HEART & HOME

Searching for a place where her twins could play freely, Alessandra Brady stumbled across a run-down cottage and turned it into an idyllic family retreat

- JANET MCMEEKIN

Living room

The 19th-century chaise, from Hunter & Rose, is a favourite spot for Lapo and Massimiliano to enjoy listening to a story. The fish fossil on the wall dates from the Eocene period. Chaise upholstered in Ada & Ina’s Telma Dusty Pink linen

Living room

An abstract Aether painting by Mark Stopforth links the pink and blue tones beautifully

Kitchen

Brass handles and wall lights add period character to the new, light-filled extension. Kitchen, deVOL. Wall lights, Mullan Lighting. Flooring, UK Flooring Direct

With its big skies, miles of unspoilt sandy beaches and coastline steeped in history, North Norfolk’s charms captivated Alessandra Brady right from the start. And, visiting with her husband, who is from the area, and their twins, Lapo and Massimiliano, she was intrigued when she caught sight of a For Sale sign outside a characterful flint cottage in the sought-after village of Brancaster. She rang the estate agent and arranged to view the dated property that very day.

‘Putting in an offer on the spot was impulsive, particularly as we hadn’t viewed anything else, but because the cottage was in our favourite village in this magical area and had lots of potential, we couldn’t resist,’ Alessandra explains.