Artist Angela Hall's picture perfect home

Moving next door to the in-laws might not be everyone’s idea of a good strategy, but Angela Hall couldn’t think of anything more natural than to up sticks to the farm where her husband Richard was born, raised and worked.

Apart from the practical issue of being closer to work, the three-bedroom property they were moving into had open rural views on all sides and enough land for Angela to create her dream garden.

“We were living in a period property in Thirsk before this and wanted to be out of the town,” she says. "Richard was working on the farm, where his parents and brother live, and this house – which was being let as a holiday home – was coming up empty. Everyone agreed that for us to move into it would work for everyone.”

Before they moved into the property near Thirsk, however, the couple wanted to extend it to create more room for themselves and their children, Connie, 22, and William, 29.

“We remodelled it by building a two-storey extension at the back, creating a family living kitchen with a larger bedroom above,” says Angela. “It was already a lovely, light house but the extension has completely transformed it and linked it directly to the garden.”

They also extended at the front, creating an L-shape to the kitchen area, and replaced all the windows with new ones. “There were bay windows at the back which were rotten so we put in modern glass windows instead,” says Angela. "The light is amazing. It’s such an open house that we can see the sun shining on one side and, at the same time, rain coming in on the other. We are always very aware of the seasons.”

She and Richard are both practical people and chose Dulux Timeless white walls throughout the house so they could “patch it up” easily but add character and colour with furniture, artwork and accessories.

We knew it wouldn’t look cold because we have wooden floors and loads of rugs, which made the whole house comfortable and homely,” adds Angela. “We have filled it with a very eclectic mix of furniture – pieces from our families, new things and then things we’ve bought in salerooms. When you live on a farm you can’t be too precious about things. It’s a working home, but it’s also a very personal home. We have filled it with things we both love which have sentimental value.”

The house includes a spacious utility and boot room, where Richard takes off his “wellies covered with mud and straw”, and a studio where Angela develops designs for her ceramics and silk screen prints. “I find inspiration in the woods and heathland around us and spend a lot of time outdoors collecting ideas for my work,” she says.

Many of her garden-inspired bespoke vases and large platters are used in the home, others are on display in glass-fronted cabinets and others she sells, but she is also an avid collector of other artists’ paintings, drawings and prints which hang beside her own colourful work on the walls.

“Living here allows us to be very close to nature,” says Angela. “It’s inspiring for my work, but it also means I spend a lot of time outdoors. I created the garden from land which was little more than a field, and there is definitely a sense of the house and garden working together. That’s why I love to have plants indoors. They soften the edges and bring form and texture into a room.”

Angela’s creative skills don’t end there. She also makes many of the cushions, using vintage and modern fabric remnants, along with blinds and curtains – although there are not many of those.

“We decided we didn’t really need them apart from in Connie’s room,” she says. “It’s not as though we are overlooked, and it’s wonderful to be able to lie in bed and see the stars.”

Visit www.artfarm.uk to see Angela’s work

Angela on the spot...What was your best bargain buy?: A few years ago we paid £200 in a sale for a Barker & Stonehouse pot cupboard. It holds a huge amount.

What is your favourite room in the house?: We live in the open-plan living area – it’s a brilliant family room.

What is your top design tip?: Layers of texture and colour are really versatile and create a very comfortable style. White walls are easy to maintain and anything goes with them.

Is there anything you would change?: Yes, we would like more light in the studio but the jury is still out over whether we have roof lights or bigger windows.

Good Ideas...

Bring the outside in with a range of house plants, from easy to care for cacti to more flamboyant ferns and palms, which add an exotic touch to a room.

A glass-fronted cabinet is ideal for displaying beautiful pieces of crockery, rather than hiding them away in a cupboard. Group together by colour or design for great visual effect.

Bring new life to old lamps by switching dated shades for bright new designs.

A plain landing window can be modernised with pane of modern design stained glass.

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James Mitchinson