We have only ever lived in old houses,' says Ruth Taylor, explaining the move from National Trust property Hinton Ampner, which à came with her husband James's job as an estate manager, to the Wiltshire cottage that is now their home.
'While it was fun living in a grand house, we really needed a place of our own, and it was important to us to find somewhere with immense old age, character and style.
This Grade II-listed, 18th-century thatched farmworker's cottage fitted the bill exactly. With much of its original character intact, the couple could embrace their naturally custodial attitude, while also having the freedom to put their own stamp on the place. They handled changes with a light touch, says Ruth, apart from the hall, where they felt they had to rip up an awful wooden block and tiled floor. The travertine flags they installed look as if they have always been there, she says.
At the time of their search, Ruth was also working for the National Trust. But these days she runs a locations business, Peagreen Locations, specialising in contemporary, country-style houses for photography and film - properties not unlike her own, in fact.
Esta historia es de la edición March 2024 de Homes & Antiques.
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.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición March 2024 de Homes & Antiques.
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.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Lisa Coppin
The Cotswold Company’s chief creative officer shares the pieces that mean so much to her
TRAVEL
Six of the best pineta, plus a festive trip to Covent Garden. Review of The Orange, Belgravia by Katie Pike, travel stories
OLD SHEFFIELD PLATE
Stumbled upon by chance, this ingenious material was a more affordable option than solid silver, and well-preserved examples are particularly desirable today
Merrily on high
Summoning servants since the 1700s, bell boards create instant English country-house style (even if you don't have any servants). Emma Longstaff dons her pinny
Let it snow
Nostalgic, magical and highly collectable, snow globes are curious objects of wonder that never fail to instil joy
Velvet Crush
Once the preserve of the wealthy, velvet finally touched all levels of society, thanks to advances in its production process
Celebrating in the Stable
Antiques dealer Julia von Hülsen specialises in Gustavian pieces - all of which look perfectly placed in her German home
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Victorian toy theatres charming and exquisitely designed miniature worlds have inspired theatre royalty for decades. Today, the tradition is being kept alive by a small but talented network of makers
NICHOLAS LEES
The ceramic artist talks to Dominique Corlett about new ways of working with clay and blurring the edges of solid objects
Candy CHRISTMAS
Pastel hues, vintage decorations and bowls of sweet treats: the festive run-up is gloriously joyful at Bettina Færgeman's historic Copenhagen apartment, where there's an emphasis on entertaining...