INTERIORS
Incorporating the kitchen, dining room, a seating area, snug and pool table, in reality it’s a huge space which thanks to clever positioning of the pillars and the changing roof levels, doesn’t feel vast but rather that each area has a purpose which is clearly defined, and which ows effortlessly into the next. Furnishing this area did take some dedication however, and Antonia turned to the internet and created a Pinterest board. “The Pinterest board was a huge help and not just for furniture. We showed ours to the builders so they could see what we were talking about, and it made communication so much easier. Having a clear vision helps everyone.” Shopping around was also one of Antonia’s
strengths and she’s not afraid to ask for a discount, either. “What’s the worst they can say? It’s always worth the ask, even in shops.” The concrete dining table which she found on Instagram wasnt a bargain find but when it taes 8 people to put it in place that’s not surprising. The sofas came from Cox & Cox, Loaf and John Lewis, and much of the lighting was from Wayfair. “We spent hours on Pinterest and designed the whole house from the board.” The boot room was completely inspired by Pinterest and is now Antonia’s favourite room. Antonia has allocated everyone in the house a locker in the boot room, and although the lockers don’t have doors there’s a shelf top and bottom with hanging space in the middle. “We all play sport, and it was so messy in there and this deals with the kit. Everything is dumped here but it’s out of sight, and now it’s not all at the bottom of the stairs.”
When it came to colour schemes, fortunately Stewart and Antonia have similar tastes and a neutral backdrop was the way to go. “Especially in the extension we just felt white would accentuate the grey beams, and complement the stone. Elsewhere in the house I maybe should have used a few more paint testers before I went all out, but I only repainted one room.” With the layout and interiors now to their
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liking, the couple shifted their focus to the exterior facade and gardens. Subtle changes such as replacing the gravel with paving at the front of the hundred-year-old property and the more drastic choice to change the roof colour from traditional red to black bring the property firmly into the 1st
century. At the rear of the property the generous
grounds have also been given a substantial makeover. “The garden was mature, and traditional. We wanted something low maintenance and contemporary.” Like the house, the garden was substantial in size and needed professional attention and Staran recommended Morrison round are e definitely needed landscaping assistance and I’m so pleased with how it’s turned out.” A large slate patio area was introduced
creating an outdoor dining space immediately outside the extension with a built-in timber and stone seating area and stone fire pit located further away from the house. The bricks that were removed between the utility room and the garage were used to build the walls outside. “We were incredibly fortunate with our timings. The builders said we’d be in for Christmas, and we moved in on Boxing Day. We had ust finished snagging, and locdown was announced. And although the garden was like a bombsite at that point, it actually gave us time to observe the garden properly before we did any work on it.”
Like many families during lockdown, having their own outdoor space was a huge bonus and one of the things the family did decide during lockdown was to add a summer house at the end of the garden. “It’s now full of exercise equipment, and it’s been a brilliant addition.” This two-year renovation has certainly had a lot of boxes to tick but the couple’s checklist is now complete. “I would totally do it again. It was so satisfying; it’s been a lovely sense of achievement and it just works so well for us.” Work hard, play hard and be a little bit out there – this former B&B does it all.
sep/oct 2022
CONTACTS/ SUPPLIERS
ARCHITECT Staran Architects
staranarchitects.com
BUILDER Apex Building Contracts
apex-developments.com
KITCHEN Tom Howley
tomhowley.co.uk
LANDSCAPING Morrison Ground Care 07854 220259
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