DIY Getting the home fires burning CHRISTMAS GIFTS Are you a ...

November 2003 Online: www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk5CALM CORNER:Heather Atkinsonrelaxes in the leastcluttered room.Below: “the Back”,where memorabiliafrom the family’smany travels isstacked up, andthe stairway, hometo the family’scollection ofmusicalinstrumentsA LOTTA BOTTLES: the wall covered in original wine labels and the cellar, where the family’s wine collection is housedPictures: SARAH NICHOLSONonce containing a minstrels’ gallery.Structural problems led to its removal andthe space now houses a collection of chinatankards and an original old sewingmachine. An ornamental eagle broughtback from Tiananmen Square spreads outon a wall. A second collection of hats on astaircase wall includes Heather’s father’smortar board, David’s father’s trilby, aParisian beret, a Chinese hat/fan, and a fez.We’re now in the large elegant sittingroom on the first floor examining Heather’swork in restoring the original 1770sfireplace, with its beautiful old tiles. Thereis stately and solid furniture, including anenormous sideboard and a heavily-carvedchest from the Far East which belonged toHeather’s mother. There are old maps,collections of cat ornaments, a Chineseprayer wheel, original ‘toast masters’glasses, ancient framed tiles from Turkey…I could write a book.A long narrow corridor, walls lined withpictures, leads to the bedrooms whereMethodist founder John Wesley once tookhis repose. The family has never seen thehouse ghost although visitors havereported the presence of an elderly ladyand animals are said to raise their hacklesat certain times of the night. A quick lookin the cellars to inspect the wine – I give myhead an almighty thump on the way up –and it’s about time to tear myself away.I’ve had a really enjoyable morning in awarm, unpretentious atmosphere. And iftrue style is to do with surroundingyourself with things you love, having funand making sure your visitors relax andhave fun too, then the Atkinson family hasthis gift in spades.