past perfect
Thanks to Sarah and Gary Croake, this dated farmhouse has been lovingly restored while retaining its fascinating historical links
A light, ethereal backdrop allows the period details of this Derbyshire farmhouse to shine
When Sarah and Gary Croake began restoring a rambling farmhouse in Derbyshire, one of their priorities was to preserve its period features, particularly a stone pillar. ‘During our first viewing we were amazed to discover that a pillar in the kitchen had been created using stone from a medieval castle – the remains of which are in the garden,’ says Sarah.
Back in 2015, the couple had been living in a cottage nearby, with their son Sidney, now three. ‘This is a super area to bring up children,’ says Sarah, who owns a bridal shop. ‘We didn’t want to leave but we were rapidly outgrowing our home.’
While out for a walk one day, Sarah was thrilled to see a For Sale sign outside an attractive farmhouse. Having made some enquiries, she realised that it not only had plenty of space inside, but it also had a large garden and orchard, plus several outbuildings. ‘At the time, my father and brother had been looking for larger premises
for their property business, Stanton Developments, and I felt this could be the perfect spot for both us and them,’ she says.
NEW BEGINNING
That summer, having clinched the deal, the Croakes moved in with Sarah’s parents, while work began. ‘The house was tired and dark, and was crying out for a new lease of life,’ says Sarah. While planning how to sensitively restore their new acquisition, the couple agreed that a neutral backdrop would allow the period features, including beams, quirky doors and inglenook fireplaces, to sing out. ‘One of the first jobs was removing the mustard paint in the kitchen to expose the beautiful stone pillar,’ says Sarah.
The Croakes finally moved into their newly renovated home on Christmas Eve. ‘Every room was decorated, but only in pale shades of cream and white,’ recalls Sarah. Keen to add colour without detracting from the property’s period charm, she turned to Helen Orrock, who runs The Interiors Lady, for her expert advice. ‘The focus was on accentuating the leaded windows without drawing attention to the uneven ceilings,’ explains Helen. ‘To this end, I suggested using acrylic poles and finials.
DecoratIVe DetaILS
‘Sarah and I worked our way through every room, choosing fabrics for the curtains and blinds,’ says Helen. ‘The silk curtains in the master bedroom were interlined for a more luxurious look. And although the main bathroom was in good condition, it needed a more contemporary feel, so I recommended striking herringbone tiles.’
The result of months of hard work is a stunning, much-loved home. ‘We feel very privileged to be living in a house with such a rich history,’ says Sarah. ‘It has been incredibly rewarding to create a lovely home with plenty of space for Sidney and our new arrival, Clemence, now seven months, not to mention all our friends and family.’
favourite feature‘ We particularly like the beautiful copper fireplace hood in the snug – it’s so unusual and makes such a striking centrepiece’