Zoe and James Davis and their kids had been dwelling in a transformed barn in East Sussex after they started to think about how they might comply with a extra sustainable way of life.
‘We had been eager for a undertaking – someplace with land and the potential to generate an earnings so we might turn out to be extra self-sufficient,’ says Zoe.
Happily, the couple beloved the very first property that they got here throughout – a Grade II-listed six-bedroom farmhouse, full with vacation cottages and outbuildings, only a few miles away. In July 2015, they moved in with their three kids.
The age of the farmhouse – it dates again to the twelfth century – provides it its distinctive appeal, with wonky partitions and sloping flooring. ‘The property has subsided through the years, though it stays structurally secure. Whereas which may have put some folks off, we predict it creates an exquisite quirky really feel,’ says Zoe.
After first overhauling the vacation cottages so they might begin producing an earnings, the couple’s consideration turned to the primary home. The inside was dated and it wanted new electrics, plumbing and redecorating.
‘The home has low ceilings and small home windows, which is beautiful when it’s chilly and darkish exterior however in the summertime it will probably typically really feel oppressive,’ says Zoe.
Downstairs, in an try to optimise the sunshine, Zoe began off by portray a lot of the partitions white, however was uninspired by the top outcome. ‘It made the place really feel fairly gloomy,’ she says. ‘We realised that portray the partitions in richer tones gave a hotter, extra inviting really feel, and the brighter colors labored higher towards the uncovered brickwork and beams.’
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Kitchen diner
For little price, Zoe reworked this household area by portray the partitions, tiles and chairs in eye-catching shades.
Within the kitchen, Zoe stored the prevailing models and tiles however painted them in wealthy blue and pink. The pink tiles deliver vibrancy to the range space.
A show of ceramics, painted floorboards and daring wallpaper give this space its personal identification.
See: Farmhouse kitchen concepts – introduce trendy rustic parts for a laid-back look
A set of hats provides curiosity to the staircase.
Pantry
This conventional area is ideal for storing the household’s necessities. You possibly can see extra pantry concepts in our devoted information.
Lounge
Shades of pink and blue create a playful really feel in the lounge, whereas Zoe’s materials add a contemporary edge to the interval area.
- See: Trendy farmhouse front room concepts – rustic designs for a comfortable scheme
Conservatory
Zoe makes use of this sensible space to show vegetation.
Bedrooms
Vivid wallpaper and gentle furnishings distinction with the darkish ceiling within the loft bed room.
Colourful designs give this bed room a playful really feel.
White painted surfaces lend a restful air in the primary bed room.
See: Farmhouse bed room concepts – rustic designs on your sleep area
Hall
Zoe’s personal cloth traces the partitions of the hall to brighten up this slender space.
Exterior
The farmhouse and its surrounding gardens have given the household the agricultural idyll they craved.
Along with the primary home and cottages, Zoe and James have transformed one other outbuilding into an workplace and studio for Zoe’s textile enterprise, Zobo Designs. Her vibrant materials may be seen peppered all through the home within the type of cushions and, notably, lining the partitions within the upstairs hall.
The property has wanted a variety of work and there are their pigs and alpacas to look after, too. ‘It’s undoubtedly a life-style selection, as there’s at all times one thing to be accomplished, whether or not it’s within the veg backyard or the vacation cottages, or fixing and sustaining the buildings and the land. The record goes on,’ says Zoe.
It has been an enormous studying curve they usually’ve had their fair proportion of mishaps. ‘There have been pigs on the highway, escaped alpacas and even a vacation visitor who needed to name for assist when 50 sheep determined to herd themselves into the cottage backyard.’
It’s clear, nevertheless, that the household relish their new way of life. ‘With what’s been taking place on the planet during the last 12 months, I’ll by no means underestimate how fortunate we’re,’ says Zoe. ‘We love the open area, the greenery and being surrounded by the animals. After I breathe within the nation air, I can really feel the stress leaving my physique.’
For extra data on Zoe’s vacation cottages go to Eatonden Manor Farm
Pictures/ Richard Gadsby
Textual content/ Amy Maynard
