Open all hours
Homes & Antiques|September 2022
The surprisingly large interior of a converted pub in Kent has become a creative home for Jessica and Darryl Clifton, and their son
Open all hours

It was one of life's tipping points that triggered the new home search for city-dwellers Jessica and Darryl Clifton. I had an all-consuming job as a broadcast agent and was permanently on call, and we lived literally 20 seconds from the art college where Darryl works,' explains Jessica. 'Work was all we ever seemed to do, and any break in business hours just blurred with normal everyday life.'

The pair realised it would be hard to change their ways while still living in London, and it suddenly felt right to leave. They had recently finished renovating their home in Camberwell and were ready for a new project; they just didn't know what or where that might be.

'We did the usual drive around the M25,' says Jessica. 'We weren't drawn to any particular area, but we both had a feel for the sort of house we would like. We must have been looking for about a year and had offers on two separate houses fall through. It was such a disheartening time, but then my mother suggested Faversham.' It was an inspired suggestion. They liked the feel of this medieval market town and looked at several houses, but again without much success.

'It was Darryl who spotted this one,' says Jessica. 'If I'm honest, it sounded like my idea of hell: low ceilings, dark beams, old pub - no thank you! But when we walked through the door we couldn't believe it was this huge open space, and we could see how much potential it had.'

This story is from the September 2022 edition of Homes & Antiques.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2022 edition of Homes & Antiques.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HOMES & ANTIQUESView All
Six of the best HISTORIC SHOPS
Homes & Antiques

Six of the best HISTORIC SHOPS

Whether you're looking for jewellery, sweet treats or a classic novel, make gift-shopping an event this Mother’ Day with a visit to these historical establishments, says Rhiannon Batten

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
48 hours in MAASTRICHT
Homes & Antiques

48 hours in MAASTRICHT

‘A walled city on a beautiful river, with cobbled streets, stylish boutiques, grand squares and one of the world’s top antiques fairs, Maastricht in the Netherlands is steeped in history and charm, discovers Caroline Wheater

time-read
6 mins  |
March 2024
Pride of place SUNDERLAND LUSTRE
Homes & Antiques

Pride of place SUNDERLAND LUSTRE

Admired for its pearly-pink glaze and often beguiling inscriptions, Sunderland lustre is a collector’s dream, says Janet Gleeson in her first column on regional antiques

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
STAR SALES
Homes & Antiques

STAR SALES

For this months selection, Caroline Wheater focuses on furniture that has recently been offered in Fine sales at some of the UKs best auction houses

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
Antique Rugs
Homes & Antiques

Antique Rugs

Sue and Nick Shrimpton and their daughter Min sell antique rugs through their business, Yarn, after years of collecting for their homes. Sue tells us more...

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
Collecting JOHN OGILBY'S MAPS
Homes & Antiques

Collecting JOHN OGILBY'S MAPS

A typical 17th-century county map finely detailed towns, villages and rivers, yet it was Ogilby who made roads the focus

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
HEART OF OAK
Homes & Antiques

HEART OF OAK

From tables to coffers, beautifully handcarved pieces of early oak furniture are as useful today as they were over 400 years ago, and work surprisingly well in modern interiors

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
UK FAIRS SPECIAL 2024
Homes & Antiques

UK FAIRS SPECIAL 2024

Whether youre searching for a key piece to complete your collection, or hoping to find interiors inspiration and afew decorative items to update your home, a fair is the place to start, says Charlotte Packer

time-read
8 mins  |
March 2024
Spitalfields Silk
Homes & Antiques

Spitalfields Silk

During the 18th century, thousands of skilled Huguenot silk weavers settled in east London’s Spitalfields, kickstarting the golden age of English silk design and production, says Celia Rufey

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
A lesson IN STYLE
Homes & Antiques

A lesson IN STYLE

Nestled in one of the Cotswolds' most notable villages, this unique historic property has seen numerous changes over the years, but is now a welcoming home, thanks to its industrious owners

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024