James and Amy by Rachael Smith

James and Amy
Pictures Rachael Smith
Words Dominic Bradbury

For many years structural engineer James O’Callaghan has nurtured the quiet ambition to build a new, modern house for himself and his family. After mooring his boat on the Isle of Wight one day, O’Callaghan found the perfect coastal site to realize his dream and indulge his love of sailing.
O’Callaghan and his wife Amy turned to architect Magnus Strom to design a striking, modern home on the foreshore to replace a crumbling Fifties house. The resulting design is an elegant, single storey home that maximises connections with the mature gardens and the waters of the Solent.
The house itself features a welcoming, open plan living area at the centre, with a kitchen, dining area and sitting room. The master suite sits at one end of the house, with bedrooms for the couple’s three children, plus a guest bedroom, at the opposite end. O’Callaghan has also added a boathouse, complete with a hobby room that doubles as a home office. At a time of staycations, Island Rest offers a highly tempting take on the 21st Century waterside home.