‘We made a BOLD STATEMENT'

Self-confessed maximalist Carey has skilfully blended a rich mix of colours and textures, breathing life and energy into her small apartment

- MARISHA TAYLOR

COME ON IN!

ABOUT ME I’m Carey Mann, 50, an interior designer, and I live here with my husband Johan, 40, a music producer, and our morkie, Granny.

MY HOME A one-bedroom apartment within a Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse in Margate, Kent, bought in 2019.

WHEN WE MOVED IN Recently renovated to a high standard, this place was perfect as we didn’t want to take on a property that needed a lot of work doing to it.

AND NOW The windows have been fixed, carpet fitted and furnished throughout with interesting art and soft furnishings, making it unique.

STYLE TIP I tend to put things together that I love rather than overthinking whether or not it fits the room or scheme.

Tired of our busy London life, when we first moved to the coastal town of Margate in 2015 we initially bought a Victorian two-up, two-down,’ says Carey. ‘We were keen to get on the property ladder, then proceeded to fully renovate the house over the following four years. Growing up in Sweden, Johan, who’s a music producer, had learned to build from an early age and was able to skilfully turn his hand to most of the work.

Seaside dream

He then went on to build his own music studio in a warehouse near the old Margate train station. I was thrilled to open a little café along the Margate harbour wall. These were all dreams we simply would not have achieved if we had stayed in London. Moving to Margate gave us financial and creative freedom.

Branching out