brickwork facade at ground level. Instead, I went for the practical approach of thick-lined curtains, thick underlay, larger column radiators etc.,” says James. The garden and the house are defi ned by a long pergola, underscored by a colourful border, planted with perennials. This offers sun-dappled shade in high summer and interest year-round. “Before the house sat on a sea of lawn; now the pergola connects the house to the whole length of the garden,” says James. “The garden is the biggest room; treat it with lots of love; add garden lights and furniture. It makes your house feel bigger and it really does lift your spirits.”
Painted in black, the pergola echoes the
Tudor-infl uenced parts of the house and is part of a strict palette of colours and materials that seamlessly bring old and new together. “It’s all about how you tie it in”, says James. “And the cladding pattern is beautiful when the sun hits it.”
This same idea is used inside, where the same wood-effect porcelain tiles fl ow from the new sitting room onto the terrace. “I’m a big fan of modernism, but I wanted it to feel warm and homely. That is why there are no grey fl oor tiles wanted a warm colour.”
An open-plan space like this is inevitably
where life happens. The sleek kitchen was designed by James so that, whether cooking or washing up, there’s always a view of the garden. There’s also a long dining table for entertaining friends and family. This leads into the sitting
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“The garden is the biggest room; treat it with lots of love”
room, where a new brick fi replace provides a focus. Green decor brings the outside in, creating a warm and calm feel. “My style is contemporary, but with a sympathetic nod to the property’s heritage, through colours and features,” says James. “This pulls you through, and using the same tones and palettes on both old and new means there’s no jarring.” Upstairs, the bedrooms have a more contemporary feel. ayout changes reduced fi ve bedrooms to four and relocated a new master suite to the rear, with a glorious garden view. James also built a new wall so he could add a walk-in wardrobe and recess the ensuite. Yet the homely feel remains. James is particularly pleased with his new window seat. “It provides extra storage, and I can see a beautiful tree that turns yellow in the autumn, so I chose yellow cushions.” In the end, this was a home project that became all about the garden and the relationship between the two. “Opening the house up to the garden was my best decision,” says James. “I wasn’t a keen gardener before, but I am now… I can even sit inside and watch a family of foxes play.”
LOW POINT
“While I knew decorating could follow, I just wanted a functional kitchen, and I had this installed while still waiting for the glass to arrive, on 20 December. The stress of having a brand-new kitchen, etc., all installed, protected only by plastic sheets covering the bare window frames while I waited for the glass, was not pleasant. But as with all things, that issue simply became a funny memory, and the stress was all worthwhile.”
HIGH POINT
“Coming home and walking up the new Victorian-tiled path, past the alliums, to the front door. I just love opening the door and walking through the house to that amazing view of the garden.”
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