Wealden Times | WT180 | February 2017 | Wedding supplement inside

Above: The kitchen has been extended to include a spacious
orangery Left: A painted Welsh dresser displays a full set of early
20th century bone china that belonged to Murielle’s parents
Murielle, who is that rare combination of the chic and
charming, immediately sets about making coffee – gently
insisting with a twinkle in her eye that along with the milk,
I should have “just a little dash of cream” in it. I feel it is
rather indulgent and almost refuse, but am then glad that
I don’t because the resulting brew is so rich and delicious –
reminiscent of the way that really good coffee used to taste.
“The edge of this counter is where the original kitchen
wall ended,” Murielle explains, “but we were keen to make
the most of the views across the Downs and we needed
a much bigger kitchen and a more sociable space for all
the family and our friends. We got Philip Bainbridge, an
Ashford building contractor to construct it, but we also
had to accommodate the well,” she says, pointing to what I
had assumed was a glass-topped table. I bend down to take
a closer look, expecting to see a small pool of water within
a few metres, but instead I see that there is what looks like
a deep vortex of water a very long way down indeed.
“I had seen something similar in France,” she continues,
“and rather than try to disguise it, I thought it best to make a
feature of it. We built up the sides and put glass over the top
so it can be used as a table. It’s very strong, reinforced glass,
but I still wouldn’t want to walk on it, though of course, the
grandchildren love to frighten me by dancing about on top!”
The orangery is generously proportioned and handsomely
constructed, with French doors that lead out onto the wide,
paved terrace. Pale porcelain tiles on the floor reflect the light
that illuminates the room from the numerous windows, also
made by Old School Joinery, and high, glazed lantern
97 wealdentimes.co.uk