HIDDEN TREASURES

David Reade undertook a major renovation of his parents' historic home and discovered a centuries-old inglenook fireplace and other amazing things in the process

- STEPHANIE SMITH

Upgrading a historic house that has been in his family for more than 80 years proved to be a very personal project for David Reade. ‘I grew up here, but my parents, John and Margaret, who ran a market garden from the land behind the house, carried on living here for the rest of their lives.’ After his mother’s death, the empty house, whose origins can be traced right back to the Elizabethan era, started to go downhill. ‘It had no central heating, with the water heated by a coal-fired Rayburn, so it was always cold. A large water leak five years ago meant I either had to renovate or sell up.’

Having decided he couldn’t let the house go, David instructed architects and consulted with historic building experts. ‘While the planning process was going through, I also asked the advice of interior designer Susie Stocks of Susie Stocks Designs.’ Increasing the number of bathrooms and creating some open-plan living spaces were the big recommendations from Susie.