DESPITE A STRING OF MISHAPS, LYNSEY AND PAUL CROSS HAVE TURNED THEIR MOATED PERIOD HOUSE INTO A FAMILY HOME THAT'S THE HEIGHT OF ELEGANCE

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1 A touch of magic DESPITE A STRING OF MISHAPS, LYNSEY AND PAUL CROSS HAVE TURNED THEIR MOATED PERIOD HOUSE INTO A FAMILY HOME THAT'S THE HEIGHT OF ELEGANCE Living room A roaring fire and flickering candles create a cosy scene. Sofa, cushions and curtains, all Alexander James Interior Design. Table, Julian Chichester. Wallpaper, Fox Linton. Wall lights, Chelsom. Table lamps, Heathfield & Co.» 32 Country Homes & Interiors Country Homes & Interiors 33

2 E S S E X C O U N T RY H O U S E Exterior The country house is surrounded by a moat and was built in Kitchen Duck-egg blue bar stools add a dash of subtle colour. Bar stools, Wychwood Design. Similar duck egg china, from West Elm. Similar wooden boards, Nkuku. Dining room A chandelier over the dining table creates a sumptuous feel. Chandelier, Ochre. Table, Michael Northcroft. Chairs, Alexander James Interior Design.» Country Homes & Interiors 35

3 Living room The beautiful Christmas tree takes pride of place. Chair, curtains, blinds and pelmet fabric, all Alexander James Interior Design. Christmas tree, John Lewis. 'The house is magical at Christmas when we have toasty fires on the go, says Lynsey Cross. She moved here two years ago with her husband Paul and children Nathaniel, Lucas, Isabella and Leonardo. The couple weren t particularly looking to move house they were living in a nearby town with everything on their doorstep but when they spotted the idyllic property with parts dating from the 16th century, they decided to view it and instantly fell in love with it. We had a good feeling about it, says Lynsey. The previous family lived here for 30 years and their children had grown up here. A lot of love had been poured into it and they wanted another family to cherish it. Although the house had been renovated, Lynsey and Paul were keen to put their stamp on it. We wanted to keep the original features, such as the meat hooks that game was hung on, the wooden beams and the solid wood doors, but then to decorate it in a way that s modern yet in keeping with the age of the house. The couple enlisted the help of Alexander James Interior Design, with a brief to create a country interior that was sympathetic to the period of the house and its original features but contemporary enough to cope with a young family. Lynsey liaised with interior designer Marina Demarchuk over the schemes, fabrics and furniture. I ed her photos of the house and she spent a lot of time understanding our style. She did an amazing job. The project took a year, with the house gutted to a shell. The building was rewired, new heating and flooring were put in and new bathrooms were installed, as well as a new kitchen. We lived in one half of the house with the other half screened off while the work was being done. We have a poolhouse in the grounds so we were able to live there some of the time, too. The project wasn t without its mishaps, however. The previous owners had found a pair of child-size Victorian boots during their renovations and stored them in a glass case. They warned us to keep them in the house, says Lynsey. We put them in the snug but then decided to move them into the poolhouse and everything started to go awry. A gas pipe was ruptured and the house nearly blew up; an electricity cable was severed; our kitchen units went missing in Italy. I m not usually superstitious but we moved the boots back into the snug and everything stopped going wrong! The work began in October 2016 and Lynsey hoped to have the first half of the house the living room, snug and children s bedrooms finished by Christmas. The living room was a shell when I went away on business but when I came back it was finished and decorated with a Christmas tree. I burst into tears as I was so overwhelmed! I ve always loved Christmas and it just looked so festive. The house creates the ideal backdrop for seasonal festivities. The grounds are lovely to walk around in wintertime, and we have lots of holly bushes outside, says Lynsey. It s perfect for having people over at Christmas. Alexander James Interior Design, , aji.co.uk.» AT HOME WITH... Owners Lynsey Cross, who works in insurance, and her husband Paul, who works in banking. They live here with their children Nathaniel, 18, twins Lucas and Isabella, 8, and Leonardo, 6. House A five-bed house built in 1512 with later additions. They moved here in August * Country Homes & Interiors 37

4 What we love most about living here This is country living at its very best we get to see the seasons change in the garden and surrounding landscape Kitchen Shaker-style cabinets give a classic country feel, while an industrial stool injects a modern touch. Similar cabinets, Harvey Jones. Pendant lights, Visual Comfort & Co. Snug Here the neutral palette is accented with touches of soft duck-egg blue. Sofa, armchair and cushions, all Alexander James Interior Design. Fur throw, Helen Moore. Coffee table, Eichholtz. Blind fabric, Wemyss. Wallpaper, Panaz. Dining area The rusticlooking exposed brick fireplace is complemented by soothing neutral colours. Table, Andrew Martin. Chairs and curtains, both Alexander James Interior Design. Pendant light, Visual Comfort & Co.» 38 Country Homes & Interiors Country Homes & Interiors 39

5 ON OUR DOORSTEP... Visit Thorndon and Weald Country Parks for lovely bracing outdoor walks with the dogs. Shop at Calcott Hall ( , calcotthall.com) near Brentwood has a lovely farm shop and café that I go to frequently it grows its own produce and supports local producers. * Go for a meal at The Blue Crown ( , thebluecrownbrentwood.co.uk) and The Black Horse ( , vintageinn.co.uk/ restaurants/east/ theblackhorsebrentwood) are traditional country pubs with roaring fires and you can go inside in your wellies. Main bedroom Sumptuous fabrics contribute to the luxe feel. Faux leather headboard wall fabric, Kirkby Design. Bedlinen, John Lewis. Cushions, throw and chaise longue, all Alexander James Interior Design. Garlands and a wreath decorate the porch. What makes this house a home It s such a well-loved house in the country and a hub for family and friends. We have people coming round all the time and it s wonderful for us that they gravitate here Isabella s bedroom Soft pinks add a feminine touch. Bed and ottoman, Alter London. Bedlinen, The White Company. Throw and cushions, both Alexander James Interior Design. En suite A sleek freestanding bath keeps the look modern. Bath and bathroom cabinets, all Alexander James Interior Design. Guest bedroom For a sophisticated yet cosy scheme, layer plain white bedding with cushions and throws. Bed, Alter London. Bedlinen, The White Company. Throw, Romo. Pendant light, Dar Lighting. Cushions, Alexander James Interior Design. Bedside lamps, RV Astley. FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS PHOTOGRAPHS POLLY ELTES 40 Country Homes & Interiors Country Homes & Interiors 41