Hospitable though home-owners are when the Wealden Times team visits, not many could match the welcome afforded by Flora, the wire fox terrier puppy who greets me in Stella Wilson’s garden.  

The dining room offers plenty of evidence of Stella’s affinity for vintage style. In the corner of the room is a 1950s Rayburn “Regent” woodburning range

The dining room offers plenty of evidence of Stella’s affinity for vintage style. In the corner of the room is a 1950s Rayburn “Regent” woodburning range

Stella has added her own signature touches to the conservatory. A red and white quilt bought in Antibes in the South of France covers the sofa and on the wall above are colourful gouache paintings by Peter Richards, of Eltham College

Stella has added her own signature touches to the conservatory. A red and white quilt bought in Antibes in the South of France covers the sofa and on the wall above are colourful gouache paintings by Peter Richards, of Eltham College

In the sitting room there is evidence of thrifty resourcefulness with a chair covered with a wartime blanket, made from austerity brown wool on one side and a jolly green and gold tartan on the other

In the sitting room there is evidence of thrifty resourcefulness with a chair covered with a wartime blanket, made from austerity brown wool on one side and a jolly green and gold tartan on the other

The first-floor landing

The first-floor landing

Canopies have transformed the twin single beds into “Princess” beds. in one of the children’s rooms

Canopies have transformed the twin single beds into “Princess” beds. in one of the children’s rooms

The delightful sleigh bed was bought at Sissinghurst Antiques for just £30. “It was covered in graffiti,” explains Stella, “and looked terrible, but after several experiments I found that bicarbonate of soda got rid of it.”

The delightful sleigh bed was bought at Sissinghurst Antiques for just £30. “It was covered in graffiti,” explains Stella, “and looked terrible, but after several experiments I found that bicarbonate of soda got rid of it.”

The downstairs bathroom

The downstairs bathroom

The master bedroom en suite is nestled in the eves of the second floor

The master bedroom en suite is nestled in the eves of the second floor

The master bedroom. On the door hangs a cornflower blue and white spotty dress and 1950s floral apron. “Pippa and I dress up for Happy Hampers,” laughs Stella. “You have to go a bit over the top though, because if you do it half-heartedly people don’t get that it’s vintage, they just think you dress a bit weirdly!

The master bedroom. On the door hangs a cornflower blue and white spotty dress and 1950s floral apron. “Pippa and I dress up for Happy Hampers,” laughs Stella. “You have to go a bit over the top though, because if you do it half-heartedly people don’t get that it’s vintage, they just think you dress a bit weirdly!

In the master bedroom Stella has made ingenious use of limited space to create what feels both intimate and luxurious

In the master bedroom Stella has made ingenious use of limited space to create what feels both intimate and luxurious

A bow-fronted white oak chest of drawers and mirror was a present from Stella’s mother-in-law when she downsized, and a flamboyantly feathered lamp that stands on it, was from her own mother

A bow-fronted white oak chest of drawers and mirror was a present from Stella’s mother-in-law when she downsized, and a flamboyantly feathered lamp that stands on it, was from her own mother

Stella has really enjoyed restoring Bluebell the caravan, another bargain! “I began as a production assistant on Blue Peter, so perhaps making things from recycled stuff just got into my system.”

Stella has really enjoyed restoring Bluebell the caravan, another bargain! “I began as a production assistant on Blue Peter, so perhaps making things from recycled stuff just got into my system.”

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

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