Page 112 - Homes amp Gardens UK February 2021
P. 112
INSPIRATION
or a successful home project, often comes in. ‘A lot of ideas they’d set up were the right
a balance between the architecture answers because they’d lived here so long. I was
and landscape is key. Set in a meadow mindful of the ways they had used the house and
Fand immersed in the rolling Cheshire their patterns and routines moving around it.’
countryside, this renovated 18th-century property For the decorating scheme, Annabelle decided to go
with adjoining architect’s studio does just that. The for interesting textures and surfaces. The cobbled
work of architect and designer Annabelle Tugby, paths, for example, were influenced by the path that
the new additions to this old cottage and its interior, leads up to the local school, which is in the National
which combines vernacular materials with modern Trust part of the village. The pebbles on the floor of
detailing, sit comfortably in their rural setting. the kitchen carry this look inside. Modern ply-lined
The country house, which Annabelle shares with walls, exposed ceiling beams and concrete-look floor
partner David and her three children, is warm tiles add to this aesthetic. A neutral palette accentuates
and inviting. ‘I’d describe my home as rustic and the sense of calm and the house is painted in Farrow
sensitive,’ says Annabelle. ‘It is designed for family & Ball’s Wimborne White throughout.
life and I’m happiest when it is full of people.’ With it being a period property, there was plenty
Across the garden is Annabelle’s black-timber of stripping back and sanding, and the removal of
and white-brick drawing studio. She remodelled walls on the ground floor ensured everything became
a semi-derelict workshop to create the beautiful, better connected. ‘Technically speaking, the dig out
light-filled space that showcases her taste for and underpinning of the floor in the kitchen was
natural, texturised materials and simple forms. very challenging, especially when working with such
‘I’ve always worked from home but moving here an old building,’ says Annabelle. The intention being
gave me the opportunity to have my work a little to achieve a greater ceiling height than before.
more separated, which is wonderful,’ she says. It was worth the time and effort. The home now
The building work on the house and the studio centres around this large kitchen, which comprises a
took just under two years to complete and was a modern pantry, a preparation island and a breakfast
therapeutic process for Annabelle. Moving on nook. At one end is an Aga set against an exposed
to the next chapter of her life, her goal was to create brick wall. Light pours in through floor-to-ceiling
a welcoming and cosy new home for her children. picture windows that open on each side, blurring the
‘Rather than opting for a design that was overly boundaries between inside and out. The pebbled floor
minimal and architecturally hard, I wanted detail connects to the external courtyard beyond. ‘It
something that felt comfortable and homely, as was the garden’s panoramic countryside views
well as being honest to the integrity of the old that got me hooked on this house,’ says Annabelle.
building and that continued the legacy of the Thanks to her deft skills, this is a place she and her
people who lived here before.’ family are set to enjoy for years to come. &
To achieve this, Annabelle recreated things in
specific places. The booth in the kitchen emulates ■ For information on the architecture and interiors,
a small round table where the previous owners liked visit annabelletugbyarchitects.co.uk
to sit during the day because that’s where the sun
H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 111
