HIDDEN TREASURE
There were surprise discoveries aplenty during the renovation of Gayle Wailes’ listed home
Despite years of neglect, this Georgian townhouse in Lincolnshire had some thrilling surprises in store for its new owners
Before Gayle and Richard Wailes bought their elegant townhouse, family life was far from ideal. Gayle and the couple’s two children, Eddie, now 20, and Claudia, 17, were based in Cambridgeshire while Richard was working in London for most of the week. Searching for a home to put down roots together, Gayle spotted a house for sale in the centre of an impressive Georgian terrace in Lincolnshire and went to view it immediately. Smitten by the graceful proportions of the rooms, which were arranged over four floors, she recognised the flexibility the house could offer.
‘With two teenagers and lots of visitors, several floors seemed like a great opportunity,’ recalls Gayle, who also adored the views over the surrounding countryside. But having been rented out for almost a decade, the house had been seriously neglected and considerable renovations were needed.
The first undertaking was a new roof followed by replacing the barely functioning boiler and plumbing. ‘A lot of money was spent on very unglamorous jobs but they had to be done,’ says Gayle. Despite the unloved state of the interior, she didn’t rush to begin the transformation, preferring to wait a few months until she had developed a sense of how each room would be used.
Redecoration began in the south-facing sitting room, where Gayle was confident that a darker shade would work on the walls due to the abundance of natural light. Sumptuous velvet sofas, stripped oak floorboards and the beautifully restored fireplace draw upon the grand Georgian tradition of a sitting room on the first floor, but with a modern-day twist.
Elsewhere, walls have been painted in a natural palette, providing the perfect backdrop for Gayle’s upcycled vintage furniture. ‘I like to combine softer
pale grey and off-white shades with furniture and accessories in darker tones to add definition,’ she says. The couple brought only their favourite items from their previous home, preferring instead to seek out vintage and antique furniture especially chosen for each room. ‘I’m a huge fan of Newark Antiques Fair and habitually return to the same particular few traders who specialise in the reclaimed, distressed look that I love,’ explains Gayle. ‘I also scour auction sites and keep my eyes peeled for local bargains.’
In the kitchen, the couple were thrilled to discover that the existing granite worktops were immaculate, although the cabinetry was in need of cosmetic attention. Refurbishing, repainting and new handles provided an inexpensive update, while the addition of open shelving means that Gayle’s vast collection of vintage kitchenalia is always within easy reach and also adds a striking decorative touch. ‘The previous owners left a fabulous range cooker by Lacanche behind, too, which we had reconditioned and now looks like new,’ she adds.
Many more fantastic finds were revealed as the renovations continued, including some beautiful chandelier light fittings covered in dust and dirt, oak flooring, original fireplaces and cast-iron radiators. ‘Every room contained a surprise and it was a bit like stumbling upon lost treasure,’ recalls Gayle whose training as a fashion designer influences her approach to the colour, texture and symmetry of her furnishings. ‘I was striving for a relaxed and welcoming feeling throughout, so I use plenty of candles and home fragrances, as well as fresh flowers and house plants, which add a little joie de vivre,’ she explains. ‘We have guests of all ages and everyone says they feel very comfortable here, which is the best compliment I could receive.’