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MORE INSPIRATIONAL HOMES THAN ANY OTHER MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2018 Â£4.50 | US $9.99, AUS $9.99, NZ $13

INSIDE & OUT Gorgeous solutions for sociable spaces YOUR MOODBOARD STARTS HERE From feature windows to working a small footprint

Easy ways to design with colour

A MODERN TWIST STUNNING IDEAS FOR PERIOD RENOVATIONS

October 2018

76 inspiring homes 14 33 43 52 56

N AT U R A L S E L E C T I O N A palette

of pale hues, plus elegant accessories, have transformed this Sussex home A M O D E R N T W I S T How contemporary touches brought a country house in Somerset steeped in history bang up to date P E R F E C T H A R M O N Y A pretty pre-war cottage in Hampshire proved the ideal setting for one woman’s eclectic treasures F O O D F O R T H O U G H T This Sussex detached contains a host of ﬁne ingredients C L A S S I C R E I N V E N T E D A 500-yearold Kent house has been given a new lease of life

COVER STORY

61 66 86 98 102

T I M E T O A D A P T An updated layout was

needed to make the most of this Devon house H O M E T O R O O S T It took 1o years before one patient couple could ﬁnally move in to their Southport apartment B A C K T O I T S B E S T Restoring this Northamptonshire home to its former glory meant overcoming a series of problems R U R A L P U R S U I T How serial renovators revived a run-down Berkshire farmhouse A B L A Z E O F G L O R Y Revamping a former ﬁre station in the Cotswolds has resulted in a unique home full of charm

How a mix of old and new lends a timeless feel to this renovated Victorian terrace in Hertfordshire (page 135).

2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018 | 3

106 111 118 122 130

112

135

W H E E L S O F I N D U S T R Y Cool industrial styling

complements a converted cotton mill in Manchester I N S I G H T Incorporating wood features B R I G H T F U T U R E A once-dated Fifties semi in York has been lovingly transformed into a colourful home A L L I N T H E D E TA I L An ambitious restoration revealed exquisite features in a former vicarage in the capital E A S Y E L E G A N C E Discovering this Grade II-listed house in Surrey was a dream come true for this family B E S T O F B O T H W O R L D S Moving to Hertfordshire gave one couple more space and an easy commute to the capital

unique 20 27 70

A M E R I C A N B E A U T Y One owner put zingy shades

and bold patterns to good use in her cosy Californian cottage L I G H T R E L I E F Sticking to an all-white palette has brought an ethereal feel to this York townhouse D R A M AT I C E F F E C T Vibrant tones and exotic ﬁnds bring opulent style to a southwest London residence

replanned 82 85 112 117

C U P B O A R D L O V E Creative design and clever storage

maximised the space in this bijou mews house in London I N S I G H T Clever solutions for small spaces N E W O R D E R How one woman painstakingly prepared a property in Middlesex for its exciting next chapter with a glazed extension I N S I G H T Installing feature windows

distinctive 46 76

T H E B I G E A S Y By converting a derelict barn in

Wiltshire, this family gained the laid-back lifestyle they had always wanted T H E D A R K A R T S Dramatic shades and salvaged pieces bring a stylish one-of look to a creative pair’s Sussex terrace C O L O U R H A P P Y Moving to a London duplex enabled one woman to express her love of all things bright and beautiful

new build

S TA R T I N G F R O M S C R AT C H A plan to extend a

126

Leicestershire bungalow turned into a major self-build project C H A R A C T E R B U I L D I N G This Yorkshire new build owes its charming period style to its owner’s creative ﬂair

r e g u l a r f e at u r e s 9 41 90

N E W S This month’s hot shopping trends R E A D E R O F F E R Take a kitchen design masterclass T H E S O U R C E Pick up tips and bring the ideas

141 142 143 150

seen in some of this issue’s properties into your own home T R AV E L O F F E R Enjoy an escorted European tour R E A D E R O F F E R Bring colour to your winter garden W H E R E T O B U Y Find stockists listed in this issue here R O O M E N V Y The scheme that has inspired us this month

25bh | e d ito r ’s le t te r

25 BEAUTIFUL

HOMES EDITORIAL

WELCOME Last weekend I embarked on a total overhaul of my London roof garden. The spark came from Di Zock’s colourful Californian cottage (page 20). Truly over-excited and inspired by its striking landscaping, I charged home armed with ideas for adding colour and pattern to my bijou terrace. I believe that this issue of 25 Beautiful Homes contains in its pages a spark of inspiration for everyone, whether you’re in the throws of a large-scale project or, like me, simply looking for creative ways to redesign your existing space. As an editor who is new to the title, I love that we show homes full of personality, heart and warmth; our commissioning editor Emma J Page is an expert at bringing life to interiors with real stories and projects that surprise, inform and delight. To ﬁre your imagination further, take a look at this month’s trends (page 9). Green is the strongest colour story of the year, and has a calmness that works in almost any room, while the ethnic prints and raw textures in our Traveller’s Tales edit (page 10) ofer an easy way to bring pattern into your home. Happy shopping! SARAH SPITERI, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

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EDITORIAL DIRECTOR SARAH SPITERI Executive Editors Kate French and Neil McLennan Group Creative Director Emma Williams Group Chief Sub Editor Anne Esden Homes Content Team Editorial Director Rhoda Parry Commissioning/Interiors Editor Emma J Page Editorial Assistant Sally Dominic Head of Art Operations Alison Walter Art Editors Melanie Brown, Paula Jardine, Meredith Davies Head of Subs Operations Maxine Clarke Hub Chief Sub Editor Jennifer Spaeth Deputy Chief Sub Editor Jennie Filer Senior Sub Editors Marian McNamara and Fiona Mace Commercial Operations Editorial Director Jane Akers

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OCTOBER

T R E N D S | W H AT ’ S N E W | M U S T- H AV E B U Y S

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shades of green Make use of nature’s favourite colour to bring balance and tranquillity into your home 1 LIGHT BOX Barcelona table lamp, £585, Jonathan Adler 2 ALL IN VEIN Marble trinket box, £40, John Lewis 3 PLUSH PIECE Velvet throw, £125, Debenhams

4 FLICKER OF HOPE White Lilac and Rhubarb charity home candle, £47, Jo Malone 5 ALL HUNG UP Small ﬂoral decal lantern, £15, Marks & Spencer

6 POWER PLAYER Beats by Dr Dre Beats Pill+ portable wireless speaker, £179, Ao.com 7 NATURAL BEAUTY Botanical leaf prints on canvas, £23.95 for two, Melody Maison

8 REAL TEAL Ariel cushion, £29.99, Very 9 TWO-IN-ONE Gladom tray table, £20, Ikea 1 0 SUMPTUOUS SEAT Cuba chair, £895, Furniture Village

2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018 | 9

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8 Invoke a sense of adventure with one-of-a-kind artefacts, ethnic prints and raw materials 1 VERY MOORISH Geometric bath towel, £20, Next Home 2 CITRUS ALERT Arancione Tessuto scented room diffuser, £60, Culti Milano

10 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018

3 SCENE SETTER Dunbar black and brass chandelier with green leaves, £425, One World 4 A TOUCH RUSTIC Antique conﬁt pot, £160, Oggetto 5 ON REFLECTION Triple wall mirror, £64.99, Very

6 EXOTIC WEAVES Nomado basket, £65, La Redoute 7 CHIP OFF THE BLOCK Angled mango side table, £105, French Connection 8 SET BOUNDARIES Rattan screen, £150, Cox & Cox

9 JUNGLE LOVE Tropical Tiger tray, £32, Avenida Home at Eclect Design 1 0 FERN FAVOURITE Red-and-white tiled chest of three drawers, £249.99, HomeSense

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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Natural SELECTION

A stylish grey-and-taupe colour scheme with hints of Art Deco complete the remodelled layout of Lynsey and Warren Evans’ elegant home FEATURE JANE CRITTENDEN | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH

KITCHEN ‘We wanted a big sociable space for entertaining in a classic design that wouldn’t dominate,’ says Lynsey. Chichester kitchen, £40,000; island painted in Charcoal eggshell; doors painted in Salt eggshell, both £54 for 2.5L, all Neptune

fo r t i e s d e tac h e d | 25bh INSPIRING

home truths THE PROPERTY Detached Forties house L O C AT I O N East Sussex R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner/family room, cloakroom, four bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in a Fifties house in a nearby village,’ says Lynsey.

2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018 | 15

25bh | fo r t i e s d e tac h e d FAMILY ROOM

‘The large corner sofa is the best thing we bought,’ says Lynsey. ‘It’s really comfortable and where we spend time together.’ Long Island sofa in Squirrel Matt cotton velvet, £4,570, Sofa.com

nterior designer Lynsey Evans felt so inspired by this Sussex Forties house that she began scribbling ideas for a new layout straight after her first visit. ‘The property was a good size but it had a strange layout, resulting in seven bedrooms and a dark, cramped ground floor,’ says Lynsey. ‘Reconfiguring the floor plan has given us all the space we could possibly need as a family.’ Lynsey lives here with her husband, Warren, and their two children, Ellie, 20, and Charlie, 18. The purchase came about after the couple, who run a property letting business, decided to move back to Hove after eight years living in a nearby village. ‘We were about to start a two-storey extension on our old house and I got cold feet,’ says Lynsey. ‘Over time, we’d realised that ultimately we’re town people and we missed being by the sea.’ Two houses fell through before the pair found this one, perched high on a hill with sea views. ‘We came around the corner and saw 16 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018

the sea along the horizon and I was blown away,’ says Lynsey. ‘It had plenty of space for entertaining and we loved the big garden, too.’ Right away, Lynsey knew something had to be done about the heavy wood panelling in the hall and dining room, which was eventually stripped back. The wall between the kitchen and dining room was removed to create one big space. ‘We also extended the kitchen by four metres,’ she adds. ‘We wanted a modern, open-plan layout with a family room leading out to the garden.’ On the first floor, Lynsey took the dramatic step of turning three bedrooms into one luxurious suite. ‘We didn’t need seven bedrooms,’ she says. ‘Warren and I love staying in hotels, so we’ve recreated that with a dressing room and en suite.’ The building work began about a year after the family moved in, giving Lynsey plenty of time to plan out the interiors. Downstairs, smoky grey vinyl flooring sets the silvery grey and charcoal tone,

KITCHEN Lynsey painted the vintage dresser to match the units and ﬁtted it with the same cup handles and knobs. Dresser, £250, Mark Maynard. For an identical ﬁsh-shaped jug, try Trouva’s Clementine Pale Blue Gluggle jug, £35.95

SITTING ROOM ‘The bespoke bronze and smoked glass console and cofee table are my investment pieces,’ says Lynsey. ‘I like their modern take on Art Deco design.’ Houseology’s Liang & Eimil Ming console, £837, and coffee table, £864, are similar. Cedar mirror, £1,300, Eichholtz. Large blue vase, £180, Lynsey Jane Designs

EN SUITE A vintage cabinet makes an ideal display case. Display cabinet, £100, Michael Keehan; painted in Charcoal eggshell, £54 for 2.5L, Neptune. Calacatta tumbled marble tiles, £47.70sq m; ﬂoor tiles, £51.53sq m, both Mandarin Stone

EN SUITE Formerly a bedroom, this space is large enough for a freestanding bath. The wall lights and blind fabric were chosen to match the rest of the bedroom suite. Marlborough bath, £2,100, Victoria & Albert Baths. Chandelier Marino wall lamps in clear glass, £650 each, Eichholtz

fo r t i e s d e tac h e d | 25bh

MAIN BEDROOM

Lynsey placed the bed between two windows with sea vistas, and alongside French doors with a view over the garden. Ottoman re-covered by ES Riley Upholstery in Voyage’s Harkin Stone fabric from the Iridescence Linens collection, £68m, Eichholtz. Chandelier Pulsar in frosted glass, £1,700, Lynsey Jane Designs

DECOR ATING ADVICE ‘A palette of grey tones is easy to live with as a backdrop because you can add and swap in colour with furnishings, giving your interiors a whole new look’

while the upstairs rooms are in warmer shades of cream and taupe. New furniture and furnishings have been added gradually during the three years since the project was ﬁnished. ‘We saved up so we could aford to buy what we really wanted and also found some lovely vintage furniture,’ says Lynsey. ‘I felt it was important that the rooms blended together so I’ve upcycled some of the older pieces, like the kitchen dresser, with dark grey paint to match the island unit and family room decor – this became a favourite colour and one that’s repeated throughout the house.’ Striking large table lamps and oversized vases also appear in many of the rooms, reﬂecting Lynsey’s love of big, bold decoration. Art and lighting make statements, too, with matching frosted glass FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

ceiling pendants in the sitting room and main bedroom evoking an Art Deco glamour. Geometric patterns in curtain fabric and wallpaper also nod to the era. ‘I love the Art Deco period,’ says Lynsey, ‘and the style has been a good balance for our Forties house because the look is neither old-fashioned nor too contemporary.’ Lynsey couldn’t be more pleased with their ﬁnished home and is delighted to be living back in the area. ‘Before we carried out the work on the property, it felt like someone else’s home, but instead of us trying to ﬁt in with the existing space, we’ve managed to tailor the layout to make it work perfectly for us,’ she says. ‘Sometimes I sit in the family room and catch a glimpse of the garden or the kitchen and I think how lucky we were to be able to move here.’ 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018 | 19

AMERICAN BEAUTY Di Zock teamed up with her best friend to create a Venice Beach cottage that is perfect for alfresco living FEATURE JANE BOWLES | PHOTOGRAPHY JOHN ELLIS/LIVING INSIDE

UNIQUE

home truths THE PROPERTY Cottage, built in 1924 L O C AT I O N Venice Beach, Los Angeles R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen, dining area, den/guest room, bedroom (en suite), bathroom R E N T E D Since 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I used to live in another cottage a few streets away,’ says Di.

c a l i fo r n i a n c o t tag e | 25bh

SITTING ROOM Zingy yellow and blue accents lift the silver-grey scheme. Di’s father made the low wooden storage unit (right) by hand. Ercol Marino armchair, £1,096, Furniture Village, is similar. Chester sofa, £1,475, Loaf, would also suit this space. Mercury Row Egbert coffee table, £109, Wayfair, is a match DINING AREA The cerulean blue theme continues here. Made.com’s upholstered dining chair, £119, would work here. Cox & Cox’s grey ceramic pendant light, £80, is similar

KITCHEN Colourful blue tiles pop against grey cabinetry in this sunny space. Veddinge cabinetry, from £12, Ikea, has this look. Madeira Antonio handmade tiles, £195sq m, Fired Earth, would create a similar effect

2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018 | 21

DEN/GUEST ROOM High-level shelving is a space-saving storage solution for Di’s extensive collection of gardening books. The mosaic table was made by Di’s mother; Etsy sells similar tables, from around £200. Try Tivoli corner sofa in Prussian blue, £1,399, Swoon Editions

c a l i fo r n i a n c o t tag e | 25bh

i Zock was living and working near Venice Beach in Los Angeles and had no intention of moving house when her best friend Jonathan King called to tell her about a cottage that that he had heard would be coming on to the market. ‘He felt it was too good an opportunity to miss and asked if I’d like to work on the project with him,’ says Di. ‘We agreed that he’d buy the cottage, we’d renovate it together, and then I’d rent it back from him. Since the interior needed complete remodelling, we also enlisted the help of our mutual friend, architect Tom Carson.’ The three friends agreed that the main priority was to reconﬁgure the layout, to make the rooms feel lighter and more spacious, and to improve access to the garden – a must-have for Di, who is a landscape architect by profession. ‘There were lots of small rooms, only one bathroom and a dark, enclosed storage room at the back,’ says Di. ‘Although we retained the original footprint, the interior was stripped right back to the bare stud walls.’ The main bedroom was enlarged by knocking out the wall to the storage room, and French doors leading to the garden were installed. ‘This made a big diference, as access to the garden was previously so limited,’ says Di. ‘We also raised the height of the ceilings and installed skylights. This changed the feel of the house dramatically, making it more open and light, and more connected to the outdoors.’ Di opted to redesign the garden herself, as she wanted to create a set of outdoor ‘rooms’. ‘I’m continually

GUEST B AT H R O O M Moroccan-style tiling makes a statement in this compact bathroom for visitors. Scintilla Sapphire tiles, £29.95sq m, Walls and Floors, would also work well here. Odensvik/ Hemnes vanity unit, £250, Ikea, is similar. Blue bird bone inlay mirror, £255, Iris Furnishing, has the look of this one

MAIN BEDROOM Floral bedding and green accents add to the restful feel. The Oliver metal bed frame has the same look, £549, Feather & Black. Gabrielle bedding, £59, Marks & Spencer, would work well here

2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018 | 23

25bh | c a l i fo r n i a n c o t tag e

GARDEN Whitewashed walls and large succulent plants create a Mediterranean feel. Harmen outdoor wooden table, £244, and bench, £148, Rowen & Wren.com, are similar. Antibes Green chalk paint, £19.95 for 1L, Annie Sloan, would also work well as a wall colour here. Garden design by Di Zock Design, price on application

24 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018

inspired by California’s incredible landscape and knew I wanted to use all of my favourite plants,’ she says. Di’s friend and neighbour Mox Moeschler was engaged to carry out the building work, which took nine months. With the structural works complete, it was time to design the decor. Di chose a blue-toned palette, with ceramics, upholstery and soft furnishings in shades ranging from deepest lapis through to cerulean and teal. ‘I’ve always gone through phases where I’m very much into a colour and can’t seem to create schemes that don’t involve using that colour at the time,’ she says. ‘While we were working here, I was going through a blue phase!’ Her passion for blue in all its various shades aside, the cottage is the perfect showcase for Di’s eclectic tastes. ‘I tend to prefer more contemporary furniture, but the interior of this cottage is a blend of improvisation and gifts from family, mixed with a bit of thrift storing,’ she says. Her father built two low side tables for her, and her mother contributed a mosaic-topped table featuring a rooster design. ‘I love it because it’s so beautiful, whimsical and stylish, and because she created it,’ says Di. Di then focused on the garden. ‘The great thing about living in southern California is the amazing climate, and I wanted to make the most of that,’ she says. ‘I’ve created a sight-line that runs through all the outdoor rooms by using the same blue encaustic tiles and a similar colour palette for the garden furniture. When the sun goes down, it’s the perfect space for outdoor entertaining.’

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

d e c o r a t i n g t i p ‘Keep things personal – my favourite homes feel like they are a reﬂection of the owner’

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KITCHEN A large island separates this area from the living zone and helps deﬁne the space. Kitchen design and cabinetry, price on request, RoomRoom Interiors. Montague bar stools, £175 each, Neptune. Karlsson Mr White clock, £68, Naken, is similar. Elstead Provence rise-and-fall ceiling pendant, £180, Lyco, is a match

LIGHT R E L I E F Catherine Loft has created a serene and welcoming family home using uplifting shades of white FEATURE HAZEL DOLAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BRENT DARBY

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hen Catherine and Geof Loft decided to return to the UK after two decades of living abroad, they already had a location in mind – York. They had their eye on a four-storey property in a quiet corner of the city, where rows of tall townhouses are modelled on London’s beautiful Victorian and Georgian squares, with a communal garden at their centre. ‘My sister Sarah came to the viewing and fell for it, too,’ says Catherine. ‘She said: “You know, I think I might want to move here!”, and I said, “Well, I’d prefer one of the bigger ones, so I’ll wait for one of those to come onto the market.” I was crossing my fingers that one would, and thankfully it did, and now Sarah and I are neighbours.’ Having had nine diferent homes in locations from Australia to Dubai, Catherine trusts her instincts. ‘With each one I’ve lived in, I knew immediately it was the right place as soon as I stepped across the threshold,’ she says. Behind Catherine and Geof’s home are fields where sheep graze, giving it an appealing sense of openness. Inside, though, it was a diferent story. The first-floor living space had been carved up into several rooms with a colour scheme that made it feel small and enclosed. ‘It felt as if it was all walls and doors, and it was dark,’ she says. ‘We immediately decided to open it all up, get rid of the double doors and make one huge living area. All the greys and the purples had to go, too. Now that it’s been opened up, and decorated in white, it looks light and happy again.’ Paring back, redesigning and redecorating the four-storey house took five months. Since the Lofts were still living in Dubai, it was down to designer and builder Paul Johnson of RoomRoom Interiors in Harrogate to keep Catherine up to speed on progress. ‘Paul was online all the time, whenever I had a question,’ she says, ‘and I could always send Sarah over. You do feel a little out of control 28 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018

SITTING ROOM

Softly draped linen draws the eye to the tall French doors. Curtains in Austen linen, £28m, Laura Ashley. Walls painted in Shirting Absolute Matt emulsion, £43.50 for 2.5L, Little Greene. Chichester dining table, from £845; the Long Island dining chair is similar, £260, both Neptune. Catalan Italia Kidal chandelier, from £1,311, Harrogate Interiors

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UNIQUE

home truths THE PROPERTY Four-storey terraced townhouse L O C AT I O N York P U R C H A S E D 2014 R O O M S Hall, sitting room/kitchen-diner, garden room, study, utility room, cloakroom, four bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in an elegant villa in Dubai,’ says Catherine.

