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LIVING AND WORKING IN THEIR FLAT DURING ITS LOCKDOWN RENOVATION PROVED TO BE A CHALLENGE WELL WORTH ENDURING FOR FRANCESCA JOHNSON AND HER PARTNER BEN SHAPLAND

Living room

‘We made the doorway into a larger opening to create a more open-plan feel,’ says Francesca. ‘And we made sure the new architrave worked with the original architectural details.’

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Being confined to their London flat during the spring 2020 lockdown conversely made Francesca Johnson and partner Ben Shapland want to buy a property together. ‘We always thought we’d never leave London but, during lockdown, had enjoyed a quieter pace of life. We looked to St Leonards-onSea where we’d spent happy weekends and where several friends live,’ says Francesca.

The couple discovered the right property after only a handful of viewings. ‘It was a glorious day and the flat was flooded with sunshine, feeling incredibly light and spacious and with so much promise,’ she recalls. ‘We bought it from an investor who had done cosmetic work but it wasn’t in a good state of repair. However, it had stunning architectural details, such as bay windows and ornate ceilings and cornicing.’

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