Sea Change

Sallyann Cox used her creative talents to extend a small bungalow and make the most of the delightful coastal views.

- Sarah Bolton

‘I don’t want to live in a bungalow – I’m not ready for that!’ was interior decorator, stylist and maker Sallyann Cox’s reaction when her husband Richard suggested it. It was back when the couple were regularly spending a few months at a time sailing around Greece and knew a lock-up-and-leave home would fit the bill.

The idea became a sad necessity, however, when Richard was diagnosed with motor neurone disease and had to use a wheelchair. ‘We’d looked at so many places, none of which were suitable,’ remembers Sallyann. Finally, and with no real enthusiasm, she went to see a small, two-bedroom bungalow almost untouched for nearly 50 years and had a change of heart. ‘During the viewing, I walked into the cluttered garage and noticed a tiny window on the side – one glimpse at the view and I realised there was so much untapped potential here,’ she recalls.