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SITTING ROOM Clear and simple lines create a relaxed, contemporary look. Manhattan sofa, from £1,711; pewter Gothic mirror, from £177, both Raft. The three-layer white gloss coffee table, £251.99, Vidaxl, would work well here. For a similar clock, try the large Art Deco-style, £271, Woodpecker Interiors

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being so far away, but Paul really appreciated that I felt the need to be aware of what was going on.’ Now, the open-plan kitchen, living and dining space takes full advantage of the tall double French doors, which invite in masses of light. The clean lines, pale wooden flooring and carefully chosen large-scale furniture are fresh and modern. On the floor above, a combination of cool limestone and painted furniture in the refitted master suite dressing room and shower room gives a similarly spacious and contemporary look. When it came to decoration, Catherine opted for her signature style: layers of white in subtly shifting tones, with stone-coloured accents, lots of texture to add variety and bright artwork for a dash of colour. ‘I think white is so uplifting – it can be both relaxing and contemporary. You can always add colour, and if you’re worrying about things getting dirty, it’s a reason to use gorgeous throws – they make everything look better.’ The couple also invested in statement lighting to suit the scale of the space, with crystal pendants to emphasise the high ceilings and

MAIN BEDROOM

Catherine had the large buttoned headboard made while living in Dubai. The Harrogate headboard, from £349, Dreams, is a good alternative. Juliet pendant light, £100, Laura Ashley

l e s s o n l e a r n t ‘I’ve steered away from being impulsive – now I tend to wait a little, rather than buying the ﬁrst thing I think I love’ BATHROOM

An elegant bateau bath tub makes a stunning focal point. Brighton freestanding bath, £2,600, Fired Earth, is similar

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

EN SUITE

Bespoke shutters maintain privacy. Shutters, from £200sq m, Shutter Design. Vanity unit and mirrored cabinet, price on application, RoomRoom Interiors

sculptural table lights. ‘I’ve never had chandeliers before,’ she says. ‘I used to take them down in houses, preferring to have something flush instead, but now I love them as a feature. They add an element of glamour, a bit of bling and a touch of vibrancy to the stark white.’ As beautiful as the house now looks, Catherine still loves to change things around regularly. ‘I tend to live with it a little, then move and rearrange things,’ she says, ‘which is the beauty of using so much white – you have that flexibility.’ It isn’t just the house that’s perfect. Having the family close by is an added bonus. ‘Sarah and I can see each other often now,’ she says, ‘and our parents live just five minutes away, so it’s ideal.’ 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018 | 31

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A MODERN TWIST A keen eye for design helped Karina Wilson-Meijer catapult an intriguing period property into the 21st century FEATURE & PHOTOGRAPHY JO SHELDRAKE

INSPIRING

home truths THE PROPERTY Georgian listed country house L O C AT I O N Somerset R O O M S Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, snug, utility room, ﬁve bedrooms (one en suite), three bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2002 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, I lived and worked in the USA,’ says Karina.

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DINING ROOM The ceiling was removed to make this space double height, and a large canvas links the upper and the lower spaces. Large Bridge at Somerset House canvas, £950, Surface View. Hanging bubble chair, £509.98, Vertigo Interiors. Flos Foglio white wall lights, £165 each, John Lewis

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KITCHEN For a sense of cohesion, the cabinetry was painted in the same shade of blue black seen throughout the house. Existing Chalon cabinetry painted in Blue Black estate eggshell, £60 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Sorrento Molini tiles have this look, £99.80sq m, Fired Earth

f a v o u r i t e r o o m ‘From the kitchen, there’s a beautiful view out onto a 250-year-old oak tree, and the river that runs through the garden’

arina Wilson-Meijer searched for more than a year to find her ideal home. She specifically wanted a property that was in the countryside, yet within easy reach of a city. In 2002, she viewed a country house in Somerset that fitted the bill perfectly. ‘I instantly knew it was the house for me,’ she recalls. ‘It was positioned in front of a beautiful old oak tree, flanked by lawns and a landscaped garden. The house is full of character and is steeped in history – parts of it date from the 1400s and it has been added to over the centuries. I feel enveloped in layers of time here.’ The property had already been converted from eight bedrooms and two bathrooms to five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Karina’s main objective was to remodel the kitchen and bathrooms, and to redecorate. Her passion for colour has been used to full efect throughout the interior, using a mix of strong colours on feature

walls for a touch of drama and to ofset and balance the white palette. ‘I have made the most of the large walls and high ceilings,’ says Karina, ‘and have tracked down pieces of furniture, artwork and sculptures that complement the period features by adding a modern twist.’ Karina’s ﬁrst task was to deconstruct the existing kitchen units and rearrange them for a more bespoke look, showcasing her skill and creative ﬂair. The existing Chalon cabinetry, already painted in shades of mint green, red and yellow, was expensive, so instead of buying a new kitchen, Karina removed all the wall cabinets and repainted the base units. The wooden worksurfaces were replaced with black granite and a sheet of industrial zinc now covers the wooden island top, held in place by copper rivets. Karina chose open metal shelving for stylish storage. ‘One does have to be committed to keeping it tidy 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018 | 35

SNUG ‘I love this room in the winter – the ﬁreplace throws a huge amount of heat into the room and the velvet sofas are cosy to the touch,’ says Karina. Stove, price on request, Jetmaster. Hackney two-seater sofa in blue velvet, £2,299, Hay. Rio mirror, £120, William Wood Mirrors

d e s i g n t i p ‘Buy what you love and inspires you, trust your instincts and try to ensure a unifying theme links everything together cohesively’ because everything is on display,’ she says. The recurring theme of blue and black is broken up by a wood-efect wallpaper, ofsetting the wire shelving. Above the Aga, fired encaustic rhombus tiles and slate sourced direct from a quarry in Wales beautifully complement the stripped original elm floor. ‘The kitchen is my absolute favourite room in the house and the one I spend the most time in,’ says Karina. A flair for art and design is evident throughout Karina’s house, and her preference for darker hues harks back to her Dutch background. ‘Using colour, furnishings and furniture in darker shades can work even in a smaller room,’ she says. ‘For example, placing oversized, dark-blue velvet sofas in the snug, away from the walls, has created an illusion of having more space. Everything works together in this room.’ The light that floods through the large window, gently framed by wisteria, softens 36 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018

and brightens the deep colour palette. The result is a calming, comfortable space that has a distinctive style and substance. ‘There is also power in repetition,’ says Karina. ‘Choosing the same colours and avoiding too many patterns creates a simple canvas for showcasing artwork and sculpture. I believe things will ﬁnd their natural place within the home if you love what you bring into it.’ Karina has used white to dazzling efect on the ceilings, walls and in her choice of furniture, while marble pieces and pale chairs evoke modernism, create balance and freshen the look of the interior. ‘When it comes to my design work, this house is the perfect laboratory to test out ideas and play with colour,’ says Karina. ‘It is where I often invite prospective clients for my business, Wilson-Meijer Interiors, to see my ideas in situ. It’s a lovely home in a beautiful spot that inspires me time and again.’

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B AT H R O O M Oversized ﬂoor and wall tiles create a sleek ﬁnish and give the illusion of space. Mimica Statuario gloss porcelain tiles, from £45.87sq m, Mandarin Stone. Catalano Canova Royal double sink, £845, UK Bathroom Warehouse

MAIN BEDROOM This space includes a discreet en suite with dual open access, designed to maximise ventilation. Bespoke headboard in Designers Guild Varese Viola, £72m; cushions in Canova Atlantis Lila, £102m, both Harris Stephens Design

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KITCHEN-DINER An iconic Orla Kiely wallpaper draws the eye through the space. Giant Abacus Flower wallpaper by Orla Kiely, £64 a roll, John Lewis

Starting from scratch A simple plan to renovate a tired bungalow escalated into a major self-build project for Bobby and Marcus Twidale FEATURE AMANDER MEADE | PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH

NEW BUILD

home truths

HALL The oak door and furniture complement the staircase. Bespoke staircase, Two Twenty. Anton coat rack, £179, John Lewis

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THE PROPERTY Detached home, built in 2017 L O C AT I O N Leicestershire R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, snug, study, utility room, cloakroom, four bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved here from a detached home nearby,’ says Bobby.

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obby Twidale and her husband Marcus were looking for a new home with little or no work left to do. After viewing more than 30 potential homes with no luck, the couple decided to expand their search to include renovation projects. Eventually, a Seventies chalet-style bungalow in a pretty Leicestershire village caught Bobby’s eye. ‘I could see vast potential to extend, due to the signiﬁcant size of the plot,’ she says. With the sale agreed, the couple submitted plans for alterations to the existing building only to be informed that the old bungalow’s foundations were insubstantial. The investigation revealed that demolition and a complete rebuild was the only option. Initially disappointed, but determined to press on, the couple commissioned a local architect

who drew up plans for a brandnew, spacious family home featuring a large kitchen-diner at its heart. Bobby worked closely with the building team on the project, which took just six months from start to ﬁnish. ‘We knew this would be our forever home so we didn’t cut any corners but didn’t go completely mad with the budget either,’ she explains. ‘We recruited an excellent quantity surveyor whose skills were invaluable when it came to keeping control over the construction costs. This meant we had extra money to spend on special items of furniture and beautiful pieces of art.’ Bobby had clear ideas for the interior from the very beginning. Decorating began in the kitchendiner, where the scheme was inspired by a bold, retro-design wallpaper that set the tone for the rest of the rooms. The characterful decor has

KITCHEN

A curved island extension provides an additional surface for drinks or informal dining. Cabinetry, price on request, Nurlex. Leather ﬁnished worktops, price on request, World of Marble

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SITTING ROOM

Leading directly from the kitchen, this cosy area is Bobby’s favourite place to read or relax. Cargo Grayson sofa, £2,798; matching love seat, £1,298, both Harveys. Geometric Souk rug, £499, John Lewis

f a v o u r i t e i t e m ‘I love the coffee table in the sitting room, as it has such a unique and interesting shape and style’ a distinctive Seventies feel, as a nod to the age of the bungalow that originally occupied the site. Bobby has cleverly combined mid-century furniture and vintage accessories with contemporary pieces, which prevent the house from looking like a pastiche. ‘We transported our favourite furniture from our previous home, as well as planning and buying specifically for each room,’ she says. ‘I had a ball shopping for the house and used high-street stores as well as a local upcycling centre, where lots of our vintage pieces came from.’ Marcus was keen to include a strong design element at the front of the property. Utilising the full height of the building, the couple installed a show-stopping staircase illuminated by a statement light fitting. ‘We used a specialist staircase supplier and our electrician created the light fitting especially for the 40 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018

space,’ says Bobby. With the interior complete, the couple are enjoying having plenty of room to entertain. ‘This is a very relaxed family home and we love to host parties all year round,’ says Bobby. ‘I am one of ﬁve siblings, so when our families get together there are lots of us. Equally, when our boys, Issac, 23, and Gus, 21, are away and it’s just the two of us, the house still feels cosy.’ Bobby has relished the entire building and decorating process and highly recommends the self-build route to creating a bespoke home. ‘When our extension plans were rejected, we were so disappointed at ﬁrst, but planning from scratch has meant that the new house works brilliantly for the way we live, and we have not had to compromise at all. In hindsight, our previous plans falling through was the best thing that could have happened to us.’

BATHROOM

This large space allowed for dual vanity units, plus a walk-in shower. Fixtures and tiling, price on application, Rutland County Bathrooms

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

r e a d e r o ffe r | 25bh

KITCHEN DESIGN MASTERCL ASS Join us for an inspirational talk on planning and design by kitchen expert Tom Howley at the company’s beautiful Leamington Spa showroom

elebrate the very best of British luxury kitchen design at an exclusive 25 Beautiful Homes masterclass with renowned kitchen designer Tom Howley this October. At the company’s Leamington Spa showroom, Tom will share over 30 years of expertise and industry knowledge on kitchen planning and design, along with news on the latest trends. After enjoying a relaxed lunch, with a range of tasting dishes using the best seasonal British ingredients, you can try a hands-on ﬂoristry arranging session hosted by award-winning ﬂorist Sarah Horne and pick up tips on how to dress your home. At the end of the day, Tom Howley designers will be on hand to answer any questions you have. Tickets cost £25 each and include welcome refreshments and pastries, lunch and a gift bag. Places are strictly limited, so book your tickets now at tomhowley25beautifulhomes.co.uk.

KITCHEN DESIGN MASTERCLASS WITH TOM HOWLEY WHEN 11am-3pm,Thursday 18 October 2018 WHERE Tom Howley Showroom, 16 The Parade, Leamington Spa CV32 4DW 11am Cofee, tea and pastries 11.30am Kitchen masterclass with Tom Howley 12.15pm Cookery demonstration and lunch 2pm Flower arranging with Sarah Horne 3pm Depart with gift bags TO BOOK Visit tomhowley25beautifulhomes.co.uk

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p r e-wa r c o t tag e | 25bh INSPIRING

home truths THE PROPERTY Thirties cottage L O C AT I O N Hampshire R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen, dining room, study, snug, wine cellar, three bedrooms, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2006 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a mid-terrace house in Surrey,’ says Pippa.

PERFECT HARMONY A move to a pretty country property brought out Pippa Connolly’s ﬂair for interior style FEATURE MAGGIE COLVIN | PHOTOGRAPHER ROBERT SANDERSON

DINING ROOM Perfect for family gatherings, the large table was a present from James’s parents. Curtains in Shibori Duck Egg, £52m Vanessa Arbuthnott. Brice mirror, £72, Perch & Parrow, has the same look

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SITTING ROOM

A mix of pretty fabrics reﬂects Pippa’s style. Curtains in Walking in Heather, £55m, Pippa Blacker Interiors. Lahar rug , £395, Mahout Lifestyle

Design Tip ‘It’s sometimes best when dressing a bay window to curtain it off completely, creating a cosy winter look’ KITCHEN

Cream coloured units and glossy brick tiles enhance the light in this streamlined space. Bembridge tiles, £26.99sq m, Topps Tiles, are similar

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Some people are lucky enough to ﬁnd a house that barely needs anything doing to it beyond a quick lick of paint. Pippa and James Connolly fall into just this category. ‘We left our mid-terrace house in Surrey primarily to ﬁnd country schools for Bella, now 15, and Will, 13,’ says Pippa, who designs soft furnishings. ‘I was focused on hunting for the right school, while James concentrated on properties. This pre-war cottage was in pretty good shape, perched on a hill in a quiet cul-de-sac in a hamlet. It had a secret wine cellar, now accessed only by moving the sofa, which conceals a trap door.’ For James, who is in the wine trade, this sealed the deal. Pippa immediately fell for the building’s unique character. ‘It had two little porches on the side and

to me feels a bit like a Swiss chalet especially as it is perched on a steep slope with a wide balcony spanning the rear of the property. There is also a second balcony accessed from the attic outside what is now Bella’s bedroom.’ The family now make the most of these additional outdoor spaces. ‘We love sitting on the balcony outside our bedroom sipping cofee on a sunny morning,’ says Pippa. ‘There is a lovely view across rooftops and the valley beyond. Compared to our last house, the peace, birdsong and lack of traic is bliss.’ The couple are also fortunate that their eclectic mix of furniture from their previous home slotted easily into place. The only new pieces they had to buy were a bed and, more recently, an upgraded sofa. Even so, because of Pippa’s artistic energy, the interiors have evolved through several styles in terms of colour and fabric. ‘I had

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MAIN BEDROOM

Striped bedlinen combined with a variety of printed cushions creates an informal country style. Cow Parsley cushions in Soft Duck Egg, £49.50m, Vanessa Arbuthnott

BATHROOM

a great aunt, called Elva Blacker, who was a famous watercolourist,’ explains Pippa, ‘so I guess I inherited the creative gene. I do like to ring the changes as it keeps the house looking fresh.’ Pippa began by making cushions and curtains, ﬁrst just for her own house and then to help out friends. After a few years, her soft furnishings business took of. From there she has branched out and recently launched a range of fabrics and rugs. ‘I have always had a long-term ambition to design textiles, too,’ she reﬂects. ‘On walks across Conford Moor, the colours of the heather and blue skies inspire me. I love that soft, muted palette, which is typically English. I call my style country colourful with a fresh twist. It is perfectly suited to the English weather – bright but not garish.’ Many of the chairs and sofas inherited from family have been

reupholstered in Pippa’s new fabrics, with walls and ﬂoors repainted to tie in with the new colour scheme. ‘I am getting to the stage of wanting to layer pattern on pattern and mix in more of my car-boot sale ﬁnds with our older pieces,’ she says. ‘James’s parents were well travelled and were great collectors, so in the early days of our marriage, we collected a lot of lovely art work.’ Scottish colourists were a favourite genre and these more serious paintings are now combined with paintings bought at country fairs and some painted by Pippa at art school. Having been born into an army family, Pippa is currently relishing putting down roots in one place. ‘It’s been a really enjoyable process,’ she says. ‘But of course, I am always excited by the thought of a new project. The next chapter could always unfold.’

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

Tucked below the eaves, this room has a roll-top bath and dressing table found in a car-boot sale. Tankard jug, £31, Burleigh Pottery, has the same look

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DISTINCTIVE

home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y Former barn, converted in 2001 L O C AT I O N Wiltshire R O O M S Hall, reception area, sitting room, kitchen-diner, oice, cloakroom, four bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 1998 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a London apartment before moving here,’ says Jonny.

