Wealden Times | WT171 | May 2016 | Restoration & New Build supplement inside

Above: Although most of the house has been completely refurbished, Victoria
and David decided to keep the dark green and gold ceiling in the sitting room
Right: Sanderson fern fabric stands out against the muted colour scheme
“It took a long time to plan everything. Just getting the
size of the island unit right was quite a task, because every
section of the kitchen had to work independently, but
also within the whole. The granite we used for the island
worktop is one enormous slab and it was so heavy, it
took all 20 of the workmen we had on site to carry it in.
By the time they put it down their faces were absolutely
puce. I made them all bacon sandwiches to revive them!”
Although the room is huge, it’s cleverly divided up
into distinct areas, so that beyond the working part, a
pair of linen-covered sofas provide a sociable spot for
family and friends to lounge and chat while food is
being prepared. Behind the larger sofa, an elegant dining
table and chairs from Neptune in Tunbridge Wells are
set in front of a handsome fireplace with an overmantel
The choice of Sanderson green fern fabric
was inspired by the ferns that naturally
grow and fill the front garden
59 www.wealdentimes.co.uk