Wealden Times | WT264 | May 2024 | Love Your Home Supplement inside

Top & right: One of the couple’s daughter’s
rooms has views out over the garden through
generous bay windows. Claire found the
beautiful oval mirror, that looks like it was
made to measure above the fireplace, in
Ralph’s at The Mall Antiques in Faversham
Below: A cosy seating area in one of the guest
bedrooms in the other side of the house
“We’ve kept it in the country house style
and tried to remain true to its origins.”
The result is a wonderful family
home equipped for modern life but
full of character. And while it still has
its quirks the family has fully embraced
them into their way of life. “We’re a
family of four, so we don’t need all
this space but we really love hosting
people. So the house contracts and
expands depending on who’s staying.”
Walking around there are signs of
the history of the home everywhere
you look, but it’s the most recent
incarnation as a country estate that
really stands out. It’s a time Claire has
been able to learn much about thanks to
extraordinary connections that she made
through some of the previous owners.
“I got to know two of the people who
used to live here quite well. Arthur was
the son of the owners of the house and
Ivy was the housekeeper. She lived in
the cottage next door and was there for
70 years.” A handful of times Claire had
Ivy and Arthur round to the house for
afternoon tea, where they shared their
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