25 Beautiful Homes June 2022

We’ve been particularly impressed in this issue by how many homeowners have skilfully combined the old and the new in their decorating schemes. This blend of modern and traditional can often be a tricky path to navigate, and judging by how well these houses have been designed, it’s a testament to the vision of the owners. So if you’re wondering how to add a contemporary twist to your period property, look no further than Lisa and Harry Bowcott’s house (p74) to discover how they updated their 12th-century former seminary without sacrificing any of its character. For Abby Fox (p112), an extension was the best way to introduce a new vibe, as well as much needed light and space to her Edwardian terrace. And, of course, adding flair and charm to…

Every detail in the elegant home of Anna Ward has been crafted with a thoughtful, timeless quality. It’s hard to believe that this generously proportioned new build, with its unobtrusive, but noticeable luxury, doesn’t date from the last century. Anna had lived and worked in California for 30 years but a few years ago, the time felt right to come back to England to spend more time with her family. She bought a plot of land to build her forever home, but the distance meant she couldn’t do the interior design work herself, so a trusted architect was imperative, as was the decision to work with highly recommended interior designer Lisette Voûte of Lisette Voûte Designs who literally brought her vision to life. DESIGN TIP ‘Traditional elements, such as panelling, beams and…

Alex and Hayley Cobbett often talked about moving to the country before they decided the time was right to make their dreams a reality. ‘We’d both spent many years living and working in cities,’ explains Hayley. The couple focused their property search in Dorset. ‘Alex grew up there and his family are nearby, so he knew the area well,’ says Hayley. They eventually came across a suitable property and had their offer accepted, however, Hayley admits that she felt less than enthusiastic. ‘I can’t say I fell in love with it, but I could see its potential and Alex knew the location,’ she says. Despite Hayley’s reservations, the property ticked a great many boxes. With forest walks from the doorstep and beaches only a short drive away, the location couldn’t be…

It was the bones of the property that sold it to us,’ recalls Anna Heasman of her first viewing of this double-fronted Edwardian house in Lincolnshire. ‘We loved the details, such as the stained-glass windows and the original cornicing, as well as the hallway with its grand staircase. We could see, though, that the layout at the back of the house was quite disjointed and that it didn’t really lend itself to modern family life.’ The couple approached interior designer Fiona Duke to help them improve the flow of the property. ‘My husband and I have done a couple of renovation projects and I think that they have encouraged us to become bolder in our approach. For this house, we were keen to experiment with pattern and colour,’ says Anna. Rather…

After decades living in different spots along the North Cornwall coast near Newquay, Caroline and Keith Parker moved to a smart new-build property a few miles inland. However, Caroline was soon itching to return to their old haunts. ‘I missed the views over the Gannel Estuary so much that it felt like a gaping hole,’ she says. ‘We’re hands-on, habitual renovators and we’d made major changes to every other house we’d owned, so we were hankering for somewhere with real potential for improvement, too.’ After investigating several properties, they found a bungalow perched high above the estuary that ticked their boxes. The old-fashioned decor was ripe for refreshment and the layout was dated, but the location was perfect, the views stunning and the possibilities clear. Over the next two years the…

A room that hasn’t been decorated for 20 years is bound to show the ravages of time, but when Natalie Davies was asked to refurbish the sitting room in this North Yorkshire Georgian country house, it proved the most pleasurable of tasks. She knew that as the house had the most beautiful period features and with the original cornicing intact, she would simply need to update the decor to create a more contemporary yet elegant feel that was still in keeping with the age and style of the property. ‘Simply put, it needed a little TLC,’ says Natalie. THE BRIEF ‘My clients – a couple with two teenage children – felt the room was very dated and didn’t meet their needs as a family,’ says Natalie. ‘They love to entertain and are…