25bh |
for stockistsgo to where to buycountrypartiesandrunsherbusiness@thepopupkitchen1here.‘I’veturned
mypassionforcooking,whichwas a hobby, into a catering business
forprivateevents,’shesays.
Partofthenewextensionremaineda shellfornearlya yearafter
itwasbuilt,butthecoupleslowlyputthewholelooktogether,using
inheritedobjects,auctionandsaleroomfinds,anda fewnewpieces.
Theytookcaretofindfurniturethathadtherightproportions.
‘Wehavesomelargerooms,likethenewkitchenwherewewanted
a hugetableasweloveentertaining.Butotherroomsintheoldpart
ofthehouse, such as the sitting room and the dining room, areona smallerscale,sowewantedtomakesurethesespacesare
invitingandwelcoming,’saysMelissa.Sheaimedfora lived-in,
always-been-therelook,withplentyofnaturalmaterials,suchas
wood,woolandstone.‘I absolutelydon’tdocontemporarystyleand
brightcolours.I likemutedsoftcolours:greys,bluesandpinks.’
Whenit cametotheextensivegrounds,a managementplan
wasputinplacefortheancientwoodlandsandthey’vebeen
thinnedandcoppicedoverthelastsixyears.‘Thishasdramatically
increasedthelight,andencouragedwildlife,’ says Melissa. ‘It’s like
Springwatch from the kitchen windows.’MaINBedrooM
‘I’ma fanofmixingoldand
newandsoI’veteamedour
vintageFrenchAubusson
rugwitha smartnewbed
andthemodernroll-top
bathinmyensuite,whichis
mysanctuary,’saysMelissa.
theSkyeupholstered
king-sizebedframeintopaz
beige,£699,CroftCollection
at John Lewis&Partners,
has this lookGUeSTBedrooM
‘Thisroomisfilledwith
thesubtleshadesofpink
andgreythatI love,’
saysMelissa.
Fora similarthrow,trythe
Alpacaingrey,£140,John
Lewis&Partners.themetal
sconcewasfoundatNewbury
Antiques and Collectors FairDESIGN TIP
‘Trustyour
instincts.The
mostimportant
thingina house
isatmosphere.
Createa happy
andwelcoming
vibesothat
everyoneloves
comingtoyour
homeforyouand
not what’s in it’18 | 25bhAuguSt 2019