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Pastures NEW

Ideal Home UK

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October 2025

A CHANCE CONVERSATION PROMPTED ANNE AND JOHN TO EMBRACE A RURAL LIFESTYLE AND TRANSFORM A FORMER VICARAGE

Pastures NEW

When Anne Spratling and John Ayris completed the renovation of their Edwardian seaside home, they weren't planning to move. But a conversation with friends about country life planted a seed, and not long after, they found themselves drawn to a former vicarage in the Kent countryside. Now restored and extended, their 1830s property is a space where history, nature and modern design coexist beautifully.

WHAT DREW YOU TO THIS HOUSE?

'We spoke to some friends who told us a romantic story about taking on a crumbling old house in the countryside.

That really captured our imagination and got us thinking."

imageWERE THERE ANY CONDITIONS ATTACHED TO BUYING A FORMER VICARAGE?

'Yes, actually. The previous owner wanted reassurance that we would respect both the heritage of the house and the community around it. The property had long-standing ties with the local parish, and the land had historically been used by neighbours for raising animals. We knew we needed to tread carefully and sensitively."

imageWHAT STATE WAS IT IN WHEN YOU BOUGHT IT?

FLERE HISTORIER FRA Ideal Home UK

Ideal Home UK

Ideal Home UK

BIG KITCHEN VS A SEPARATE UTILITY

CAN'T DECIDE BETWEEN THE TWO? CHECK OUT THE PROS AND CONS BELOW TO HELP YOU PICK THE BEST FOR YOU

time to read

2 mins

February 2026

Ideal Home UK

Ideal Home UK

hometruths

SARAH PARISH GETS UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH HER HOME

time to read

2 mins

February 2026

Ideal Home UK

Ideal Home UK

WATERLOGGED LAWNS

IF YOUR LAWN IS LOOKING MORE BOGGY THAN VERDANT, HERE'S HOW TO RESCUE IT

time to read

2 mins

February 2026

Ideal Home UK

Ideal Home UK

IT NOW HAS timeless interest

PHIL RESCUED A NEGLECTED 18TH-CENTURY CORNISH COTTAGE AND FILLED IT WITH COLOUR AND TEXTURED WOOD TO BREATHE LIFE INTO THE BUILDING ONCE MORE

time to read

2 mins

February 2026

Ideal Home UK

Ideal Home UK

Clear VISION

AN ORIEL WINDOW SEAT AND PIVOTING GLASS DOORS MAXIMISE THE FEELING OF SPACE IN NATALIE AND ANTHONY'S LIGHT-FILLED HOME

time to read

2 mins

February 2026

Ideal Home UK

Ideal Home UK

Mood boosting decor

LOOKING TO LIFT YOUR HOME'S MOOD? WE ASKED THE EXPERTS FOR THEIR TIPS ON CREATING A FEEL-GOOD SPACE

time to read

3 mins

February 2026

Ideal Home UK

Ideal Home UK

Best of both worlds

CLEVER PLANNING AND BOLD USE OF COLOUR MEANS MEL AND SLEV'S NEW KITCHEN IS BOTH PRACTICAL AND EYE-CATCHING

time to read

2 mins

February 2026

Ideal Home UK

Ideal Home UK

The 10 minute declutter

DITCH THE TIME-CONSUMING DECLUTTERING SESSION AND DISCOVER THE TEN THINGS THAT YOU CAN TIDY UP IN A MERE TEN MINUTES

time to read

5 mins

February 2026

Ideal Home UK

Ideal Home UK

Highland fling

Cosy up this month with one of these comforting dishes inspired by life in the Scottish highlands

time to read

4 mins

February 2026

Ideal Home UK

Ideal Home UK

Hygge living rooms

WARM UP YOUR HOME WITH THIS DANISH CONCEPT AND COSY AESTHETIC

time to read

3 mins

February 2026

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