World Cup winner

Simone Brandao Lee grew up on a Brazilian beach. "I was born in Sao Paulo, but grew up in Recife, which is on the north east coast of Brazil." She smiles,easing back into a brightly coloured Roche Bobois sofa that sits on a floor of wide white ceramic tiles and one could momentarily be forgiven for forgetting that we are not at this moment in Brazil, but in fact in the centre of Harrogate.

Simone lives here with her husband, Graeme, a born and bred Yorkshireman, their two children, and a curly white lap dog, a Bichon Frise, called Flor.

"I met my husband when he travelled to Brazil for a friend's wedding. It was the year Brazil won the World Cup. While he

was there he prayed that he could get married in the same church where his friend was marrying a Brazilian girl.

We met during that week. He asked me out straight away and two years later we actually got married in that very church."

In the meantime, the couple had been through the rigours of a long distance relationship – long-haul flights and expensive phone bills. Simone recalls visiting Yorkshire for the first time during the heatwave of the summer of 1995. "My husband told me that the summers in England were always that hot! It was not true!"

After their marriage, the couple lived in several houses in Yorkshire, but their dream was always to create a really special home that reflected their unique relationship and style. They decided on Harrogate for the convenience of being able to access the town centre and the children's schools while at the same time still having a sense of the countryside being close to hand.

Rather than building from scratch, the couple decided to transform an existing house. "The house we chose was originally a care home. "It was a dark and dingy building, but I loved the location – the mature trees give it a lovely sense

of seclusion even though it is in a town."

The couple commissioned Derek Norfolk, an experienced builder who they knew would be able to create the individual bespoke home they dreamed of. Together, they took a year to take the house in hand and come up with the results they desired.

Out of the old-fashioned and tired grew a modern, glamorous and inviting family home. The existing structure was retained but the house now has the feel of a completely new build, both from the outside and the inside. The space has been opened up with large glass doors and windows to let in the light.

Wall panels in every room control lights, sound, temperature and security. But technology has been used to serve light-hearted purposes too – there are mood lights which give subtle shades of colour to the sitting room and the master bedroom, and wonderful touches such as a rain shower.

Flick a switch and here's a freshly made cappucino, another flick and satellite TV channels are projected onto a big screen; flick again and a real flame gas fire ignites and another flick brings into action a hot tub in the garden.

Simone worked closely with Derek Norfolk to source the materials and products used in the house. "Wherever possible I wanted to use local businesses. That way, if there's ever a problem I don't have to travel far to get things fixed."

So the kitchen – all concealed cupboards and white Corian surfaces – that looks straight out of an Italian showroom was actually made bespoke to Simone's precise requirements in Summerbridge.

Any building project can be challenging, but the Lees were delighted with their builder's professionalism and efficiency. "The people who bought the house next door have knocked it down and are building a new house. They like our house so much that they are using Derek's company too."

Finishing touches have been provided by an artist David Fisher, with whom Simone's husband runs a business, Leepy Fish. David's versatility as a painter means that he has been able to furnish the Lees with an art collection that complements their home in a variety of styles, from classical to modern.

The collection includes bright, colourful canvases that co-ordinate with the colour scheme, a series of moody landscapes and even a giant Mona Lisa.

Above all, the Lees' home has an enormous sense of fun about it. "It's a happy house," says Simone, "a party house. We love parties and entertaining and I like the fact that with the open-plan design of the house I can cook for my guests and chat with them at the same time.

"In the summer we just open up the doors and the kids go in and out – it's wonderful. It's a really easy house to live in."

Useful numbers: Simone's contact book

Yorkshire Building & Design (Derek Norfolk) www.yorkshirebuildinganddesign.co.uk 0787 622 6671

Inspire-AV York (for integrated AV, heating, security and lighting) www.inspire-av.com 01904 289015

Roche Bobois Manchester www.roche-bobois.com 0161 236 1517

Clarity Arts Summer Bridge (bespoke kitchen planners) 01423 781100

Rasmus Design, Harrogate (for contemporary lighting and furniture) www.rasmusdesign.co.uk 01423 560050

Porcelanosa (kitchens, bathrooms, tiles) www.porcelanosa.com 0113 244 4223

Cimmermann Harrogate www.cimmermann.co.uk 01423 524777

Smith Brothers Bathroom Showroom, Skipton Road, Harrogate, www.smihbrothersyork.com 01423 520378

Leepy Fish www.leepyfish.com T. 07872 685021

YP MAG 24/12/10