FEATURE


Working from home


Living in a building site with five children and two dogs (and an unexpected litter of puppies) was worth it for Jenny Hayes and Ian Callaway, who converted Argyll House, a former solicitor’s office in the heart of Frome


Argyll House was a huge project to take on. What gave you the confidence to make the leap?


When we viewed it, we had no plans to move. But I saw it in the property paper one day and the details jumped out at me. We went to view it and both loved it. We knew we could do a great job on the restoration, so we went for it.


Were you daunted?


Not enough to stop us. We have the skills and know-how as we run a build and design company. Te property had been on the market for a while: it’s Grade II* listed, so any renovation meant negotiation


with planning and conservation officers, which had put off other buyers. It was difficult to get a mortgage too, as the building had been commercial premises it didn’t have a kitchen or bathroom.


Did you live in the house while you did the work?


Yes! It was tough, particularly for the first three months. Tere was only one loo next door, which had no walls, and we made a makeshift kitchen. Our five children (then aged between six and 11) slept lined up on mattresses on the floor. We had no heating throughout the winter. But once the bedrooms and bathrooms were done, it began to feel like home.


What was the best thing about doing the project?


All the beautiful surprises that the building held. We uncovered some incredible features (shutters that had been boarded over, hidden fireplaces and beautiful original plasterwork) and we lovingly restored them. I enjoyed the process of getting to know the building, and once we had removed the rabbit warren of offices, torn away all the carpets and stripped everything back, the energy of the place changed radically.


How would you describe your style?


It varies, depending on the project. For Argyll House, we went for a vintage, minimalist look with industrial detailing. We searched reclamation yards and flea markets for the right pieces and had lots of things made bespoke, including the parquet oak floor.


156 HAMPTONS.CO.UK @HAMPTONSINT


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156  |  Page 157  |  Page 158  |  Page 159  |  Page 160  |  Page 161  |  Page 162  |  Page 163  |  Page 164  |  Page 165  |  Page 166  |  Page 167  |  Page 168  |  Page 169  |  Page 170  |  Page 171  |  Page 172  |  Page 173  |  Page 174  |  Page 175  |  Page 176  |  Page 177  |  Page 178  |  Page 179  |  Page 180  |  Page 181  |  Page 182  |  Page 183  |  Page 184  |  Page 185  |  Page 186  |  Page 187  |  Page 188  |  Page 189  |  Page 190  |  Page 191  |  Page 192  |  Page 193  |  Page 194  |  Page 195  |  Page 196