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THE BIG EASY Drawing inspiration from the New York loft movement, Jonny and Susi Diamondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transformation of a derelict farm building was always going to be unique FEATURE ALISON GIBB | PHOTOGRAPHY DOUGLAS GIBB

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KITCHEN For the worktops, Jonny added black pigment to concrete at its mixing stage. Lincat range cooker, £1,432, Nisbets. Malacassa mosaic wall tiles, £143.98sq m, Fired Earth, are a good alternative to these

DINING AREA The display cabinet and statues are from Bali, where Susi and Jonny lived for a time. For a similar rug, try iRugs UK, from £860

f a v o u r i t e f e a t u r e ‘I love the large windows in the dining area, which SITTING ROOM Bespoke shelving houses Jonny’s art books and record collection. He made a table on castors to match. Walls painted in Night Jewels 3 emulsion, £27.56 for 2.5L, Dulux. Ligne Roset Togo modular corner sofa, £6,302, Heal’s

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RECEPTION AREA ‘I bought the Verner Panton chandelier from a stand at the end of a Danish design exhibition,’ says Jonny. The Newman leather sofa, from £2,300, Habitat, is similar

were the original barn doors. They’re great to throw open on a sunny day’

o most people, building a house to store a personal collection of literature and records may seem extreme – but not to Jonny Diamond. ‘I’m a bit of a hoarder, so the need for storage was definitely a starting point,’ he admits wryly. Collecting began at a young age as his parents were design lovers, and his mother educated him on the beauty of modernism and Danish furniture. ‘I left school and immediately entered the building trade,’ says Jonny. ‘It’s a stressful profession and I found it tough at first, but I quickly learnt what I did and didn’t like and felt drawn to contemporary architecture and minimalism early on.’ Jonny met and married Susi in the Nineties and with a family – including India, now 28, Ruby, 21, Jack, 17, and Blu, eight – as well as a growing business, life quickly became hectic. Working on various projects in central London, where he was brought up, and the West Country, where his father and sister had moved, Jonny noticed how much more relaxed he felt in the peaceful surroundings of the countryside. After selling up in London and purchasing a derelict barn, for two years he and his family set up camp in two cattle stalls while the house was a building site. A design priority for Jonny and Susi was a flexible home with the option to move things around once it was complete. Aiming for a gallery feel, Jonny created a minimalist shell with simple finishes and crisp, concrete details. ‘I always liked the LA motel look, so each bedroom has its own private entrance,’ he says. ‘I was also inspired

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HALL Susi covered the walls in framed photographs from her days working in fashion. Knoll Barcelona chair, £5,328, Heal’s. Floors painted in Mid Grey epoxy gloss coat, £155 for 5L, Watco

by a barn conversion by John Pawson, which I studied closely while designing this house.’ When it came to styling the interior, Susi insisted on enlivening the rooms with vibrant additions and family memorabilia. ‘It was a struggle though,’ she says. ‘It took me years to persuade Jonny to let me put rugs down on the floors!’ She would rather have had wooden floors everywhere and softer surfaces, whereas Jonny from the outset wanted a starker aesthetic, choosing painted concrete for the main living spaces. Jonny has had a career change in recent years and under his artist moniker, rightfulrula, he now pursues his love of contemporary art. An avid collector, he made smart purchases when he was younger. Equally passionate about the arts, working in design has equipped Susi with the ability to be inventive with decor. Her family owned Italian knitwear business Marina Spadafora, for which she did the marketing in New York and then London before going on to freelance in fashion. Bringing their individual perspectives to the table, the couple have reached an imaginative solution and, as Jonny originally planned, they are able to modify and adapt their home to match their ever-changing needs. While the walls are lined with Jonny’s artwork, Susi’s design choices are beautifully interwoven, resulting in a vivid, colourful home that, like a fine tapestry, perfectly tells the story of their combined family history.

d e s i g n t i p ‘When planing a new build, it’s crucial to factor in plenty of light’ MAIN BEDROOM This is Susi’s favourite room and she has taken a more maximalist approach here. Homesdirect 365’s Gold Rococo bed, £810, is similar to this one. Tan woven leather lazy chair, £453, Inadam Furniture

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B AT H R O O M Sea green tiles and artwork from the couple’s travels give this space an exotic feel. Shimmer hammered glass mosaic tiles, £22sq m, Wickes

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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Food for thought Cookery writer Tori Finch missed out on her dream home only to fall in love all over again once she transformed an unsavoury building into a welcoming sanctuary FEATURE MANDI MILLAR | PHOTOGRAPHY FIONA WALKER ARNOTT

INSPIRING

home truths THE PROPERTY Detached cottage, built in 1871 L O C AT I O N West Sussex R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner/family room, snug, cloakroom, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, annexe studio P U R C H A S E D 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before, we lived in a riverside cottage in Arundel,’ says Tori.

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he road to Tori Finch’s dream home was not an easy one to navigate. She and her husband, Ross, had several near misses before they unearthed an unloved cottage in West Sussex and then spent years planning its redesign. Tori and Ross discovered the cottage after losing out on a country house they had hoped to buy. ‘We were gazumped, so we didn’t know if we’d move at all at that stage – and when I ﬁrst saw this place, I really disliked it,’ admits Tori. ‘It was in a total state, but I could see potential. So we decided to go ahead, renovate and then sell it, with the aim of moving to a property in the country.’ However, as the couple set to work, they gradually fell for the place and, ﬁve years later, they are glad they were gazumped. ‘We did it up very slowly,’ explains Tori. ‘Ross and my stepfather David did most of the drawings, planning and manual work, while we contracted specialist builders to do the big jobs – knocking down internal walls, electrics and plumbing. We started by completely rewiring the house, then we installed an upstairs bathroom in what had been a

section of the main bedroom, and decorated and carpeted upstairs in coir.’ As a food developer and writer, it was important for Tori to get the kitchen right. ‘I needed something functional, but also a space that I loved,’ she says. But it was only when Tori was six months pregnant with her second child, Alf, now one, that she understood how the space could work. ‘The original kitchen was a dismal Sixties design,’ she says. ‘At first we were going to move it to the dining room, which is now our snug. Then we were going to keep it as it was, just upgrading the units and appliances, especially as we had lived in the house for almost three years by this time – along with our first son Ned, now five – with only a tworing convection oven to cook on. ‘The downstairs bathroom was next to the kitchen and both rooms were dark, with low, tobacco-stained ceilings. So in the end we knocked them together to create the new kitchen, fitting a larger window and a bifold door to introduce light. The cloakroom/shower room is now in the spot where an old lean-to once stood.’ With the building work complete, Tori was able to start

KITCHEN ‘Instead of having wall units, I had shelves built to house my white crockery and big collection of recipe books,’ says Tori, who is a member of The Guild of Food Writers and author of A Perfect Day for a Picnic (£16.99, Ryland Peters & Small). Bespoke cabinetry by British Standard Cupboards, painted in Off Black estate eggshell, £60 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Brushed oak ﬂooring, £65m, Posh Flooring. Try the Old Factory pendant, from £59, Industville. Esra extendable wall light is similar, £81, Bespoke Lights. Brass and copper taps, £290, Bow Street Crafts Co at Etsy

SNUG This cosy spot, of the kitchen, was previously the dining room. During the renovation work, the couple widened the entrance to create a better link with the kitchen and turned it into a snug. For a similar oversized armchair, try the Hoxton design, from £319, Dunelm. The Shibori patterned cushion is comparable to this one, £30, Indigowares. Satin nickel/ wood Stockholm ﬂoor lamp is a good option, £286, Bonsoni. Take a look at The Coach House blue distressed round metal table, £145, Turnbull & Thomas. Walls painted in Old White wall paint, £39.95 for 2.5L, Annie Sloan

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DESIGN ADVICE

‘Live in a property before

you do anything too major to it – that way you’ll see how you’re going to use it on a daily basis and how your needs might change as your family circumstances evolve’

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FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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styling. ‘I stumbled across British Standard Cupboards, sister company to Plain English kitchens, and found that the quality was outstanding and the process cost-efective,’ she says. Another non-negotiable element in the kitchen was the wall lighting. ‘It had featured heavily on my mood boards,’ says Tori, who explains that she inherited her love of vintage style and antiques from her mother and grandmother, who were both passionate about interiors. ‘My father loved a more minimalist look, though, so I’m a combination of all three. I enjoy trawling through

antiques fairs and I found I was spending so much time visiting them that I’ve actually taken the plunge and started trading at markets, too. I source most of my accessories on holiday in France. My poor husband and sons usually end up sharing our camper van with all sorts of paraphernalia on the return journey. ‘Sometimes turning the look of a mood board into a home can get lost in translation, but the result here is even better,’ says Tori. ‘Five years ago, losing a home we thought we wanted seemed disastrous, but it turned out to be the best thing to happen to us.’

SITTING ROOM The mid-century chair was bought as a pair from a local restaurant that was having a refurbishment and discarding its old ﬁttings. The Willow chair is similar, £184, Zurleys. For a similar sofa, try the Evron, from £1,199, DFS. Starburst mirror, £45, HomeSense. Woodwork painted in Btwn Dog and Wolf ﬂat emulsion, £48.50 for 2.5L, Paint & Paper Library

B AT H R O O M Tori and Ross chose a period style in here, with a classic basin and stand and pristine white metro tiles. Norfolk freestanding bath, £529, Bathstore. Hammam towels, from £8 each, The White Company

MAIN BEDROOM The original ﬁreplace that was still in situ provides a focal point. Florence bedframe, £1,350, The Cornish Bed Company. The carved paulownia wood Trumeau mirror in white has this look, £161, Maisons du Monde

NED’S BEDROOM When Tori began sanding down this old chest of drawers, she so loved the primrose paint that started showing through, she left it and waxed it to protect the colour. Fox head, £69, Sparks Yard. For a similar bed, see the Oliver design, £279, from Feather and Black. Try the silver grey herringbone throw, £59, The British Blanket Company

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CLASSIC REINVENTED Jane and Lee Goss jumped at the chance to turn a 500-year-old house into a warm and inviting home ﬁlled with character and charm FEATURE MANDY NOLAN | PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT SANDERSON

INSPIRING

home truths THE PROPERTY Traditional Hall house L O C AT I O N Kent R O O M S Sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner/family room, seven bedrooms (three en suite), dressing room, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 1991 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in a tiny, two-bedroom ﬂat in Notting Hill,’ says Jane.

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hen they found out that both their companies were relocating to a new area, Jane and Lee Goss realised that they would be commuting for at least an hour each way from their West London home. ‘It wasn’t an inviting prospect,’ says Jane. ‘So we thought it was a good moment to start house-hunting outside the capital.’ Initially, Jane, now a retired lawyer, and Lee, who works in the City, were looking for a Georgian rectory. Instead, they found a 15th-century farmhouse in an idyllic valley in Kent. ‘We walked into the sitting room and it was love at first sight,’ recalls Jane. ‘It was quite simply the most beautiful house we viewed in our price range.’ The couple were also thrilled to find such a historical property. ‘It had been converted in the 16th century and diferent owners had added their influence every century,’ explains Jane. ‘Everything seemed to be on diferent levels, there were gaps between window frames and walls and the floors weren’t straight, but that was all part of the attraction.’ Jane and Lee had never renovated a property before and relished the prospect of doing the house up gradually. ‘We viewed the project as something we would enjoy working on together, although we probably didn’t realise just how much attention a house of this age requires,’ says Jane. They started by indulging their love of antiques and paintings, travelling to

DINING ROOM Jane likes to mix traditional antique furniture with comfortable contemporary pieces. ‘Choosing a smaller table made the dining room perfect for intimate, specialoccasion dinners,’ she says. For a similar round dining table, consider the Arthur in Burnt Oak, £2,865, Oka. The Colefax and Fowler chair fabric has been discontinued; for an alternative design, try the company’s Hurst Check in Red/Green, £68m

SITTING ROOM The inglenook ﬁreplace (left) dates back to the 16th century; the 17th-century caryatids mounted on the wall either side were bought from an antiques shop in Tunbridge Wells. ‘I was thrilled to ﬁnd them – they look so special and I knew they would lift the panelling,’ says Jane. Frond table lamps in Antique Gold, £185 each, Oka. Eden chairs, £859 each, Sofa Workshop

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1 d e c o r at i n g a d v i c e â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;If your home has lots of timber throughout in panelling, flooring and beams, try to pick fabrics and colours that complement the woodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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auctions and little antiques shops. ‘We had what seemed like limitless space to fill, so it was a lot of fun.’ Working room by room, the house began to take on the comfortable, eclectic look they wanted. ‘The joy of shopping for rooms this spacious is that you can mix diferent types of furniture,’ says Jane. ‘We have added new pieces that we feel work well alongside our antiques.’ In 2006, Jane and Lee decided to extend. ‘I wanted an airy, contemporary space of the kitchen,’ says Jane. They approached Julian Bluck Architectural Design who specialises in old houses. ‘We added an extension with floor-to-ceiling glass, which created a beautiful view of the garden.’ Once the work was complete, the couple moved the big dining table in from the dining room and replaced it with a smaller table. ‘Our children are now grown up, but at that time, with a family and busy work schedules, we were leaning towards casual entertaining,’ says Jane. ‘Kitchen suppers are more my style now.’ The couple also reorganised the first floor to improve the layout. ‘By removing an existing bedroom we could create an en-suite bathroom for the main bedroom, plus a dressing room,’ explains Jane. ‘We definitely grew into this house. We arrived with plenty of ideas and little else, and now we have a comfortable home and lots of furniture,’ says Jane. ‘But a house like this is never finished, and every now and then I’m inspired to update the look, whether it be new chairs or just changing the cushions.’

KITCHEN Natural and painted wood ﬁnishes lend country charm. Building work by Sussex Construction, price on request. Furnitureland California faux suede chairs, £229 a pair, Furniture Village. Blind in Tudor Rose Flock fabric, £140m, Neisha Crosland

GUEST BEDROOM A stylish French bed sets the tone here. Try And So To Bed’s Louis XV upholstered bed, from £5,700 for a king-size. Curtains and cushion in Bukhara, £92.70m, Lewis & Wood

EN SUITE Jane and Lee sacrificed a bedroom to create this spacious bathroom scheme. Design by Julian Bluck Architectural Design, price on request. Double-ended bath, £5,794.80, Lefroy Brooks. Crema Marfil limestone floor tiles, £78sq m, Stonell

2 3

MAIN BEDROOM Antique furniture and opulent drapes complement the period features. For similar curtain fabric, try Sheila Coombes’ Summer of Love, £87m, Brian Yates

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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TIME to ADAPT

INSPIRING

By modifying the layout, Julia Taylor-Stanley has brought light and space into her period house FEATURE SHARON PARSONS | PHOTOGRAPHY RICHARD GADSBY

home truths THE PROPERTY Detached house, built in 1876 L O C AT I O N Devon R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, snug, oice, utility room, studio/music room, three bedrooms (one en suite), dressing room, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before here, we lived in a thatched former weaver’s cottage in Oxfordshire,’ says Julia.

KITCHEN The new Shaker-style units were painted in a soft, ethereal blue-grey to reﬂect the sky above the orangery. Bespoke units by John Mackay of Griggs & Mackay; painted in Borrowed Light estate eggshell, £60 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. For a similar pendant light, try the Original BTC Hector, from £125, Holloways of Ludlow

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25bh | v i c to r i a n v i ll a lesson learnt ‘Work can take longer than you think, so build in a contingency plan and add a further 25 per cent to your budget. Something unexpected always crops up’

KITCHEN

Glossy Corian worktops and leather stools add a contemporary edge. Danetti’s Elise chrome gas lift bar stool in light cream faux leather, £159, is a stylish alternative

SITTING ROOM

Classic furnishings suit this elegant space. Walls painted in Tallow estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. The trunk was from Adrian Ager; try the 40in tall coffee table in Stone Cream, £141, Mossman Trunks

hen Julia Taylor-Stanley and her husband Mark Marshall first viewed the Devon property that they now call home, they were captivated. Set in nine acres of woodland and gardens with far-reaching countryside views, the imposing villa was built in 1876 as a gentleman’s residence. ‘The way it came into view as we rounded the drive was wonderful,’ says Julia, ‘but it was only when I stepped into the sitting room with its elegant proportions and its aspect over the gardens, that something resonated. It felt so tranquil and calm, and as a writer, I really value that sense of peace.’ Indeed, Julia, an award-winning scriptwriter and film producer, together with Mark, who works for a renewable energy company, were keen to find a property that would be a haven from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and tick all the boxes in terms of character, space and location. ‘I had owned a holiday home in Devon in the past, and had always thought

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it such a special area,’ says Julia. ‘When we ﬁnally had an opportunity to move down here full-time, we didn’t hesitate.’ The couple rented a property in a nearby village while they searched for their ideal home. ‘This house was actually the ﬁrst one we saw, but we still looked at several others before agreeing this was the one we loved the most,’ Julia says. ‘We especially admired the beautiful landscaped garden, which the previous owners had created. We’re both keen gardeners, and really appreciated how much thought and care had gone into it over the years, and were keen to develop it further.’ Julia and Mark were under no illusions, however, that the house itself would not need a considerable overhaul in order to create the home that they envisaged. While the bones of the property were in excellent order, the decor itself wasn’t to their taste, and the layout didn’t make the most of the space. No time was wasted in setting plans in place for a full-scale renovation, and the pair wisely decided to stay in their rented

DINING AREA

The orangery comfortably accommodates a generous dining table and chairs, making it a perfect light-ﬁlled space for entertaining. Suffolk eight-seater dining table, £980, Neptune. Antique French Bergère chairs from Life at Nettlebed; try The Cotswold Company’s Camille lime wash oak rattan-back chair, £199

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25bh | v i c to r i a n v i ll a DECOR ating TIP ‘Fill an album with cuttings from magazines of everything you love. When I look at mine, I can see that almost all the things I liked are now in situ’ cottage while the 12-month project took place. ‘It would have been impossible to live and work here while it was happening,’ says Julia. ‘But being so close meant we could visit the site frequently to ensure that everything went to plan.’ Creating a generous living space downstairs was the most important requirement. To achieve this, a small interior porch separating the front door from the original kitchen space was taken out, then a wall between the kitchen and what had been the dining room was removed to allow for a cosy, open-plan snug. The couple also had ambitious plans to install an orangery with a soaring, vaulted ceiling at the back of the house. ‘We designed this ourselves and wanted it to connect seamlessly to the kitchen, so we removed the exterior wall to allow these two areas to flow together,’ explains Julia. ‘The orangery was originally going to be smaller, but once we’d got the basic footprint in place, Mark was convinced we should make it bigger – and I think he was right. You only do these things once, so it’s vital to get it right first time.’ This light-filled space, which now opens on to a sheltered walled terrace, dramatically transformed the ground floor, and the impact of its scale has not been compromised as the couple decided not to install any partitions between this and the new kitchen. Instead, a vast island efectively zones the kitchen and

MAIN BEDROOM

The traditional combination of blue and white creates a restful feel. Brittany king-size quilt, £260, The White Company. Cushions (on bed) made in Clarke & Clarke’s Bowood in Chambray, £46m, Curtain Fabric Store

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orangery without making the space feel closed in. ‘We spend so much of our time in this part of the house,’ says Julia. ‘It’s such an adaptable space for cooking, eating, entertaining or just relaxing – it’s the best thing we did.’ A wide, elegant hall leads from the kitchen to the sitting room, while upstairs, the couple sacriﬁced one of the four bedrooms to create a dressing room, and overhauled both the main bathroom and main bedroom’s en suite. Finally, two bedrooms in the attic space were knocked together to create an airy double-aspect oice and studio for Julia to work in. Once all the work had been completed, the couple could turn their attention to the decor. ‘We chose a basic palette of blues and creams throughout so that it felt calm and cohesive,’ says Julia. The soft furnishings, including generous drapes, cushions and upholstery in classic designs work well with a combination of furniture, antiques and artwork the couple have collected over the years, along with new pieces bought especially for this, their much-loved ‘forever’ home. ‘We call it our Goldilocks house – not too big and not too small,’ says Julia. ‘When friends and family come to stay, it feels as if there’s enough room for everyone to spread out and be comfortable, yet when it’s only the two of us here – along with our Fox Terrier, Harley – it is still just right.’

BATHROOM

Tiles and ﬂooring in muted hues allow the bath to be the focus in this scheme. The Origins Holborn freestanding bath, £541.80, UK Bathrooms, is similar. Try Karndean Knight Tile Lime Washed Oak vinyl ﬂooring, £23sq m, Flooring Supplies

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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INSPIRING

HOME TO ROOST home truths THE PROPERTY Flat in an 1840s mansion house L O C AT I O N Southport R O O M S Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom PURCHASED 2007, and moved in 10 years later PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Ricardo and I moved here from a penthouse apartment in Panama City,’ says Andrew.

