Right time, right place A pretty cottage updated in a pale colour scheme
A pretty cottage has been updated with a pale colour scheme and upcycled finds
When it comes to house searches, timing is everything – just as Katie and David Ives discovered. Having rejected a dark cottage after viewing it on a rainy day, the couple took a second look on a sunny afternoon and spotted potential in every nook and cranny. They even unearthed some British comedy history in the process.
‘Having lived in the country all of my life, I missed it so much after moving into David’s bungalow in the town of High Wycombe. So, about five years ago, we sold his property and moved back in with our parents to save money while looking for the perfect home,’ says Katie, who dreamed of a house she could fill with antiques. ‘I wanted character, low beams and a large open fire, though David wasn’t particularly set on a period building as he wanted as much space as possible for our money,’ she explains. ‘We found this property quite early on in our search, but it was a dull day and the cottage seemed gloomy with its dark green walls. It wasn’t the home I’d pictured and we discounted it right away. But, three months and several rejected offers later, we went back for a second viewing. This time the sun was shining and everything was transformed,’ says Katie.
Second time round she uncovered a period fireplace hidden by clutter in the second bedroom – it hadn’t even been mentioned in the brochure. The couple also discovered that the cottage was formerly home to script writer John Junkin, who worked with many of the comedy greats, from Morecombe and Wise to Spike Milligan. ‘This time I fell for it – though I think living with parents had focused our minds too,’ confesses Katie.
‘The cottage had already been extended across the back to give a much bigger kitchen-diner – the only major work we had to do was to fit some new lighting and replace the single-glazed bay window in the living room. It was so draughty that in the middle of winter the curtains would blow and the condensation pooled on the window sill. We replaced this with a beautiful double-glazed bay. We were really excited too at having an open fire and decided it would be romantic to light it on our first night. But, as the chimney hadn’t been swept in many years, the smoke came billowing back into the room. Hence we got a woodburner!’ says Katie.
She describes her style as ‘relaxed country charm’, preferring calm colours and minimal clutter, teamed with a selection of antiques. Cream walls have made the rooms look bigger and smart storage ideas have played a part in maximising the space. ‘We had to be clever with the furniture and either have built-in storage or source pieces – such as our bedroom wardrobe – which
fits perfectly; it’s time-consuming, but worth it. My favourite rooms are the bedroom and our bathroom.
I’d always wanted a rolltop bath and nothing beats getting into it after a long day. The bathroom was painted a bold green when we bought the house and felt very small. I painted it in a neutral shade and removed the built-in storage to open up the space,’ says Katie, who also changed the lighting in the bedroom. ‘We put in a chandelier. As the ceilings are high, it highlights the space, giving a sense of grandeur and luxury.’
As part of the sale, the vendors, who lived in New Zealand, had asked if they could leave some furniture. ‘Once we started going through it all we discovered lovely old pieces, too tatty to keep but too good to just throw out. They prompted my passion for upcycling, which I do in John Junkin’s old script shed,’ adds Katie.
Despite their reservations during that soggy first viewing, the couple have no regrets about buying their home. ‘I can hardly believe now that we ruled it out in the first instance and, but for the sunshine on the second viewing, we may not have given it another chance. We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else now.’
See Katie’s upcycled pieces at thelittlevintage.co.uk
‘I wanted character, low beams and a large open fire,’
SAYS KATIE