WARMTH & SIMPLICITY

We chose reclaimed wherever we could,' explains Lee Thornley, the creative and business brain behind artisan tile company Bert & May, about the details he incorporated into the North Yorkshire home he shares with partner Phil Brocklebank and their children, Lyla and Iris.

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There's also handmade terracotta on the floor in the kitchen, reclaimed elm boards elsewhere downstairs and a reclaimed oak floor upstairs. The dining table is made from ancient Spanish shutters, and the snug, where we snuggle up for movie nights, is clad in salvaged timber. Even the bath is a restored antique!"

But the pair did disagree over the tiles for the kitchen splashback. ‘Phil wanted a graphic style called Rio, but I reasoned that a sandy-coloured zellige would be timeless. I won that one, but the Rio tiles have ended up around the kitchen fireplace, which now looks like a piece of art.’

Similarly, the couple opted for kitchen furniture that has a nostalgic aesthetic, with warm wood, gentle curves and slim, glazed storage. Upcycled oak cupboards have been finished with coats of oil, which means Lee and Phil can easily repair any scrapes and scratches. ‘The island went through scores of different design possibilities, and then we decided to customise it even further by extending it by 10 feet, so it would look at home in the open-plan space.’