Modern history

Danielle and Simon King have sympathetically renovated a 17th-century farmhouse, combining modern day comfort with traditional country style

- MARISHA TAYLOR

Kitchen

‘This space has undergone the biggest transformation, from a disused stable to a large family kitchen where we now spend most of our time together.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES The faux leather dining chairs with brass legs, £125 each, Rockett St George, are simiiar. Brooklyn 5 wire ceiling light, £159, Industville, is a close match.

Danielle King, a primary school teacher, lives here with her husband Simon, a building contractor and their daughters, Mila, six and Winona, three.

THE PROPERTY

A Grade II-listed, 17thcentury farmhouse and stable in Berkhamsted, which have been combined to create a large family home.

VALUE: Bought in 2017 for £895,000. It’s now worth £1.7m.

“It was a huge project but worth the pain to create a unique home ”

We found this Grade II-listed, 17thcentury farmhouse, with an adjacent stable, in a quiet location on the outskirts of Berkhamstead,’ says Danielle. ‘It was quirky and full of period character and had potential to attach the main house to the stable, creating an open plan living space. We had no way of knowing whether English Heritage would agree the planning permission, so it was a bit of a risky purchase!’

Kitchen

‘The snug area to the side of the extension connects to the kitchen and dining area, where you can sit and relax but still feel part of the action.’