Farmhouse hides its true age

"A lot of people are surprised when they hear we only built it a few years ago and I take that as a compliment because that's exactly what I wanted," says Jill, a farmer's daughter who project-managed the build. "I wanted it to have soul and it's a mix of all the farmhouses I saw and loved when I was growing up."

The locally-sourced stone, the irregular windows – including a beautiful arched one that lights the stairs and a round one fashioned from an old well head – add character and mask its true age. But the modern insulation ensures that it is far warmer than the draughty old places that Jill modelled her design on. With five bedrooms and three bathrooms, a large boot/tack room and a separate office for the farm business, it's made to suit the Atkinsons busy lifestyle. "That's the beauty of building from scratch. It exactly suits our needs," says Jill, who has a daughter Olivia, 16, sons Henry Ben, 12, and Oscar, 10, plus little Jack Russell, Ruby. Inside, the stone-flagged hall floor came from the old BUPA hospital in Leeds was and bought from a small ad in the Farmer's Guardian. Some of the fittings and much of the furniture are antique and bought from auctions including her favourites: Thompsons at Hampsthwaite and Tennants at Leyburn.

The wardrobes in her dressing room are from auction as is Olivia's bed, a French-style that was 200 from Thompsons.

The soft furnishings and accessories reflect Jill's taste for country style and most of what she has comes from her own shop, The Olive Branch. Jill gave up her job in insurance to open her shop in Addingham, near Ilkley, five years ago. Selling new and vintage home and giftware and some furniture, it is now a popular destination outlet.

"It was an old shop selling everything from wool to wellies and it still had all the original shop fittings. The lady who had it was lovely and it had a wonderful feel," says Jill.

"I knew I wanted to keep the essence of what she had created, so somewhere lovely and friendly where you feel very comfortable." She has expanded what she calls her "lifestyle shop" and has opened in Easingwold selling furniture, homeware and also clothes by her favourite labels including Noa Noa and Day Birger. "I feel like it's what I was born to do and I'm so glad I took the plunge and changed careers," she says. Her favourite designs include Emma Bridgewater pottery that dominates her kitchen cupboards. She's also a big fan of Kilner storage jars, which she also sells, and she uses them for storing everything from crisps to pasta. "My sister-in-law told me about them and I am a massive fan. Once you discover them and realise how practical they are you can't help but get hooked," she says. The heart of her kitchen is her Aga, which is usually piled high with clothes that she's airing. The cabinets are by Chapel Kitchens at Nun Monkton and the table and benches were found for sale in one of the small ads in the Yorkshire Post.

In the sitting room, there is an eclectic mix of contemporary purple sofa and cosy wool throws with some of her favourite Jan Constantine cushions and a collection of tiny old stools, perfect for resting a cup of tea on.

The staircase adds grandeur and interest and the banister was found in a reclamation yard. "I couldn't resist it and it helps make the staircase look like it's been here for years," says Jill. "There is nothing I'd change about the house. It's the farmhouse I dreamed of living in when I was younger."

Jill's useful numbers: Olive Branch, Market Place, Addingham, tel: 01943 830123 and Market Place, Easingwold, tel: 01347 823402, www.the-olive-branch.co.uk

Chapel Kitchens, Nun Monkton, tel: 01423 331417, www.chapelkitchens.com

DH Wright Joinery, Sherburn-in-Elmet, tel: 01977 681832, www.dhwjoinery.co.uk

My favourite things

Emma Bridgewater pottery: "I love her pottery. The designs really mean something to the people who produce them. Plus it's all made in England and the prices reflect that but it is very special."

Kilner jars: "They look great and are very practical."

Jan Constantine cushions: They're quirky but classic and the fabrics are beautiful. They aren't cheap but I think they're an investment."

Verminous Hound cushions: "These are made in Yorkshire and feature stags heads."

Cath Kidston: "I love the vintage look her designs have."

Farrow and Ball: "The colours are fantastic and so is the depth. I've painted my whole house in F&B."

An Aga: "It's the heart of the house and the warmth you get from them is wonderful."

William Yeoward glassware: "A lot of his work is based on historic designs. They are beautiful."

YP MAG 8/5/10