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Globetrotters Andrew and Ricardo Leon-Lymath have hotfooted it around the world, but only one place has captured their hearts FEATURE EMMA J PAGE | PHOTOGRAPHY TOM ST AUBYN

ith diverse careers and a love of international travel, it is no exaggeration to say that Andrew and Ricardo Leon-Lymath lead a somewhat nomadic existence. Between them, they have visited 73 countries and worked variously in marketing, property renovation,

hospitality and publishing. So it is really no surprise to discover that the route to the elegant Southport apartment that they now call home was hardly a conventional one. ‘I came across this building more than 10 years ago,’ Andrew explains of the Grade II-listed mansion house. ‘Initially, I bought as an investment, while my mother

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SITTING ROOM A palette of creams, taupes and greys accentuates this soothing space, while an elegant Louis XV-style chair is upholstered in a bold check for added depth. The rug, which was an eBay ﬁnd, helps tie everything together. Avalon III throw (on sofa), £1,060, Hermès. The cushions on the sofa were from Dunelm; for an alternative design, try Zazzle’s modern white and beige imperial trellis cushion, £25.25. Neptune’s Edinburgh small coffee table, £610, is similar KITCHEN Cabinetry painted in a cobalt blue lends a sophisticated edge to this simple setting, while the original arched window and white walls add an airy feel. Touches of greenery and a ﬂoral display bring the scheme to life. Units painted in Drawing Room Blue estate eggshell, £60 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Angelo White quartz worktop, £265m, Melrosa Marble & Granite. Shaftesbury glass pendant light, from £135, Neptune

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purchased the flat above to live in.’ Then Andrew’s life took an unexpected twist when a sojourn in Panama City turned into a prolonged stay of nearly a decade, after he met his husband Ricardo there. ‘For much longer than I anticipated, I was away from home and my aunt lived in the flat,’ he says. Last year, Andrew and Guatemalanborn Ricardo decided to make this flat their base. It needed work and the pair decided to upgrade plumbing, repair a roof leak and update the interiors. Fortunately, both of them have a passion for decorating, with Andrew’s expertise lying in sourcing, while Ricardo’s strength lies in project managing and overseeing the decorative details. In part because the couple’s lives are so peripatetic, their home is a soothing, 68 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018

streamlined sanctuary where everything has its place. The mansion house, originally built for the renowned Dewhurst cotton family, has generous rooms that belie the apartment’s conservative square footage. The sitting room and dining area was once the billiards room, and handsome arched windows still take pride of place. ‘We wanted to contemporise them a little, so we painted the frames in a dark blue tone to really emphasise them,’ explains Ricardo. Andrew’s cousin ﬁtted a kitchen for them, and they opted for bold blue joinery to add a pop of colour. Then it was a question of using subtle tones and textures to create a relaxing, layered look. ‘Neither of us like clutter, so we choose pieces judiciously,’ says Andrew. ‘We often change

up the look, swapping accessories and artwork seasonally or to suit our mood.’ Though the couple still travel abroad often, it’s here that they can relax. ‘We love to entertain and I am currently honing my cookery skills,’ says Andrew. ‘At other times, we’ll just enjoy sitting on the sofa reading a book or watching a film.’ Simple decorative touches, such as the scalloped headboard in the main bedroom give the pair pleasure, while floral arrangements, graphic fabrics and luxurious throws are favourite accents. ‘We still enjoy travelling extensively, but after a while, we long to return here, because it feels like a place where we can refresh and recharge,’ reflects Andrew. ‘After all, seeing the world is wonderful, but there’s really nothing like coming home.’ FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

DINING ROOM A large round table makes for convivial dining. ‘We entertain often in here,’ says Andrew. At the opposite end of this space, a pair of elegant wing chairs gives a pleasing sense of symmetry. Florence round dining table, £1,345, Alexander & Pearl, is a good alternative. Philippe Starck for Kartell Louis Ghost chairs, £240 each, John Lewis. Window frames painted in Hague Blue estate eggshell, £60 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Linen occasional wing chairs, £118 each, Dream Design MAIN BEDROOM Dusky pink tones were chosen for a calm feel. Amelia upholstered headboard in Sand AC linen, £299, Sueno. Walls painted in Elephant’s Breath estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball B AT H R O O M Travertine wall tiles create a sleek, chic look. Walls and Floors sells similar tiles, £24.95sq m. Spacia Nordic Oak ﬂooring, £65m, Amtico

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D R A M AT I C E F F E C T Preston Schroeder’s extended and renovated home showcases his love of bright colour, exotic artefacts and opulent ﬁnishes FEATURE EMILY BROOKS | PHOTOGRAPHY BRUCE HEMMING

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UNIQUE

home truths THE PROPERTY Semi-detached Thirties house L O C AT I O N Southwest London R O O M S Hall, formal sitting room, sitting room/kitchen-diner, oice, utility room, cloakroom, four bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, Marcus and I lived in a semi-detached house in Chiswick,’ says Preston.

S I T T I N G ROOM This scheme comes together using complementary colours, tempered by a distinctive approach to texture and pattern, from the antiqued mirrors in the tables to the velvet cocktail chairs. Lazytime corner chaise, from £3,138, Camerich. Galaxy Bespoke coffee table, £299, Azura Home Style, has this look. For comparable upholstery, try Clarke & Clarke’s Onda Fuchsia, £44m, Fashion Interiors. Color Reform Spectrum rug, £2,514, ABC Carpet & Home DINING AREA The bold feature wall provides a contrasting backdrop for the

couple’s collection of eclectic furnishings and accessories. Walls painted in Royal Regatta 2 emulsion, £43.99 for 2.5L, Dulux. ZenZulu woven bowls (on walls), from £80 each, The Conran Shop. Etch Web pendants, £1,200 each, Tom Dixon. Vintage dining chairs upholstered in Pardus velvet, £118m, Osborne & Little KITCHEN A sleek, all-white palette was chosen to allow the more vibrant zones nearby to shine. White gloss kitchen, price on application, Kutchenhaus. Banksy Balloon Girl mural, from £36sq m, Murals Wallpaper

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C O U R T YA R D A hot-pink wall brings a contemporary pop to this outdoor area, referencing the bright hues within. Sporty Pink masonry emulsion, ÂŁ25 for 2.5L, Valspar, is a match

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op art, industrialinspired design, global handicrafts, antiques, Seventies glamour and plenty of colour fill Preston Schroeder’s home. You could certainly never accuse him of being afraid to mix things up. ‘I have always wanted to develop a house that reflects my personality,’ says Preston, who lives here with his partner Marcus Blake, a property developer, and their teenage daughter, Dulcie. The couple had previously bought a number of homes with a view to renovating and selling them, but when they found this property, they decided to stay put and finally inject a sense of individuality that had been missing. ‘I discounted this house initially, as it was on a busy road, but other options were scarce, so Marcus and I ended up viewing it,’ says Preston. ‘It was a neglected rental property and the garden was

like a forest. But I knew we could reinvent it. I remember standing on the first floor, looking out to the garden with a smile on my face thinking, “This is the one.”’ After living here for a year to get a feel for what they wanted, Preston and Marcus worked with an architect to draw up plans for two ground-floor extensions at the side and rear, both top-lit with rooflights, plus an attic conversion. Initially, the plan was to have the extension fully wrap around the house, but when that idea was rejected by local planning authorities, they settled for a small side courtyard. This turned out to be one of Preston’s favourite features – a pocket of calm that leads the eye through the space from the light hall, with a pink wall that ties the interior and exterior together. An avid globetrotter, Preston grew up in Cape

FORMAL SITTING ROOM Vintage pieces and striking soft furnishings bring a sense of fun and colour to this inviting spot. Vintage sofa upholstered in Varese Wedgwood, £72m, Designers Guild

CLOAKROOM Metallic ﬁnishes and an antique table repurposed as a vanity unit add character to this area. Exquisite mosaic tiles, £53 a sheet; basin, £600, both Porcelain Tiles

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25bh | c it y s e m i MAIN BEDROOM A bespoke headboard is set into a dividing wall that separates the sleeping area from the en suite. Headboard upholstered in Tiber Celadon satin, £27m, Designers Guild. Walls painted in Aqua Blue matt emulsion, £38 for 2.5L, Neptune

Town. He headed up his own fashion brand, Purple Smoke, which specialises in resort wear, while working as a retail buyer for luxury hotels, sourcing unusual and locally made items for them to sell. His natural ainity for seeking out interesting items is abundantly obvious in his home, which is full of curiosities. ‘I love to go of the beaten track and into markets to get a feel for a place,’ he says. ‘In Bali, I can spend days on a bike going around the back streets discovering artists and antiques dealers.’ Preston loves combining old and new pieces. For example, a pair of 19thcentury French chairs in the sitting room have been reupholstered in a shocking fuchsia, while dark wood dining chairs are given a new lease of life thanks to some leopard-print. Where he was unable to ﬁnd speciﬁc pieces, Preston had furniture made 74 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018

bespoke. Antique pieces were modified, so a grand sideboard that was bought at an auction house has been converted into a basin unit for the en-suite bathroom. ‘The best money I spent was working with a specialist lighting designer, Light IQ,’ says Preston. ‘As the ground floor is open-plan, I felt it was important to have alternate spaces lit up at diferent times, but I still wanted it to feel balanced. Our home is now completely transformed at night.’ Preston’s house is full of humour and fun, but it is also sophisticated in the way that elements are repeated throughout, be it with a brass light fitting, a plain satin fabric or a particular colour. His most valuable advice is to experiment. ‘I think it’s vital to keep an open mind and not just stick to what you know,’ says Preston. ‘Instead, be prepared to play.’

EN SUITE The focal point of the couple’s bathroom is an opulent antique cabinet, transformed into a stunning basin vanity unit. Walls painted in Powder Blue

matt emulsion, £38 for 2.5L, Neptune. Toledo brick wall tiles, £99sq m; Rhombus mosaic ﬂoor tiles, £275sq m, both Fired Earth. Pillar Offset wall lights, £669 each, Original BTC

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THE DARK ARTS Jane Rockett and Toby Erlam used an imaginative blend of moody hues, striking artwork and vintage ﬁnds to revitalise an unloved country home FEATURE EMMA J PAGE | PHOTOGRAPHY BÉNÉDICTE DRUMMOND

SITTING ROOM Dark walls provide a cocooning feel in this dramatic space. Walls painted in Madison Grey matt emulsion, £33 for 2.5L, Abigail Ahern. Black-and-gold framed convex mirror, £80; Oslo black/ivory cotton rug, £195, both Rockett St George

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DISTINCTIVE

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace L O C AT I O N Sussex R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen, dining room, family room, utility room, cloakroom, conservatory, ﬁve bedrooms, three bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2009 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved here from a cottage nearby,’ says Jane.

ew of us have the knack of making a pot plant and vintage desk salvaged from a Citizen’s Advice Bureau look covetable, but Jane Rockett has an enviable design eye. In her home, she has elevated the everyday to the interesting, and created harmony from disparate pieces. ‘I just combine elements I love,’ she says. ‘A home can’t be staged – it needs to evolve.’ This is a philosophy that Jane, co-founder of homewares brand Rockett St George, put into practice when she came across this Victorian cottage in a pretty Sussex village nearly 10 years ago. Her aim was to strip it back to its original layout, allowing it to breathe, and make alterations over time, like removing walls, exposing the top floor to the rafters and adding a simple conservatory to the rear. ‘Previous owners had carved more rooms out of the space, but it had become something of a rabbit warren as a result,’ she says. ‘However, I fell in love with the generous windows and I knew I could make the place work for family life.’ Jane and her partner, Toby, moved in with their children, Tyler, now 19, Lola, 17, and Eden, 13, and lived on site while the task of simplifying the property’s flow was carried out. ‘I remember enduring a very cold winter with the back of the house covered in tarpaulin, while Tyler’s 10th birthday party took place in a kitchen with no floor and the guests climbing over joists,’ recalls Jane. With an eye for knowing exactly what to add and what to remove, she has

KITCHEN A striking seat and a selection of favourite artworks make a

statement in this corner. Resin ﬂoor, price on application, Designs in Resin. ‘After the Disco’

art print, £125 unframed, Om Mudra hand chair, £450, both Rockett St George

C O N S E R VAT O R Y The dark window frames in this extension helps pick out the verdant colours of the garden beyond. Eames DSR dining chairs in black, ÂŁ250 each, The Conran Shop. Ornate candle chandelier, ÂŁ899, Rockett St George

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p e r i o d te r r ac e | 25bh

streamlined storage, creating a utility room out of a ground floor corridor space, leaving the kitchen free of wall units, and allowing bare bricks to add drama. Aged metal bar stools, a poured resin floor and modern artwork add a gentle industrial note. ‘I like that practical element, but for a softer look we’ve incorporated rustic materials, textures and foliage,’ says Jane. Texture plays an important part in the sitting room, with dramatic, moodytoned walls ofset by quirky finds, vintage furniture, and eye-catching silhouettes. Upstairs, seven bedrooms were reduced to five, allowing for three generous-sized rooms and a family bathroom on the first floor, and two bedrooms and a shower room on the second, with the ceilings removed to expose the eaves. Throughout, Jane has opted for unusual finishes to add depth and draw the eye. The family’s light but cocooning garden room is the jewel in the crown of this sensitive restoration. It features a slim, dramatically dark frame, and doors that can be fully opened to a pretty courtyard garden. ‘We have dinner parties there and it’s magical at night, with the lights dimmed,’ says Jane. Meanwhile, Sunday lunchtime sees extended family gather round a huge former map table, which was once earmarked for Rockett St George’s concession in Liberty, but deemed too large to make it to its destination. ‘When we bought this house, our aim was to create a space that our children and their friends would want to hang out in,’ says Jane. ‘Fast forward a decade, and that’s exactly what’s happened. It’s a fantastic home that seems to absorb people, and since our mantra is “the more the merrier”, we couldn’t have asked for a better result.’

GUEST BEDROOM ‘I wanted a jewellike, opulent feel here,’ says Jane. Walls painted in Hudson Black matt emulsion, £33 for 2.5L, Abigail Ahern. Barefoot lamp, £56, Rockett St George B AT H R O O M White tiles laid in a herringbone

pattern, paired with unpolished brass taps and bare wood ﬂoorboards create a heritage feel. La Fontaine Noire basin mixer tap is similar to this one, from £480, Catchpole & Rye. To recreate the look of this basin, try the London Console leg set, £363, CP Hart

KITCHEN Jane chose a light, white look in this room. ‘I like an industrial style,’ she says, ‘but I wanted to add some softening notes, so I opted

for crisp white cabinets as a gentle contrast to the bare brick walls.’ Resin ﬂoor, price on application, Designs in Resin. Ceramic Drop

pendant ceiling lights in White Gloss, from £125 each, Original BTC. Midas bar stool in antique brass, £145 each, Rockett St George

25bh | p e r i o d te r r ac e see the rest of jane and toby’s home

OFFICE AREA Above a vintage desk hangs a selection of framed prints and photographs. Soft brown leather oice chair, £540; ‘Thieves Like Us - New Order’ print, £39 unframed, both Rockett St George. Hector medium wall lights, £125 each, Original BTC. MAIN BEDROOM The wardrobe has been treated to a snakeskin efect wallpaper to add interest and texture. Wardrobe papered in Boa, £85 a roll, Osborne & Little. Dream black tray table, £135; Oslo black and ivory cushion, £39; black gloss and gold star-studded stool with hairpin legs, £95, Rockett St George

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FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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CUPBOARD L OV E

Remodelled rooms incorporating banks of sleek storage have maximised space in Chris Worth’s bijou home FEATURE RACHEL LEEDHAM | PHOTOGRAPHY CAROLINE MARDON

REPLANNED

home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y Mews house, built in the 1850s L O C AT I O N West London R O O M S Hall/sitting room/ kitchen-diner, dressing room/ snug/home oice, bedroom, bathroom, roof terrace P U R C H A S E D 1992 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, I was living in a ﬂat in nearby Ladbroke Grove,’ says Chris.

DINING AREA/ SITTING ROOM

A trio of copper pendant lights stands out against the faux-brick feature wall. Spun Reﬂector pendant lights, from £235, Davey Lighting. Painting, by Poul Webb. Lady armchair, from £2,814, Marco Zanuso for Cassina

m e ws h o us e | 25bh KITCHEN Chris updated this scheme with display shelving and a mirrored splashback. White hi-gloss lacquer units and Corian worktops, price on application, Ascot Kitchens. Fusion boiling-water tap in brushed chrome, from £1,240, Quooker

f a v o u r i t e f e a t u r e ‘The laser-cut screen forms a decorative feature, particularly at night when it’s lit from behind to cast interesting shadows on the sitting room walls’

HALL A decorative screen adds interest and helps maintain a sense of openness between the two spaces. Artwork by Frank Schroeder at 99 Limited Editions. Walls painted in Shaded White estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Tate oak ﬂoor, from £139sqm, Solid Floor

25bh | m e ws h o us e MAIN BEDROOM

Separated by sliding doors, the adjoining area has many uses, including doubling up as a guest room. Retro Living sells similar Italian ceiling lights, from £250. Eloro sofa, from £5,382, Rodolfo Dordoni for Cassina

BATHROOM

Black ﬁttings and geometric tiles lend a graphic element to this space. Dornbracht Tara wall-mounted basin mixer taps, from £642.96, CP Hart. Landscape Hexagon tiles, price on application, Domus

ituated in the heart of London’s Notting Hill, the colourful façade of the mews house owned by Chris Worth and his partner, Danny, has graced many an Instagram feed. ‘At the weekend, we often have groups of tourists outside, taking pictures of the yellow front door and the rose bushes,’ says Chris. Having bought the property in 1992, Chris then rented it out until the couple decided to move in nine years ago along with their chocolate Labrador, Brandy. ‘I really love it here,’ says Chris, ‘and I’m within easy walking distance of the football team I support, Queens Park Rangers.’ MAKING CHANGES

While the area was perfect, the size of the mews house posed problems, and after four years, the pair decided to turn the exterior courtyard into a dining area. The space was capped of with a glazed roof that also forms part of the roof terrace above. ‘It was a great start but much of the house still felt dark and we needed more storage,’ explains Chris. At this point, he approached Matt Guy of Guy Logan Architects. ‘Even though I work in property, there comes a time where it’s hard to form an objective view of your own home,’ says Chris. Matt’s solution was to streamline the spaces, removing bulky 84 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018

chimney breasts while reinstating other period details, including the cornicing and skirting boards. Openings were enlarged to improve the sense of ﬂow, and a striking laser-cut screen was added between the sitting room and hall. C L E V E R LY C O N C E A L E D

Upstairs, the wall was opened up between the two bedrooms, and the second bedroom was transformed into a relaxed snug-cumdressing room, with an oice space. ‘This also needs to be a guest room, so Matt designed an acoustic sliding door, and incorporated a secret door so that the space can be accessed directly from the landing,’ says Chris. Storage was a key part of the brief and it provides a contemporary counterpoint to the more traditional period details. Banks of sleek, handleless cupboards in the sitting room, main bedroom and dressing room mean that everything is neatly hidden from view. ‘Wenge wood was chosen for the doors as it adds a warm, textural feel,’ says Chris. ‘We wanted to have that rich element as the rooms are otherwise quite neutral.’ Another textural element comes in the form of a striking white brick wall in the kitchen and dining area, which is actually faux bricks on 15mm-thick boards. ‘We made the kitchen and dining area all

white to maximise the light, so it was important to keep it interesting,’ says Chris. To avoid over-cluttering the house, the couple opted for a handful of curated pieces, many of which have a slightly retro feel. ‘We are quite drawn to items from the mid-20th century,’ says Chris, pointing out a Sixties Italian chandelier in the bedroom. Chris and Danny are thrilled with the end result and are reaping the benefits of their reconfigured home. ‘It flows beautifully and is tailored to our lifestyle,’ says Chris. ‘I love that everything has a place, which makes it much more enjoyable to live in.’ FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

m e ws h o us e | 25bh

Insight CLEVER SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL SPACES Impressed by Chris’s compact home? Here’s how to make every inch of space work harder…

he familiar adage ‘don’t move, improve’ applies in the case of Chris Worth’s elegant yet diminutive period mews house. While storage solutions and ergonomic furniture play a part, bold architectural tweaks have transformed this sophisticated space.

Get creative Take an objective look at the space and focus first on its architectural features. Architect Matt Guy, who worked with Chris, suggests allocating storage to any nooks or recesses, such as the reveals either side of chimney breasts, below stairs and above wardrobes. Bear in mind that storage can also be introduced between floor joists and accessed via trap doors – a great idea for hiding valuables. ‘Maximise loft storage, too, by installing insulated boards and a fold-down ladder,’ advises Matt. ‘And, instead of walls, use built-in furniture to cleverly define spaces.’ Investigate your property’s construction – in some cases,

spaces have been lost to false walls or dropped ceilings. Chris made the bold decision to incorporate an existing courtyard into an internal space – adding a room while creating a natural feature.

Form and function To successfully maximise layout, combine aesthetics and practicality. Exploit all the sight lines in a compact space, widening doorways, installing generous picture windows and simplifying access between spaces. Chris’s guest room is linked to the master suite, but a sliding door plus concealed access from the landing provides privacy when needed and makes it truly multi-functional. Consider how the space is intended to be used, how often items need to be accessed and whether there are objects to be displayed. Where appropriate, remove chimney breasts to gain more space. Finally, invest in wall-mounted furniture that ﬂoats above the ﬂoor, creating a sense of airiness.

professional advice ‘Look at the bare architectural bones of the space and at what walls can be removed to create a larger scheme with more ﬂow. For example, a large open-plan sitting, kitchen and dining room may work better than a series of poky rooms, but take professional advice from a structural engineer as to what’s feasible. Install as many feature windows and doors as possible, in order to let in plenty of light. Consider replacing internal doors with sliding pocket doors, or heightening doorways, as this will also give a grander sense of scale even if the actual ﬂoor space is compact. In small schemes, storage really is key. Use a bespoke joinery company to design every inch of spare space into something usable, such as a banquette seat in the kitchen that has a lift-up lid to provide storage underneath. Build bookshelves and wardrobes right up to the ceiling, to store items you don’t need to access all the time. Under-stair space can be converted into an oice area. Alternatively, a small cloakroom can be installed in this space. To create a streamlined look, paint cabinets and wardrobes in the same colour as the walls as this will make the space look larger.

