Making a home a true reflection of oneself takes patience and vision, says designer and maker Kathy Crisp. And her home, a pretty Victorian redbrick villa in Sussex, which she shares with her partner Russell Sherry, is testament to their creativity and dedication.
The house was in a sorry state when they first saw it back in 2003, yet the building's sense of history really appealed to the couple. They found themselves drawn to the stories of the previous occupants, in particular Mr Charles Mathews, who established a small nursery business that he ran from the house and the surrounding land. He later founded a chapel from which Kathy's business, Chapel House Studio, takes its name. 'We have some wonderful old photographs of Edwardian workers picking asters here,' says Kathy, who is a keen gardener and passionate dahlia grower. She particularly delights in the fact that the double cellar beneath her home was once used to store dahlia tubers.
From the outset, Kathy and Russell were determined to tackle the restoration of their home slowly and thoughtfully, in order to preserve the period details and honour its history. 'We've shown respect for its original features, all of which have been left in situ,' says Kathy, of the work they have done. When it came to furnishing their home, the couple, who are not fans of buying new, preferred to trawl auctions and antiques shops for pieces to complement furniture passed down from their families. The kitchen cupboards are a case in point. Spotted on eBay, Kathy revamped them with a fresh coat of paint and a new worktop, which she commissioned from Earthy Timber, a local company.
This story is from the September 2023 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.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2023 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.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Animal magic
Brought to life in myriad ways, whether printed, woven or embroidered, animals and birds have always been popular motifs in textile design, says Celia Rufey
Bright, bold and BRILLIANT
Small homes don't need to compromise on character. In Nick Kenny's two-up, two-down terrace, natural light, upcycled pieces and colourful accents make a big impact
Petite et chic
Amanda Grant and Kristian Dean's compact apartment encapsulates the essence of continental country house style
A thrifty MIX
Jill De Búrca's home was once a buy-to-let. Now that she's finally moved in, she has begun to furnish it with a quirky combination of antiques, vintage pieces and high street finds
Scholarly SANCTUARY
Statement antiques create drama in this one-bedroom former school hall, owned by antiques dealer Jean Hill
HEIRLOOMS OF THE FUTURE - FLORA JAMIESON
The stained glass artist talks to Dominique Corlett about the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement and capturing the English countryside at its best
Armillary sphere
The roots of the armillary sphere go back centuries but the design has retained its appeal, and sculptor David Harber creates some of today's most spectacular examples, says Jenny Oldaker
Six of the best HERITAGE RAILWAYS
Plying an 84-mile round trip route through the Scottish Highlands (current licensing woes willing), the Jacobite Steam Train starts at Fort William and skirts the tallest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, and spectacular beaches on its way to Mallaig.
TRAVEL
48 hours in Stockholm and the best heritage railways.
A PERSONAL PASSION
For opera lovers, Glyndebourne Festival is the highlight of the summer, beloved for its magical setting as well as the calibre of its productions. Celia Rufey steps behind the scenes as it celebrates its 90th birthday