Home Style: Shades of Colour
Sarah Hazebroek has overhauled her Victorian home and turned it into a fun and colourful backdrop for her antique finds and her own collection of lampshades and homeware...
Credits:
Photography: Richard Gadsby/Living4media
Words: Amy Maynard/Living4media
Over ten years ago, Sarah and Myles Hazebroek were living in a townhouse in Tunbridge Wells when they decided they needed more outdoor space for their two little ones, Ted and Polly, to roam.
Sarah, who runs homeware brand Huddle Collection, and Myles, who runs a PR agency, narrowed their search down to the pretty village of Goudhurst. "Myles works in Tunbridge Wells so needed a short commute and also we wanted to still be able to see the local friends we had made," said Sarah.
The couple’s budget meant that they were on the hunt for a 'doer upper'. "We wanted a period house with views and with potential – as we didn’t have the money to buy the perfect house. Plus, we wanted to put our stamp on it," recalled Sarah.
Sarah had strong links with local estate agents, having previously worked in the industry, so she was one of the first to hear about a detached Victorian property on the outskirts of the village that ticked all their boxes.
"The house was perfect," said Sarah. "It was situated in an acre of garden with wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. It needed a total overhaul – rewiring, reroofing and totally redecorating."
The couple had already sold their old property and were renting by the time they saw the house. The purchase was chain free and went through smoothly. They decided to live with the property as it was for three years in order to save up for the renovation. As well as completely redoing the interiors, the couple also wanted to add an extension – adding a further two bedrooms and an en suite as well as a large kitchen/dining room.
"Planning was a bit tricky as we are in AONB, and we did have to reduce the size of the plans and agree to paint the weatherboard a traditional Kent colour,’ explained Sarah.
Planning was eventually granted and the family decided to rent locally while the work was being done. Seven months later, they were able to move back in. What was the kitchen has now become a utility room and the house now features four bedrooms. The set-up is perfect for the couple and their now teenage children, Ted and Polly, plus Timber and Herbie the springer spaniels that complete the gang.
It was in 2021, after struggling to find affordable block-print lampshades, that Sarah decided to set up Huddle Collection. But before long, her stock was overtaking the house and so Myles came to the rescue, converting the outbuilding into her office/storeroom. "The existing building was there but it was in disrepair, so Myles rebuilt it himself," said Sarah.
Her stock does still creep over into the house and the property is a wonderfully eclectic ever-evolving canvas for her lampshades and soft furnishings in all the colours of the rainbow. She describes her style as colourful and cosy and, as well as her bright homeware peppering each space, walls and fixtures and fittings are painted in bold hues. Meanwhile, in every corner there are little curios collections.
"A lot of our antiques are inherited," said Sarah. "The Georgian corner shelving unit in the sitting room belonged to my grandmother and is filled with the glassware she bought when she lived in Sudan."
There is also some Dutch influence, on account of Myles’s heritage. A row of ceramic Dutch Delft houses lines the sideboard in the snug and paintings from Amsterdam can be found hanging on the walls.
However, Sarah is also very clever at sourcing her own collections – her most treasured being the striped Cornishware on the kitchen shelves. "I started collecting when I got my first flat in Putney and bought a piece a month from the age of 21," she recalled.
As well as the antiques they’ve been given by each side of the family, Sarah has found plenty of treasures in the local antiques shops and fairs. She can often be found doing the rounds at Ardingly – which is where she has sourced some of her larger pieces of furniture. She was particularly thrilled with the pine Edwardian larder cupboard in her kitchen that she painted and the sideboard in the snug that she also updated with chalk paint.
The family love living with colour. "The kitchen is my favourite place to be. It’s such a party room with the terrace in summer and fire in winter," said Sarah. "I love the colour and people say it’s such a relaxing space. Polly loves it too – but Ted, meanwhile, is relaxed as long as food on the table!" laughed Sarah. The layout of the space works really well for the family. "I like to move bits about. We didn’t want an island, so we have the flexibility to shift furniture around," she explained.
The house is wonderful throughout all the seasons, but Sarah says it’s particularly glorious in autumn. "Every window offers views of the turning leaves."
Sarah is delighted with the final results and the family couldn’t be happier living in the area – especially when it comes to picking up new collectibles for the house. "We are so lucky to live near Rye and Hastings because both these seaside towns are treasure troves of antiques and vintage pieces."
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