A built-in wardrobe makes the most of eaves space

This full-height unit turns a staircase into stylish storage

Add shelving to recesses either side of a ﬁreplace

If you have a garden, think about building a home oice to make an extra room.’

FEATURE EMMA J PAGE

ALISON TEVERINI, MILWARD TEVERINI

e x p e r t e y e ‘Design storage with flexibility in mind, incorporating adjustable shelving and multi-sized drawers. Provide a mix of storage solutions – drawers provide ease of access, while cupboards are good for items you don’t need too often’ MATT GUY, GUY LOGAN ARCHITECTS

address book ■ Federation of Master Builders 0330 333 7777, fmb.org.uk Search for approved carpenters, builders and joiners ■ British Institute of Interior Design 020 7628 0255, biid.org.uk Find suppliers and designers here 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018 | 85

BACK TO ITS BEST Suzanne and Richard Bamford restored a problematic property to create an idyllic family home FEATURE AMANDER MEADE | PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH

INSPIRING

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian detached L O C AT I O N Northamptonshire R O O M S Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, snug, study, oice, cloakroom, ﬁve bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved from a modern home in the county,’ says Suzanne.

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KITCHEN

Shaker-style units and an antique table and chairs lend farmhouse charm. Kitchen, price on request, Create Bespoke Interiors

p e r i o d d e tac h e d | 25bh

SITTING ROOM

‘I like mixing up older furnishings with newer pieces, to create a relaxed, informal style,’ says Suzanne. Side table painted in English Yellow chalk paint, £19.95 for 1L, Annie Sloan. Bradford footstool, from £575, Laura Ashley. The Overmantel Bow mirror, £195, John Lewis, is similar

uzanne and Richard Bamford had stayed longer in their previous home in Northamptonshire than they originally intended. ‘We were conveniently placed for primary schools and amenities, which had been a priority while our children Isabel, now 14, and Oliver, 11, were smaller,’ explains Suzanne. But when it was time for Isabel to start secondary school, the couple knew it was now or never and began to search the county for a long-term home. ‘Richard had always wanted a period house like the one he grew up in, preferably in an idyllic village setting with a large garden,’ says Suzanne. Matching reality with the dream, however, proved quite challenging as the couple viewed almost 50 houses. After extending their search more widely across Northamptonshire, Suzanne ﬁnally spotted their current home

online. ‘Neither of us knew this part of the county at all but when we walked inside we both said “this is the one” immediately.’ Initially believing the house was in reasonable condition, the couple were dismayed to discover it had serious problems. ‘There was damp, both chimneys needed replacing, the brickwork required attention and we had a mouse infestation,’ Suzanne recalls. ‘We realised the bones of the house had to be put in order so we gritted our teeth and blew the entire budget on damp-proofing and repairs.’ Built around 1870, the property has a colourful history, including time spent as a wholesale gardening outlet, a sweet shop and a post oice, according to the older village locals. Probably due to its varied commercial use over the years, the first floor had an awkward layout, which required more structural work. ‘Previously, 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018 | 87

DINING AREA

Pale walls and ﬂooring allow elegant dark-wood antique furniture to become the focus of this space. Walls painted in Matchstick estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. The table and chairs are from an antiques shop in Sunderland, Suzanne’s home town

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p e r i o d d e tac h e d | 25bh KITCHEN

A naive-style platter on the wall creates a simple ﬁnishing touch. Cabinetry painted in Purbeck Stone estate eggshell, £60 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. The cooker is the Rangemaster Classic Deluxe, £1,844

MAIN BEDROOM Matching curtains and cushions provide a ﬂoral theme in this comfortable room. The White Company sells similar bedding, from £20 for a pillowcase. Pink wool throw, £25 , TK Maxx

BATHROOM Suzanne chose a fresh blue to add a dash of colour to the family bathroom. Panelling painted in Sea Blue mixing easycare, £31.50 for 2.5L, Dulux. Basin, price on request, Pochin Bathrooms. Try eBay for vintage blue bottles

the front and rear rooms upstairs could only be reached by walking through the bathroom,’ explains Suzanne. ‘We made the bathroom and guest bedroom a little smaller to create a corridor instead. It was quite a big job but it has resulted in a much better flow upstairs.’ Additionally, an en-suite bathroom was added to the master bedroom and then the guest en suite and family bathrooms were both refitted. Twelve months ago, the couple installed a new kitchen using a local firm of cabinetmakers. ‘We chose a modern farmhouse look with Shaker-style units,’ says Suzanne. ‘A contemporary scheme in this house would not have worked so well, and we’re so pleased with the results.’ Above all, Suzanne wanted to create a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. ‘Our furnishings are an eclectic mix of family pieces brought

from our previous home, auction ﬁnds, upcycled objects and high street accessories. I like to have a pop of colour in every room as well as items that mean something to us, such as souvenirs from trips away. I don’t shop online much – I prefer to see, feel and touch something before I buy and particularly love auctions. Throughout all the work the couple undertook, they were determined never to settle for just patching things up. ‘The house deserves to be respected so we researched period authenticity and every door and window has been replaced with a handmade version,’ says Suzanne. ‘The best thing about our home is how it works for us. Every time I return from a long commute, I still relish pulling up outside. The children have lots of space, which was Richard’s dream, so all the hard work has been worth it.’

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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THE SOURCE Erica Miller shows you how you can achieve the style secrets in this issue’s homes

Design ideas

introduce light

m i x i n g pat t e r n s

sliding door

The Finches have created a bright and relaxing space in their small bathroom. A simple but highly efective design trick – a large mirror and glazed Pages wall tiles – creates the 52-55 illusion of space and helps bounce light around the room. Mirrors not only brighten a scheme, but the reﬂection fools the eye into believing that the room is larger, too. If possible, position a large mirror opposite a window to reﬂect natural light. Alternatively, use bevelled-glass wall tiles to enhance and open up the space. Here, all-white tiles and sanitaryware create a tranquil scheme. The lack of colour means the eye isn’t drawn to a particular point, making the room feel spacious with a sense of calm.

In Pippa and James Connolly’s elegant sitting room, a variety of patterns enliven the space and give it depth. However, using them successfully depends Pages on how well the colours 43-45 blend or contrast with each other. Here, block-print fabrics in diferent shades but from the same collection have been used on the sofa cushions, plus the armchairs and curtains. Stripes have been mixed in for contrast, while a large-scale print on the rug helps anchor the overall look. The key to mixing pattern is to stick to a limited palette and use a variety of scales. Remember the rule of three: pick one large, one medium and one small motif. Plain painted walls, as shown here, enhance the whole look.

As space is at a premium in some homes, the trick is to find clever solutions. To save valuable floor space, Di Zock has installed a stylish sliding door between her Pages bedroom and en suite. To 20-25 add drama, it has been painted a vibrant green, linking perfectly with the Moorish tiles beyond. Another option that allows access between tight spaces is to install a pocket door, which slides neatly into a compartment in the adjacent wall. These doors usually run on rollers suspended from an overhead track or on tracks along the floor. Space-saving ideas are becoming more necessary as house prices rise and you are less likely to move. Adding an en-suite bathroom is still one of the better ways to add value to your home.

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g e t th e l o o k | 25bh

Inspired shopping

Pages 86-89

Wall-hung plate

A hand-painted platter looks pretty displayed in the Bamfords’ kitchen. For something equally charming, see the Pip Studio Royal multicolour oval porcelain serving platter, £55, Hurn & Hurn.

Elegant fireplace

Pages 61-64

A beautiful period ﬁre surround creates a focal point in Julia Taylor-Stanley’s sitting room. For a similar look, opt for the Georgian-style Chichester chimney piece in Portland stone, £9,540, Chesneys.

Pages 20-25

Turquoise area rug

Framed bed

Pages 98-101

An elegant French-style bed works beautifully in the Coopers’ panelled room. For something just as graceful, try the Charlotte upholstered bed with solid mahogany frame, £1,499, The French Bedroom Company.

A striking patchwork-design rug in vivid shades of blue takes centre stage in Di Zock’s colourful den/guest bedroom. The Vintage patchwork rug in Turquoise, from £140, Louis De Poortere, is a comparable design.

Pages 112-115

Chunky table

Black vase

A striking chintzribboned vase makes a statement in the Roberts’ bedroom. The Pleat vase in Black, 26cm tall, £52, LSA International, will create a similar sense of drama.

Pages 27-31

Strong, sturdy and good looking, a table with a thick wooden top takes pride of place in Catherine Loft’s dining space. Try the Albert X Frame table with solid-wood top and powder-coated steel base, from £1,890, Escapology.

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25bh | g e t th e l o o k

Pages 76-80

Square wall clock

The vintage-style wall clock looks great against the exposed brick wall in Jane Rockett’s kitchen. For similar, invest in the Quad wall clock in Black, £125, Newgate Clocks.

Buttoned foot stool

An upholstered stool helps create a sociable seating hub in the Coopers’ light and airy sitting area. For an alternative design, try the Astor ottoman in Duck Egg Blue, £429, Swoon Editions.

Classic chair

Pages 56-59

A pair of boxy armchairs create the right impression in the Gosses’ sitting room. Recreate the look with the Eichholtz Atlanta chair in Panama Natural, £1,195, Sweetpea & Willow.

Pages 98-101

Clouds wallpaper

A dreamy design creates a serene mood in Kate Carlin’s guest room. For similar, try the Clouds wallpaper, £198 a roll, Mineheart at Lime Lace.

Pages 94-96

Pom-pom trimmed cushions

Patchwork quilt

A patchwork bedcover in sunny tones adds warmth in Kate Carlin’s guest room. For something akin to this, try Muuto Loom throw in Tangerine, £89, Amara.

Pages 102-105

If you admire the stylishly edged cushions on Kate Sissons’ sofa, try the Dove Grey velvet pom-pom cushion, £28, The French Bedroom Company.

5 of the best

Table lamps

Update your bedroom or sitting room scheme with smart new lighting

Mowbray Grey Directoire lamp, £80, One World

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Kudu Black Gold lamp, £234, David Hunt Lighting

5A Fifth Avenue Jaguar lamp, £59, Dunelm

JM by Julien Macdonald mother-ofpearl lamp, £75, qvcuk.com

Flambeau Birdland lamp, £152.99, Wayfair

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

C O L O U R HAPPY A move to a new home and the arrival of her ﬁrst child inspired Kate Carlin to ditch tepid decorating and unleash her love of bright hues FEATURE SERENA FOKSCHANER | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES BALSTON

ate Carlin grew up in a home filled with vivid paintings and home-made textiles, with a façade painted in traichalting yellow. For years, she longed to replicate those hues in the home she shared with her husband, Declan, but a hefty mortgage stymied decorating ambitions. ‘We had to make do with white walls and flat-pack furniture,’ she says. Then, nearly three years ago, a move to a larger apartment provided a chance to ditch the bland. ‘We finally had the funds to thoughtfully do a place up,’ says Kate. The three-bed duplex needed an imaginative overhaul, so Kate turned to Fiona Parke of Johnston 94 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018

Parke Interiors. ‘I’d spotted Fiona’s work in a magazine and was impressed, but I didn’t think that interior designers were for normal human beings like me.’ A phone call to Fiona soon changed that, and the pair got on famously. ‘My job was to turn a boring modern box that hadn’t been touched in 20 years into a lively, contemporary family home,’ says Fiona. ‘Kate’s got wonderfully eclectic tastes, so I had to think of clever ways to make a feature of her art and textiles.’ Split over two ﬂoors of a purpose-built, Eighties block, the buoyant teal and mustard-splashed atmosphere of the reinvented

c it y a pa r tm e nt | 25bh SITTING AREA The focal point of the upsidedown apartment is the top-ﬂoor living space, which was designed from scratch to create a ﬂowing kitchen, dining and sitting area. Aissa sofa, from £1,410; Aissa ottoman, from £270, both Sofa.com. Ply table, from £750, Unto This Last. Stockholm rug, from £120, Ikea, is a match

DISTINCTIVE

home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y Eighties purpose-built apartment L O C AT I O N London R O O M S Hall, sitting room/ kitchen-diner, three bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before we moved here, we lived in a smaller apartment in the same building,’ says Kate.

2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018 | 95

25bh | c it y a pa r tm e nt GUEST BEDROOM The yellow quilt, made by Kate’s mother, inspired the eclectic mix of decor. Nuvole wallpaper, £268 a roll, Cole & Son. Anglepoise Type 1228 wall light, £98, Heal’s

STUDY AREA The couple created a compact home office under the stairs. Karlby kitchen worktop, from £100, Ikea

B AT H R O O M Deep sills and corner shelving provide a practical, seamless feel. Northampton tiles, £166.66sq m, Fired Earth, are identical

l a s t w o r d ‘This is a family home, designed to be knocked, used and bashed about a bit’ apartment also celebrates the arrival of Kate and Declan’s daughter, Ursula, now four. ‘Ursula was born prematurely and was in intensive care for three months, so she really is a precious child,’ says Kate. ‘When we did up the flat we wanted it to be a proper family home for her – full of fun and colour.’ But before any discussions about fabric swatches or the merits of calamine pink over a subtler rose could begin, there was much work to do. ‘The apartment was dated and cluttered. The lighting was patchy, the heating didn’t work, there was no soundproofing or storage – we had to start from scratch,’ explains Fiona. Although the flat has large windows and balconies with sweeping views of London’s landmarks, there were some dark awkward corners that needed addressing, too. In the hall, a light-blocking wall and door were removed and space under the

stairwell stolen to create a study area. Upstairs, in the main reception area, a cumbersome boiler cupboard was removed and the layout reorganised to create an easy connection between the cooking and eating areas, with a long island added for socialising, complete with an asymmetrical book-wall. When it came to the decor, the inspiration came from Kate’s mother Norma’s art, and Fiona encouraged Kate to be bold and try some unorthodox schemes, such as the monochromatic wallpaper and chevron-print blind combo in the spare bedroom. ‘I didn’t think the contrasts would work but they do,’ says Kate. Now, ﬂat-pack furniture is a distant memory, supplanted by birch bar stools, a bespoke dining table and crayon-bright velvet upholstery, which Kate couldn’t be happier with. ‘Every day I look around our home and think about how much I love this place.’

MAIN BEDROOM Wall-to-wall mirrors enhance the sense of light and space. Headboard in Jamboree fabric, price on request, Stark. Portrait by Jimmy Law, price on application

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FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

INSPIRING

home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y Grade-ll listed farmhouse, built in 1710 L O C AT I O N Berkshire R O O M S Formal sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner/ family room, study, utility room, cloakroom, boot room, cellar, ﬁve bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms, shower room P U R C H A S E D 2011 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a Seventies detached in Buckinghamshire,’ says Lucy.

RUR AL PURSUIT When Lucy and Graeme Cooper saw a dilapidated farmhouse surrounded by countryside, they knew it was to be their ultimate restoration project FEATURE FELICITY HAYLES | PHOTOGRAPHY FIONA MURRAY

p e r i o d fa r m h o u s e | 25 bh

KITCHEN-DINER ‘This is my favourite room, as we spend all our time here together and it’s also where I run my business from,’ says Lucy. Bespoke Shaker-style cabinetry, Handmade Kitchens Direct. Units painted in Skimming Stone estate eggshell, £60 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

K I T C H E N - D I N E R / F A M I LY R O O M A large central island creates a striking focal point as well as providing a perfect spot to gather. Walls painted in Pointing estate emulsion, £43.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Orson three-seater sofa (left), £779, Made.com. Astor footstool, £365, Swoon. Brocante pendant lights, £110 each, Maisons du Monde

hallenging renovation projects are not a prospect that Lucy and her husband, Graeme, shy away from. ‘Every house we have owned has been a project and we enjoy the process of tailoring our living space to our own needs as a family,’ she says. So the couple were delighted when the sale of their former seventies detached house in Buckinghamshire aforded them enough to buy this picturesque 18th-century farmhouse in Berkshire. ‘We wouldn’t have been able to buy it had it been “finished” – we knew there would be a huge amount of work to do, but we were happy to take it on,’ says Lucy. The derelict farmhouse needed a complete renovation, so the couple moved into a caravan in the garden, along with their two small children, Grace, now 13, and Charles, 11. ‘We had to replace the entire roof, the floors, the septic tank, plumbing and electrics,’ says Lucy. ‘We could stand in the hall, looking through the collapsed ceiling, three floors up to the roof. The drawing room was out of bounds, too, due to the rotting floor – we would have ended up in the cellar had we stood in there.’ The property’s Grade II-listed status meant that all the plastering had to be carried out using traditional methods, including lime plaster onto the old laths, and avoiding plaster boards altogether. The majority of the original windows were beyond repair and so needed either replacing entirely or specialist restoration. With no connection to gas mains, the house had no central heating and only the original open

DINING AREA Rattan chairs and heavy oak beams embrace the rustic charm of the landscape. Table sourced from a local antiques market. Rattan dining chairs, similar to Kubu Rattan chairs, £105 each, Maisons du Monde

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B AT H R O O M A freestanding washstand with countertop basin creates a relaxed and unﬁtted ﬁnish. Chichester large washstand in French Grey, £1,080; Brunswick wall lights and linen shades, £64 each, all Neptune. Kyara bleached mango wood mirror, £180, Maisons du Monde

FORMAL SITTING ROOM The chalky blue hue of the original panelled walls adds a soft and serene feel. Walls painted in Light Blue estate emulsion, £43.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Orson three-seater sofa, £779, Made.com. Bespoke cushions, from £65 each, Lucy Marsh Designs

B AT H R O O M Lucy bought this roll-top bath on eBay for a bargain and painted it. Walls painted in Skimming Stone estate emulsion, £43.50 for 2.5L; panelling painted in Purbeck Stone estate eggshell, £60 for 2.5L, both Farrow & Ball

fireplaces. Graeme’s job in the energy industry was fortuitous when it came to researching the possibilities of fitting ground-source heat pumps as a cost-efective alternative to oil. The installation of these, plus underfloor heating, ensured their home was as energy eicient as possible. Eager to save money where they could, Graeme carried out the majority of renovation work, including carpentry, tiling and fitting the bathrooms, while Lucy took on the sourcing and decorating. Her choice of classic heritage paints, sympathetic to the period of their home, creates an authentic and tranquil flow. ‘I didn’t want bold colours or patterns, as the features of the house are aesthetically pleasing enough,’ she says. A traditional farmhouse kitchen extension delivers an abundance of space and breathtaking views of the surrounding farmland. The design was Lucy’s vision, fulfilling her criteria for a space to launch her business, The Cake College. ‘When it came to designing the extension, I knew I needed usability in terms of day-to-day family life, but also a relaxing space for clients to learn and create in,’ she says. ‘Our bespoke kitchen was great value and clients always admire it, however, it cost less than a store kitchen, as Graeme fitted it and I painted it myself.’ Once again, there is life in this beautiful historical property. ‘We have achieved our goals with this house, our children appreciate growing up surrounded by nature and many of my clients return with their friends,’ Lucy says. ‘To me, that’s a sign of a loved and hard-working home.’ FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

MAIN BEDROOM A French-style upholstered bed perfectly complements the period style of this space. Antoinette king-size bed, £1,145, Loaf. Walls painted in Pigeon estate emulsion, £43.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Bedside lamps, price on request, The Packhouse. Alienor wooden mirror in beige, £120, Maisons du Monde

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A BLAZE

OF GLORY Kate Sissons moved from the capital to revamp an old country ﬁre station FEATURE PENNY BOTTING | PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT SANDERSON

Kate Sissons had lived in London for several years, but decided the time had come to leave the capital for a leaﬁer location. ‘We wanted a small, well-situated property in the countryside with more space and a garden,’ explains Kate, whose son Jack, 19, often comes home to stay. So when she found this end of terrace in Charlbury, she was thrilled. ‘The town has everything we need and is in the middle of beautiful countryside.’ As well as fulﬁlling the requirements of having more space and a garden, the house 102 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018

also ofered a few extras. ‘Most of the other properties in the village have quite small ground floors, but because this one had a rear extension added during the Seventies, it’s actually really spacious,’ she says. In addition, there were some unusual features that gave a hint of the building’s former life as a fire station, including the two big old fire doors and a long room for the fire engines, which is now the kitchen area. The only problem was that another buyer was interested in the property, too. ‘The sale took several months and at one stage we thought the other party would win

– my competition was someone who wanted to turn the place into a spa,’ says Kate. ‘We persevered though, and the house ﬁnally came back to us later that year.’ Although the property was originally an oice and came with a change of use to residential purposes already in place, there were some tweaks to be made before it could feel like a home again. ‘It had dry lining on the walls, and generally looked very functional and safe,’ recalls Kate. ‘One of the ﬁrst things we did was to rip the dry lining away, which exposed the old, original stone and immediately gave the

SITTING ROOM

INSPIRING

Bold fabric adds a fun feel. Tropical Aztec Maharaja chair, £999, Ian Snow. Circular gilt classic round mirror, £350, Insider Chic. Acova radiator, from £411.99, Screwﬁx

home truths THE PROPERTY End-of-terrace former ﬁre station, built in the 1840s L O C AT I O N Cotswolds R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, snug, cloakroom, two bedrooms, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved here from a ﬂat in Fulham, London,’ says Kate.

