maximising food storage in the kitchen, from walk in pantries to woven baskets-and everything in between
STORAGE STORIES
Faced with cluttered rooms and overflowing cupboards, four homeowners found smart solutions to help them get more organised
Installing fitted wardrobes
Everything you need to know about integrating built-in storage into your bedroom