Homes Antiques

through windows that look out on to the

large garden it’s hard to believe the move very

nearly ended in disaster.

The house they fell in love with required

extensive renovation involving major

structural restoration of floors both stone

and wooden beams and ceilings. Wherever

possible Diana and Hugh were determined

to replace like with like keen to preserve the

building’s character. But just weeks before

they were due to move back in a fire swept

through the empty house destroying half of

the new work.

Whilst replacing fire-damaged floorboards

a tiny late 18th-century child’s shoe was

discovered. ‘It was an old builders’ custom –

thought to bring good luck’ explains Diana

wryly. The plan was to replace it once the new

boards went down but instead the little shoe

sits on display in the sitting room; a memento

of the drama. A further reference to their lucky

escape hangs in the bedroom –a tapestry

ABOVE The

elegant sofa in

the drawing room

is a modern take

on Chippendale

says Diana. It looks

perfectly at home

alongside the

late 18th-century

secretaire and pole

screen by the re

54 H&A SUMMER 2017