No.10
Tim Bailey renovated and extended his country home, furnishing it with treasured antiques and bringing it to life with some fresh new prints and textiles
FEATURE AND STYLING SARA BIRD
HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY A detached, Grade II-listed country home, built in the 1850s
ROOMS Two sitting rooms, kitchen/ living area, study, two cloakrooms, three bedrooms, three bathrooms
LOCATION Buckinghamshire
SITTING ROOM
There are two formal sitting rooms, this one is used for entertaining and the other as a snug. Sofa, footstool and lampshade, all Oka. Blind and cushions in Kaia, Alison Gee. Painting, Sir Charles Napier Hemy; find his work at Cornish Masters
KITCHEN
The cabinet handles were made to Tim’s own design by a blacksmith.
Island in French Gray, Farrow & Ball. Marble worktop, Southern Counties Marble & Granite. Handles, The Iron Works & Gate Company. Floor tiles, Hard Rock Flooring
Having lived in the area for more than 40 years, retired lawyer Tim Bailey knew there was only one village he would move to. ‘It’s a great place to be. It is multicultural, multigenerational, and there are a lot of good people around,’ he says of the charming Buckinghamshire hamlet he now calls home.
One such good person is Tim’s current neighbour. Knowing Tim wanted to downsize from a larger property nearby, it was he who put in the call to say that a house was about to go on the market. There was much to love about the building but it needed a lot of work and, being Grade II listed, there was the possibility of planning issues. Fortunately, having completed previous building projects, Tim could see how to make the house work for him.
With the renovation set to take 18 months, Tim rented in the village and, working with the planning office, began restoring the property. Tim’s plans included the addition of en-suite bathrooms to the three bedrooms. The house was extended at the back with a spacious kitchen, while the former garage was transformed into a stylish living area.
Tim brought a lot of furniture from his previous home, then worked with designer Alison Gee to create a unified interior. Alison’s eye for pattern and colour has brought the house to life. ‘I walked my dog past the house watching the renovations for a year,’ says Alison. ‘I thought the property was exactly the sort that my designs would suit. I’m so happy he agreed to his beautiful home being filled with my work.’
LIVING AREA
Originally a garage, this area makes a comfortable living space.
Seat cushions in Theodore, Sita and Jade, all Alison Gee
DINING AREA
Furniture from Tim’s previous home lends a relaxed look. Sequoia table lamps and shad
