25 Beautiful Homes

modern detached| 25bh25bh OCTOBER 2017 | 51###### There are not many househunters who hit the jackpotstraight away, but in the caseof interior designer JennyBallantyne, the very first property sheviewed had everything she was looking for.With a generous garden, large bedroomsfor Harry, 9, and Molly, 4 , and a locationright between countryside and village, thisCambridgeshire house ticked every box.‘We’d outgrown our previous home,which was a semi on a high street,’ saysJenny. ‘And this property, built 15 years ago,had so much potential, with a sunny aspectand a summerhouse in the garden.’Though Jenny’s husband Iain, aquantity surveyor, was not as keen to moveinitially, he soon realised that this housewas too good to give up. When the familymoved in, they replaced a kitchen windowwith full-length glazed doors, transformedthe garage into a playroom and made thesummerhouse useable all year round. Andwhen it came to the decor, Jenny wasinspired by their regular trips to Cornwall.‘I wanted to give our home a permanentholiday feeling,’ she explains. ‘So bluebecame the obvious colour, imbuing thehouse with an airiness and a subtle coastaltheme.’ This is seen clearly in the kitchenand utility room. ‘In some ways, it was abold choice,’ says Jenny, ‘but choosing thisstatement blue has added impact.’Function is just as important as form inthis house and every space has been createdKITCHEN-dINERWith a dining table, sofa and island unit, thisroom is perfect for all the family to gather in.Shaker Kitchen units in Dainty Blue, price onrequest, Mereway Kitchens. Feature wall paintedin Yacht Blue, £43 perr 2.5 litres, Sanderson``````LANdINGJenny opted for a striped loopedcarpet for texture and interest.Sail Away Vintage wallpaper in Neutral,£46.40 per roll, Sanderson