Dream House Part 6

Having downsized to a listed barn conversion, Kate and Paul Gerrish have sourced pieces from near and far for their rural home Feature ANN BROAD Photographer COLIN POOLE. Dream House

Meet the owners Kate Gerrish runs Bliss, a home interiors and vintage shop in Chipping Norton. Her husband Paul is now retired, and the couple have four grown-up children, Amy, Harriet, Jack and Isobel, three grandchildren, and two Jack Russells, Charlie and Coco House details Built in 1850 and originally used as cowsheds, the two-bedroom barn was converted into a dwelling in the late 1990s. It has a small, renovated one-bedroom cottage in the garden Facts & figures The couple purchased the property in 2010 for £317,000 and it's now worth £550,000. 

Stunning views across open countryside and an idyllic period property were what stole the hearts of Kate and Paul Gerrish when they took the opportunity to downsize their home in 2010. ‘We moved from a threestorey, six-bedroom modern house in a nearby town,’ explains Kate. ‘The children had already left home and this was our ideal rural retreat.’ A converted barn in a tranquil farming hamlet surrounded by beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, the Grade II-listed building dates from the 1850s, and was converted in the late 1990s into a characterful home. ‘We knew the area, and had always admired the peaceful location and lifestyle,’ says Kate. The house was empty when the couple viewed the property, which gave them ample time to consider if the move was right for them. ‘We loved the vaulted ceilings throughout, and the quirkiness of the second building in the garden, which we now call the studio,’ says Kate. The existing kitchen and bathrooms were fitted with good quality cabinets and sanitaryware, but the style was rather dated. ‘Our thoughts for the new-look kitchen included simple, traditionally built cupboards, leaving enough space for a table and seating, as it would also become the main dining area.’ With plenty of ideas and various colour combinations in mind, Kate and Paul set about their first project, and enlisted the craftsmanship skills of local company Hunt Bespoke Kitchens and Interiors, working closely with the team throughout.

‘Handmade cabinets were designed and painted to achieve a freestanding, country style, and I am pleased to say the finished kitchen is just what I was hoping for,’ says Kate. A rustic farmhouse table and painted bench provides sufficient seating for the dining area, and a patchwork of vintage-inspired tiles creates a unique feature above the range cooker. ‘The kitchen designers introduced me to the tiles I chose for the splashback,’ recalls Kate. ‘They are handmade by a company called Welbeck, based in Cornwall. I hand-picked each one, and was so pleased with the nostalgic, pretty feel that I’ve used them in three other rooms.’

Forming the central area of the house is the living room, with a stylish combination of plush velvet sofas and French antique pieces of furniture showcasing Kate’s keen eye for detail, as well as her recently changed career path. ‘I’ve had a passion for interior design for many years, but only ever practiced it as a hobby, as I worked in marketing,’ she explains. ‘I opened a small unit in local antiques centre Station Mill 12 years ago as my creative outlet while still working. Fortunately I developed a good customer base there over the years, and so decided in November 2015 to open my own shop in Chipping Norton, with my youngest daughter, and now business partner, Isobel. We sell a selection of French homeware, vintage furniture, contemporary accessories and paint,’ says Kate. ‘All my favourite things!’ Both enthusiastic travellers, Kate and Paul combine holidaying with sourcing interesting items of furniture and accessories along the way. ‘We have a house in France and visit as often as work permits,’ says Kate. ‘Buying from French markets is so exciting; we go to as many as possible, and I’m always on the lookout for that special find.’

Working their way through the barn, updating and decorating from top to bottom, the couple transformed the interior using a soft, neutral palette to create the perfect backdrop for their collection of furniture and treasured possessions. ‘I chose Old White chalk paint by Annie Sloan for the walls, and introduced colour by way of furniture and textiles,’ says Kate. ‘I enjoy painting vintage pieces and changing the look – giving them a new lease of life is very satisfying. I use chalk paint because of its gorgeous and varied colour selection and lovely matt finish.’ The Cotswold stone barn, complete with vaulted ceilings and exposed beams, retains a spacious quality enhanced by Kate’s blend of furniture, art and accessories. ‘We are so fortunate to have several really good places to buy vintage furniture and homeware nearby ,’ she says. ‘I’ve bought many items locally from Station Mill, and The Old Pill Factory in Witney.’

As well as the main barn conversion, the property also has a detached small building at the bottom of the garden. ‘One of the house’s main attractions was the fact that it came with its own mini cottage,’ says Kate. ‘It now contains a newly decorated bedroom, with a modern en suite shower room and a study. It’s a useful extra space for friends and family who come to visit; they love it and always comment on the serene atmosphere.’ Having now completed the interior decoration, the couple have turned their attention to the garden, and have designed a new planting scheme. ‘This year we decided to improve the layout by removing some of the older shrubs and hedging, and introducing a new pastel scheme,’ explains Kate. ‘It’s made a huge difference, as it looks much more spacious and very pretty – perfect for entertaining. ‘It means we can now enjoy lovely family gatherings, and the children and grandchildren are of course regular visitors,’ she says. ‘Just like us, they enjoy spending time in our tranquil home in the country.’

Sources: GoodHomes, UK, September, 2018

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