TRÈS BELLE
Country Homes & Interiors|August 2024
Sharon and Tony Dallas have turned their dilapidated Grade II-listed house in Essex into an enchanting home with a considered colour palette and French treasures galore
ALICE ROBERTON
TRÈS BELLE

GARDEN ROOM This space in the extension at one end of the house is furnished with antiques and offers wonderful views of the countryside. For a vintage-style pendant light, try Artifact. Sienna armchair, Feather & Black, would give a similar look

Back in the 18th century, the Dallas family's Grade II-listed cottage, which they moved into in 2020, was part of one larger house that was split into two in the 1960s. Their plan was to take it from outdated to updated by restoring original features, using salvaged materials, and indulging in their penchant for French-style interiors.

Sharon and her husband Tony were hands-on with the renovation, although the house's listed status meant navigating red tape and gently steering work around period features. Respecting the protected original layout, extensions were carefully added to either end of the house to create a living room and a garden room, and the barn and stables were fully rebuilt.

"The combination of Grade II listing and it being a large project meant money was tight, so we were forced to take our time,' says Sharon. The couple camped in the house through it all, going without a kitchen for a year and climbing to the first floor via a ladder for several months. Using tradespeople where needed but doing most of the work themselves, they took ceilings back to beams, replaced plumbing, rewired the house, retiled the roof and returned the staircase to its original position. Brick by brick, the outbuildings were reconstructed under the watchful eye of the local building conservation team.

'Everything had to be removed, labelled and replaced in the same position once the walls had been rebuilt and a new roof added,' explains Sharon. Their hard work paid off when this part of the renovation was given an award by the conservation officers. 'It made our painstaking work even more worth it,' she smiles.

Esta historia es de la edición August 2024 de Country Homes & Interiors.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición August 2024 de Country Homes & Interiors.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORSVer todo
Sowing the seeds for a life of abundance
Country Homes & Interiors

Sowing the seeds for a life of abundance

The perpetual rhythm of planting, tending and harvesting brings a feeling of hope and fulfilment to Diana Yates, and it extends beyond her Greenfields garden to all of her life

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2024
Cabin fever
Country Homes & Interiors

Cabin fever

Offering cosy, doll's house-sized country retreats, cabins combine modern comforts with an immersive experience of nature

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 2024
'Building boats has become my passion'
Country Homes & Interiors

'Building boats has become my passion'

Wooden boat builder, Obioma Oji

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2024
Cover-up job
Country Homes & Interiors

Cover-up job

Durable and decorative, cladding is a brilliant way to protect your home's exterior without compromising its aesthetics

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2024
Flights of fancy
Country Homes & Interiors

Flights of fancy

Replace or refurbish your staircase and you'll elevate the appearance of your home at every level. Here are the steps to take...

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 2024
TRUE BLUE
Country Homes & Interiors

TRUE BLUE

A firm favourite for decorating, blue is one of the most restful, mindful shades in the colour spectrum. Stylist and interiors expert Sara Bird shares how to use it in your country home

time-read
5 minutos  |
August 2024
COUNTER INTELLIGENCE
Country Homes & Interiors

COUNTER INTELLIGENCE

Practical and inspiring ideas for selecting the best kitchen worktop for your space

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2024
A GARDEN GLOW-UP
Country Homes & Interiors

A GARDEN GLOW-UP

As late summer days begin to shorten, extend your time outdoors with a blend of practical and decorative lighting

time-read
2 minutos  |
August 2024
TRÈS BELLE
Country Homes & Interiors

TRÈS BELLE

Sharon and Tony Dallas have turned their dilapidated Grade II-listed house in Essex into an enchanting home with a considered colour palette and French treasures galore

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 2024
HOME AT LAST
Country Homes & Interiors

HOME AT LAST

Having often walked past their dream property over the years, Rich and Emma Proud finally became its owners and turned it into a comfortable home for three generations of their family

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 2024