ellacombe

 

Ellacombe, Seaview: Coastal House Renovation and Extension

Transforming a Seaside Home into a Contemporary Family Retreat

What was once a labyrinth of extensions has been transformed into a finely tuned instrument for family time, a sanctuary away from the relentless demands of international travel and the pressures of working across time zones. Designed for calm, intimate holiday living, the home embraces simplicity, stripping back traditional detailing in favour of refined functionality.

Set within a walled garden, privacy is paramount in this tightly knit seaside village. The existing boundary was carefully retained and completed, while layered landscaping provides an additional veil of seclusion, creating a lush, green retreat that seamlessly connects spaces for relaxation, entertaining, and activity.

Rooted in its setting, the house sits on a solid plinth that grounds it within the landscape. Crisp new architectural forms rise above, culminating in a reimagined top floor within the roof space, offering far-reaching views across the sea.

Beautifully detailed throughout, the home balances tradition with a contemporary sensibility, embracing a casual yet functional way of living, where heritage meets modernity in a seamless and thoughtful dialogue.

Architects - Mattinson Associates Team

Interior Design – Mattinson Associates Team

Landscape Design – Mattinson Associates Team & CAR

Location – Seaview, Isle of Wight, UK

Structural Engineer – Jonathan Darnell.

Quantity Surveyor – QoS Consultants

Contractor – Challen Building & Renovation

Photographer – Holly Jolliffe Photography

We chose Mattinson Associates for our building project because of their strong local presence and an impressive portfolio that immediately stood out. Being off-Island ourselves, we wanted a team we could trust especially one that wouldn’t take over the process without collaboration. From the outset, it was clear we were in safe, experienced hands.

Working with the team was a genuinely positive experience. The result has exceeded our expectations. The house feels wonderfully light and spacious, with a seamless flow between the old and new elements, nothing feels bolted on or out of place. We especially love how the original entrance was preserved within the garden layout, and the top terrace is a standout feature. The materials used look fantastic and elevate the overall aesthetic.

We’ve had so many compliments on the design. Friends and neighbours alike have praised how we’ve enhanced the character of the original home with thoughtful, high-quality additions.

We would absolutely recommend the Mattinson Associates team to others. They offer a comprehensive, thoughtful service and deliver beautiful, functional designs. We always felt the project was in good hands, and the result speaks for itself.

– Client testimonial

Timber pergola shading an outdoor seating area in the landscaped garden of Ellacombe, with pale rendered walls and traditional brick boundaries.
Renovated seaside home at Ellacombe, with a pale rendered rear elevation, glazed doors, lawn and planted garden enclosed by boundary walls.
Pale blue entrance door framed by timber pergola beams and climbing greenery, retaining the character of the original home within the redesigned garden.
Light-filled entrance hall with patterned blue and white floor tiles, a painted timber staircase and a pale blue front door opening onto the garden.
Pale blue framed glazed sliding doors connecting the living spaces at Ellacombe, with soft neutral furnishings and warm timber accents.
Contemporary living room with salmon-pink armchairs, a sage-green sofa and a round fluted timber coffee table, creating a relaxed coastal interior.
Living room with full-height glazed doors opening directly onto the lawn, connecting the renovated house with its private landscaped garden.
Purpose-designed drying and storage area with a copper hanging rail, pale blue shelving and wetsuits, providing practical space for seaside family living.
Bespoke white kitchen with a pale blue island, brass tapware, traditional-style cabinetry and a large rooflight bringing natural light into the space.
Wooden outdoor hot tub set within a private garden enclosure, surrounded by timber screening and lush planting at Ellacombe.
Timber decking beside the outdoor bathing area, with fern planting and natural sunlight highlighting the materials and textures of the garden.
Pale stone stepping path crossing the lawn towards a planted garden border, with young trees, flowering perennials and an existing brick boundary wall.
Outdoor kitchen and dining terrace beneath a timber pergola, with built-in timber cabinetry, garden seating and layered planting for outdoor entertaining.
Layered green foliage beside timber garden structure and pale paving, showing the natural materials and planting palette used in the landscape design.
Upper-floor roof terrace with glazed balustrade, pale outdoor lounge furniture and panoramic sea views from the renovated coastal home in Seaview.
Bright games room with a green-felt pool table, rooflight and sliding glazed doors opening onto the sea-view roof terrace.
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