Art with a message

When Jill Holt and Stuart Martin bought their first home together they took a completely fresh approach. Both had lived in old period properties filled with antique furniture yet were keen to try a different lifestyle. The riverside apartment they found in the heart of York offered a new way of living and gave them the chance to create the light-filled, contemporary interiors they craved.

"I had a rambling Georgian house and Stuart had a Victorian house, so we wanted to do something different together, which was a bit of a gamble," says Jill.

"But we thought, if it doesn't work, we'll buy the cottage and a dog and sit by the log fire."

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They bought the property in 1995. The interior wasn't to their taste but the two-bedroom home had amazing river views. So with the help of architect Gary Lupton they set about remodelling and modernising the five-year-old flat. First to go was the tiny entrance lobby, which immediately made the hallway much larger. The separate kitchen in the sitting room had its walls stripped away to make an enormous open plan living space. The kitchen area was given definition with a low, false ceiling and a half wall topped with a glass shelf. The existing units were revamped with new cupboard doors from Asolo in Harrogate.

The most exciting part of the project was Gary's ingenious plan to extend the second bedroom to create a light-filled, multi-functional space. The flat was extended sideways using redundant balcony space and windows installed around the top of the walls to bring in light. A glazed, sliding door replaced the old windows overlooking the balcony garden and the bedroom door and part of the corridor wall made way for another sliding glass and oak door.

"It's fantastic. A second bedroom wouldn't have been used much but we use this space all the time. It's a study, a library and the sofa bed means we can still use it as a guest room," says Jill. "The best part for me is the door that slides open on to the garden, which is wonderful in summer."

Creating a feeling of light and space was at the heart of the makeover and to enhance this all the internal doors were replaced with floor-to-ceiling oak and glass doors and carpets swapped for pale and unifying stone and timber. Finally, their favourite old furniture was blended with some new pieces and bespoke, built-in cupboards, wardrobes and bookcases. "We wanted a modern apartment but we weren't prepared to get rid of the old furniture we loved and mixing the old and new was a challenge," says Jill.

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The couple were helped by interior designer Zo Ralphe and now Georgian chests and oak dressers sit beautifully alongside classic contemporary sofas and chairs. That left Jill and Stuart with one final task: bringing their separate collections of art together.

"That took a lot of time and thought. We laid everything out on the floor shifting pieces round again and again until we found a combination that would look good together," says Jill, who has used her passion for paintings to stage one of York's most exciting art events.

The Secret Art Show is a collection of 700 original works by "anonymous artists". All the pieces measure 12cms by 12cms – the size of a CD case – cost 45 each and are being sold for charity. Each is signed on the back and only at the end of the three- week event will the new owners know who created the piece they have bought.

"I wrote to artists, celebrities, cartoonists, art students and there's work in there by Alan Bennett, Archbishop John Sentamu and established artists like John Langton and Mackenzie Thorpe alongside a few children. The response was phenomenal and the work is wonderful and diverse. The idea is that it is affordable art and you buy something because you like it."

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The works are on display at the York City Screen gallery in York. The sale of the work begins tomorrow and the exhibition will run until November 28. The aim is to raise 10,000 for the MS Trust, which Jill co-founded after her mother and aunt were diagnosed with the condition.

"My mother withdrew from active life when she was diagnosed and she lived that way for 25 years. At that time there was a very negative view of MS and very little information about it. The idea of the trust was to present a more positive outlook and provide good scientific information for people as well as support. Part of our work ensures that everyone with the disease has access to an MS nurse," says Jill, who is a trustee of the charity.

Now retired from the day-to-day running of the charity, she and Stuart are planning another lifestyle change. "We are going to sell the apartment in the New Year and move to Italy, while we're still

young. We've loved living here, but we love Italy and it's another adventure." she says.

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The Secret Art Show is at York City Screen gallery, Coney Street until November 28 and selling starts tomorrow at 9.30am to 5pm. Details www.mstrust.org.uk/secretartshow

JILL'S USEFUL CONTACTS

Interior designer: Zo Ralphe, Green Room Interiors, www.gr-id.co.uk

Builders: Andy Gill, 3D Construction, Sheffield tel: 07778 490226

Architect: Gary Lupton, Gary Lupton Associates tel: 01943 880677