Sponsored by
HOMES: new light on old granary
FALLING head-over-heels in love led to some dramatic changes for Carolyn Parker including abandoning the home she had lived in for 30 years. It all started when she decided to convert some redundant buildings on the family estate near Wetherby.
What began as a straightforward business project soon became personal.
She says: "I was designing it and just fell in love with it. I realised I didn't want the dark old house anymore. I wanted something light and contemporary."
She and husband Gordon sold their Georgian farmhouse and with Carolyn project-managing they converted the granary and coach houses into a stunning home. One of the main attractions for Carolyn was the prospect of living in a light-filled space.
"Obviously, because of the original coach house openings, it was going to be light downstairs, but the planners also allowed us amazing skylights and that was the crux of the whole thing for me. I wanted it to be as light and airy as possible and it's worked and is so rejuvenating."
She has maximised the feeling of light and space by painting all the walls in off-white and using pale, bleached oak doors, glass balconies and open-tread staircases. Colour comes through her collection of artwork by young painters including pieces by Ed Foster, Maggie Dillon and Pippa Caley.
The flooring is a combination of Jerusalem Stone from Harrogate-based Lapicida, wood floors from Penny Bricks of Wetherby and natural coloured carpet.
Carolyn designed the rooms with her lifestyle and her family in mind, so there is an enormous 85 sq metre open plan living/dining area that is regularly used for entertaining.
"The children had left home, but they come and stay so we needed space for them and the grandchildren. We also like entertaining hence the big space, which is great for parties," says Carolyn who has two daughters Becky, Hayley and twins Abby and Will.
She also included a library/workspace for herself with a spiral staircase, mezzanine and a double height ceiling.
The kitchen is Bulthaup with all mod cons, lit by skylights and industrial lighting. "I had an Aga in the old house and used it for 30 years but I don't miss it a bit," she admits.
Also on the ground floor is a sitting room, cinema room, two cloakrooms, boot room, laundry room, a guest bedroom suite and another bedroom suite/gym. Upstairs there is a large master bedroom suite, two double bedrooms, a nursery and house bathroom.
Outside there is a beautiful walled garden designed by Gordon, a stable, workshop and store. Inside the dcor is a mix of mainly new pieces with
some antiques from the old house, some of which have new uses, like Gordon's wardrobe which is now full of DVDs.
Her favourite room is the cinema room. Carolyn is a movie buff and there's nothing she likes better than to snuggle down and lose herself in a film. Movies are also a source of inspiration for her work as one of Yorkshire's top interior designers. "My granny used to take me to the cinema when I was young and I loved it. One of the first movies I watched was South Pacific, but my all time favourite is Moulin Rouge. I watch it over and over when I want inspiration.
"Clients are also inspired by films. I'll get them saying things like, 'I'd like a study like the one in the new Bond movie'."
Carolyn has worked in some of the country's top houses and had her own slot on the Richard and Judy Show. She's transformed everything from Manhattan apartments and Middle Eastern houses to offices, restaurants and the homes of Premiership footballers. She has a branch of her business in Portugal, where she has a second home, while her daughter Abby helps to run her Yorkshire-based headquarters in Aberford.
After working on her own home, she has made the surprise decision to sell and move again. "We've found a place in a village near Castle Howard and we have friends and family in that area. I've always wanted to live up there and be among the hills and I quite fancy living in a village," says Carolyn, whose home is in a hidden rural enclave close to Wetherby.
The new home is another project that is set to keep her busy. "It's another conversion and if all goes to plan it will give us the same quality of light and space that we have here, so I won't be compromising too much by moving."
Carolyn's home is for sale for 1.55m through Savills. Tel: 01423 535800. www.savills.co.uk
Carolyn Parker interior design. Tel: 0113 281 4990. www.carolyn parker.com
Email to a friend
Print this page- Leeds lose Ward to Palace: Is there anyone they can afford now?
- Sheffield Wednesday leaving it late to hijack Leeds United over Ward
- As Snodgrass dithers over Leeds, Warnock throws a lifeline
- Ball is in Leeds United’s court over contract - Snodgrass
- Police turning blind eye to Asian voter fraud, says MP
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