KITCHEN

Pretty details, including cornicing and crackle glaze tiles, give this classic scheme a unique look. Cornicing, price on request, London Plastercraft. Crackle glaze tiles, from £40.89sq m, Tons of Tiles. Units, price on request, Magnet

SITTING ROOM

‘I had the dolphin table made in Turkey and when we had it shipped over, I painted it silver,’ says Kate. Camille console table in Antique Gold, £395; Grenadilla lamp base in Saffron, £135, both Oka. For a similar lampshade, from £45, try Pooky Lighting

DINING AREA

The table was Kate’s mother’s. Chair and pendant light, price on request, Insider Chic. Pew, price on request, The Old Pill Factory

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25bh | v i c t o r i a n c o t tag e MAIN BEDROOM White walls and ceiling create a spacious feel. Bed and bench, price on request, Insider Chic. Moonbeam table lamp, £70, Pooky Lighting. Try the Gustavian long mirror, £800, Gustavian

design advice ‘During renovations, you’re likely to uncover hidden issues, so you’ll need to be ﬂexible in your thinking’

GUEST BEDROOM ‘I bought the chair on eBay and covered it with a French orange toile from a market in St Tropez,’ says Kate. Beds and painting, price on request, both Insider Chic

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MAIN BEDROOM

For a touch of luxury, the bedroom has its own freestanding bath. The Nabis slipper bath with chrome ball and claw feet, £796.51, Wolseley, is similar. Kaleidoscope tiles, £32.60sq m, Tons of Tiles

BATHROOM

Beautiful decorative tiles add interest to this space. Metropolis Star tiles, £27.42sq m, Tons of Tiles

GARDEN

The courtyard terrace is the perfect spot for relaxed alfresco meals with family and friends.

place character,’ she says. ‘The next step was to add a staircase to the unconverted loft, which we then turned into a bedroom.’ Kate also added a mansard window to the new bedroom at the front of the house and extended into the garden at the rear. Fortunately, there weren’t any problems when the changes were being carried out, although there was one tricky moment. ‘Installing the decorative Gothic-style cornicing in the long room, now the kitchen, was a bit of a challenge. It took a lot of time and efort getting it to match up and making it look perfect,’ she says. After this, Kate FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

could concentrate on the fun, decorative elements. ‘I’m not sure where I get my ideas from, but I like to keep things quite simple, often using plain light greys, greens and oak browns, which I think work particularly well in a rural setting. I’ve added kilim designs to this neutral background and I think together they give a feeling of being smart, but not too formal. ‘In the sitting room, I’ve ins a ceiling lantern and log burner to create the perfect relaxing atmosphere in which to read the Sunday papers,’ she says. ‘Finally, I’ve tried to put my own unique stamp on the place

by introducing plenty of one-of accessories,’ she says. ‘I love my ever-increasing collection of toy ﬁre engines, which are a whimsical reference to the building’s past. ‘It’s often tempting, with hindsight, to consider how I might have done things a bit diferently in terms of renovating and decorating, but I can safely say I wouldn’t have changed anything. This is a welcoming house with a wonderful, calm feel and lots of light. And although it’s in the middle of the town, it’s very private with a sense of peace and tranquillity. It’s a comfortable and happy place to be, and I love it.’ 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018 | 105

WHEELS OF I N DU S T R Y Lauren Blow and Steve Crossley have enhanced the original features of a former factory building by adding reclaimed materials and industrial touches FEATURE KAREN WILSON | PHOTOGRAPHY KATIE LEE

INSPIRING

home truths

SITTING AREA As it is located on the corner of the building, this open-plan room beneﬁts from an abundance of natural light. Paris corner sofa, £1,499, Dwell. Carnwath coffee table with magazine rack by Home & Haus, £269.99, Wayfair, is a good alternative

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T H E P R O P E R T Y Flat in a converted mill, built in 1910 L O C AT I O N Manchester R O O M S Sitting room/kitchendiner, wine store, three bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before buying this place, I lived in a rented new-build ﬂat nearby and Steve was renting in this building,’ says Lauren.

fo r m e r c o t to n m i ll | 25bh

hen Lauren Blow and her partner Steve Crossley started looking for a home together in Manchester, an abundance of character and a city centre location was key. So when a rare three-bedroom corner apartment came up for sale in a converted Grade II*-listed cotton mill, they jumped at the chance to view it. Steve, who runs a recruitment business, was already renting in the same building, and the pair loved the canal-side location on the edge of the city’s bohemian Northern Quarter. ‘It was converted in 2008 and had one previous owner,’ recalls Lauren, a lighting designer. ‘But they’d already moved out so there was no furniture and it looked very bare and plain.’ Although there were too many wardrobes built in around the beds, some of which obscured the original brickwork, the couple adored the building’s large windows and period character. They also loved the quirky former corner cloakroom, to which they have added reclaimed wood shelves for storing bottles of spirits and stylish wall-mounted wine racks. During the four months it took for the sale to go through, Lauren was able to realise her ideas in 3D using modelling computer program SketchUp, gather samples and obtain quotes for creating a multifunctional kitchen island-cum-dining table with built-in bench seating and a breakfast bar. Her father made the structure from CLS studwork timber, which was cladded with old fruit crates. It supports the concrete worktops and end panels. To ﬁnish the piece, they commissioned bar and restaurant SITTING AREA A retro-style metal unit on castors suits this eclectic scheme, while a potted cactus and succulents add a bohemian touch. Wayne metal and ﬁr TV storage unit, £115, Maisons du Monde. Concrete planter and cactus, £69, Ancoats General Store

KITCHEN The couple retained the existing developer’s kitchen, as it suited the space. For similar units, try the Milano Ultra Camel gloss, from £2,500 for eight, with Slab Austrian oak, from £1,500 for eight, Wren Kitchens

inspir ation ‘The industrial-style bars and restaurants in Manchester’s Northern Quarter influenced our look’

WINE STORE Located next to the kitchen, this former cloakroom has been transformed into a useful storage area for bottles of wine and spirits. Vurm four-bottle wine racks, £10 each, Ikea. Try the Tray 1-light industrial saucer shade adjustable arm ﬂoor lamp, £145.79, Homary

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KITCHEN-DINER Elements of copper and brass contrast with grey metal and concrete, while also bringing extra warmth to the scheme. Cast concrete worktops and end panels, £2,210, Fluid Stone Studio. Flote hairpin brass table, £799, Rigg. Bulldog bust by Matt Buckley, £249, Edge Sculpture

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fitter Rigg to make a cantilevered brass tabletop with hairpin legs. As a lighting expert, Lauren was keen to come up with an innovative plan. ‘In the main living area, we invested in warm downlighters with dimmer switches,’ she says. Elsewhere, industrial-style floor lamps, a copper pendant over the island and bold statement lights in the bedrooms make the most of the high ceilings. Fortunately, the couple liked the existing contemporary kitchen units, and saw no need to replace the three bathrooms. Instead, they focused their attention on the main living space and bedrooms, adding natural materials and industrial touches. The wardrobes around the beds were removed and replaced with wood feature walls. Fence panels adorn the sitting room and guest bedroom, while the main bedroom is clad with reclaimed floor joists from a school. ‘I did consider using laminate on the walls but it would spoil the efect if people touched it, plus it wouldn’t have chimed with our natural material concept,’ says Lauren. Another issue that needed to be addressed was the long entrance to the main bedroom, which was lined with a wardrobe and felt too corridorlike. To create interest, Lauren hung old metal door kick plates on the wall. Being able to walk to work is a bonus for the couple and there are plenty of bars and restaurants on the doorstep. They also love entertaining friends at home. ‘Steve likes to play barman and we have a disco light to set the mood,’ says Lauren. ‘We are really enjoying this space and have loved making our mark on it.’ MAIN BEDROOM Reclaimed brass door kick plates make a striking wall display. Bannockbane Silver blanket, £35, The Tartan Blanket Co. PS 2014 ceiling pendant, £100, Ikea GUEST BEDROOM ‘Using fence panels on the wall gave the rough

favourite item ‘The kitchen island-cum-dining table, which I designed and had several companies piece it together’

feel I wanted,’ says Lauren. For a similar bedside table, try B-Grade unﬁnished rustic wooden crate, £15.59, Display Stands B AT H R O O M Tones of grey create a sleek, modern look. Try Dartrey grey wall tiles, £67.86sq m, Topps Tiles

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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Insight INCORPORATING WOOD FEATURES Inspired to add wood features like Lauren Blow and Steve Crossley have done? Follow our tips

ntroducing wood features instantly connects us to the natural world and creates an appealing, calming ambience. In line with the current preference for a more organic approach to design, there is also a growing trend for using more wood in innovative ways, from cladding to bespoke embellishments.

Statement surfaces Cladding walls in wood was highly popular in the Sixties and Seventies, and this trend is now experiencing a revival. Statement wood walls work best in rooms with plenty of light, especially when using dark-toned cladding. For an eclectic look, choose diferent widths, and you could also mix horizontal and vertical boards to prevent the surface looking too uniform. Pale or bleached board cladding will create a coastal vibe, while lighter whitewashed or whitepainted boards evoke a Scandi feel. Wood can also be used on ceilings, creating a ‘ﬁfth wall’ and providing a suitable backdrop for mid-century

Cashmere Chevron ﬂooring by Ted Todd

furniture. Consider mixing diferent types of wood in a single wall or panel, as Lauren and Steve have done. Check the wall ﬁrst to make sure it is straight and smooth and that it can support the weight of the boards.

Ways with wood Strong-grained woods like oak and pine will anchor a rustic interior and bring warmth and texture to the scheme. Unvarnished, bleached wood is a good choice for a seaside feel. Lighter tones such as beech and elm work well with sophisticated, contemporary interiors. Darker woods such as walnut and dark oak suit a traditional setting with a classic, formal ambience. Some wood specialists, such as Ted Todd, add metallic ﬁnishes like bronze and copper to wooden ﬂoorboards to create additional contrast. Wood can also be laid in diferent patterns to create added visual interest. Herringbone, chevron and parquet de Versailles are all making a comeback and work particularly well in halls and living areas.

Sapphire Panel ﬂooring from Woodworks by Tedd Todd

Ted Todd’s Claremont ceiling cladding

professional advice ‘Nothing brings nature inside more than wood. Wooden flooring in particular can make a real design statement that will not only look beautiful but will also, given the right care, stand the test of time. Strong statement wood floors in different patterns, textures and designs are key interiors trends for the new season, with geometric patterns, chevron and parquet floors featuring strongly in many home projects. Every surface can now be decorated with wood, starting from the floor upwards. Herringbone, chevron and geometric flooring can be used in any size space, with the floor acting as a link between rooms. There are a number of finishes to these floors, which each create very diferent looks. For example, square edges create a seamless look, while traditional hand-rolled edges define each block, emphasising the pattern. Think carefully about the look and feel you are trying to achieve. Whether you go bold and opt for a statement, patterned floor or prefer a more restrained and muted look, you can find the right wood that will reflect your individual interior style. Using a reclaimed wood for wall cladding will make a statement and is sure to be a talking point, transforming the look of your home. You can even use reclaimed planks in the bedroom to create a feature headboard for a more unusual take.’

FEATURE JANE BOWLES

JON ASHBROOK, TED TODD

e x p e r t e y e ‘For versatile features, try plywood. It is easy to work with for whole kitchens, cladding and ceilings, or tongue-andgroove, which suits cloakrooms and bathrooms’ MICHELLE BLYTH, RYDER AND HOPE

address book Q Ted Todd, 01925 283000, tedtodd.co.uk Specialist in new and antique timber Q Ryder and Hope, 01297 443304, ryderandhope.com Retail and online store selling traditional, iconic pieces chosen for their design, heritage and usefulness 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018 | 111

KITCHEN AREA High windows act as a frame for the attractive garden. Philippe Starck Kartell Masters chairs, £142 each, John Lewis

REPLANNED

home truths THE PROPERTY Detached Sixties house L O C AT I O N Middlesex R O O M S Hall, sitting room/ kitchen-diner, TV room, study, cloakroom, three bedrooms (one en suite), shower room P U R C H A S E D 1996 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a townhouse in South Africa,’ says Linda.

NEW ORDER When Allan Roberts suggested that his new wife, Linda, revamp his dated house, she responded with a light-ﬁlled, open-plan design FEATURE PAT GARRATT | PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID GILES

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s i x t i e s d e tac h e d | 25bh KITCHEN The central island has open shelving that acts as a stylish display area. Units with Corian worktop and ﬁttings, price on application, Porcelanosa. Beat tall pendant lamps, £325 each, Tom Dixon

oving in to someone else’s home, especially when that person has lived there for many years, is rarely easy. But widower Allan Roberts made the transition as smooth as possible for his new wife, Linda. The couple had been living and working together in South Africa but, three years ago, returned to Allan’s home in the UK. ‘We decided to settle here, as it was close to our families and friends,’ says Linda. ‘Allan gave me carte blanche to renovate it as much as I wanted. ‘It was a typical bachelor home and was clean and tidy, but looked tired. The kitchen was old-fashioned and the doors were

falling of. In fairness, Allan had spent much of his life elsewhere, working abroad. I had a vision of a contemporary, open-plan extension with lots of steel and glass. Thankfully, Allan agreed.’ His only request was that we include a separate ground-ﬂoor room for listening to music and watching TV. After much research, Linda hired John Armstrong of Armstrong Simmonds Architects for the job. ‘He immediately grasped our vision for the property and came up with some good ideas,’ she says. ‘For instance, he suggested a skylight in the extension, which we initially thought was an unnecessary 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018 | 113

SITTING ROOM The dark tiles of this feature wall add colour and texture to the otherwise pale interior. Wood-effect ceramic wall tiles, price on application, Porcelanosa. Sweep ﬂoor lamp, £99, Made.com, is similar

b e s t b u y ‘I love the crystal chandelier over the dining table, which is height adjustable. At night, it has a beautiful, sparkling effect’ expense. But when I came to visit the build one day in December, the house felt very dark and I soon realised he was right.’ To create the open-plan ground-ﬂoor area, two rooms were knocked into one and the rear wall was demolished to make way for a generous glazed extension into the garden. A new kitchen was installed, along with two shower rooms. As the work took 18 months to complete, the retired couple moved into temporary accommodation in the East Midlands and Allan spent one day a week travelling to Middlesex to project manage the build. The development reached a stumbling block when the time came to install a key component. ‘We had a problem with the glass doors, which were to be the main feature of the house,’ says Linda. ‘They did not ﬁt the space provided and were out by some 8cm. The suppliers had to remove and replace them, which took another three months and substantially held up the build.’ Linda credits Allan’s professional experience managing major projects for the oil and gas industry with keeping the project on track. Her own background, which included time in the fashion business, helped with her redesign of the open-plan areas. Early 114 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018

on in the process, Linda mentally positioned the furniture so that electric points could be installed in the floor to power up lamps and other devices. Using cuttings from interiors magazines, she created a storyboard consisting of all her favourite designs, fabrics and colours. ‘It helped to confirm in my head how it would all look once finished,’ says Linda. One striking result of her preliminary research is the unusual feature wall in the sitting room, which is covered in dark, dramatic Porcelanosa tiles. ‘They add texture to the room, which otherwise has all-white walls,’ she says. For the kitchen area, Linda opted for a long run of floor units and a generous central island. ‘A lot of islands only have cupboards, so they look like a solid block,’ she says. ‘But because the back of this island faces the sitting room, I made sure it looked decorative by including display shelving on the outward-facing side.’ Now that the project is complete, the couple have judged the renovation to be a huge success. ‘We love having friends over and recently hosted a Seventies evening, with prawn cocktails, steak and chips, and Black Forest gateau,’ smiles Linda. ‘With the extension, we find that the house is now a great entertaining space.’

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DINING AREA Upholstered seating and an oak table that extends to seat 14 guests make for comfortable entertaining. Nico chairs, from £199 each, are a match; Futuna chandelier, from £539, all BoConcept

GUEST BEDROOM Venetian blinds keep the window dressing sleek and simple. Blinds, from a selection, Blinds 2 Go. Lockhart table lamp, £95, John Lewis

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

MAIN BEDROOM A black-and-white Hollywood portrait adds glamour to this space. Harmony ribboned table lamp, £90; satin stripe super king-size duvet cover, £70, both John Lewis

EN SUITE The monochrome palette creates a sophisticated scheme. Staunton graphite tiles, £50sq m, Topps Tiles, are similar. Euro WC, £469, Bathstore

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EST. 1920

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s i x t i e s d e tac h e d | 25bh

Insight INSTALLING FEATURE WINDOWS Thinking of putting in striking windows as Allan Roberts has done? Here’s our advice…

t’s often said that windows are the ‘eyes’ of a building, and in the world of modern design they’re far more than a mere practical necessity. As Allan and Linda’s generous picture windows show, they can also be an eye-catching statement feature and create a focal point for any room. Installing windows can be costly, so it’s important to take time to clarify the efect you wish to achieve. For a contemporary feel, you could ﬂood your home with light by adding picture windows, rooﬂights or even a glazed extension. For older buildings, adding or restoring original feature windows will create a sense of period style. Bear in mind that if you are adding or restoring windows in a listed building, you will need special building consent.

What are the options? Roof windows can be a stylish feature and are a good design solution when the layout of the building doesn’t allow for vertical glazing. These can be used

alongside conventional windows and bifolds. If feature windows are hard to reach, consider using self-cleaning glass, like Pilkington’s Activ range. In interior spaces, glazing can be customised to any shape or angle to create an unusual statement feature. For loft conversions, you could install one of the new designs like the Velux Cabrio range. Here, the upper section opens up and outwards to allow for extra headroom, and the lower section unfolds into a glazed balcony and railings. Frameless windows can also create a statement feature, but will need structural glass, which is reinforced to give added load-bearing capacity. Stained glass windows are not just for older buildings, and can be a stunning feature in contemporary homes. Seek out stained glass studios creating bespoke designs. Period buildings such as converted chapels and schoolhouses can be given a contemporary twist by installing a modern feature window or an abstract stained glass design.

professional advice ‘If you’re going for a traditional look, sash windows make excellent feature windows, especially on stairs where there is a double-height space. Feature windows don’t have to be big to be beautiful, it’s the detailing that counts. In a loft space or gable, try an arched or Gothic-headed window. Attic spaces can allow you to create the wow factor by using Velux windows that open out into mini balconies, although do check if any planning restrictions apply as neighbours may be overlooked. Glazed extensions are a great way to introduce light-ﬁlled spaces and feature windows into listed or character buildings, but they can be expensive to install. Building regulations will also require you to compensate for the heat loss from the glazing elsewhere in your home, through the roof, walls or ﬂoor. A north-facing direction is best for the extension as southfacing extensions can overheat in summer. Frameless glazing is good for modern builds but can also be expensive. If your budget is tight, it’s best to focus funds on detailed framed feature windows rather than badly detailed, poor-quality frameless ones.’ ALEXANDRA HULL, BACK TO FRONT EXTERIOR DESIGN CONSULTANCY

address book

FEATURE JANE BOWLES

A period design from Back To Front Exterior Design

Lightworks Stained Glass created this stunning look

A Velux Cabrio balcony feature window

e x p e r t e y e ‘Stained glass production hasn’t altered a great deal in over a thousand years, yet through the development of its design and application, this heritage craft continues to create stunning focal points in the buildings of today’ DANIEL BURKE, LIGHTWORKS STAINED GLASS

■ Back To Front Exterior Design, 01252 820984, backtofrontexteriordesign.com Specialists in exterior detailing and design ■ Lightworks Stained Glass, 01200 429500, lightworksstainedglass.co.uk Stained glass design studio specialising in bespoke traditional and contemporary stained glass commissions ■ Velux, 01592 778225, velux.co.uk Leading UK manufacturer of roof windows, skylights and ﬂat-roof windows 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018 | 117

INSPIRING

Bright future Jo and Jonny Gatenby have turned a dated semi into a colourful family home with a mid-century mood FEATURE HEATHER DIXON | PHOTOGRAPHY COLIN POOLE

home truths T H E P R O P E R T Y Fifties semi-detached house L O C AT I O N York R O O M S Hall, kitchen-diner/ sitting room, four bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS HOME ‘Before moving here, we lived in a two-bedroom Victorian terraced house in York,’ says Jo.

