THE CANDY HOUSE

Surprising colour combinations, vintage treasures, velvet upholstery and bold floral prints come together harmoniously in this home by the sea

- BRON BATES

English rose "It took us a while to work this room out," says Michelle of the living area in her holiday home in Kent on the southeast coast of England. "It somehow always felt a bit like a waiting room. We decided to centre the room around the fireplace, adding the orange sofa and chair to give it a more formal, but keeping-the-fun, feel." Sailish Fisherman by Billy Childish hangs in pride of place above the hearth.

THE DREAM OF A COSY HOLIDAY HOUSE by the sea came true for Michelle and her husband, lain when they discovered an Edwardian cottage on the English coast - a dwelling that could be a getaway for their family and for two other families the couple are friends with. "When we found it, we fell in love straight away," Michelle says. "The fact that it was right on the beach was a real winner."

ROOM TO MOVE Michelle, an interior designer and fashion stylist, set to work transforming the house into an elegant abode that could also accommodate the energy and enthusiasm of, in total, six adults, five kids and two dogs, including a two-year-old miniature dachshund Dusty (“who thinks he's one of the kids!"). “The kids have their own space to hang out," says Michelle, referring to the blue TV room furnished with a sumptuous velvet sofa, “while the grown-ups have quality relaxing and entertaining time, too".