It takes a huge amount of vision and a sprinkling of good faith to take on a ramshackle Georgian property that has been left untouched for decades. But luckily Sarah and Andy Farr have both in spades.
In 2016, the couple were living in a small village in Hampshire when they decided they wanted a new project. They were keen to be nearer Sarah’s parents, further along the south coast. After hours scrolling online and viewing 10 houses in person, they saw a rundown Grade II-listed Georgian cottage in Kent, not far from the East Sussex border.
‘Andy had a long list of requirements, which included minimal street lamps outside,’ says Sarah. ‘We loved the untouched nature of the house. It hadn’t had any work done since the 1960s and it felt very much like a blank canvas.’
The couple undertook an extensive amount of work after moving in – a feat made even more impressive by the fact that the couple, who have two young children, Ralph (four) and George (two), were juggling parenthood with the chaos of living on a building site.
‘For some reason, we thought it was a good idea to rip out the old kitchen when Ralph was about three months old,’ says Sarah. ‘I would dread the health visitor coming because, for a period of time, we just had an earth floor in the kitchen. Andy built a bridge across using a ladder and some planks – not ideal when you’re carrying a newborn and need to sterilise bottles!’
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There were some moments of hilarity during the renovation, too, such as the time Andy got a nasty surprise during some of his hands-on work. ‘He was removing plasterboard from an old bathroom and a mummified mouse fell onto his face,’ says Sarah. Andy has done most of the hard work himself and it would seem that Ralph is a chip off the old block. ‘He has grown up with building work happening around him and he loves getting involved where he can,’ says Sarah. ‘He helped Andy dig out trenches for new drains by the back of the house.’
Since completing the renovation, Sarah has been in her element, decorating and furnishing the interior. Restful, cool blues and pops of green – provided by vintage glass – provide a cohesive palette against warm white walls, with layers of delicately patterned textiles adding warmth. Quirky vintage posters, handsome unpainted antique furniture and displays of glass and pottery add character and speak of Sarah’s love of old things.
‘Hunting for vintage and antique items is something that I’ve always done,’ she says. ‘I love the fact that you never know what you might find.’ When her cupboards overflowed, she decided to turn her passion into a small business. She now sells her wares on Instagram, Vinterior and antiques emporium Butler & George in Hastings with her friend, Toby.
‘My style is quite eclectic and if I like something then I will find a home for it. I tend to look for more classic pieces that I know will age well,’ she says. ‘I like our home to feel comfortable and relaxed and have quirky decorative items on display. I love moving items around – it makes a space feel new again and gives me an opportunity to show off some of my latest finds.’
Sarah especially loves kitchenalia and is a firm believer that items should be used and not just kept for best. A glimpse into her larder reveals her collection of Victorian jelly moulds. ‘My family and friends are always shocked by the number of jelly moulds I have, but you can use them for anything. I like to use them for serving sweets and savoury nibbles.’
Since leaving Hampshire for their picture-perfect cottage in the ‘garden of England’, Sarah and Andy have fallen for life in Kent. ‘We love the fact that we have so much on our doorstep – beautiful woods and beaches and, of course, there are lots of vintage and antique shops all very close, too.’
More homes from Homes & Antiques
- A Grade II-listed Georgian home in Somerset
- A modest 1820s cottage in London
- A Grade II-listed stone cottage in Leicestershire
- How Laura renovated her ancient Hampshire cottage
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