RURAL BLISS

Taking on a wreck in the country was far from straightforward for Wendy and John Gillah, but now they’re reaping the rewards

After a full renovation, this couple can now enjoy the lifestyle that their Kent countryside property promised

After deciding to downsize from their elegant Arts and Crafts house in Tunbridge Wells, Wendy and John Gillah were under no illusions as to why they were buying a 1940s semi a few miles further out in the Kent countryside. ‘It was the worst house in the best location,’ says Wendy.

The ex-council property was built for agricultural workers in the area but had become run down, and in Wendy’s words, ‘needed to be loved’. Unlike most of the dwellings in this conservation area, this one wasn’t full of period charm or listed, so structural changes would be fairly unrestricted. The couple particularly loved the fact that it was set back from the road and slightly hidden – in fact, a bit too hidden for John’s liking. ‘It was fronted by a row of massive leylandii that completely blocked the views,’ he says.

Adamant they could add some character and make better use of space, the Gillahs were thrilled when their offer was accepted. Their delight was rather short-lived, though – on the day of completion Wendy opened the door, looked around at the forlorn space and in that moment, the magnitude of their task hit home. She turned to John, burst into tears and said, ‘What have we done?’

But the couple quickly looked at the positives – they both have design backgrounds so could easily visualise its reincarnation. As well as reconfiguring the rooms so that unused rooms, such as a coal store, an outside toilet and a utility room were knocked into one to become part of the main house, the

number one priority was adding an extension to give them a new dining area plus open up the snug.

After a year or so, the building work commenced, with the odd little hiccup keeping the pair on their toes. ‘While waiting for the new foundations to dry, we had a major flood in that area, which set us back a couple of weeks,’ says Wendy. ‘Then we discovered we were sharing a mains water supply with next door, which explained the trickle of water when we ran the bath.’

To the Gillahs’ relief, their water problems were eventually rectified and shortly after, the dining extension was completed. The adjacent former outhouse was duly transformed into a beautiful kitchen, to which Wendy and John added a vaulted ceiling with skylight, not to mention a bespoke Shaker style kitchen.

With all the structural work complete, and the whole house renovated, including new electrics and plumbing, Wendy and John could finally turn all their attention to investing the place with a homely feel. ‘Luckily, coming from a bigger house, we had more than enough furnishings to fill this place,’ says Wendy.

After just a few years, the couple were finally able to enjoy the fruits of their labours. ‘The leylandii have long been removed, which gives us uninterrupted views across fields and we can fully enjoy the lifestyle that this place promised us,’ says John. And for Wendy, it’s about embracing those everyday signs of rural life. ‘A hay-laden tractor blocking the lane may not be everyone’s idea of bliss,’ she says, ‘but that’s country life and we love it.’

SITTING ROOM ‘Adding wall panelling introduced a period feel,’ says Wendy. Walls in Strong White estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr; panelling in Shadow White estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, both Farrow & Ball. Antique French style overmantel mirror, £369, Homes Direct 365, would work here. For log carrier baskets, from £48, try Marquis & Dawe

KITCHEN-DINER Shaker cabinetry suits this space perfectly. ‘The framed vintage poster adds character,’ says John. Bespoke Shaker kitchen units with Quartz worktops, price on request, Harvey Jones. For classic seaside posters, from £11.50, try Retro Print Shop. Engineered rustic oak flooring, £75sq m, UK Flooring Direct

SNUG A wood burner creates an attractive focal point. Clearview Pioneer 400P stove, £1,374, Direct Stoves. Blackcurrant throw, £85, Bronte by Moon, is similar. Try the Dormouse Herringbone rug, £245, Vegan Haven

BATHROOM Hexagonal flooring gives the coastal theme a unique twist. Walls in Hague Blue estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Roman blinds in Duck Egg Denim ticking fabric, £57m, Vanessa Arbuthnott. Try Ashford Hexagon floor tiles, £19.95sq m, Victorian Plumbing

MAIN BEDROOM The dark feature wall adds an element of drama. Main wall in Down Pipe estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. The Avery bed has this feel, £1,299, Bensons for Beds. Try the Newgate Wimbledon wall clock, £149, John Lewis & Partners