Journey to the new world

With its exposed stone walls, beams and innate sense of history Brian and Vickie Downing’s cottage in Holmfirth was full of character and period features.

The couple were devotees of old property and the thought of living in a modern house filled them with horror. So when they launched a search for their next home, buying new was definitely not on their radar.

“To be honest we were a bit sniffy about new property,” says Vickie.

Fate, however, had other ideas and now they are evangelical about new-build and all the benefits it can bring. The volte-face came after they turned up early for a viewing in the village of Eastrington, near Howden.

“We decided to have a wander and saw the sign for a Hoveden Homes development. We went and had a look just for something to do and that was it. I loved this house as soon as I saw it. I was led by my heart,” says Vickie.

Apart from being within easy travelling distance of their clients in York, it didn’t fit any of their criteria, which included period details, dramatic scenery and somewhere they could create another art gallery at home.

The couple, who run a communications company specialising in mobile phones, are well-known for the gallery they ran from their Holmfirth cottage.

“It didn’t have anything that was on our check list and with seven bedrooms it was too big for just the two of us but I walked in, fell in love and that was it.We decided to buy it and put the gallery on hold for a while,” says Vickie.

The house was built as a show home and presented a blank canvas that was decorated, carpeted and ready to move into when they bought it four years ago.

“We were worried because a lot of our existing furniture was bought for the old property, so we are amazed at how well it worked, though we did have our sofa and chairs recovered to make them a bit more modern, says Vickie.

She and Brian have added more contemporary pieces from Redbrick Mill and Housing Units in Oldham, while all their light fittings are from BHS.

The mix of old and new furniture together with their collection of art gives their home the personality that same new-builds lack.

“We’ve had to be careful because somehow the house demands that we are more minimal so lot of the art work we have is stored in cupboards upstairs. We’ve just used a few choice pieces,” says Brian.

These include a stone sculpture by Holmfirth-based Mike Disley, still-life paintings by Sheffield-based Paul Stone, ceramic sculptures by Helen Nottage and tribal inspired work by Sue Hanna.

“We love original art. It has a great feel because you know someone has put their heart and soul into it,” says Vickie, whose own abstracts add colour and interest to the cream coloured walls.

With no decorating, DIY or updating to do, Vickie has spent more time on her passion for painting.

“In the cottage there wasn’t much room and I had to pack my easel and paints away. Now we have a lot of space so I created what I call my playroom. I can splash about there to my heart’s content,” she says.

Other unused bedrooms have been turned into an office and a cinema room and although the house is large, it is proving inexpensive to run thanks to high levels of insulation.

“Friend couldn’t believe it when we bought this as they didn’t think it was us. But new homes have so many advantages. They are cheap to run and they’re doddle to maintain. The only thing we’ve done is the garden. They give you more time. Living here has changed my mind about a lot of things including flat landscapes,” says Vickie.

“I used to love the hills in Holmfirth and thought flat landscape was boring, but the views over the Wolds are incredible. You get big skies and amazing quality of light.”

Although she and Brian love the property, they miss running their gallery and are looking to move somewhere that will allow them to re-launch the business.

“We are very sociable people and running the gallery was so interesting. We love finding new artists and new work and most of all we like meeting people,” says Vickie.

“If it wasn’t for that we’d stay here.”

Towgarth House, Eastrington is for sale for £475,000, www.rightmove.co.uk, tel 07850 761811.

THE ART OF GOOD CONTACTS

Brian and Vickie’s useful contacts:

Redrick Mill, Batley, for contemporary furniture, www.redbrickmill.co.uk

Housing Units, Manchester, for furniture, www.housingunits.co.uk

BHS for lighting

Sonia Bond, York, curtain maker, tel: 01904 703725

Favourite artists:

Mike Disley, www.disleysculpture.com

Darren Baker, www.darrenbakerpaintings.co.uk

Sue Hanna www.studiopottery.co.uk/profile/Sue/Hanna

Helen Nottage, www.helennottageceramics.co.uk

Paul Stonewww.paulstone.org.uk