THE LONG ROAD TO HOME

After travelling the world, Holly and Al Hartley returned to their Derbyshire roots and converted a farmhouse and outbuildings into their family home

- NAOMI JONES

When something is worth doing, it’s worth doing properly,‘ says award-winning education consultant Holly Hartley. ‘I’ve worked in some of the most deprived schools in the UK and abroad and I know the only way to turn a difficult situation around is to create a team of passionate people and inspire them to overcome any challenges they might face.’ Similarly, four years ago, Holly knew she’d need a talented team of renovation experts when she and her husband Al took on this 400-year-old farmhouse – the décor was a little tired and the way the outbuildings were being used needed a huge rethink. Working with an expert team was an education in design and project planning.