Owner Insights: Our Q&A at Narayan

Why did you choose to buy in Deal?

“I’d been visiting Deal for many years as friends had houses down here; in fact, the first Deal house I ever stayed at is the one directly across from Narayan. A few years back, after many visits, I just started to covet a cottage of my own, and it just had to be Middle Street, which is simply one of the most charming streets in the U.K.”

What inspired the design of Narayan?

“The renovation of the house has been a labour of love and a lot of perseverance. It was really important to keep the character and comfort of a traditional country cottage yet also have an elevated aesthetic with harmonious contemporary and luxe touchpoints. The highest priority for me was to use the highest quality fixtures like the brass kitchen and bathroom accessories and the paint colours; I did so many trips to Farrow & Ball that I could be one of their colour specialists now.”

Do you know anything about the history of Narayan?

“Many of the houses on Middle Street were built in the 18th century, including Narayan, and would have been used as smugglers’ lodgings and all the other things that sailors needed after long journeys at sea!

In the 1950/60s Middle St was potentially scheduled for demolition, but thankfully a local group saved it, and it became the first conservation area in Kent – most of the Middle St houses, including Narayan, are at least Grade II listed.”

What’s your favourite room in the house and why?

“It has to be the sunroom annex at the back of the house with the French Crittall doors into the courtyard. There is so much light in this room that it’s the perfect spot for a morning coffee or an afternoon tea. In the warm weather it’s ideal for a group of you to open the doors and sit between this little sunroom and the courtyard, which is completely private and not overlooked by any of the surrounding houses. I really like the contrast of this extension with its muted-green zinc roof and walls against the listed Georgian house.

When I stay in the house, this sunroom is my reading room, my surfing the internet room, my dozing on the sofa in the late afternoon room, my catch-up with a close friend room – it’s my happy room.”

What are your favourite things to do in Deal (Kent) when you come to stay?

“I’m an avid shopper so the High St beckons me on every visit and I do have my favourites. Will & Yates for interiors is very well curated, and I often end up buying a treat – in fact the wonderful cane sofa in the sunroom was bought from here. There are too many fantastic stores to name, but I will always have a good browse in Dunlin & Diver, Smoke on the Water, Smugglers Records and Quill Antiques, which is full of ‘old school’ pottery and ceramics.

There are a few really great delis, but my main go-to is Arno & Co. for the best coffee and savoury treats, and I’ll go sit on the benches by the churchyard across the road and watch the world go by – it is so calming.

My obsession with views knows no bounds, and I will always walk down the fantastically modernist pier and take in the view back towards the town, which really has to be the best English seaside frontage. And the light over the sea is different every time – I have taken some incredible images of the moonlight over the water.”

What made you choose Keepers Cottages?

“From the moment I made the decision to holiday let the house, I had only ever heard the most wonderful praise for Keepers Cottages and my early meetings with Arthur Shipton (Camilla’s son) only reinforced this. The guests consistently rave about the exemplary service received, and I can wholeheartedly agree on this.

It’s the care, love and attention you can only get from a real family business.”