Chichester Harbour House | Guest Bedroom

A warm and welcoming retreat for adults and children alike.

Two beds with patterned headboards and white bedding with green and beige accents, separated by a dark wood nightstand with a lamp, set against an orange wall with framed seaside painting and wall-mounted lamps.
Close-up of a woven rattan lampshade with circular wooden accents, against a plain background.

The Starting Point

I redesigned this guest bedroom to turn a cold and uninviting space into a warm, welcoming and comfortable retreat for a variety of guests.

Key priorities included:

  • A flexible sleeping arrangement and scheme suitable for couples or children

  • Adding warmth and cosiness to a north facing room

  • Storage options for guests and the owners

A bedroom with a wooden bed, stuffed animals, a nightstand with a lamp and figurines, a second bed with striped bedding, and a white board game with colorful illustrations on top
A neatly made bed with a patterned green and white pillow, white linens, and a bed runner with green and white geometric pattern. The headboard has a blue and white floral pattern. To the right, a side table holds a lamp, and a framed picture of a coastal town hangs on the earth-colored wall. A brass wall-mounted light fixture is above the bed.

The Transformation

The property’s coastal location and the clients’ love of coastal rowing (and enjoying sunrises and sunsets on the water) inspired the scheme.

I chose a palette of orange, blue and green to warm up the north facing room and reflect the colours of the south coast.

The clients’ artwork - a collection of pieces showing local landscapes and travels - adorns the walls and a lobster pot inspired ceiling shade provides a focal centre piece.

I layered a mixture of patterned and plain soft furnishings through rugs, throws and cushions to add cosiness and warmth. Further texture and contrast was brought in through rattan and brass finishes. Layered lighting, including table lamps and wall lights, add to the cosy ambience.

A wall of wardrobes provides ample storage space for the clients and their guests alongside storage pouffes, which are ideal for hiding away toys and shoes.

I provided additional options for seating and relaxing through the vintage rocking chair and pouffes. The upholstered headboards provide further comfort and practicality for when in bed.

The result is a warm, cosy room which embraces the property’s location and the clients’ loves.

A bedroom with two single beds, each with white bedding and patterned pillows, flanking a black nightstand. The nightstand has a beige lampshade on a dark base and a striped tablet or book. Above, a framed painting of a waterfront scene with houses,
Round mirror with a decorative frame hanging on a peach-colored wall, reflecting a wall sconce lamp and a framed picture.
Close-up of a person's foot wearing a fringed sock, resting on the wooden support of a chair next to a wooden table or board.
A wooden rocking chair with a decorative cushion, located next to a window with striped blue curtains, in a room with peach-colored walls decorated with framed artwork.
Close-up of a bedroom with an orange wall, a floral-patterned headboard, a patterned pillow, white bedding, a table lamp, a framed landscape painting, and a wall-mounted brass lamp.
A woven basket containing an open book with botanical illustrations and a potted plant with green leaves, placed on a brown upholstered ottoman. The ottoman is on a multicolored striped rug, and part of a bed with a textured quilt and ruffle details
Close-up of a brown upholstered pouffe with a blue and cream embroidered cloth draped over it, on a striped rug with shades of brown, blue, and orange.
Close-up view of a wicker pendant light with wooden beads hanging from it against an orange wall.
A woven wicker lampshade hanging from the ceiling in a room with orange walls. There is a framed piece of modern artwork on the wall and a partially visible wooden chair with a patterned cushion in the corner.
Close-up of a fabric with horizontal navy and white stripes, draped over an orange-brown surface.
A metallic wall-mounted reading lamp with a conical shade and an adjustable arm, attached to a pink wall. Part of a person's arm wearing a patterned blue and white garment is visible in the lower left corner.
Two beds with floral patterned headboards and white bedding, separated by a nightstand with a lamp, set against an orange wall with a framed seaside painting, brass wall sconces, and a small rug.