Wealden Times | WT244 | September 2022 | Winter Interiors Supplement inside

This page: The floral touches continue upstairs
in a guest bedroom, where the chimney breast has
been papered in Celestine by Colefax & Fowler
says Peter. “That’s fun, that’s what we enjoy. The
pictures must have changed a dozen times.”
And talking of pictures, another element adding to the
sitting room’s dynamic colour is the door through to the
conservatory extension, with a wall covered in paintings
– many, it turns out, by Peter, as I find out when I say
that I like a particular piece. It’s one of his. “I’ve been
painting for 18 years,” he says. “I hadn’t painted since I
left school and I just took it up. I sell a few in the shop.”
As well as all the artwork, the space has a dining
table “we use it for breakfast in summer” and the
French windows on the front side lead out on to
a balcony, with another table and chairs, making
it a perfect spot to enjoy that amazing view.
The French windows on the other side of the
conservatory lead out onto a large courtyard garden – a
masterclass in how to garden with just pots – cleverly
divided into two distinct areas, by a pierced screen and
a rose-covered rusty metal arch, giving that lovely sense
of discovery. Most importantly, there is a table and
chairs in each part. “We follow the sun,” says Berni.
Heading back into the house, I pause to admire the
wallpaper in the hall and up the stairs. This design
of leaping deer, with a Medieval feel, called Battle
Great Woods, is by local artist Lindsay Alker.
My attention is then grabbed by a large gilt umbrella
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