BACK TO LIFE

This cottage renovation is part one of an ambitious restoration of an entire estate

- Dean Poulton and Borja de Maqua

Kitchen

Having bought Ikea carcasses, Dean and Borja built the bespoke kitchen, before painting it green to work with the terracotta tiles. Lower cupboards and panelling painted in Jade, Fenwick & Tilbrook. Brass tap, DeVOL. Brass handles, Yester Home

AT HOME WITH

Owners Dean Poulton, an architect, and his partner Borja De Maqua, who are currently renovating My Tiny Estate.

House An abandoned estate with walled gardens, cottages and outbuildings, including two-bedroom Caretaker’s Cottage, which dates from the 17th century.

When Borja De Maqua and Dean Poulton decided to move, they never anticipated buying a historic estate, comprising of a derelict Georgian manor house and four cottages. Or that they would each be working gruelling 18-hour days in an effort to restore it.

‘Although extremely rewarding, tackling a project of this size is very demanding – and we still have several years of renovating ahead of us,’ Borja says.

Kitchen

A window seat is a relaxing place for guests to unwind and provides extra storage. Hardwick textured feather cushion in Pine, and Prestbury chunky weave feather cushion in Seaweed, both Miller & Chalk

In 2018, Dean and Borja had hoped to relocate to ‘a little farmhouse in the countryside.’ But, with their previous house selling within 24 hours, and plans to buy a ramshackle property scuppered, former estate agent and surveyor Borja knew the pressure was on to work his home-finding magic. And he did!