Tour this coastal Rye home with a cosy cabin feel

Jo Leevers
·5 min read
wooden walls and cabinets in the kitchen with one blue wall and a tiled floor the walls of the galley kitchen have been painted a deep shade of blue and part clad with reclaimed timber, while cupboard doors are fronted with dress weight denim
A coastal home with a cosy cabin feelRachel Whiting

As the designer behind the interiors of several grand and atmospheric country houses in Kent, interior designer Francesca Rowan Plowden is known for layering rich colours and patterns.

But when it came to her own house on the edge of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve in East Sussex, she took a rather different approach. 'It was important to me to create a sense of calm,' she explains. ‘This house feels like a pocket of magic where all you can hear and see is nature and I wanted the interiors to express that.’

When Francesca bought this house eight years ago, it looked very different. While it dated from the 1930s, it had been extended in the 1980s, with a garage to one side and a loft conversion.

The result was a hotch-potch of styles and eras, but Francesca could immediately see how to give the house a more unified character, taking style cues from the colours, textures and light-bathed natural scenery that lay outside its front door.

an open plan living room featuring timber clad walls, a modern grey sofa with a woodburning stove

The house looks out towards salt marshes where sheep graze and, beyond, the beach is a short walk away. Francesca wanted to bring in the deep blues of the sea, and timbers reminiscent of cabin hideaways.

The previous owner had been very particular about who she sold the house to. She could sense that Francesca had its best interests at heart and decided she wanted Francesca and her family to have it. So when another prospective buyer attempted to nip in, they failed to make headway. 'Fortunately, the owner liked us and the fact we were looking for a long-term home for our young family,' says Francesca.

dark wooden floorboards, white walls and ceiling and a round wooden dining table with white and black chairs, a white and blue staircase and a large wooden shelving unit the living areas are partly separated by a central column, which houses a black cast iron stove with a double aspect the floorboards have been stained a deep blueblack and are complemented by industrial metal lights, tolix and tractor chairs the island unit was created by hastings and bexhill wood recycling using timber from an old pier and designed along with the rest of the house by rowan plowden design

With her interior design knowledge, Francesca was able to envisage how the flow of the layout could be improved and implemented structural changes, which included removing a wall and incorporating the former garage into the house.

'Now, the kitchen and sitting room are all one big open living space, with a double-sided woodburner in the middle,' she says. Part of the old garage is now a second living area, with glazed doors giving views of the surrounding landscape. Two bedrooms and a family bathroom are downstairs, while the loft level was reconfigured to create an ensuite for the main bedroom.

an open plan living space with a contemporary grey sofa and woodburning stove
A wall of timber cladding unites the kitchen and living area with wool fleeces softening the look.Rachel Whiting

As a long-time resident of nearby Rye, Francesca was already familiar with the beauty of the area and the local beach in all seasons. 'I wanted this to be a house that could be used throughout the year, with a warm cabin vibe rather than a beach house feel,' she says. ‘Now, it’s light and airy in the summer and cosy in the winter months.'

wooden walls and cabinets in the kitchen with one blue wall and a tiled floor the walls of the galley kitchen have been painted a deep shade of blue and part clad with reclaimed timber, while cupboard doors are fronted with dress weight denim

The decor reflects this aim, with shiplap timber, hardwearing fabrics and deep blues and steely greys that nod to the nearby seascapes, while metal pendants and Tolix-style chairs add subtle gleam. Rather than overload the rooms, Francesca added carefully chosen pieces of furniture and art, many of which are vintage finds. Rye and nearby Hastings are both rich pickings for vintage hunters. 'If I fall for something, I'll buy it, even if I don't know exactly where it will go,' explains Francesca.

white french doors, a large wooden bench dining table, a blue sofa, fur rug and wooden furniture the living areas are partly separated by a central column, which houses a black cast iron stove with a double aspect the floorboards have been stained a deep blueblack and are complemented by industrial metal lights, tolix and tractor chairs the island unit was created by hastings and bexhill wood recycling using timber from an old pier and designed along with the rest of the house by rowan plowden design
Beyond the living space is a more formal dining area in the former garage, now flooded with lightRachel Whiting

'Eventually, everything finds its perfect spot, either in my own home or on a project. Scouring antiques markets and vintage shops is a huge part of my design process,' she says. 'I'm always on the lookout for something that's quirky, eclectic and different. If an object or a piece of furniture is a little bit rough around the edges, it adds character and charm.'

a large black and white bed, in a room with a white ceiling and wooden walls, with two white lamps on the bedside tables
Tucked under the eaves, this space has a cosy, cabin-like feel, with acute peephole window overlooking the coastal landscapeRachel Whiting

The scaffolding planks that Francesca has used as wall cladding are a case in point, with every knot, dent and divot acting as a reminder of the material’s original purpose. Similarly, fabrics such as denim, used as a ‘skirt’ to conceal shelving and appliances, and a deep blue linen on the sofas, have a hardworking character. For more indulgent touches, Francesca has layered sheepskins and laid flatweave rugs on the painted floorboards.

a white walled attic room with the bed through a door, a white cabinet and a wooden chair in the attic bedroom a wood clad wall incorporates a little shuttered window, while a spacein the roof creates an enclosed sleeping den
Francesca unearthed the painted cabinet in this bedroom on one of her regular rummages in local vintage and antique shops, while an extra loft area makes a snug hideaway.Rachel Whiting

As the base materials and colours evoke a mood that is crisp, clean and fresh, it is rustic textures that bring personality and depth to each room. ‘Texture is so important, especially if you want to incorporate the surrounding nature into a scheme,’ explains Francesca.

Whether it's the cable-knit pattern of a woollen throw, the warmth of bleached timber or the sheen of a vintage light, texture adds interest to every room: ‘It makes the difference between a property being a box and it feeling like home.’

a large white bathtub in a room with white wooden walls and floors, next to a wooden seat with a large picture of flowers on the wall an elegant claw footed bath is offset by white tongue and groove on the bathroom walls

Ultimately, this is a house that reflects its surroundings and is designed to evoke the same emotions that Francesca experienced the first time she came here. 'It feels serene,' she says. 'I can be a spectator of nature but also relax here with my family. It’s a place where time can stand still.'

a former garage is clad in black timber to create a cabin like feel
The 1930s house was united with its 1980s garage with traditional exterior claddingRachel Whiting

Follow House Beautiful on TikTok and Instagram.

You Might Also Like