Set within one of Hove's most distinguished Regency seafront terraces, this elegant two-bedroom apartment was purchased as a weekend retreat for a busy family wanting a weekend place to stay near the family of the wife.
The family had a very specific vision for the apartment. They wanted it to feel special and memorable whenever they arrived, capturing the effortless luxury of a boutique hotel while retaining the warmth and comfort of a private home. Equally, they were keen to avoid creating a traditional "home away from home" filled with clutter, family memorabilia and the practicalities of everyday living.
Instead, they envisioned a calm and sophisticated coastal residence; somewhere that celebrated its exceptional location, felt beautifully considered and luxurious, yet remained comfortable enough for long weekends spent unwinding by the sea without the pressure of a modern hotel.
Situated moments from Brunswick Square and overlooking Hove's iconic promenade, the apartment forms part of the grand cream-coloured Regency terraces that define this stretch of coastline. The challenge was to create interiors that honoured the architectural grandeur of the building while delivering a relaxed, contemporary family retreat.
From the moment you enter the building, the scale and elegance of the original architecture make an impression. A grand communal entrance sets the tone for what lies beyond, while inside the apartment, magnificent proportions, soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling sash windows flood the rooms with natural light and frame uninterrupted views of the English Channel.
The design focused on celebrating these remarkable architectural features rather than competing with them.
In the principal living space, deep Regency-blue velvet sofas provide a striking focal point. Their generous proportions, almost chaise-like in scale, invite guests to stretch out and absorb both the sea views and the exquisite decorative detailing overhead. Layers of blue and white cushions subtly echo the changing colours of the coastline beyond, from deep ocean tones to the frothy white foam of breaking waves.
The apartment's original period features remain central to the design. Ornate ceiling roses, intricate cornicing and decorative plasterwork speak to the building's Regency heritage and provide a sense of timeless grandeur. Suspended from the centre of the living and dining rooms, statement chandeliers draw attention to the impressive ceiling heights, while original fireplaces with dark slate surrounds continue to anchor the rooms despite no longer being in use.
Knowing the family intended to spend much of their time enjoying Brighton and Hove's celebrated cafés, restaurants and seafront culture, the kitchen was intentionally kept understated. Clean-lined cabinetry, carefully selected materials and beautifully functional details create a space that feels calm, practical and quietly luxurious. Behind simple white cupboard doors sits a collection of colourful, high-quality designer crockery, adding an element of surprise and personality while ensuring everyday essentials are as beautiful as they are functional. Every element was chosen with the principle of functional beauty in mind.
The two bedrooms were designed to evoke the comfort of a luxury hotel suite. Oversized super-king beds dressed in crisp white Egyptian cotton linens create an atmosphere of understated indulgence, while contemporary dressing tables and carefully selected lighting ensure the rooms feel elegant without excess.
In the family bathroom, modern comforts sit seamlessly alongside the historic setting. A spacious walk-in rain shower, heated toilet seats and thoughtfully integrated contemporary fittings provide every convenience expected of a luxury retreat.
Throughout the apartment, the palette remains restrained and timeless, allowing the architecture, natural light and spectacular seafront setting to take centre stage. The result is a sophisticated coastal home that feels welcoming yet uncluttered; luxurious but never ostentatious; a place designed not to replicate everyday life, but to offer a complete change of pace.
This Regency apartment now serves as an elegant seaside sanctuary for its owners—a refined weekend retreat that captures the romance of Hove's historic coastline while providing all the comfort of contemporary living.
By balancing boutique-hotel sophistication with the warmth and practicality required of a family home, the design creates an experience that feels both restorative and memorable. Above all, it is a home designed around its setting: a place to slow down, watch the changing light over the sea and enjoy the simple luxury of being by the coast.
© Copyright 2021 Van der Poll White
