MODERN HERITAGE
A former artist’s 200-year-old home in need of complete renovation was the perfect find for stylist Ciara Elliott
A Georgian home in Essex has been given a contemporary update
When we bought our house, it hadn’t been touched for about 40 years,’ says interiors journalist and stylist Ciara Elliott. ‘A Royal Academy artist and his wife had lived here for all their married lives, and while they had maintained it to a certain degree, they had really spent nothing, so the windows were all rotting and there was rising damp, dry rot and peeling wallpaper.’
Despite all of the work they knew they would have to do, Ciara and her husband Ben were very much drawn to the property’s unique history and extensive garden that was landscaped in the French style. ‘There was a side gate that took us to the lily pond with a beautiful overhanging magnolia tree – we were absolutely enchanted,’ says Ciara.
On the practical side, the house was in a very good town location and catchment area for excellent primary and secondary schools for their daughters, Astrid and Edie, aged 11 and nine. It’s also conveniently situated beside a mainline rail link into London, so both Ciara and Ben can commute without much hassle.
However, the property needed the full works in order to make it liveable, and due to the costs involved it had to be done in two phases. The first phase was gutting the house and dealing with damp and insulation, as well as putting in a family bathroom and replastering and painting throughout.
The second phase was achieved two years later, after the family had sold off some of their garden to pay for it. ‘Costs were just spiralling,’ says Ciara. ‘And even though we had
done so much, we still hadn’t managed to extend to have a decent kitchen or build the annexe for Ben’s mum.’
The family then moved out, renting an Airbnb around the corner, while the builders came back to put in the double-height extension to the rear and side of the house, as well as two new kitchens and two new bathrooms.
With so much basic building work to do, Ciara says they didn’t have much left in the budget for furniture. ‘All of those unseen extras, including boarding out the new attic, insulating the basement and putting in stud walls, meant we had to break into the fund we’d put aside for the interiors.’
As Ciara’s work involves being surrounded by the changing trends in interior design, she says one of the biggest challenges was trying to pick a theme and stay with it. ‘In the end I’ve given up,’ she laughs. ‘I have too much choice and I change my style all the time! I am, however, always drawn to beautiful shapes and artwork. I love colour and embellishment and pictures everywhere, so as long as I can rearrange the shelves and furniture, I’m happy.
I also believe in paying a price for original furniture and artwork, and I’d rather hold out for a big statement piece than fill the house just for the sake of it.’
decorating tip ‘If you love colour, start with a neutral so you can layer up with accessories and paintwork afterwards’