Running a business from home means the line between work and family life can begin to blur. This was certainly the case for Rebecca and Simon Walker, whose rented farmhouse in West Berkshire has been the nerve centre for their landscaping and tree surgery business for 15 years, and they were beginning to feel the strain: ‘With little separation between our personal and work lives, we were keen to buy a country retreat to escape to,’ says Rebecca.
They focused their property search on the South Hams area of Devon, where they’d spent many happy holidays over the years, but finding the right place proved frustrating. After months of searching and numerous unsuccessful viewings they’d almost given up hope, when a newly renovated 17th-century cottage came on the market in the hamlet of East Cornworthy, just a stone’s throw from the wooded banks of the River Dart.
‘I went to view it straightaway and, despite the miserable February weather, I still remember the feeling of excitement as I drove along the lane and pulled up outside Forager Cottage,’ says Rebecca. ‘It was a quintessential stone cottage, and it was gorgeous.’
The previous owners were architects and had done a great job of sympathetically remodelling the house, adding a new kitchen, updating the bathrooms and opening up the downstairs living spaces. A glass side extension had also been added – a beautiful space for dining and entertaining – while the historic character of the building had been retained throughout, which Rebecca loved.
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‘There were wonderful original features, like the huge fireplace in the living room and the thick stone walls – and not having to do anything structural to the cottage was appealing, too. I put in an offer there and then, before Simon had even had a chance to view it!’
The couple completed on the house in September 2020 and spent long weekends settling in, running their business remotely from the light-filled conservatory, and getting to know the local area. ‘Having the river close by was a big selling point for Simon, who’s a keen sailor. We found a small marina two minutes away where we store our rib boat, and spend long days exploring the river and surrounding coastline.’
Everything seemed perfect until their first winter, when water started running into the bedrooms after a period of heavy rain. ‘The whole roof needed replacing, just as the country went into its third lockdown and travel was restricted, which meant everything had to be managed remotely.’ Luckily, the couple found a good local builder to manage the job, and while his team was working on the cottage, they decided to add a small extension at the front for a boot room and larger entrance hall.
‘As keen walkers, beach-goers and owners of a large dog, we really needed that extra space for drying off wetsuits, coats and muddy paws,’ explains Rebecca. ‘It’s made such a difference to how we use the space.’
The rest of the interior was in good decorative order, as the previous owners had recently painted it in serene shades of blue, grey and white. It was a perfect blank canvas for the many inherited items and antiques that Rebecca had amassed over the years, and she was raring to add character with furnishings and splashes of colour. ‘I wanted to create a luxurious but comfortable feel, with personality and charm – somewhere with warmth to come home to after long dog walks or days out on the river.’
As such, Rebecca’s aesthetic encompasses a welcoming mix of styles and eras, and modern pieces sit harmoniously alongside inherited items or vintage finds from antiques fairs or markets: ‘I love the combination of old and new, it makes for a much more interesting home.’
In the conservatory, a zinc-top Barker & Stonehouse table marries seamlessly with antique chapel chairs: ‘We bought them 25 years ago for our first-ever home,’ says Rebecca. ‘At the time we couldn’t afford much but invested in these – they are still as solid as the day we bought them.’ Similarly, the squishy yellow sofa in the living room presents a plush, modern focal point, but looks perfectly at home surrounded by antique wooden furniture and other vintage items.
Outside, Rebecca and Simon landscaped the garden to make the most of the steep terrain. Wooden steps lead to a summerhouse with expansive views across the Devon countryside, and a walkway leads to an al-fresco dining area that feels like an extension of the house, perfect for sunny lunches. ‘We now have zoned areas both inside and out so, even when there’s a house full of people, you can always find a quiet corner,’ Rebecca enthuses.
Buying Forager Cottage has given the family the breathing space they needed: ‘It’s a really special place, and a beautiful location,’ says Rebecca. ‘We’re so pleased we followed our dream – balance in our lives has been restored.’
@forager_on_the-dart. The cottage is also available as a holiday rental via boutique-retreats.co.uk
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