YORKSHIRE MANOR HOUSE

A moment of intuition led Cherrie Mccarron and Paul Cray to buy the house of their dreams in the heart of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales

Having admired this Georgian treasure for many years, this couple are very happy to now be able to call it their own

❝ THE COMBINATION OF THE GRAND GEORGIAN ARCHITECTURE, ITS LOCATION AND ITS RIVERSIDE SETTING US❞ CAPTIVATED

For years, Cherrie Mccarron and her partner Paul Cray would admire this beautiful Georgian manor house while out on their favourite walk in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. ‘We lost our hearts to the house many years ago on a winter’s walk along the trail,’ says Cherrie. ‘The combination of the grand Georgian architecture, the location and its riverside setting captivated us. I would periodically check to see if the house was on the market, not really believing that we would ever be lucky enough to buy it one day. Three years ago it came up for sale and we decided to head north for a viewing.’

Just minutes into their first look around they were besotted. ‘We decided to follow our hearts and make an offer,’ recalls Cherrie. ‘I grew up in London without a garden or even a park nearby, so the prospect of living in this magical environment was beyond anything I could have dreamed of as a child.’

The purchase proved to be challenging but they were determined not to let it stop them buying the house. Even the fact it needed a major update didn’t put them off. ‘We wanted to be respectful of its heritage while bringing our own lives and personality into it,’ says Cherrie. ‘It is a place where we want to feel completely relaxed and comfortable.’

The house required very little structural work, but there was no kitchen and most of the interior needed renovating,

WE WANTED TO BE RESPECTFUL OF ITS HERITAGE WHILE BRINGING OUR OWN PERSONALITY INTO IT. IT IS A PLACE WHERE WE COMFORTABLE❞ WANT TO FEEL RELAXED AND

including an upgrade to the electrics and heating, replastering and decorating throughout. Windows needed repairing, along with some of the original floorboards, and the overgrown garden was in desperate need of attention.

‘Most of the work was carried out in a six-week period. I lived here while it was going on so I could liaise with the tradespeople and deal with issues as they arose,’ says Cherrie. ‘I slept on the floor and managed without a kitchen – just a table and a combination microwave. I used a sink in the boot room to wash the dishes. It was the middle of February and incredibly cold, but fortunately the bathrooms had been modernised by the previous owner so at least I could have a shower,’ she says.

Once the renovation work was completed, Cherrie and Paul turned their attention to the decor and furniture, creating a look that has evolved over time. ‘I love calming colours and I wanted to enhance the natural light that floods into every room,’ says Cherrie. ‘We also wanted the elegant original features of the house to take precedence, so the furniture and all our fabrics and art are secondary to the architecture.’

They worked with the high, spacious rooms and scale of the property by mixing furniture from different eras, including a few significant items such as the Irish table in the dining room, large mantel mirrors and sofas. They

then added modern large-scale art to pull the entire house together for a smart, cohesive look.

The house sits on a slope so they installed the kitchen on the lower ground floor, which leads to a sunny patio at the back of the house overlooking lawned gardens sloping down to the river and beautiful woodland.

‘I’m not a fan of moodboards when it comes to deciding on a look and I prefer not to follow themes,’ says Cherrie. ‘As an environmentalist, I like to reuse things. There is some amazing furniture out there that just needs a bit of TLC to make it functional again.’ For Cherrie it’s about finding pieces that have a story to tell. ‘I love anything that has a fabulous history attached,’ she says. ‘I always try to source something old first, but then add quirky and eclectic newer pieces, especially anything from an artisan business.’

Cherrie and Paul first bought the house as a second home, with the aim of turning it into a holiday let to help generate some extra income. When it came down to it though, they decided to make this their permanent home instead, moving from their current home in Norfolk as part of a major lifestyle change.

‘A house is not about making a statement,’ says Cherrie. ‘It’s a place where we can be comfortable, be ourselves

– a place that makes us feel special. It’s about creating a space for us to live in.’

I LOVE CALMING COLOURS AND I WANTED TO ENHANCE THE NATURAL LIGHT ROOM❞ THAT FLOODS INTO EVERY

Exterior The Georgian house sits on a hillside with a river running through the bottom of the garden

Dining room It was a tight squeeze getting the elegant 18th-century Irish linen table into the dining room. Table, from Loran & Co Antiques. Mirror, English and Continental Antiques. Map, Graham and Green

Kitchen A muted palette with wooden surfaces creates a classic country scheme. Cabinets, Neptune. Butcher’s block, Louisa Grace Interiors

Living room Beautiful old floorboards and painted panelling link the living and dining rooms, drawing light straight through the house. Sofa, Sofa Workshop. Rug, Habitat. Floor lamp, Rowen & Wren

Living room Cherrie combines old and new for elegant effect. Eames rocking chair, Utility Design. Poster, Rockett St George

Living room The flamingo and crewel work cushions reflect Cherrie’s passion for anything quirky and colourful. Painting by Jonathan Barber. Flamingo cushion, Danish Collection. Crewel work cushions, Niki Jones

Main bedroom A linen French-style bed adds an understated touch. Walls painted in Linen Grey by Susie Watson Designs. Bed, Feather & Black. Footstool, Sofa Workshop. Screen printed lampshades, Emma Purdie

Library bedroom The guest bedroom has a tranquil atmosphere. Walls painted in Elephant’s Breath, Farrow & Ball. Bed, Loaf. Throw, Feather & Black. Cushions, Susie Watson Designs. Pictures, Bookishly

Bedroom Floorboards from a Lancashire cotton mill make an unusual headboard. Throws, The Fine Cotton Company

Bathroom This space has remained as it was when Cherrie and Paul bought the house. For a similar reindeer hide, try Notonthehighstreet.com