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espite having a strict budget to adhere to, dance teacher Jo Gatenby was keen to bring life, colour and movement into the traditional Fifties semi she and her husband, Jonny, bought as a ‘step-up’ family home. ‘We found this place and knew we could make it our own by altering the layout and bringing it up-to-date,’ says Jo. The couple loved its location, overlooking a suburban green and surrounded by trees,

but the interior had not been touched since the Sixties. The wallpaper was dated, there were electric ﬁres in the main rooms and the units in the tiny kitchen were falling apart. Rather than try to live in the house and renovate it piecemeal, Jo and Jonny decided to complete all the structural work before they moved in. ‘We had just had our ﬁrst baby, Ella, and didn’t want to live in a building site when she was still so tiny, so we lived with my

fi f ti e s s e m i | 25bh

SITTING ROOM

KITCHEN

The ﬁreplace was reinstated after being bricked up for years and a woodburning stove was added in the cavity. Country 4 stove has this look, price on request, Charnwood. Ercol Originals coffee table, £580, Furniture Village. John Rocha rug, £180, Debenhams

The old kitchen was small, dark and dated, but by removing a wall and ﬁtting new units, Jo and Jonny have created a practical space Burford Grey units, price on application, Howdens. Metro tiles £9.58sq m, Homebase. The Ian Snow Mexican rag rug has this look, £24, Wayfair

SITTING ROOM Colour is king here, inspired by the hues of the framed vintage London Underground posters. Posters, from £15 unframed, London Transport Museum. Walls painted in Oval Room Blue estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Yellow throw, £30, HomeSense

DINING AREA Walls that divided the ground ﬂoor into three small rooms were knocked down to create an open-plan living area. Chairs, £30 each, Vertigo Interiors. The industrial hanging pendants in Blue, White and Green are similar, £26.31 each, Beautifulhalo. Rug, £65, John Lewis

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BATHROOM

MAIN BEDROOM

The builder supplied the sink as part of the renovation budget and ﬁtted tongue-andgroove cladding to the wall, which Jo painted in Farrow & Ball’s Inchyra Blue. Henley Cool ﬂoor tiles, £59.70sq m, Topps Tiles. Grey basket, £15, Matalan. Copper toothbrush holder, £3, George Home

Jonny’s collection of vintage cameras is displayed in a unit found standing in the rain outside a junk shop. The Betta solid pine desk has this look, £549, La Redoute. Tunnocks Teacake cushion, from £35, Nikki McWilliams. Try the Prestington phrenology bust, £16.99, Wayfair

Favourite room ‘The attic bedroom is such a lovely space – we sometimes sleep there for a change and imagine we’re on holiday’

GUEST BEDROOM Jo and Jonny left the wall exposed to introduce warmth and texture. Penn double bed £449, Made.com. Jahia bedding, from £9, La Redoute. Early Bird cushions, £34.99 each, Orla Kiely. Annie lamps, £40 each, John Lewis

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MAIN BEDROOM

In this room, the last to be updated, Jo chose a blend of bold blue-grey and yellow shades for a crisp, modern look. Walls painted in Inchyra Blue estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Bedding by Orla Kiely, the Early Bird king-size duvet is similar, £85

parents for six months,’ says Jo. ‘We moved in once the messy work was done and the kitchen, bathroom and floors were finished.’ The couple employed local builders to do all the structural work, starting with the ground floor, where they knocked down internal walls between the kitchen, dining and sitting rooms to create a spacious, L-shaped open-plan area. They also opened a bricked-up fireplace, moved a boiler from the kitchen to the garage to create more space for units and replaced the front door with a solid wood and stained glass design. ‘The front of the house needs to welcome people, so changing it was important to us,’ explains Jo. ‘We wanted to replicate the Art Deco style of earlier semis in the area and we hope to replace the windows eventually.’ With renovation work completed and new kitchen and bathroom fittings installed, FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

Jo and Jonny spent every spare weekend and evening painting the walls, sitting on the floor to eat fish and chips between coats. Only once the house was decorated did the family start to add the finishing touches. ‘We spent a lot of time looking for bargain furniture,’ says Jo. ‘We can’t resist anything retro, individual or a bit quirky.’ But when their second child, Martha, was born in 2016, the couple thought they might have to move again – until they realised they could convert the attic into a spacious en-suite bedroom. ‘There was just a hatch with a pull down ladder on the landing, and once in the attic, you could only stand up straight in one spot,’ says Jo. So in 2017, builders created a second staircase, raised the ceiling height as much as possible and installed four Velux windows to allow maximum light. Jo

and Jonny retained the chimney breast and turned it into a full brick wall, created with additional reclaimed bricks. ‘Converting the attic has transformed the property,’ says Jo. ‘It’s not only valuable space, but it also makes the whole house feel bigger and it’s perfect as a guest bedroom.’ When it came to the ﬁner details, Jo and Jonny already had a lot of furniture from their last home and a collection of colourful prints that reﬂect Jonny’s passion for music from the Sixties. ‘We try to build on what we already have, rather than buy things on impulse,’ says Jo. ‘We are drawn towards anything that has personality and is good quality. We like strong colours and beautiful, simple lines. What we have learnt is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to transform a place and to create your own individual style.’ 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018 | 121

ALL IN THE DETAIL The classic good looks of a former vicarage were elegantly revealed after a restoration by its owners Naomi and Tim Coyle FEATURE SERENA FOKSCHANER | PHOTOGRAPHY CATHERINE GRATWICKE

INSPIRING

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian former vicarage L O C AT I O N West London R O O M S Hall, formal sitting room, sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner, study, cloakroom, ﬁve bedrooms (one en suite), ﬁve bathrooms, dressing room P U R C H A S E D 1996 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before, we lived in a terraced house nearby,’ says Naomi.

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v i c to r i a n v i c a r ag e | 25bh

HALL Vaulting and period detailing were carefully recreated in the striking new entryway and, to recapture the Victorian Gothic spirit of the property, the Coyles added a new stone staircase (below), housed in a turreted tower. Building work, price on application, Broseley London. Walls painted in Tracery absolute matt emulsion, £43.50 for 2.5L, Little Greene. Charles Edwards sells a good selection of Gothic-style ceiling lanterns, price on request

KITCHEN-DINER This open-plan area used to have a rustic French feel, but has been reinvented with a mix of contemporary and inherited pieces. Try Winchester upholstered solid wood bar stool, £79, Cult Furniture. Bespoke table, Caroline Riddell. Corolles pendant shade, £188, Emery et Cie at Retrouvius

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FORMAL SITTING ROOM

When the Coyles first viewed the house, the light and proportions of this first-floor space inspired them to buy. Sloop chairs, from £2,820 each, Amy Somerville. Bespoke Cordoba dhurrie rug, Vanderhurd

rom traditional turrets to quintessential quatrefoils, the exterior of Naomi and Tim Coyle’s home in west London has all the hallmarks of a classic Gothic Revival property. But when the couple bought the former vicarage 22 years ago, it bore more resemblance to a Gothic horror. ‘It had been split into flats, the interior was completely run down, and it was bereft of character,’ recalls Naomi. ‘However, when I stepped into the formal sitting room and saw the amount of space and light, I was captivated.’ Since the couple took on the 19th-century house, they have transformed it through an ambitious renovation. Lost period details have been revived and once-dark interiors now bask in light and colour. ‘We spent two years making the house right for us,’ says Naomi of the task to revert from a series of flats back to one whole home. ‘Thankfully, our first architects, Crawford and Gray, were sympathetic to the character of the property. They had the idea of filling a lightwell behind the hall with a tower that now houses a cantilevered stone staircase.’ The resulting symmetry of the spiral staircase is enhanced by decorative wall lights and arched windows. Keen to recapture the building’s history, the Coyles and their team added an arched front porch, created rib vaulting in the hall, and built a bathroom extension in a classic combination of marble and 124 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018

mirror. Elsewhere, blank walls were given interest with reclaimed fireplaces, fitted panelling was installed in the main bedroom and cornicing was reinstated where necessary. Exterior architectural details such as quatrefoils (decorative stonework similar to a four-leaf clover) and banded brick were carefully replicated. With the bones of the house back to their dramatic best, Naomi and Tim turned their attention to the decor, adorning the interior with a combination of classic neutral hues and feature wallpaper that balances the unique angles of the rooms. In latter years, the rooms have been given a refresh under the deft eye of interior designer Caroline Riddell. ‘We asked Caroline to give the house a more sophisticated, cohesive feel,’ says Naomi. The kitchen was one area ripe for change. ‘Our builders, Broseley, removed old ducting to enlarge the space and made bespoke units with marble surfaces.’ As the couple’s four now adult children, Alice, Marina, Isobel and Hugo, have grown, their home has evolved with them. The most recent addition is a subterranean extension that provides not only a family space that is perfect for parties, but also houses a guest suite. ‘The bedroom down there has been snapped up by our youngest daughter,’ says Naomi. ‘In fact, the children love the place so much that I think they will find it hard to ever leave home.’

v i c to r i a n v i c a r ag e | 25bh GUEST BEDROOM

DRESSING ROOM

Naomi chose a statement wallpaper to help soften the many angles of the pitched ceiling. Delancey wallpaper, £58 a roll, Colefax and Fowler. Anders pendant light, £1,180, Pinch

Elegantly turned ﬁnials adorn the bespoke built-in wardrobes in here. Interior design by Caroline Riddell. Blind in Persepolis Fig/Taupe on cream linen, £304m, Tissus d’Hélène

f a v o u r i t e s h o p ‘Fine Cell Work, which sells cushions embroidered by inmates in British prisons. The work teaches them a skill and allows them to earn money’ MAIN BEDROOM With the spacious walk-in dressing room next door, this room is simply decorated with a king-size bed and wall panelling. Chair covered in Kasari Ikat Palm, price on request, Schumacher at Turnell & Gigon. Cushions and long bench covered in Cath de Russie Albatre, £388m, Lelièvre

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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25bh | ru r a l n e w b u i l d

CHARACTER BUILDING Georgie Pridden has used her creative skills and an eye for a bargain to give a new-build house a classic period style FEATURE HEATHER DIXON | PHOTOGRAPHY DAVE BURTON

NEW BUILD

home truths THE PROPERTY Detached country house, built in 2004 L O C AT I O N North Yorkshire ROOMS Sitting room, kitchen-diner, boot room, utility, oice, six bedrooms (two en suite), family bathroom, dressing room R E N T E D S I N C E 2010 PREVIOUS HOME ‘Before moving here, we lived in a four-bedroom detached house nearby,’ says Georgie.

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KITCHEN Wood accents lend warmth and contrast, while the oak ﬂoor creates a lived-in ﬁnish. Units painted in Mylands Mayfair Dark emulsion, £24 for 1L, Upside Down Design. Try Chic Craquele white wall tiles, £52.66sq m, Topps Tiles

SITTING ROOM This striking space is furnished with sofas, cabinets and tables handed down from both sides of the family. ‘It was my mother-in-law’s idea to create a table from the urns and glass,’ says Georgie. Walls painted in Farrow & Ball Archive Print Room Yellow estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Designer Paint Store DINING AREA The Lindsay Madden painting of Georgie’s three children is one of her favourite items in the house. Fenton pine ﬁxed top dining table, £179, Dunelm, is an alternative. Try Scott LED ﬂoor lamp, £95, John Lewis. Pyers coffee table, £379, Atkin and Thyme, is similar

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25bh | ru r a l n e w b u i l d

GUEST ROOM Georgie made the headboard herself in a material that matches the room screen, which she purchased from her mother, who is an antiques and fabric dealer. The Arthouse room dividers, from £89.99, Very, are similar B AT H R O O M The bath was painted to co-ordinate with the wall colour for a calming scheme. Towel rail, £10, from the Shambles in York. Patterned rug, £15, Hare & Wilde

Favourite featur e

‘I love the period details, which have been so skilfully incorporated into a new house. It’s easy to forget that it was built just 14 years ago’ Growing up in a large family taught Georgie Pridden to be practical, imaginative and self-suicient. ‘If you wanted something doing you learnt to do it yourself,’ she says. So when she and her husband Ben, an estate agent, and their three children, Lottie, 12, Taggie, 10, and Bertie, nine, moved into their rented stone-built country house on a Yorkshire estate, it was second nature for her to create a stylish home on a budget. ‘I make my own soft furnishings, including curtains and upholstered bedheads, and I can turn my hand to most DIY projects, so that has saved us a small fortune,’ says Georgie, a PR and events manager. ‘I wanted to make the house personal to us, but we didn’t have a lot of money to play with. I run the Newburgh Priory Christmas Fair, so I buy individual pieces of art, pottery and sculpture from there and combine them with more traditional furniture to create the balance between old and new.’ 128 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018

The house had been decorated in neutral colours, and Georgie’s ﬁrst instinct was to bring some colour and character into the high, spacious rooms. ‘Having lived close by, we already knew the house well and had often visited,’ she says. ‘I have always loved its beautiful features, but I was keen to decorate and furnish it to our tastes.’ With three very young children and her career to juggle, Georgie found very little time for home improvements during the ﬁrst few years in the house. ‘I painted the kitchen units because this is the room where we spend most of our time as a family, and I wanted it to be bright and cheerful,’ she says. ‘The rest of the decorating developed quite slowly, but it gave me time to think about what I wanted to achieve.’ Since moving in, the kitchen has been painted twice but Georgie is particularly pleased with the current shade of blue, which gives it a fresh look. ‘It’s tempting to go down the road of country or period style because of the design of the house,’

she says. ‘But it’s still a modern home and I wanted to introduce a contemporary style.’ The furniture has heavily inﬂuenced some of the rooms, particularly the sitting room where sofas, rugs, photographs and traditional paintings have been handed down from both sides of the family. In the kitchen’s dining area, Georgie has combined family heirlooms with a sale-item dining table and retro cofee table, which she bought for just a few pounds from a local shop. ‘You have to think twice when budgets are limited,’ she says. ‘You ﬁnd creative ways of making things look lovely and homely without spending a fortune.’ The Priddens’ house is as welcoming on the outside as it is on the inside, and visitors will often be greeted by a small menagerie of animals roaming the gardens – including dogs, cats and chickens. ‘Our two Pekin chickens are particularly adventurous and on occasion have been found roaming in the house,’ says Georgie. ‘We certainly do embrace our life in the country.’ FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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Easy elegance Daisy Jones has introduced a luxurious feel to her period home with walls and woodwork in restful shades of grey and white FEATURE SALLY BROCKWAY | PHOTOGRAPHY COLIN POOLE

g eo rg i a n li s te d | 25bh INSPIRING

home truths THE PROPERTY Grade II-listed 18th-century house L O C AT I O N Surrey R O O M S Hall, formal sitting room, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, family room, snug, TV room, study, utility room, cloakroom, conservatory, six bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom, separate coach house P U R C H A S E D 2008 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We used to live in an Edwardian home in Kingston,’ says Daisy.

espite the elegant surroundings of Daisy and Hugh Jones’s Edwardian house in Kingston-uponThames, the couple craved a larger property where they could entertain friends and have more space for their triplets, Harriet, Phoebe and Max, now 17. Discovering their new home in nearby Thames Ditton was a dream come true for Daisy, but the house did need work. It was painted in various shades of white throughout, with large areas of orangehued wood on display. And while it was grand and beautiful and packed with original features, it lacked personality. Daisy knew she could transform it, so she and Hugh bought the property in September 2008. First on the couple’s to-do list was to tackle a damp problem – a leaking pipe had caused damage to the hall, stairs, landing and bathroom and the walls had to be stripped back to the bare brick. ‘I was so anxious to get started and once everything had been replastered, I turned my attention to the decor,’ says Daisy. The existing stark white walls had to change, as they were not practical for a family of ﬁve with two dachshunds, Geofery and Humphrey. ‘I opted for a

KITCHEN

A chimney breast was built to hide the extractor and introduce character. For a similar kitchen, try Mark Wilkinson, price on application. Fenlands splashback tiles in Heron, £269.29sq m, Fired Earth

2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018 | 131

final word ‘A house has to tell a story and it is nice if all the rooms link together with a theme’ warm, neutral palette throughout.’ In the dining room, the flooring was wood, which Daisy was keen to preserve. However, finding the orange hue of the varnished wood wall panelling too oppressive, she decided to paint it white. Painting the walls a darker grey colour created a sense of drama and also made the snug beyond appear lighter. The kitchen is an extension to the original house and was originally used as a doctor’s surgery. The vaulted ceiling and beams lend the space a period feel, and the pale painted units teamed with black granite worksurfaces create a clean look. ‘It works so well as it blends in with the rest of the house. It’s functional and there is plenty of storage space,’ says Daisy. With a neutral colour scheme in place, Daisy added interest by displaying her own drawings and paintings and framed prints of friends and family. She also introduced plenty of soft furnishings to add texture, from rugs and sumptuous throws to crisp white bedlinen. ‘I have always loved the houses in the films of Nancy Meyers’, like Something’s Gotta Give, and that was the look I was after – luxurious, but classy,’ says Daisy. And, having created a little piece of Tinseltown in Thames Ditton, Daisy now adds her magic touch to homes in the UK and the USA through her interior design business, Sorting House, which she runs with her business partner in Connecticut. ‘With this house being so much bigger than the last, my concern was whether or not making it homely would be diicult. I love greys and so that was an easy place to start from,’ says Daisy. ‘I also heard an interior designer say once that a “story” has to run through the whole house, linking the rooms together, so with that in mind we stuck to a cohesive colour scheme and tried not to deviate too much from the traditional style of the house. ‘Over the years the house has evolved into a more grown-up space and will probably continue to change as our family evolves, but we hope we have created somewhere our children will always want to come home to,’ Daisy smiles. 132 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018

DINING ROOM

All-white accessories give the space a chic and uniﬁed look. Walls painted in Antimony matt emulsion, £39.50 for 2.5L, Fired Earth

HALL

The gallery of black frames running up one wall breaks up the neutral scheme. Firstlight 8636CH Regal 3 light lantern pendant in polished chrome, £67.79, Ocean Lighting

g eo rg i a n li s te d | 25bh

GUEST BEDROOM

BATHROOM

‘I wanted to create a place which any visitor would ﬁnd restful,’ says Daisy. ‘The artwork above the bed is my own.’ Highgrove bed has this look, £475, Feather & Black. Shimmer bedspread, £80, John Lewis

Storage under the sink keeps this room clutter free, while the blind adds a nautical touch. Fryetts Maritime fabric is a match, £14.12m, House Decor Interiors

CONSERVATORY This light and airy space is great for entertaining. Harrogate 12-seater dining table, £1,685; Harrogate dining chairs, £245 each, all Neptune

FAMILY ROOM An upholstered oversized footstool makes a style statement. Walls painted in Elephant’s Breath estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Bluebell sofa, from £940; Club footstool, from £200, both Sofa.com

FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y

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PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL RAESIDE/TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF

The one-stop edit of the best modern style inspiration and design ideas. BE INSPIRED.

