25 Beautiful Homes

shower room and separate cloakroom toform one large family bathroom.The kitchen extension was a hugesuccess – introducing more natural lightinto the home and creating a space wherethe children can play while their parentscook. ‘It is really a fully functioning roomfor all of us,’ says Katharine.With the bare bones of her home inplace, Katharine’s passion for supportingBritish designer-makers came to the fore,along with her uncanny knack for makinga deal. As an artist with a strong following,she negotiated discounts with tradesmen inexchange for her paintings. And her networkof artist friends was crucial in decorating thehouse; Katharine traded her work with otherartists, lining the walls to create a galleryaesthetic. Her own large and colourfulcanvases, depicting tropical scenes, adddrama in the kitchen and tie in with thepalm-print wallpaper in the loft bedroom.Trips to antiques markets and forays oneBay unearthed mid-century pieces todecorate the house. In the children’sbedrooms, Katharine has paired moderndesign with vintage to great effect byreupholstering a chair belonging to hergrandmother, upcycling old chests ofdrawers and adding decals to the walls.‘It’s important to me that the objectsin my home are beautifully made,’ saysKatharine. With each piece carefullychosen, the couple have created a home thatis awash with style, celebrates Britishcraftsmanship and is a showcase for art.Favourite item ‘The vintage-style wallpaperin the bedroom was a bold design choice’MASTER BEDROOMSimple mid-century modern pieces teamwith vibrant botanical wallpaper (above).Northerly blanket, £365, Eleanor Pritchard.Walls painted in Dimpse estate emulsion,£43.50 per 2.5 litres, Farrow & Ball