We used to holiday in the Lake District all the time, but it started getting harder and harder for me and my husband Garry to go back home,’ says Sharon. ‘Then I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and we took it as an opportunity to completely reshape our lives and relocate.
We were living in Derbyshire in the village of Hayfield at the time, where we’d moved to back in 2015. I’d started an interiors store and gallery, and we were living in a rented apartment above. Although Gerry and I had an amazing five years there, we were working constantly and wanted to slow down a bit.
Property hunt
After searching for three months, a former brewery manager’s house came up for rent in the village of Caldbeck and it was love at first sight. The rooms were all a good size and we were completely seduced by the original floorboards, high ceilings and fireplaces. In the agent’s details, every room was painted magnolia, but as we walked around the house it was clear the previous tenants had done some painting since then. The dining room had a red chimney breast and the living room had a red shag pile carpet, while the office and master bedroom both had pink and purple walls – so we knew the landlord would be open to us making changes.
Moving in
We knew this was the place for us and were happy to rent it instead of buying. With lockdown looming, our moving date was brought forward to March and we started ordering new kitchen appliances in anticipation. I was determined not to do anything to the property for nine months and just live here to get a feel for the place, but I only lasted a couple of months! Especially as we had more time on our hands than anticipated during lockdown.
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Style at Home.
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
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Style at Home.
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
'We wanted an Art Deco Vibe' - Helen took her bathing space from cramped and dated to family-friendly, with a classic retro-inspired look
Inheriting a typical 1930s layout of rectangular bathroom and a separate loo along the corridor wasn't really suitable for us,' says Helen. 'And with a teenager and a younger child, we knew we had to change things quickly after moving into our house in April 2022.
How to Save More Money -Editor of MoneyWeek.com Kalpana Fitzpatrick shares easy tips and tricks for spending less
Editor of MoneyWeek.com Kalpana Fitzpatrick shares easy tips and tricks for spending less. Recent research shows that around a third of consumers are focused on immediate finances and unable to think about future savings.* If you're struggling to save or just not sure where to start, then these tips and tricks will help.
What's for DINNER TONIGHT?
These tasty dishes can be made ahead of time and saved for those busy nights when there's no time to cook
Something for THE WEEKEND
These chocolate desserts are perfect for dinner parties (or for a special treat if you've had a tough week at work)...
Plant bulbs now for A SPLASH OF SPRING COLOUR
Brighten your garden come spring with a two-tone display of tulips - autumn is the perfect time to plant up and get busy
Living room STORAGE
Bring order to your living space with hard-working storage that looks stylish too
How to plan KITCHEN LIGHTING
Achieve the perfect lighting scheme that's bright, hard-working and looks good
Try a speedy STYLE UPDATE
Give your home a seasonal revamp with fun tricks, treats and cosy touches
Clever decorating WORK YOUR WALLS
Want to use a blank wall space for practical storage or stylish display? These ideas will give you the best of both worlds...
Give your home an AUTUMN RESET
Make rooms feel toasty and warm with plush layers, earthy tones and cosy touches