Isabel and Steve Castens felt blessed when they stumbled across a former place of worship ripe for renovation
After years living and working in Mexico, Poland and Romania, Isabel and Steve Castens returned to the UK in 2000. When their eldest son Oscar turned two, and with plans to have more children, the couple decided to relocate out of London. ‘our families are in the midlands and Sheffield so we wanted to be nearer to them but with an easy commute back to London for work,’ explains Isabel.
The hunt for a family home began and the couple were persuaded to visit an unusual property although it was out of the area and needed a lot of work. ‘We had looked at lots of houses, which seemed perfect on paper but hadn’t turned out to be quite right; this was the exact opposite,’ says Isabel. ‘We saw it on a bleak day in January, but as soon as I stepped inside I could imagine us living here.’
Denne historien er fra December 2017-utgaven av 25 Beautiful Homes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra December 2017-utgaven av 25 Beautiful Homes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
NATURE'S colour scheme
Interior designer Charlotte Thomas has transformed a centuries-old country house into a haven of charm, with hues that are in harmony with her personality
SPECIAL BLEND
Marcus and Eliza Waring’s captivating new build combines modern style with Georgian charm
Southern belle
Interior designer Michael Mitchell breathed new life into y a home in South Carolina with colour, art and antiques Lan
LOFTY AMBITION
Bespoke joinery and a light palette were used to maximise the space in this cosy bedroom under the eaves
Modern CLASSIC
Interior designer LeeAnn Baker has infused this elegant new-build waterfront home with a sense of history and a welcoming atmosphere
European VIBES
Italian and French mid-century pieces, exquisite marbles and a calming palette of blues and greens lend an international flavour to a historic apartment in Stockholm
A return to grandeur
An extensive remodel has given this 1990s home fabulous character, with designer Jeffrey Neve’s eye for fresh colours softening the space
SHEER GLAMOUR
Eleanor and Ollie Bowmer gave their new en suite the five-star treatment with luxe finishes and a statement bath
Relaxing RUSTIC
Designer Claire Garner has concocted a warm and welcoming interior scheme that perfectly complements the oak beams of this modern Tudor-style home
The little house of CALM
Sue and Jonathan Eley turned a timber cabin in a beautiful secluded New Forest setting into a luxurious country escape
