TEST The large wooden post by the kitchen table hints at the building’s previous incarnation as a bullock breeding unit!

The large wooden post by the kitchen table hints at the building’s previous incarnation as a bullock breeding unit!

TEST The kitchen is packed with retro charm. The large wooden post by the kitchen table hints at the building’s previous incarnation as a bullock breeding unit!

The kitchen is packed with retro charm

TEST Polly the delightful collie-doodle

Polly the delightful collie-doodle

TEST Many of the objects on display in the sitting room belong to Dave, most of them model boats

Many of the objects on display in the sitting room belong to Dave, most of them model boats

TEST The downstairs loo is a homage to political satire

The downstairs loo is a homage to political satire

TEST The dining room is painted a tranquil green

The dining room is painted a tranquil green

TEST The studio, at the end of the house, offers the perfect space for Dave to create his rural and village street scenes and Sue her portraits and life drawings

The studio, at the end of the house, offers the perfect space for Dave to create his rural and village street scenes and Sue her portraits and life drawings

TEST The studio is home to more of Dave's boats and a wonderful bright yellow plan chest

The studio is home to more of Dave's boats and a wonderful bright yellow plan chest

TEST Neatly arranged boats line the ascent to the first floor

Neatly arranged boats line the ascent to the first floor

TEST A painting of Hastings by the late Anne-Catherine Phillips takes pride of place at the top of the stairs

A painting of Hastings by the late Anne-Catherine Phillips takes pride of place at the top of the stairs

TEST Collections of framed butterflies and portraits line the bare brick wall in the master bedroom. The quilt was handmade locally

Collections of framed butterflies and portraits line the bare brick wall in the master bedroom. The quilt was handmade locally

TEST The girls’ bedrooms

The girls’ bedrooms

TEST The bedrooms are colourful and charming

The bedrooms are colourful and charming

TEST A striped water container has been re-purposed as a display shelf for succulents

A striped water container has been re-purposed as a display shelf for succulents

TEST A secluded and tranquil seating area, concealed by borders, can be found at the back of the garden

A secluded and tranquil seating area, concealed by borders, can be found at the back of the garden

TEST A flamingo keeps an eye on the garden

A flamingo keeps an eye on the garden

TEST The couple’s garden is home to a collection of metal birds, nestled amongst the pots and foliage

The couple’s garden is home to a collection of metal birds, nestled amongst the pots and foliage

TEST Dave created a water feature from an oversized tap and metal watering can

Dave created a water feature from an oversized tap and metal watering can

Building Connections

After nearly a decade of planning, Dominic and Eve were finally given permission to convert a pair of derelict barns, linking them together to create one very beautiful dwelling Words: Jo Arnell Photographs: David Merewether The story arc of an...

Change it up

Neil and Sharon Maidment’s reconfigured family home is the result of a very successful partnership with OPEN architecture, who opened their eyes to a new layout they never imagined was possible Words: Fiona Patrick Photographs: David Merewether The green modular...

Cut to Fit

Deborah Harrison downsized to a three bedroom house, which she renovated and reconfigured, reinstating the original Victorian features and editing family heirlooms to suit her new home and lifestyle “As William Morris says, ‘Everything has to be beautiful or useful,’”...