Refined style

Carefully chosen antiques, period details and a pared-back palette set the tone for this 19th-century brick-and-flint cottage in Norfolk

- AMANDA HARLING

Gillian Harwood leads a busy life, dividing her time between homes in London and Norfolk. She thinks nothing of rising at 5am in order to miss rush-hour traffic and heading to Norfolk, where as often as not she'll meet a friend for an early breakfast before a business meeting. She bought her terraced cottage in the village of Holt five years ago and finds it ideal for brief visits which, due to her full schedule, rarely last as long as she'd like. Until recently she ran a large historic building in north London, which she'd converted with her late partner into studios and individual workspaces. New ownership has given her time to concentrate on new projects, such as the redevelopment of Great Yarmouth, an hour's drive from Holt.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the town was a thriving port for the herring fishing industry, and much of its architecture dates from that period. But its importance as a port has declined, and likewise many of the buildings. Gillian first visited the town 10 years ago and, having experience in repurposing redundant period buildings, she wanted to ensure that Great Yarmouth's potential for regeneration would be recognised before it was too late. 'Housing there is more affordable than in many other towns, and it's encouraging that there is a growing community of artists and designers.' Before lockdown she bought a defunct 19th-century pub, which she's currently converting into two-holiday flats. Hopefully I'll be welcoming the first visitors before the summer is over,' she says.