SETTING SAIL

After selling their home, JP Clark and his husband, John, transformed an iconic 1960s deckhouse into a relaxing waterside escape

- ALI HEATH

John and I have harboured a desire to live by the coast since we met,’ says blogger and online influencer JP Clark. Twenty-three years later, married and with 10 renovations behind them, the sale of their former West Sussex home has made the dream a reality. ‘With each move we inched nearer to the sea.’

The catalyst for the move was triggered in lockdown. ‘We had finished the renovation of our home and garden and despite loving it, realised the upkeep was a huge ongoing commitment.’ Coinciding with the slowing down of JP’s at-home hairdressing salon, thoughts turned to how he could diversify his career and combine it with his passion for property.

The couple decided to sell up, downsize and reinvest by the coast. ‘Our home sold within two days, so the coastal search began in earnest,’ says JP. ‘We decided to split our budget between a boutique escape that we could do up, rent out and also enjoy, along with a smaller, main home project.’ Combining JP’s love of interior decoration with John’s practical spatial planning, carpentry and electrical skills, the couple knew they could make their resources work hard.

‘We stumbled upon Emsworth, situated on the West Sussex/Hampshire border, by chance, and were drawn to the village and surrounding coastal areas. With a butcher, fishmonger, deli and two Michelin Guide restaurants, it has a community spirit we love.’