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Sallyann Cox used her creative talents to extend a small bungalow and make the most of the delightful coastal views. Idon’t want to live in a bungalow – I’m not ready for that!’ was interior decorator, stylist and maker Sallyann Cox’s reaction when her husband R ichard suggested it. It was back when the couple were regularly spending a few months at a time sailing around Greece and knew a lock-up-andleave home would fit the bill. The idea became a sad necessity, however, when Richard was diagnosed with motor neurone disease and had to use a wheelchair. ‘We’d looked at so many places, none of which were suitable,’ remembers Sallyann. Finally, and with no real enthusiasm, she went to see a small, two-bedroom bungalow almost untouched for nearly 50 years and had a change of heart. ‘During the viewing, I walked into the cluttered garage and noticed a tiny window on the side – one glimpse at the view and I realised there was so much untapped potential here,’ she recalls. The house itself had effectively been built facing away from ever-changing views across fields to the Salcombe-Kingsbridge estuary much beloved by the couple. ‘I knew that by doing some rejigging to the garage, I would be able to make a special place where Richard could enjoy sitting and watching the ebb and flow of the tides, and the boats down on the water – it would be a nourishing environment.’ In the end, Richard was not able to move in as his illness progressed quickly, but, after his death, Sallyann decided to continue with their plans. ‘It was very hard to be there without him and, for the first couple of years, I didn’t do much at all apart from replacing the bedroom window with French doors onto a little balcony; I had a constant need to get outside rather than be cooped up, so opening up the house as much as I could became a priority.’ Two years later, when she felt able, Sallyann began work on the rest of the house. The garage and carport were demolished and replaced with a sleek extension. ‘I knew I wanted an open-plan space where I could cook, eat and relax,’ she says. The original rooms were reorganised making an extra bedroom and guest bathroom, as well as a large, bright hall where Sallyann makes lighting and mirrors from items she salvages on nearby beaches. ‘I’ve always been drawn to the sea, whether living on it or near it and I’m always out collecting all manner of things!’ Her creative eye has also been used on the interiors. ‘I’ve designed and decorated shops and restaurants in the past, invariably in vivid colours with a Mediterranean influence, but in this house, I’ve been more restrained with lots of neutrals. I decided to think of it as a blank canvas that I could add to or remove from if I felt like a change.’ There are still pops of colour evident in the soft furnishings and the odd wild wallpaper and vintage find. ‘I used to have a lot more furniture and general “stuff” but we sold practically everything when we went off sailing. I had to start again which is surprisingly cathartic, if expensive!’ Renovating the house also proved to be a turning point. ‘It was completed in nine months and I barely had time to think about much else as there were so many decisions to be made but it was good to engage with something,’ she says. So has Sallyann been converted to bungalow life? ‘I actually feel really lucky to live here,’ she says. ‘The house makes for such easy living and with beautiful views, too – it’s an absolute privilege.

Kirkwood residents Chris and genus Melissa Fox had designed their home nearly a decade agone. Even although it was comparatively new they weren’t happy. whereas the vessel sinks provided visual eye candy they weren’t terribly functional; water splashed everywhere the countertops, the area was dark, and the intrinsic corner bathtub tub was cumbersome. “Their dislike for the brown woodwork finally created them conceive to do one thing,” says designer Leah Jerrell, owner of LJ Interior styles. a lover of a lover had referred Randall Jarrell to the couple. She reminisced concerning their 1st meeting. “We paged through some of Chris and Melissa’s inspirations photos. typically folks just like the essence of a photograph however would like somebody to hone in on what they extremely like therefore they don’t go barking up the incorrect tree. we have a tendency to straightaway clicked.” It didn’t take long for them to form an idea. Her purchasers wished a clean, bright, unaltered look which translated into AN all-white toilet. as luck would have it, the size of the toilet was not a downside. Leah was ready to use an equivalent footprint. each of the recent brown cupboards were swapped out for brand new white vanities with additional easy undermount sinks with Corian Quartz countertops. “Some folks wish additional storage, however genus Melissa likable having an area to take a seat all the way down to place her makeup on or simply take a flash to concentrate on herself. So, we have a tendency to determined to stay an equivalent basic cupboard styles.”Once the bathtub tub was removed, the house was good for AN aesthetically pleasing separate tub by Wildon Homes. Even although Randall Jarrell went with Moen chrome taps she selected a surprising antique brass end lighting fixture to hold over the bathtub. “I love compounding finishes. It simply makes the house such a lot additional attention-grabbing." Leah wished to herald some texture to the all-white area, therefore she instructed victimisation shiplap on the walls painted Sherwin Williams Pure White. She understood her purchasers likable the concept of a hardwood floor however additionally knew it might be a tricky mission to keep up. they need 2 terribly active young daughters. It was straightforward to accomplish the same look with a look-alike wood tile Leah found at The Tile search in Brentwood. Last, however not least, it absolutely was time to tackle the problematic shower. Leah was fast to defend her selection of white subway tile, a ancient favorite. “I wished to keep a classic look however not be boring. therefore I modified it up and used larger 4x12 tiles.” the dimensions of the shower was quite ample, sufficiently big to feature his-and-hers shower heads and individual thermostat controls. Canine lovers can appreciate the hand-held shower focused on the wall. it absolutely was additional for a special member of the family, the loveable pooch, Bodie. All tails were wagging as accent mirrors and soothing design completed this Kirkwood toilet makeover. See stlouishomesmag.com for resources and extra photos