couple to buy an idyllic Cambridgeshire house DESIGN FOR LIFE Creative ideas

SITTING ROOM Red soft furnishings and a welcoming woodburner give this space a cosy feel. Laura Ashley’s Gloucester sofa, £1,650, is similar. St David’s Cross throw, £169; cushions, £60 each, Melin Tregwynt would work well

S N U G

The original Rayburn is a reminder that this room was previously the kitchen.

Footstool in Harris Tweed in Storm, £611; sofa in Dawn Chorus in Dusky Pink/Winter, piped in Harris Tweed in Storm, £2,270, all Vanessa Arbuthnott

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When it comes to buying houses, first impressions count. This was certainly the case for Nicola and Tony Hills, who fell for a centuries-old farmhouse with its gnarled pitch pine front door, framed with roses and honeysuckle.

‘This was a terrific starting point for our viewing,’ says Nicola. ‘Then, stepping into the sitting room to be greeted by a huge inglenook fireplace, wooden beams and original flagstones, we were captivated.’

As Nicola and her architect husband, Tony, walked around the house, then

strolled outside to admire the gardens and magnificent rural views, the couple knew Pells Yeat Farm would be a keeper.

The talented couple, who run awardwinning practice, Damson Consultancy, could see the house’s potential to be sympathetically extended as required.

‘During the viewing, we instantly hit it off with the lovely owners,’ says Nicola. ‘When they explained they were keen to spend one last Christmas in the farmhouse, we said we were happy to bide our time.’

A few months later, having sold their own home, Nicola and Tony, plus Molly, now 23, Archie, 21, and Louie, 18, were on the move. ‘We were thrilled with our new house and gradually started putting our own stamp on it,’ says Nicola. Later that year, an opportunity suddenly arose to buy three extra acres of land, Nicola applied for a grant to create a new woodland, complete with paths leading back to the farmhouse.

In 2011, after their daughter, Rosie, was born, the couple extended into an adjoining barn to create a roomy snug on the ground floor, as well as a new staircase that leads up to a stunning master bedroom and en suite. ‘When Tony and I discussed the bedroom

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decorating tip ‘Right from the outset, I wanted to give our farmhouse a modern-country feel by using colour, texture and pattern to inject depth, interest and warmth’

design, we agreed a boutique hotel feel would be perfect since, with our expanding family, the chances of impromptu weekends away were going to be rather slim,’ Nicola says.

Three years later, with the arrival of Henry, now five, the pair extended again, this time into the original snug, to create a much larger kitchen. ‘We were struggling to fit everyone around the table,’ says Nicola.

In 2017, when Nicola was expecting Teddy, now two, the pair embarked on the third phase of their farmhouse alterations, using the same trusted team of builders. In order to create a stylish design studio for

Damson Consultancy, Tony drew up plans to knock through to the original piggery. ‘What was quite a dark space is now an inspiring light-filled studio,’ says Nicola. ‘I love the combination of the old mullion windows, teamed with the new woodburning stove, high ceilings and beams.’

Throughout their home, Nicola, a garden designer, now studying interior design, has been mindful of connecting both house and garden. Working with the character and historic features of the farmhouse, she and Tony have linked the past to the present day. ‘When I was thinking about schemes, I came across Vanessa Arbuthnott’s wallpaper, fabric and upholstery which resonated particularly well with the look I wanted to achieve,’ says Nicola. ‘I love her traditional designs in gorgeous fresh modern colours.’

Having achieved a contemporary country look throughout the house, Nicola and Tony couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. ‘It’s a fabulous home,’ says Nicola. ‘We feel so privileged to live here and be bringing our family up in such a very special place. With twins on the way this spring, it’s going to be an exciting year ahead.’

M A S T E R B E D R O O M The striking sleigh bed stands out against a soothing soft-grey palette. Laura Ashley’s Broughton super king sleigh bed, £1,600, would work here

N U R S E R Y ‘I chose a relaxed scheme in neutral colours to help create a calming atmosphere in here,’ says Nicola. Wallpaper, Shibori in Light Pigeon, £56 a roll, Vanessa Arbuthnott

M A S T E R E N S U I T E Positioning the freestanding bath under the cross beams injects extra wow factor.

BC Designs double-skinned acrylic boat, £1,480, Drench, looks similar to this one

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SECOND TIME LUCKY

FEATURE AND STYLING NAOMI JONES | PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT SANDERSON

home truths

THE PROPERTY Semidetached house, built in 1879 LOCATION A suburb of Manchester ROOMS Hallway, sitting room, kitchen-diner/living area, utility room, six bedrooms (one is used as a playroom), four bathrooms, three basement rooms PURCHASED 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in the city centre for nine years in a duplex apartment before moving to a Victorian house in the suburbs in 2011,’ says Karen.