FLOWER POWER
Florist Brenda Dowding and her husband, Dave Williamson, have embraced all things whimsical, romantic and vintage to create a holiday feel at home
While most couples whose children have left home are downsizing, Brenda Dowding and Dave Williamson decided on the opposite approach. ‘My business was expanding,’ says Brenda, a wedding florist and designer, ‘so I needed more space for my floral demonstrations, painting courses and stock. When we first looked at this property, I was enchanted by the location, the stunning views of the Pennines, the lake, and the large rooms.’
Structurally, the house was sound, and only the dated carpets and curtains were not to the couple’s liking. ‘ We reckoned it would be no more than a cosmetic job,’ says Brenda wistfully, ‘ but first impressions can be deceptive. Once we moved in, we earmarked several features we wanted to change.’
First a wall, which made the hall and snug seem dark, was removed. Next, Dave, a mechanical engineer, builder and property developer, applied for planning permission to add terraces along the front façade. ‘This gave the house a New England holiday home look,’ says Brenda, ‘especially when Dave replaced the small windows in the attic with French doors opening onto the new decked balcony.’
Meanwhile, Brenda developed her soft mellow colour schemes to showcase the vintage furniture and accessories that she sells from home, as well as her floristry work and furniture-painting samples. ‘The choice of limed oak flooring instead of the patterned carpets was crucial to my French country style,’ she says, ‘and painting some dark wood ceilings white, helped improve the quality
of light.’ Brenda also refreshed the original fireplaces in the snug and kitchen.
With its high apex roof, the spacious kitchen was converted from the old garage, and it is now Brenda’s favourite place to be creative. ‘I stage cooking demonstrations as well as painting courses here, and would-be brides come to view my floral suggestions for their weddings as well,’ she explains. ‘Everybody loves this room.’
Her toughest challenge was furnishing the 30ft sitting room, which has two stone pillars at its centre. ‘Previous owners possibly intended to add a fireplace but never got round to it,’ says Brenda. ‘I decided to use the structures as a pivotal point, positioning a series of small seating zones and a dining area around it. The pillars have become a real feature, which I decorate seasonally – for instance, in summer, I fill the space between them with roses and blossom trees.’
Brenda’s style is opulent and feminine, to the extent that Dave is pleased to have been allocated his own sitting room. ‘It’s a no-cushion zone,’ smiles Brenda, who confesses that she could not live in a minimalist house. ‘Dave thinks our home is a bit cluttered, but I believe there’s still lots of space yet to fill. But aside from that, we both love it here so much, and we hope it will be our forever home.’
DECORATING TIP ‘Candles, flowers and twinkling lights add sparkle and glamour all the year round’