The entrance hall to Nancy Nicholson’s home is enticingly adorned with intriguing objects and ‘finds’. There is a sun-bleached sheep’s skull, an apothecary’s jar filled with shells and several sprigs of dried wild flowers and sea grasses. 

TEST In the sitting room, a large ecru linen-covered sofa faces an inglenook fireplace with baskets of wool stacked all around and behind it

In the sitting room, a large ecru linen-covered sofa faces an inglenook fireplace with baskets of wool stacked all around and behind it

TEST A work in progress, Nancy’s colourful crocheted ‘rug of recovery” is draped over the back of one of the sofas.

A work in progress, Nancy’s colourful crocheted ‘rug of recovery” is draped over the back of one of the sofas

TEST Two sides of the room are covered with shelves with books, files and vintage wooden toys

Two sides of the room are covered with shelves with books, files and vintage wooden toys

TEST The main bedroom features a wooden Shaker-style bed that was handmade by a local craftsman and covered with a patchwork quilt with a border of heart, animal and house motifs that Nancy made

The main bedroom features a wooden Shaker-style bed that was handmade by a local craftsman and covered with a patchwork quilt with a border of heart, animal and house motifs that Nancy made

TEST A corner of the spare bedroom. On the landing hangs a Roger Nicholson ink and watercolour painting

A corner of the spare bedroom. On the landing hangs a Roger Nicholson ink and watercolour painting

TEST In the second bedroom one of Roger Nicholson’s later paintings hangs above the fireplace. The composition is more abstract and the colours are arresting. Vivid scarlet, lime and gold are juxtaposed with rose pink and lilac. The colours seem to shimmer as if with the heat of a summer’s day

In the second bedroom one of Roger Nicholson’s later paintings hangs above the fireplace. The composition is more abstract and the colours are arresting. Vivid scarlet, lime and gold are juxtaposed with rose pink and lilac. The colours seem to shimmer as if with the heat of a summer’s day

TEST Nancy’s ‘Little City’ paper kit buildings are grouped together on her desk as if on a tiny street

Nancy’s ‘Little City’ paper kit buildings are grouped together on her desk as if on a tiny street

TEST Biddy, Nancy’s little dog, watches the WT team at work

Biddy, Nancy’s little dog, watches the WT team at work

TEST Designs and paintings created by Nancy nestle between three windows which take up most of the wall above her desk. Each one is saturated with carefully chosen colours

Designs and paintings created by Nancy nestle between three windows which take up most of the wall above her desk. Each one is saturated with carefully chosen colours

TEST Nancy’s collection of exquisitely embroidered and knitted dolls, birds and mermaids, created by her mother, are laid out proudly on the kitchen table. “I’d love to adapt some of the designs into cloth kits for people to make. She was a really talented embroiderer. She used to knit as well. She made animals, especially chickens, into fingerpuppets that were used by the local preschool for their storytime,” says Nancy

Nancy’s collection of exquisitely embroidered and knitted dolls, birds and mermaids, created by her mother, are laid out proudly on the kitchen table. “I’d love to adapt some of the designs into cloth kits for people to make. She was a really talented embroiderer. She used to knit as well. She made animals, especially chickens, into fingerpuppets that were used by the local preschool for their storytime,” says Nancy

TEST “I love colour in the way that some people love food. In fact some colours actually make my mouth water. I particularly like bright pink, red and orange – together, which to some people might be a complete no-no, but I love that combination.”

“I love colour in the way that some people love food. In fact some colours actually make my mouth water. I particularly like bright pink, red and orange – together, which to some people might be a complete no-no, but I love that combination.”

TEST A windowsill full of interesting and beautiful finds

A windowsill full of interesting and beautiful finds

TEST Splashes of tangerine, crimson and fuschia add warmth to the kitchen’s neutral background

Splashes of tangerine, crimson and fuschia add warmth to the kitchen’s neutral background

TEST Fresh and dried flowers can be found throughout the house

Fresh and dried flowers can be found throughout the house

TEST Every windowsill in the house is lined with fascinating groupings and collections of trinkets and found objects

Every windowsill in the house is lined with fascinating groupings and collections of trinkets and found objects

TEST The entrance hall to Nancy Nicholson’s home is enticingly adorned with intriguing objects and ‘finds’.

The entrance hall to Nancy Nicholson’s home is enticingly adorned with intriguing objects and ‘finds’

TEST A wooden artist's dummy sits among the other interesting pieces on a windowsill

A wooden artist's dummy sits among the other interesting pieces on a windowsill

TEST The entrance hall to Nancy Nicholson’s home is enticingly adorned with intriguing objects and ‘finds’. There is a sun-bleached sheep’s skull, an apothecary’s jar filled with shells and several sprigs of dried wild flowers and sea grasses. An embroidered picture of the Madonna and Child in the style of a Russian icon hangs on the wall. “That’s by my mother, Joan,” explains Nancy

There is a sun-bleached sheep’s skull, an apothecary’s jar filled with shells and several sprigs of dried wild flowers and sea grasses

TEST

TEST Pebble collection

Pebble collection

TEST An embroidered picture of the Madonna and Child in the style of a Russian icon hangs on the wall. “That’s by my mother, Joan,” explains Nancy

An embroidered picture of the Madonna and Child in the style of a Russian icon hangs on the wall. “That’s by my mother, Joan,” explains Nancy

TEST Spring bulbs burst into life in Nancy’s pretty topiary-filled garden

Spring bulbs burst into life in Nancy’s pretty topiary-filled garden

TEST Someone is keeping an eye on the garden

Someone is keeping an eye on the garden

  • words:
  • pictures: David Merewether
  • styling: Lucy Fleming

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