Transforming a house into a home can often be an evolutionary process. When Jane Davies and her husband, Martin, who have their own equine business, purchased their Edwardian property in the market town of Oswestry in 2002, their intentions were always for the long term. With three young children ranging from two months to six years, any house deemed worthy of being their forever home had to deliver in every sense, even if it meant moving in and then temporarily moving out for works to be done.
Laying the foundations
‘We moved out for a couple of weeks while all the floorboards were taken up, so that the house could be rewired and gas heating installed,’ says Jane. ‘It was a complete mess and very stressful with three young children.’ Jane knew it would be worth the effort, though. ‘We loved the original Edwardian stained-glass windows and staircase,’ she says. The large garden, full of potential, also appealed, and fed Jane’s love of growing flowers. It had sealed the deal.
A slow and thoughtful renovation
Once the essential works were complete, Jane and Martin took a slow but meticulous approach to gradually updating each room, using their time and funds carefully. ‘We had to strip the wallpaper throughout the house as it all needed replastering, which we did as and when we had time,’ she says, adding that this also, inadvertently, allowed them to get a sense of the natural flow of the house.
One of the most striking improvements is in the hallway, where the couple discovered the original pine parquet and tiled floor while ripping out the old, bright-red carpet. ‘The parquet had been stained black, so we stripped it back and I painstakingly cleaned the tiles, which took forever, as they had layers of black carpet glue that was so stubborn to remove. It took a lot of time and patience,’ she laughs. Replacement tiles were sourced at local salvage yards to fill the gaps, and the floor was restored to its glorious original form.
Creating space and light
To enhance the cramped kitchen, a conservatory was also added. ‘We knocked through an external window and built the conservatory onto the kitchen. This created a marvellous sense of space and brought more natural light into the house. It’s also been great for parties, too, over the years,’ says Jane.
A vintage-inspired haven
Today, the house is a haven, and an ode to Jane’s love of all things vintage and antique. There is a strong French influence, born from years of happy holidays spent on the continent, often with an extra, empty suitcase ready to pack with newfound treasures. These beloved pieces are beautifully showcased against a backdrop of white walls; a far cry, says Jane, from the colours she decorated with when they first moved in. ‘Initially I went wild with colour: we had a dark green hallway, mustard bathroom and terracotta kitchen. But, as time has passed, I’ve created a more neutral palette and added colour through art and antiques instead,’ she says.
In the garden, Jane grows cosmos, cornflowers, nigella, larkspur, sweet peas, roses and dahlias. These homegrown blooms are found throughout the house, displayed in her collection of antique vessels – vintage confit jars, elegant Astier de Villatte vases, and rusty zinc pots, weathered with time and picked up for a song at French brocantes. ‘My parents loved antiques fairs and auctions, so it’s been in my blood from the get-go,’ says Jane. ‘I love mixing together old and new art, ceramics and furniture. It’s all about creating a comfortable home that can be lived in, but also enjoyed aesthetically at the same time.’