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BEST OF

B OT H W O R L D S Widening their search meant Andy Wells and Trine Kaalund Hansen could afford a larger home, with the capital still within easy reach FEATURE JO LEEVERS | PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH

KITCHEN ‘The cabinetry feels timeless and the colour is very practical,’ says Trine. Bespoke cabinetry in Charcoal by Herringbone Kitchen. Stenstorp island, £250, Ikea

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favo u r i t e r o o m ‘We look forward to Saturday breakfast at the kitchen table, enjoying the garden views through the bifold doors’

INSPIRING

home truths

DINING AREA

A vibrant, contemporary print adds impact to this predominantly monochrome dining space. Audrey Mouse Club limited edition print, £200, Pure Evil Clothing. DSW chair, £365, Eames for Vitra at The Conran Shop. Lomond dining set, £499, Made.com

136 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018

T HE P R O P E R T Y Victorian terrace L O C AT I O N Hertfordshire R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, cloakroom, three bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We were ﬁrst-time buyers and previously rented a ﬂat in north London,’ says Trine.

p e r i o d te r r ac e | 25bh

GARDEN

The garden functions as an extra room for the family and Alﬁe the French bulldog. Monaco garden furniture set, from £999, Next Home, is similar

oving from a busy London location to the quieter byways of Hertfordshire was an easy decision for Andy Wells and his wife Trine Kaalund Hansen, once they discovered there was a lake at the end of their garden. ‘We both love the countryside and I’m a keen fisherman, so that sealed the deal,’ says Andy, who is originally from Hertfordshire. ‘But the house was right for us on other levels, too.’ The pair started looking outside London when high prices and stif competition ruled out buying a city flat. ‘At open house viewings we would be one of 50 couples, all competing against each other,’ says Andy. ‘By widening our net, we got a two-bedroom “doer-upper” for the price of a tiny London flat – and the fact that I can head out fishing from our back door is an added bonus!’ The setting felt unspoilt, but unfortunately the same was not true of the cottage they bought, which had not fared well from previous renovations. ‘The original character had been diminished and replaced with an odd mix of styles, including mock Tudor beams and Eighties Spanish terracotta tiles,’ recalls Andy. Reinstating two Victorian fireplaces in the bedrooms returned the house to its roots, while an extension and loft conversion allowed for a larger kitchen-diner and guest bedroom. However, the renovation work did not start straight away. ‘Being first-time buyers, we didn’t have the finances

l e s s o n l e a r n t ‘Don’t compromise on the surfaces you’ll look at every day, such as tiles. Hold out until you can afford the ones you want rather than settling for cheaper versions’

p e r i o d te r r ac e | 25bh

SITTING ROOM Mid-century shapes mix easily with a contemporary, industrial-style cofee table. Mild coffee table, ÂŁ220, Rough Living. Similar vintage leather sofa, from ÂŁ825, Vinterior. Artwork, price on application, Bonnie and Clyde at Lilford Gallery

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25bh | p e r i o d te r r ac e

NURSERY

Joyful blasts of colour make Oskar’s room an inspiring and fun space. Cot, £575, Stokke. Take a look at Confetti Underwater rug, £35.99, Rugs4Decor

MAIN BEDROOM

BATHROOM

A heavily patterned ﬂoor brings interest and life to this traditional monochrome scheme. Hammersmith ﬂoor tiles, £47.66sq m; Salisbury slipper bath, from £699, both Bathstore

The couple reinstated a simple Victorian ﬁreplace to act as a focal point. Walls painted in Down Pipe estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Hamilton pendant shade, £15, Iconic Lights, is a match

for the first two years,’ says Andy. By the time they eventually started the work, Trine was expecting their son Oskar, now one. ‘This meant I spent my paternity leave finishing of building and decorating jobs around the home in between getting to know our new baby,’ says Andy. Trine’s Danish roots ofered plenty of style inspiration. ‘We always knew we were going to paint the rooms plain white, as it doesn’t overwhelm a space, or clash with any other colours,’ she says. It also acts as a backdrop for the couple’s collection of art. ‘We wanted to add impact with bold art pieces, and we bought many of them through the Afordable Art Scheme,’ Trine adds. The couple also introduced some industrial elements, such as the exposed steel beam in the kitchen. ‘I asked the builders to leave it bare rather than box it in, to add texture and colour,’ explains Andy. ‘Keeping it exposed also felt like a more honest way of extending the house, showing where we’ve added to the Victorian frame.’ A bare-brick wall in the sitting room and bulbs hung from flexes are further urban touches, but the house has softer elements, too. ‘We used timber and mid-century furniture to balance out the mood,’ says Trine. ‘It’s a look that feels timeless.’ By adding more space and creating a more cohesive style, Andy and Trine have given this period cottage a fresh lease of life. ‘We adore living here,’ says Trine. ‘It feels like we have the best of old and new.’ 140 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018

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Eight daysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; half board from only Â£849pp

Departures up to October 2018 and April to October 2019

PRICE INCLUDES Ä&#x201A; Visit chic St Moritz in the heart of the Swiss Alps, with a journey on the Bernina Express, one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most spectacular alpine railway journeys Ä&#x201A; Take a lake cruise to stunning Bellagio on Lake Como, with a private visit to the enchanting Villa del Balbianello and its inspiring gardens Ä&#x201A; Spend a day visiting majestic Lake Maggiore, nestled between Italy and Switzerland Ä&#x201A; Enjoy a full day visit and guided tour of medieval Bergamo Ä&#x201A; Visit Lugano, a stylish and elegant Swiss town by the lake Ä&#x201A; 5HWXUQ LJKWV IURP D VHOHFWLRQ RI UHJLRQDO DLUSRUWV SOXV DOO KRWHO WUDQVIHUV Ä&#x201A; Seven nights in a choice of well located four star accommodation inclusive of all local taxes, with breakfast and dinner (stays at the Hotel Menaggio are on a bed and breakfast basis, with dining options available for 2019) Ä&#x201A; The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

PRICE INCLUDES Ä&#x201A; Discover Lecce, the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Florence of the Southâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, and its many stunning architectural gems with a local guide Ä&#x201A; See the instantly recognisable trulli houses of Alberobello with their conical roofs, set against undulating countryside reminiscent of Tuscany Ä&#x201A; Enjoy a guided tour of medieval Matera and its cave village hewn entirely from rock Ä&#x201A; Tour the old town of Bari with a local guide and see its Romanesque cathedral Ä&#x201A; See the beautiful Foresta Umbra nature reserve and visit the crusader church of Monte Santâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Angelo Ä&#x201A; Learn the craft of pasta making and enjoy a light lunch at a family run osteria Ä&#x201A; 5HWXUQ LJKWV IURP D VHOHFWLRQ RI DLUSRUWV SOXV DOO KRWHO WUDQVIHUV Ä&#x201A; Seven nights in conveniently located four star accommodation including all local taxes, with breakfast and dinner, including three at carefully selected local restaurants Ä&#x201A; The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

Call 01283 743370 to book or for a free brochure, or visit tbhriviera.co.uk TERMS & CONDITIONS: Additional entrance costs may apply. Prices are based on two people sharing and are correct at time of print. Single supplements may apply. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. Offer operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel Ltd, ABTA V4744, ATOL 3430, a company wholly independent of 25 Beautiful Homes, published by TI Media Limited.

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Vibrant Colour For 9 Whole Months Of The Year – Even In Winter Voted by professional gardeners as THE best-ever trailing pansy, ‘Cool Wave’ will flower profusely from late autumn right through to June – even flowering again in autumn next year! The colour selection of blooms is vast and best of they keep on coming in ‘waves’ for up to 9 months each year! Completely hardy, it will withstand even the worst British winter, cascading over the sides of hanging baskets and planters and providing a splash of zingy colour almost all year round! Smothered in big, traditional pansy flowers this vigorous trailer is set to make its mark on gard everywhere – a real breeding breakthrough for supreme performance in your hanging baskets. Trails to 40cm.

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Primula ‘Gold Lace’ An old Victorian classic producing waves of beautifully contrasting black and yellow blooms, each with an exquisite golden ‘lace’ stripe around the edge! Perfect for winter and spring displays in pots and borders – or cut ﬂowers for a vase. Winter hardy. Height to 20cm. Item Code 400261

12 JUMBO PLUGS FOR £9.99

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3 EASY WAYS TO ORDER NOW!

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YOUR PAYMENT DETAILS

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Description Price Qty Subtotal Pansy ‘Cool Wave’ Improved Mix BUY 12 GET 12 FREE! 400262 £14.99 24 Jumbo Plugs SAVE £14.99! These special offers go perfectly with your Pansy ‘Cool Wave’ Primula ‘Gold Lace’ - 12 Jumbo Plugs £9.99 400261 BUY 2 FOR JUST £14.98 SAVE £5.00! £14.98 £9.99 400373 Pansy Matrix - 12 Jumbo Plugs 100062 Blooming Fast Superior Soluble Fertiliser - SAVE £2.00! £7.99 120034 3 Windowsill Propagator Trays (room for 90 plants) £9.99 JOIN THE YOUGARDEN CLUB - Get £20.00 FREE vouchers & SAVE 10% on EVERY ITEM you order! 820005 Renewal Subscription Membership*: Was £20.00 NOW 75% OFF - SAVE £15.00! £5.00 820001 1 Year Membership: Was £20.00 NOW 50% OFF - SAVE £10.00! £10.00 DON’T FORGET: Deduct 10% (10p in every £1) if you joined the YouGarden Club: *We’ll automatically renew your membership every year, so you can keeps saving - AND the price will Add PP&I £5.99 NEVER go up... GUARANTEED! Full details at YouGarden.com/Club. Orders dispatched within 7 days. TOTAL Delivery to UK only and a £6.00 surcharge will apply to the following postcode areas: AB, BT, DD8-11, GY, HS, ORDER IM, IV, JE, KA27-28, KW, PA20-80, PH19-50, TR21-25 & ZE. [ ] Yes, I’d like to sign-up to the FREE YouGarden Newsletter. [ ] Please tick here if you would prefer not to receive offers other than from us.

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WHERE TO BUY Details of companies featured in the October issue

Abigail Ahern abigailahern.com Adrian Ager adrianager.com Alexander & Pearl alexanderandpearl.co.uk Alison Teverini milwardteverini.com Amara amara.com Amtico amtico.com Amy Somerville amysomerville.com Ancoats General Store ancoatsgs.co.uk And So To Bed andsotobed.co.uk Annie Sloan anniesloan.com Anthropologie anthropologie.com Armstrong Simmonds Architects as-architects.co.uk Ascot Kitchens abkkitchens.co.uk Atkin and Thyme atkinandthyme.co.uk Bathstore bathstore.com Beautiful Halo beautifulhalo.com Bespoke Lights bespokelights.co.uk Blaize Simon blaizestar.com Blinds 2 Go blinds-2go.co.uk BoConcept boconcept.co.uk Bonsoni bonsoni.com Brian Yates brian-yates.co.uk Broseley broseley.com Burleigh burleigh.co.uk Camerich camerich.co.uk Caroline Riddell Interiors carolineriddellinteriors.co.uk Carson Architects carsonarchitects.com Cassina cassina.com/en Catchpole & Rye catchpoleandrye.com Chalon chalon.com Charles Edwards charlesedwards.com Charnwood charnwood.com Chartwell Design Services 01322 557761 Cole & Son cole-and-son.com Colefax and Fowler colefax.com Cox & Cox coxandcox.co.uk CP Hart cphart.co.uk Crawford and Gray Architects crawfordandgray.co.uk Create Bespoke Interiors create-bespoke-interiors.co.uk Cult Furniture cultfurniture.com Culti Milano culti.com Curtain Fabric Store curtainfabricstore.co.uk Danetti danetti.com Davey Lighting originalbtc.com Debenhams debenhams.com Designer Paint Store designerpaint.com Designers Guild designersguild.com Designs In Resin designsinresin.com DFS dfs.co.uk Di Zock Design dizockdesign.com Display Stands display-stands-uk.com Domus domustiles.co.uk Dream Design dreamdesign.co.uk Dreams dreams.co.uk Dulux dulux.co.uk Dunelm dunelm.com Dwell dwell.co.uk eBay ebay.com Eclect Design eclectdesign.com Edge Sculpture edgesculpture.com Eichholtz eichholtz.com ES Riley Upholstery esrileyupholstery.co.uk Etsy etsy.com Farrow & Ball farrow-ball.com Feather & Black featherandblack.com

E F

Fired Earth firedearth.com Flooring Supplies flooringsupplies.co.uk Fluid Stone Studio fluidstonestudio.co.uk French Connection frenchconnection.com Furnish furnish.co.uk Furniture Village furniturevillage.co.uk Fusion Living fusionliving.co.uk George Home george.com Griggs & Mackay griggsandmackay.com Gustavian gustavian.com Guy Logan Architects guyloganarchitects.com Habitat habitat.co.uk Handmade Kitchens Direct handmadekitchens-direct.co.uk Hare & Wilde hareandwilde.co.uk Harris Stephens Design harrisstephensdesign.co.uk Harrogate Interiors harrogateinteriors.co.uk Harveys harveysfurniture.co.uk Hay hayshop.dk Heal’s heals.co.uk Hell’o Collective instagram.com/jer_hellocollective Hermes uk.hermes.com Herringbone Kitchens herringbonekitchens.com Holloways of Ludlow hollowaysofludlow.com Homary homary.com/uk Homebase homebase.co.uk HomesDirect365 homesdirect365.co.uk HomeSense homesense.com House Decor Interiors housedecorinteriors.co.uk Houseology houseology.com Howdens howdens.com Iconic Lights iconiclights.co.uk Ikea ikea.co.uk Inadam inadamfurniture.co.uk Indigowares indigowares.com Industville industville.co.uk Insider Chic insiderchic.net Iris Furnishing irisfurnishing.com iRugs UK irugs.co.uk Jetmaster jetmaster.co.uk Jimmy Law jimmylaw.co.za John Lewis johnlewis.com Johnston Parke Interiors johnstonparkeinteriors.com Jo Malone jomalone.co.uk Jonathan Adler jonathanadler.com Julian Bluck Architectural Design julianbluck.co.uk Kutchenhaus kutchenhaus.co.uk La Redoute laredoute.co.uk Laura Ashley lauraashley.com Lefroy Brooks lefroybrooks.co.uk Lelievre lelievreparis.com/en Lewis & Wood lewisandwood.co.uk Leyland Paints leylandsdm.co.uk Life at Nettlebed lifeatnettlebed.co.uk Light IQ lightiq.com Lilford Gallery lilfordgallery.com Little Greene littlegreene.com Loaf loaf.com London Plastercraft londonplastercraft.com London Transport Museum Shop ltmuseumshop.co.uk Lucy Marsh Designs lucymarsh.co.uk Lyco lyco.co.uk

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Lynsey Jane Designs lynseyjanedesigns.co.uk Mahout Lifestyle mahoutlifestyle.com Maisons du Monde maisonsdumonde.com Mandarin Stone mandarinstone.com Mark Maynard markmaynard.co.uk Marks & Spencer marksandspencer.com Mark Wilkinson Furniture mwf.com Matalan matalan.co.uk Melody Maison melodymaison.co.uk Melrosa Marble & Granite melrosamarbleandgranite.co.uk Mossman Trunks mossman-trunks.co.uk Mox Construction moxconstruction.com Murals Wallpaper muralswallpaper.co.uk Mylands mylands.co.uk 99 Limited Editions 99limitededitions.com Naken Interiors naken.co.uk Neisha Crosland neishacrosland.com Neptune neptune.com Next Home next.co.uk Nikki McWilliams nikkimcwilliams.com Nisbets nisbets.com Nomad nomadprojects.org Nurlex nurlex.co.uk Ocean Lighting oceanlighting.co.uk Oggetto oggetto.com Oka oka.com One World one.world Original BTC originalbtc.com Orla Kiely orlakiely.com Osborne & Little osborneandlittle.com Paint & Paper Library paintandpaperlibrary.com Perch & Parrow perchandparrow.com Pippa Blacker Interiors pippablackerinteriors.co.uk Pochin Bathrooms pochinbathrooms.co.uk Pooky Lighting pooky.com Porcelain Tiles porcelain-tiles.co.uk Porcelanosa porcelanosa.com Porta Romana portaromana.co.uk Posh Flooring poshﬂooring.co.uk Poul Webb poulwebb.com Pure Evil Clothing pureevilclothing.com Purple Smoke purplesmoke.co.uk Quooker quooker.co.uk Raft raftfurniture.co.uk Rangemaster rangemaster.co.uk Retro Living retroliving.co.uk Rigg rigg.uk rightfulrula rightfulrula.com Rockett St George rockettstgeorge.co.uk RoomRoom Interiors roomroom.co.uk Rough Living roughliving.co.uk Rowen & Wren rowenandwren.co.uk Rugs4Decor rugs4decor.co.uk Russell Pinch pinchdesign.com

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Rutland County Bathrooms 01572 757999 Ryder and Hope ryderandhope.com Shutter Design shutterdesign.co.uk Solid Floor solidﬂoor.co.uk Sorting House sorting-house.com Sparks Yardsparksyard.com Stark Carpet starkcarpet.co.uk Stokke stokke.com Stonell stonell.com Sueno sueno.co.uk Surface View surfaceview.co.uk Sussex Construction sussexconstruction.co.uk Swoon Editions swooneditions.com Ted Todd tedtodd.co.uk The British Blanket Company thebritishblanketcompany.com The Cake College thecakecollege.com The Conran Shop conranshop.co.uk The Cornish Bed Company cornishbeds.co.uk The Cotswold Company cotswoldco.com The Old Pill Factory theoldpillfactory.com The Packhouse packhouse.com The Tartan Blanket Co tartanblanketco.com The White Company thewhitecompany.com Tissus d Helene tissusdhelene.co.uk TK Maxx tkmaxx.com Tom Dixon tomdixon.net Tons of Tiles tonsoftiles.co.uk Topps Tiles toppstiles.co.uk Trouva trouva.com Turnbull & Thomas turnbullandthomas.co.uk Turnell & Gigon turnellandgigongroup.com Two Twenty twotwenty.co.uk UK Bathrooms ukbathrooms.com UK Bathroom Warehouse ukbathroomwarehouse.com Unto This Last untothislast.co.uk Upside Down Design upsidedowndesign.co.uk Valspar valsparpaint.co.uk Vanderhurd vanderhurd.com Vanessa Arbuthnott vanessaarbuthnott.co.uk Vertigo Interiors vertigo-interiors.com Very very.co.uk Victoria & Albert Baths vandabaths.com Vidaxl vidaxl.co.uk Vinterior vinterior.co Voyage voyagedecoration.com Walls and Floors wallsandﬂoors.co.uk Watco watco.co.uk Wayfair wayfair.co.uk Wickes wickes.co.uk William Wood Mirrors williamwoodmirrors.co.uk Wilson-Meijer Interiors wilson-meijerinteriors.com Wolseley wolseley.co.uk Woodpecker Interiors woodpeckerinteriors.co.uk World of Marble worldofmarble.co.uk Wren Kitchens wrenkitchens.com Zazzle zazzle.co.uk Zurleys zurleys.co.uk

2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018 | 143

Marketplace Looking to buy something for your home? Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find it in our easy-to-follow guide

MARKETPLACE CATEGORIES 147 Bathrooms

148 Garden Furniture

147 Beds & Bedding

147 Home Improvements

147 Fabrics & Decoration

149 Home Interiors

148 Fires/Fireplaces

145 Sofas & Sofa Beds

148 Floor Coverings

149 Windows

146 Furniture

Why not visit our online interiors directory at housetohome. co.uk/directory

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FLOOR COVERINGS

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25bh | i d e a s to s h a r e Layering textures and tones brings an inviting depth to this chic, neutral scheme

ROOM ENVY

Each month we bring you a scheme that intrigues, delights or dazzles us

hen creating a bedroom scheme, above all, it should feel calm, restful and relaxing, and using a restrained palette of neutrals helps to conjure that mood. There are no potentially jarring pops of colour to catch the eye in this design, instead a calming choice of creams, taupes, ecrus and greys is brightened by crisp white touches highlighted in the soft furnishings, ﬂowers and woodwork. Neutral certainly needn’t mean bland and boring. Here, a texturally rich mix of fabrics and ﬁnishes is underpinned by a note of solidity and contrast from a beautiful wood console. The array of tactile materials includes everything from a smooth satin 150 | 2 5 B H O C TO B ER 2018

cushion and lightweight layered throws to a woven headboard and silk rug, which ensures the scheme is soft underfoot. Instead of harsh overhead lighting, a selection of table and wall lamps casts gentle pools of light around the room at night creating a soothing ambience, while metallic accents bring a gentle shimmer. This sumptuous scheme summons you to take it easy, whether it’s lying among the plump pillows, sitting in the easy chair complete with footstool inviting you to put your feet up, or perching on the cosy window seat with a good book and great view of the garden beyond. As the chillier days of autumn approach, you’ll feel warm and relaxed in a calming cocoon like this.

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