Surrey Homes | SH28 | February 2017 | Wedding supplement inside

Above: Above the fireplace in the living room hangs a UK map made out of foxes by artist Patrick Thomas. The ceramics on the
mantelpiece are from The Clay Den in Hastings
purchased this house, I don’t think we’d actually noticed
it before,” says James. “Some would say it’s merely a
Victorian house – but there’s not another one like it in the
town. Plus, it has that lovely little draw-bridge moment
as you walk up the path.” It’s certainly very peaceful.
So, what state was the house in when they bought it?
“The previous owners had looked after it and it still had
the period details that we love,” says James. “It just needed
a new lease of life, a new energy.” So, the couple opened
up the windows in every room, pulled up the carpets, and
burned some sage: “We just let the house breathe a little
bit... and let the dog roam around, sniff the property,
get to know it.” The dog in question is an adorable, and
rather photogenic Boston Terrier called Cooper.
“Understanding the light in each room was also very
important,” says James. After airing the house and letting
Cooper wander, the transformation began: “We had a very
clear plan: we wanted the property to feel light and airy at
the top and a little bit darker and moodier down below. A
lot of the paint colours we chose – as well as the fabrics that
David chose for the cushions, curtains and textiles – are
to do with the changing landscape and natural light.”
Starting our tour in the kitchen, the view from the large
basement windows is of a lush, fern-filled courtyard
47 wealdentimes.co.uk