Old looks of modern masterpiece

The higgledy-piggledy Victorian mill covers 13,000 sq feet crammed with everything from bespoke furniture made by craftsmen on site to stacks of quirky pieces from the past like old dog carts, dough riser tables and even a proud collection of pre-loved step ladders.

So when Simon and his wife Sarah decided to build their own house, it was bound to have some extraordinary features.

"Simon did engineering at university but that's not what he wanted to do," says Sarah, a speech and language therapist, who now helps Simon in their business.

"His parents had an antiques business, so he knew the trade and he inherited his mother's artistic ability and eye for design.

"His background came in very handy when it came to the build."

The chance to create their own home came through happenstance. They delivered some furniture to a customer near Settle when they saw that the house next door was for sale.

"Previously used for Giggleswick School boarders, the period property needed modernising but came with a large garden, orchard and tennis court.

"We weren't really looking to move, but we had to buy it and it made a great family home for us but we didn't know then if we could build on the land," says Sarah.

"When we got permission it was very exciting because it gave us the opportunity to have exactly what we wanted."

The land is just outside the Dales National Park boundary, which made their case easier and the local authority allowed them to build two detached houses. The Byrnes created one for themselves and their two daughters Molly, 19, and Peggy, 15, and are now building one to sell on.

The project wasn't straightforward as the site was sloping with no access and their house was being built into the hillside. But they persevered, buoyed by designs from architect Peter Harrison of Wales, Wales and Rawson in Skipton. He came up with a traditional exterior constructed from local stone with a slate roof, while inside there is a different look combining the couple's love of old and characterful with the ultra-modern.

It's a home full of wow factor and the biggest surprise is the enormous living space in the middle. It stretches from the front to the back of the property, open high to the rafters with a first-floor balcony adding more architectural interest.

The focal point is the enormous, double-sided Jotul stove, which divides the sitting and dining areas. The table is an antique with retro chairs next to a striking piece of wall art – a beautifully carved door that Simon found in Morocco.

There are mirrors imported from India, seating from Mike Griffiths' antique shop in Clitheroe and some pieces from Sonoma Country Antiques in California. Side tables have been fashioned from metal crates used for swimmers to keep their clothes in when they went to the public baths, and the coffee table is an old gate post with new metal legs.

They are testament to Simon's love of bringing new uses to old "stuff". Some of his best conversions are in the bathrooms, where he has made old chests of drawers into sink units.

"I'm oblivious to his ideas and I just let him get on with it because I trust him. We've had some quirky things in our time and he's even insisted on rescuing doors from skips when we've been on holiday because he can't bear to see something useful thrown away," adds Sarah, whose favourite room is the kitchen.

The bespoke units were made by the craftsmen joiners at Eastburn Country Furniture, which Simon launched in 1985. It's a classic style made from reclaimed wood but has chameleon-like qualities. Here it looks ultra modern painted dark grey and dressed with contemporary handles, but it can be quickly transformed.

"The great thing about them is that you can re-paint the doors and fit new handles when you want a new look. It's something we've made more of recently as people realise how versatile these kitchens are," says Sarah.

The units and the shiny new fridge look perfect with the larder cupboard, which came out of an old school, and the centre-piece, a printing table. Stairs lead down to the lower ground floor, where there is an integral garage and a utility room.

The ground floor also boasts a guest bedroom suite, while upstairs there are four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

The first-floor balcony area houses office space with a filing "cabinet" that came from a convent. "I love this and it's incredibly useful. I keep all the paperwork in what look like little suitcases," says Sarah. The area is full of light thanks to the abundance of windows throughout the property. There are 63 altogether. It's a big job for the window cleaner, admits Sarah, but at least he can enjoy looking in.

The finishing touches have just been put to the property, which took five years to build and fit out. "It took longer than we expected because we managed it ourselves and Simon was busy with the business, while trying to control this too. But we didn't want to rush it. We wanted to get it right.

"We also changed things as we went along, which we wouldn't have been able to do if we had a strict deadline," says Sarah. "It's been worth it though because we love it and I can't honestly think of anything we would change."

Eastburn Country Furniture, Eastburn, tel: 01535 656297, www.eastburncountry furniture.co.uk. Wales, Wales and Rawson Architects in Skipton, tel: 01756 794881, www.wwrarchitects.co.uk