Remembrance Of Things Past

For Paula Barnes, the romantic story behind a neglected period house provided the inspiration for its restoration

- Sara Emslie

Most people fall in love with a house for its physical attributes, but for interior designer Paula Barnes it was the story behind the crumbling wreck of a country home up for sale that proved an instant attraction.

Needing a bigger house for her family, Paula spotted the period property online but it was terribly neglected and a far cry from the exquisite place it had once been. Just the proportions of the rooms, a smattering of original features and the remains of what was once an intricate orangery were all that remained.

Once owned by a wealthy shipping magnate who married a Russian ballerina late in life, the home became a sanctuary for his orchid-growing indulgences and her passion for botanical paintings. The childless couple were eventually moved into care and the house, complete with remnants of its content – cheque books, Fifties vacuum cleaners and even a pair of ballet shoes – was left to fall into disrepair.