![No place like home](https://cdn.magzter.com/1387256523/1680701892/articles/724vS4GQr1680790267892/NO-PLACE-LIKE-HOME.jpg)
After living in Vancouver, Canada, for a dozen years, it was time for Rebecca Rutter and her husband, David, to return to the UK with their daughters, Mabel, 18, and Isadora, 16. ‘David was offered a job here and we wanted to be closer to our elderly parents, so it made sense to move back,’ explains Rebecca of their return to Hertfordshire, where they had lived before departing for Canada.
After researching properties online, Rebecca made a journey back to the UK to see six houses. ‘I viewed several that were immaculate and entirely suitable, but just didn’t make me feel excited or inspired,’ she recalls. ‘Then I saw this one, which was rather dilapidated but had a wonderful, homely feel and a strong sense of character, just waiting to be revitalised.’ The house was also surrounded by a large garden, suitable for the family’s brood of chickens, and woodland beyond, accentuating its peaceful feel. ‘My friend whispered, “This is it!” and I couldn’t have agreed more,’ she says.
This story is from the May 2023 edition of 25 Beautiful Homes.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2023 edition of 25 Beautiful Homes.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![A Labour of Love](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5136/1557540/Bmi3bxk3A1704350505050/crp_A-LABOUR-OF-LOVE.jpg)
A Labour of Love
Morgan Scott-Murch and her husband Jon worked hard to turn bedsits into a beautiful home
![LIGHT relief](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5136/1557540/EPZswBPx81704353914554/LIGHT-RELIEF.jpg)
LIGHT relief
Leila and Ali Mestiri called in the experts to modernise their dated period property and make it bright and beautiful
![Grand ambition](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5136/1557540/78O36Kv711704353725374/GRAND-AMBITION.jpg)
Grand ambition
Making changes to a listed historic house comes with many challenges, but that didn't stop Penny and Richard Ballard achieving their dreams
![COUNTRY calling](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5136/1557540/i968AmD5l1704353550285/COUNTRY CALLING.jpg)
COUNTRY calling
Anita and Tom Storrar have cleverly enhanced their pretty stone cottage in the North York Moors National Park, which is the focal point of their idyllic family life
![CUSTOM FIT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5136/1557540/0s2n4COjf1704353338348/CUSTOM-FIT.jpg)
CUSTOM FIT
A contemporary Huf Haus proved to be the ideal home for David and Greta Iredale to showcase their love of mid-century design
![Urban OASIS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5136/1557540/ZQZEF-lCf1704353110797/URBAN OASIS.jpg)
Urban OASIS
Interior designer Ruchi A. Mohan was well placed to turn a dated and compact New York City apartment into a calm, cool and collected abode
![Best laid plans](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5136/1557540/iwJmc1K7Z1704352861967/BEST-LAID-PLANS.jpg)
Best laid plans
A renovation and significant extension have future-proofed Rossella and Tim van der Weyden's Victorian terrace for years to come
![AT ONE with nature](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5136/1557540/7fPYa98cP1704352493119/AT-ONE-WITH-NATURE.jpg)
AT ONE with nature
The couple who built this home on the outskirts of Antwerp were influenced by their experience of living in Japan, so the inside is as peaceful as the outside
![Dream come true](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5136/1557540/mszaPcoL21704350999448/DREAM-COME-TRUE.jpg)
Dream come true
Moving from a semi to a detached period house in need of some care was a happy adventure for Am and Aman Hayer
![CLEAR VISION](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5136/1557540/AML1tKJgM1704350761412/CLEAR-VISION.jpg)
CLEAR VISION
Katie and Andrew Probert couldn't resist the chance to buy a Victorian doer-upper on a street they'd always wanted to live on