Friendly persuasion

It is a truth universally acknowledged by house doctors everywhere that flash kitchens and bathrooms sell houses, and that kerb appeal is an absolute must.

However, Cathy and Jamie Emmott couldn’t have cared less about any of the above when they viewed their home in Hellifield.

What bowled them over was the outbuilding overlooking the garden along with something money can’t buy: the property’s friendly feel.

“We loved the space and the feel of the house but when we saw the outbuilding that was it,” says Cathy, who agreed to split it 50/50 with Jamie.

It is divided inside by a pink retro curtain. He has half for his collection of books and she has the other for her textile workshop where she makes everything from tea cosies and fabric bowls to purses and pin cushions for her business, Dear Emma.

The couple, who have two children, Sam, eight, and Beth, six, bought their house six years ago after outgrowing their old one.

As lovers of vintage style, the interior was a bit too modern for their tastes so they have gradually re-decorated and added treasures collected from flea markets, car boot sales, charity shops, auctions and Freecycle.

“The house was originally lived in by the station master and built around 1860 but there weren’t many original features left,” says Cathy.

“We’ve put some old fireplaces in and of course, we love old things so it’s full of vintage pieces. They add character and they have a certain beauty that comes with age.”

Their favourite finds include the vinyl 1960s sofa in the sitting room which cost £100 from a vintage fair in Leeds.

The framed 1950s posters above it are from a French car boot sale and cost e15 each. The old enamelware in the kitchen is also from France.

A shelving unit for the workshop is from Freecycle, a website that allows members to post unwanted items for collection rather than throwing them away.

The retro phone is, they admit, impractical but they put up with it because it is nostalgic and reminds Cathy of her childhood.

The wooden sign with a little clock saying: “The next train will depart in ...minutes” is in the entrance lobby and reflects the heritage of the house.

“It came from the tea rooms at Hellifield station, which were being renovated. Cathy spotted the sign in a skip and asked if she could have it for her home.

The old is mixed with her own work, which is everywhere. Much of it is decorated with her camper van, beach house and her best-selling blue tit designs.

“The initial inspiration for the blue tit came from a little ornament that we found in a charity shop.

“I absolutely love it and remember thinking that it has such distinctive and recognisable colours it would be a great design to try. They are a very cheeky looking bird and suit my sketchy style very well,” says Cathy, who studied industrial product design.

“I went travelling after university and then worked for a bank. I re-discovered my creative side after having the children and I started sewing again when I decided to make a handmade present for a friend. My mum taught me how to sew but I practised to a point where I felt happy with the quality and that took a couple of years.

“Now I love what I do and I really enjoy mixing new and vintage fabrics. The colours and the quality of the old material are brilliant so I am often found in charity shops looking for old aprons I can cut up and re-use.”

Jamie, who works for a mortgage company, is also very handy. He made the dresser in the dining room from some old scaffolding planks found in the garden and some old bathroom cabinet handles found at a car boot sale. He also made the built-in bookcase in the sitting room.

“Every morning Jamie drives through Gargrave to get to work and he passes a house which has a gorgeous bookcase built on one wall.

“He couldn’t work out how it had been made, so he plucked up the courage to knock on the door and ask. The owners kindly invited him in and showed him and that encouraged him to have a go.

“Once his beloved bookcase was finished, filled and decorated he sent them a Christmas card and a photo of the finished article.

“It’s brilliantly designed to hold lots of different sizes of books,” says Cathy, who adds: “When I think about it we haven’t bought anything new for years. It’s all old or handmade and, while that’s not a look that would suit everyone, we love it.”

Dear Emma designs are available at the Cakewalk Vintage shop, Ilkley, www.cakewalkvinatge.co.uk; The Butterfly Rooms, Saltaire, www.thebutterflyrooms.co.uk and the Craft and Design Centre, Leeds, or visit www.dear-emma.com