Northern Delights

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When Emily Lynas’ uncle flew across Ireland and landed on Portstewart beach to propose to the young woman in the seaside house, he set the scene for generations to come. The couple left, the house was sold, but the story was far from over. The next chapter began decades later, when Emily and her husband of ten years, Dave, set about making the north coast property their home. “The house was destined to be ours,” says Emily. Their vision was to transform the house into one that married the original 1930s style with a modern Scandinavian feel. Replacing the windows and adding an extension were major parts of the renovation. “We needed triple glazing at the back of the house because we get battered with storms,” explains Emily. “But we were keen to keep the old style sash windows.”

The couple put their own quirky touches to the seaside pad with travel trinkets, comic book papered doors and gorgeous splashes of colour. Many original features have remained, including the fireplaces and upstairs flooring, but one new design feature brings the house together beautifully – the expanse of reclaimed parquet flooring. “Watching the parquet take shape was one of the most enjoyable parts of the whole project,” Emily recalls. “It was a labour of love.”

Now that the house is finished, Emily and Dave aren’t busy getting stuck into a new adventure. The couple, together with two friends, have opened Lost & Found in Coleraine – the first of what they hope could become a chain of coffee shops with a difference, serving Square Mile coffee, gourmet sambos and freshly baked cakes.

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