A yearning for more space and a connection to nature crept up gradually on Katy Stevenson Bretton. She had grown up in Scotland, then moved to east London in her twenties. It was there she met her husband, James, and their two sons were born, but something was missing. ‘I was craving fresh air, big skies and the sense of freedom that I had enjoyed as a child,’ she explains.
While James had grown up in Wimbledon and admits his longing for country life was less intense, he too had come to relish weekends spent in Norfolk, somewhere the family found easy to reach from east London. Time together, walks and trips to the beach had become increasingly important, so the couple decided it was time to make a move. ‘We sold our large house in Hackney and downsized to a three-bedroom apartment in the area, which gave us the funds to look for a weekend cottage,’ says Katy. ‘We focussed on Norfolk, because we had spent time there as a couple before having children and always felt a special connection to the area. The colours of the landscape – the soft blues, the natural scrub and miles of golden beaches – also remind me of Scotland.’
Bu hikaye Country Homes & Interiors dergisinin October 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Country Homes & Interiors dergisinin October 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Sowing the seeds for a life of abundance
The perpetual rhythm of planting, tending and harvesting brings a feeling of hope and fulfilment to Diana Yates, and it extends beyond her Greenfields garden to all of her life
Cabin fever
Offering cosy, doll's house-sized country retreats, cabins combine modern comforts with an immersive experience of nature
'Building boats has become my passion'
Wooden boat builder, Obioma Oji
Cover-up job
Durable and decorative, cladding is a brilliant way to protect your home's exterior without compromising its aesthetics
Flights of fancy
Replace or refurbish your staircase and you'll elevate the appearance of your home at every level. Here are the steps to take...
TRUE BLUE
A firm favourite for decorating, blue is one of the most restful, mindful shades in the colour spectrum. Stylist and interiors expert Sara Bird shares how to use it in your country home
COUNTER INTELLIGENCE
Practical and inspiring ideas for selecting the best kitchen worktop for your space
A GARDEN GLOW-UP
As late summer days begin to shorten, extend your time outdoors with a blend of practical and decorative lighting
TRÈS BELLE
Sharon and Tony Dallas have turned their dilapidated Grade II-listed house in Essex into an enchanting home with a considered colour palette and French treasures galore
HOME AT LAST
Having often walked past their dream property over the years, Rich and Emma Proud finally became its owners and turned it into a comfortable home for three generations of their family