Light Relief

Catherine Loft has created a serene and welcoming family home using uplifting shades of white

- Hazel Dolan

When Catherine and Geoff Loft decided to return to the UK after two decades of living abroad, they already had a location in mind – York. They had their eye on a four-storey property in a quiet corner of the city, where rows of tall townhouses are modelled on London’s beautiful Victorian and Georgian squares, with a communal garden at their centre.

‘My sister Sarah came to the viewing and fell for it, too,’ says Catherine. ‘She said: “You know, I think I might want to move here!”, and I said, “Well, I’d prefer one of the bigger ones, so I’ll wait for one of those to come onto the market.” I was crossing my fingers that one would, and thankfully it did, and now Sarah and I are neighbours.’

Having had nine different homes in locations from Australia to Dubai, Catherine trusts her instincts. ‘With each one I’ve lived in, I knew immediately it was the right place as soon as I stepped across the threshold,’ she says.

Behind Catherine and Geoff’s home are fields where sheep graze, giving it an appealing sense of openness. Inside, though, it was a different story. The first-floor living space had been carved up into several rooms with a colour scheme that made it feel small and enclosed.