Anyone unfamiliar with Camber Sands might be surprised by the old-fashioned charm of this tiny coastal enclave. It’s tucked amongst the dunes, just a pebble’s throw from the beautiful historical town of Rye on the Sussex coast. The enviable location and miles of beaches, plus a smattering of delightful wooden houses and chalet bungalows, combine to create a sense of time-forgotten land.
Add to this the fact that the area was under army occupation during the Second World War (used for training exercises) and it’s easy to see why it has a vintage vibe. It was this old-school seaside aesthetic and the sense of community that drew Laura and Stewart McKay to the area.
The site of their former 1970s brick bungalow, now a New England-style beach house, used to be the army mechanics and officers’ mess. ‘When we dug the foundations to start renovating, we found several Willys Jeep chassis and hundreds of old bottles left behind. We collected lots of them to display in the house, but had to leave others for future generations to uncover one day, as there were just too many,’ says Laura.
Stuart and Laura sought out a multi-purpose home that could be a weekend retreat for them, along with their grown-up family. The couple runs a design and project management company, Cocoon Residential, so they are used to working together on big projects, ranging from eco homes to French châteaux and London loft apartments.
‘When we came across the bungalow, both of our drawing boards came out and we each designed what we wanted. Unsurprisingly, they were very similar; we think alike,’ Laura laughs.
It took a year for the building to be completed. Intent on creating an open plan space downstairs without any supporting pillars on view, they had to think creatively. ‘We found a way to hide the supports in walls, fireplaces and cupboards,’ says Laura. ‘The result is a wonderful double aspect open room, with daylight that floods into the front in the morning and the rear at sunset.’
Inside, everything is reclaimed. Furniture is vintage, the lighting salvaged, and even the stove is a restored 1950s design. Walls have been clad with wood panelling throughout, and then either whitewashed or given a dark finish reminiscent of a rustic log cabin. There is so much character that it’s hard to believe the house isn’t a relic from centuries past.
‘People often ask about its history, expecting us to say it was a smuggling inn or a fisherman’s house, when in reality it’s not even two years old,’ says Laura. ‘The wood panelling was reclaimed from various Georgian buildings, including working men’s clubs in East London. These walls could tell many stories, I’m sure!’
Laura explains that her style of décor is always evolving, but here they had a clear vision of what they wanted to achieve: eclectic, beachy and inspired by New England. Indeed, there are references from both the UK and the US throughout – from the English Georgian cast iron fire surround to the retro floral wallpaper by Ralph Lauren.
is from Ardingly Antiques Fair. - Rachel Whiting -
It’s quite fitting when, with its windswept beaches, thriving property market and proximity to London, insiders often refer to Camber as the Hamptons of Britain.
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