25 Beautiful Homes April 2021

Spring always comes as a great relief, and never more so than this year. And while none of us expected to be spending quite so much time in our homes, the new season is an exciting opportunity to see our interior spaces in a new light. As always, it’s our mission at 25 Beautiful Homes to seek out inspirational properties of the broadest kind. Tom Baxendale’s city apartment on page 50 is a stunning example of how to achieve full-on style however small your space is. If you’re looking for something more seasonal, Jill and Tim Perkin’s idyllic farmhouse on page 114 comes complete with frolicking lambs, which can’t fail to inspire some Easter cheer. We’re always interested to see what you’re doing to your places, and this month we’re launching our…

FAVOURITE ROOM ‘Our new Gothic-style office is a real gem. It’s where I write and Johnny records his weekly music programmes’ After 10 moves in 20 years, self-confessed move-a-holic Tiggy Walker knew she wanted to settle when she set eyes on a stunning Georgian property in a village near Shaftesbury. ‘The first time I drove past it, I nearly crashed the car,’ she says with a smile. ‘It was just so pretty.’ Looking at its charming façade, it is easy to see how the house won her heart. ‘It had perfect proportions, original shutters, doors and fireplaces and a beamed attic,’ says Tiggy. But on the downside, it had been neglected and was small. Only one-room deep, its outward appearance looked deceptively grand. ‘We called it our little grand house,’ she says.…

Cathy Miller has a long-held love of Italy and has spent many happy family holidays there with her husband Alan, grown-up twin sons Callum and Jack, and daughter Stacey. The couple also got married in Tuscany and many of the elements of Italian life and design are visible in their Surrey home, which they also share with Hector the cockapoo and cats Ruby and Sushi. ‘I have always admired the Renaissance-style plaster finish walls we’ve seen in old Italian villas and Palazzi, and wanted to recreate that, but I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted,’ says Cathy. Luckily, a clever artist friend offered to help and arrived with an array of paint pots, brushes and rags, and spent hours layering and adding texture. ‘I’m thrilled with the results. She has done…

Before moving abroad for a year with their three children, Nina and Dave Carrington bought a Victorian townhouse in the centre of a market town in northwest Oxfordshire. ‘We were fortunate to find a period property full of character and in the heart of a vibrant community,’ explains Nina. With living space arranged over four floors, the couple saw the potential to create a family home influenced by their global travels and love of individual handcrafted design. ‘When we viewed the house, we were impressed by the spacious rooms and traditional features throughout,’ recalls Nina. ‘My style is eclectic with influences from my Spanish heritage and from travelling to many beautiful destinations.’ Nina applies her creative spirit running her own business, Of Woodstock, making beautiful floral hair accessories, veils and tulle…

After their last renovation, Ann Hawthorne and her husband Jonathan vowed ‘never again’, but having been gazumped in a sluggish property market they returned to the drawing board. ‘We had sold our smaller property and so had to move into rented accommodation until we found somewhere to buy. The problem was that there wasn’t a lot on the market and we didn’t want a boxy new build,’ Ann explains. The house that captured the couple’s imagination was a 1960s property in a desirable area of Edinburgh with powers of seduction strong enough to make them forget their previous renovation pain. ‘When we walked in we really liked the feel of the place and Jens, our architect, was excited, too. But as we knew we weren’t going to be living there…

Step into the home of interior designer Janie Denham, owner of La Colomba London, and you are immediately transported into what feels like an idyllic country house. ‘We knew the area well and we absolutely loved the position of the house on Wimbledon Common,’ explains Janie, who lives here with husband Justin and daughters Jemima, 21, and Gabriella, 17, plus their dog Burma. ‘Being able to see woodland from every window, even though we are just a few miles from central London, is a pretty unique combination. DECORATING TIP ‘Don’t start your scheme with the paint colour – start with something you love in the room that is important to you’ After renovating the house 11 years ago, Janie has used her professional expertise to update the interior on a regular basis. Her…