Homes Antiques

fragment depicting a phoenix rising bought to

commemorate finally moving in.

After the trauma of the fire for speed and

simplicity Diana painted all of the rooms in

‘Gardenia’ a stylish o-white by Dulux. And

her pragmatism has paid o because despite

every room being the same colour they all feel

quite dierent. ‘It’s the incredible eect of light

from the garden’ explains Diana who had

originally envisioned the rooms being dierent

shades throughout. The pale hue also provides

a seamless backdrop for their many and varied

possessions not all of which are quite what

they seem.

‘I like to mix old with new – artificial

flowers with real; occasional purchases from

Oka with their period equivalent; framed

posters of Renaissance frescoes with oil

paintings. Things may not always be what they

appear’ she warns. The portrait of a young

man by Sir Peter Lely (1618–1680) which

hangs in a corner of the drawing room is a

ABOVE The

inscription on the

back of the painting

in the hall says it's

of Thomas Heber

aged four. Diana

has no idea who he

is or who painted

the portrait but it is

one of her favourite

possessions

H&A SUMMER 2017 55

H&A LIFESTYLE: Homes