Adding a second storey has doubled the size of

Jack Canning’s dated 1960s bungalow,

transforming it into a light, bright and spacious

home that reflects its beautiful coastal location

WORDS

Beth Murton

PHOTOGRAPHY

Malcolm Menzies

Where many people would have simply seen a small and unappealing bungalow for sale, Jack spotted the opportunity to transform a dated property into a modern home with far-reaching views down to the picturesque marina in Lymington near the New Forest. With a design background, he was on the lookout for a renovation project where he could stamp his personality on the space, and hopefully make a tidy profit in the process. “I relocated from London to Lymington for work reasons, and had been renting in the area for two years while I searched for my new home,” he explains. “Properties like this don’t come on the market very often, so I was very lucky to get my hands on this one.”

Set on a large plot, the 1960s bungalow had been modernised over the years, but nothing had been done to a particularly high standard and the entire space needed renovating. “It was perfectly serviceable in the short term, but there was nothing worth saving,” recalls Jack. Living in the bungalow for two years helped him formulate his design ideas, working out how he’d like to live in the house and where additional space was most needed. “It’s important to see where the best light is in the house, and think out simple everyday things, such as where you want to eat breakfast outside to catch the morning sun and how much storage you need,” he says. “All of these things come together to help you design a space to suit your lifestyle.”

Jack’s ambitious plans for the bungalow have seen it double in size thanks to the addition of a completely new second storey housing four bedrooms, including a master bedroom with en suite. On the ground floor, the rooms at the rear have been opened up to create an open-plan kitchen/dining/living room with bifold doors leading out to the new decked terrace. “I spent a long time finalising the plans to make the best use of the space and ensure I had the indoor-outdoor connection I wanted,” Jack explains.

A new porch at the front of the house leads into a double-height hallway, with barn-style sliding glazed doors separating this space from the open-plan area at the back. “The doors from the hallway are lined up with one set of bifolds at the rear of the house, so you can see right to the bottom of the garden as soon as you walk in, which helps to create long views and therefore increases the feeling of space,” says Jack. “My parents are talented garden designers and landscape architects, and were invaluable for helping with ideas for the outside space.”

Having drawn up the plans himself and successfully applied for planning permission, Jack also took on the role of project manager, living nearby for the duration of the 10-month build so he could be on site twice a day. Although experienced in running large design projects, taking on the dual role of client and designer has given him a greater understanding of the stresses some of his clients face. “It made me realise what it feels like when people are always chasing you to make decisions,” he admits.

With a career that takes Jack all over the world, design ideas are in plentiful supply, although on this occasion he didn’t need to look much further than the house’s location to inspire his interior décor, opting for a fresh coastal vibe mixed in with a touch of Scandinavian chic.

“I’ve gone for a fairly neutral backdrop, but added interest with exposed brickwork, different textures and subtle architectural lighting that highlights key items to bring the house to life,” he says.

“I wanted the interior to feel contemporary but still homely, so that friends feel at ease when they walk in.” Jack also made several bespoke items so that each room has a distinct focal point, from the storage in the living area and the marble-topped dining table to the vanity unit and plush velvet headboard in the master suite.

With the house complete and his free time no longer taken up with managing a building project, Jack is finally able to fully enjoy the house and its beautiful coastal location.

“It’s lovely to have everything exactly the way I want it,” he says. With such a successful renovation under his belt, however, there are already signs that another project could be on the cards in the not too distant future. “I’m happy here for now, but I’d definitely like to do something even bigger and better next time.”