LET THERE be white

WHEN JANET PARRELLA-VAN DEN BERG AND DINO PARRELLA ACQUIRED A GLOOMY AND DECREPIT GEORGIAN RECTORY, THEIR REMEDY FOR RESTORATION WAS WHITE, BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL

-  RUTH CORBETT

Having lived in a Victorian townhouse in Esher, Janet and Dino were longing for a quieter home, with outbuildings, in the country. The quirkiness, split levels and its setting within beautiful gardens made this historic house the one they couldn’t resist.

WHAT DREW YOU TO THE PROPERTY?

‘We loved the large, open spaces and the fact you have to go down to the dining room from the reception room and then up to the kitchen. In total we have six-floor levels!’

WHAT WORK HAVE YOU DONE?

‘When we bought the property five years ago it was gloomy and old-fashioned – dark green walls, dark red walls, dark wood everywhere. The day after we moved in, we had it painted white, top to toe, creating a light, blank canvas. Then we opened up all the bricked-up fireplaces and fitted reclaimed wooden floors where the original floors had been damaged by rot and woodworm, before working our way through the rest of the house.’

WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE?

‘The kitchen, originally the coach house, was the biggest renovation. When the ceilings were opened up, beautiful original timber beams were exposed. We use the roof void above them to store our antique French harvest baskets. Fitting double French doors found at a reclamation yard allows a huge amount of natural light into the space.’

WHAT’S YOUR STYLE APPROACH TO INTERIORS?