Family values
Anthea and Daniel Biggs injected a former rectory with a fresh country feel, turning it into a cherished home for their growing brood
When it comes to breathing new life into interiors, Anthea Biggs has a tried-and-tested formula that involves a pile of magazines and an old-fashioned pin board. ‘I buy a dozen copies or so, cut out images that speak to me and pin them up,’ she says. ‘I come back to it a few days later with fresh eyes and I know what direction to go in.’
This method has worked especially well since Anthea moved into this handsome rectory with her husband, Daniel, four years ago. The couple were keen to find a space in which they could make their mark as well accommodate their growing family, including children Alfie, seven, Teddy, four and Lily, two.
The rectory belonged to the church until shortly after the Second World War. Since then it has seen a host of alterations, from extensions to staircase reconfigurations – some sympathetic and some less successful. ‘When we viewed this house, we were looking for a bit of a project, but there was little to do as it seemed quite finished,’ recalls Anthea. ‘However, once we scratched the surface, we realised how wrong we were. The original sash windows were rotting, wallpaper had simply been plastered over, and behind the MDF radiator covers were bare walls. We had our hands full.’
The couple attended to the bones of the house, repairing windows, and replacing radiators. They then set about creating a balance between country and contemporary styles. ‘This house is evolving into a place where wellies and dogs will be a fixture, but I love an elegant, light touch too,’ says Anthea.
The resulting rooms revolve around a palette of pure grey and shades of blue, from powder to richer tones. ‘Against that, we introduced fresh notes, such as geometric bathroom tiles, combined with traditional pieces, including farmhouse tables, gilt mirrors and upholstered or cane beds,’ says Anthea. The dining room and sitting room are largely adult-only spaces designed as zones for relaxing or celebrating special occasions. In the sitting room, she has chosen a modern twist on country style with fresh, botanical prints and a Chesterfieldstyle sofa in a modern denim blue.
Furnishing such a generous space takes a good design eye and a nose for affordable solutions and Anthea has developed both over time. ‘I love visiting local auction houses,’ she says. ‘There’s a real pleasure to be had in rescuing lessfashionable pieces and placing them in a new context.’ A case in point is the set of elegant balloon-back dining chairs that Anthea paid around £100 for before taking them to her local restorer and upholsterer. ‘Objects with a story are especially important to us,’ she says. ‘ We love being part of the narrative of this house, and hopefully there are many more chapters to come.’