We continue our conversations in the sitting room, or would it be a drawing room? It is formally informal, with more dramatic heavy colours, almost with a colonial feel, though not overbearing and very relaxing. The large facing sofas are again positioned for easy conversation, if you can drag your attention away from the three enormous sash windows overlooking the river and farmland beyond.
Semi-detached (the original house having been divided into two) and flanked by two coach houses, this historic home is still spaciously proportioned and packed with original period features. Intricate cornicing adorns the high ceilings, spectacular poly-chromatic Herefordshire tiles decorate the floors, and stone carvings embellish exterior archways and walls.
Then there are the views, picturesque from every vast Georgian window in every room. Elevated above the River Wye, the steep lawns to the back, courtyard garden to the front and woodland walk from the conservatory, capture nature’s seasonal contrasts with every sunrise and sunset. Adorable, eighteen-month old labradoodle, Duchess, has an endless playground of sights, sounds and sniffs.
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The gents are still in the throws of a stylish refurbishment of each room. Entry is into the original library hall, and newly installed wall-to-wall bookshelving highlights its historic purpose. The spectacular floor tiles are retained and the walls are a daringly dark damsony brown. I visualise a welcoming ceiling height Christmas tree next to the open fireplace, laden with collectibles from travels around the world. It is now a wonderful dining room, “A round table is so much more conducive to inclusive conversation” they agree, so do I.
The adjoining and imaginatively conceived kitchen brings less acquiescence, about who does the most cooking. Whichever, this kitchen has been created with both functionality and style in mind, and the use of every nook and cranny. Nothing is uniform or off-the-peg. I imagine dinner parties and festivities here are highly effervescent. Not least when I discover a door in the corner leading to steep deep spiral stone steps down to the cellar, including an ideal wine store, where the ‘good stuff’ is secreted.
Deniz bustles in with tea and Fortnum and Mason biscuits, sliding automatically into his ‘caring’ role that consumes his work. He is Turkish, vibrant and deeply committed to his vocation, supporting adults with learning difficulties to live independent lives in a residential village. “I can give these people a voice” he enthuses, “what happens to someone with Downs Syndrome when their parents die? They can come to us, and even before, to lead purposeful, productive and often creative lives, in a safe environment” while explaining the charity organisation located in the Forest of Dean. Coincidentally, Toby’s father was also in the care sector, a Freudian connection perhaps.
Toby is the interior designer, Deniz is hopeless at visualising, but he gives approval. Most importantly they have accomplished their work/life dream. “There is a real sense of community here, everyone says ‘Hello’ and it has been very easy to make friends” they impart.
They know all the neighbours and the villagers have been keen to welcome the new arrivals. I suggest this may also be down to their own open nature and engaging personalities. Either way, the move from a previously largely impersonal life has brought them what they were seeking, wonderful connections in comfortable surroundings.
Duchess is with them everywhere, their beloved fur baby, completing this picture of genteel domesticity. So perfect is their environment that, when struggling to find the ideal wedding venue for their marriage this summer, a friend suggested “You live in the most beautiful and special location, why don’t you just hold it here”. So they are, using all the local artisan suppliers they have come to know.
They really are living happily ever after.
Words by Heidi Chamberlain-Jones of
www.eatsleepliveherefordshire.co.uk
LIVE24-SEVEN.COM
LOCAL PEOPLE TWO MEN AND A DUCHESS
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