New Romance

Having discovered this thatched cottage while holidaying in a favourite spot on the coast of the Baltic Sea, Christine Pink bought it as a weekend bolthole. However, she fell in love with the property and its surroundings and soon gave up city life

After 20 years working for at fashion agency in Hamburg, Christine Pink needed a break from the rush of the city. 'I loved to spend my holidays by the Baltic Sea; I enjoyed the peace and tranquillity, so whenever I could, I'd rent a cottage.' It was on one of those holiday trips, back in 2007, that she came upon an old house with a 'For sale' sign. 'It was love at first sight,' she says. 'I didn't even have to look around; I wanted to buy it immediately! Initially, I was only planning to use it at weekends.'

The location of the former smithy, built in 1856, couldn't have been more idyllic: surrounded by fields as far as the eye could see, and a garden filled with mature magnolias and plum trees. It was clear the property had huge potential.