At Home with Dean and Jeska

Tell us about the area you live. What’s special about it?

D & J: We live between Hastings and Rye, in a small clifftop village by the sea. Although it might appear to be a traditional suburban retirement village on the surface, it has plenty of quirks, a great pub, and is right on the edge of a country park, just a few minutes from a lovely beach. It’s a perfect change of pace — the quiet and calm are so refreshing, especially since I spend a lot of time in the city on shoots, and Jeska is busy running her online store, The Future Kept.

Describe your home’s personality.

D: Our home is a simple 1930s bungalow. It’s definitely not what you would call a "dream home" when you look at it from the outside, but it has a huge amount of outdoor space, and there is so much to love about it. It sits on a really quiet road, surrounded by the sea and green spaces, and the cats adore it. Personality-wise, it’s a bit like a difficult teenager — you know (and hope) that, despite its quirks and challenges, it will turn out great. It often surprises us with flashes of unexpected joy.

J: It has a cosy, welcoming cabin feel, like an old friend you return to after a day away. The atmosphere shifts from relaxed and serene to creative and chaotic, depending on what the working day looks like for both of us.

Favourite space or room in your home? Best season in the space?

D: For me, it’s the kitchen. We had to do a lot of work on it, and the layout is completely different from when we moved in. It’s quite small, but we really thought carefully about what we wanted from it. It gets lovely light all year round and is beginning to have just the right amount of lived-in charm. Autumn is my favourite season here, as the lower light bounces around the space, and the view into the garden becomes even more beautiful.

J: I love the kitchen table, where we plan and enjoy our meals. I sometimes work here, and the calming garden view is the perfect backdrop. I love autumn too, but late summer is magical — with the doors open, the meadow swaying beyond, and crickets chirping. It’s such a special time of year in this house.

You’re a photographer and Jeska is a stylist. How important is colour and texture in your life?

D: Texture and colour balance are incredibly important to us. Since we work from home, the space needs to be both interesting and calming. We’re both drawn to earthy tones, particularly the warmer shades, and the textures of materials like bare wooden floorboards, linens, and cupboards with layers of chipped paint. There’s something about all these elements that just feels right here.

J: Tone is key for me. I love using colours inspired by nature. We feel very connected to the outdoors here, so incorporating natural tones in our interiors creates a calm, harmonious atmosphere. While we may not use many bright colours, tactile fabrics and textured ceramics bring interest and warmth to the space.

What furniture item could you never part with?

D: I’m pretty relaxed about our possessions and could let go of most things. For me, home is more about who you share it with. As long as I have Jeska and the cats, that’s all I really need — everything else is a bonus.

J: We have an antique sewing box that doubles as a side table, which my Grandma gave me. It has a pretty floral motif carved on the front and is really useful for placing drinks, a lamp, or even using as a bedside table. I’m not overly attached to furniture though — we love switching things up, moving pieces around, or swapping with family and friends.