‘The original plot of land came with an approved design for a house, but we didn’t really like it’ explains Kate Whitfield of the home she shares with husband Chris, daughter Anna and the family’s two dogs. ‘We went back to the drawing board and I actually designed this house myself, largely based on a New Zealand home I’d seen online.
‘I then took my sketches and ideas to an architect to create accurate plans ...with straighter lines.’
Kate was born and grew up in nearby Ormskirk, and although the family went through periods of living further afield and even abroad, they always came back to be nearer friends, and the peace and beauty of rural Aughton.
Moving into a modern, new build property was quite a change for the family who had previously lived in a Victorian house on the other side of town. ‘Our last house was a lovely old property that we renovated, but because of its age it required ongoing attention and maintenance. We were ready for a new challenge, with a property that would be completely different in terms of character, style and even furniture.’
Kate was able to inject the family’s own style into every room of the new house, right through from planning to painting: ‘I had a good idea of what I wanted to achieve, so I was able to take those ideas to different suppliers to help bring them to life as the house was being built.
‘There are six bathrooms if you include the cloakroom and choosing all the suites was quite daunting, which I’m aware is not a bad problem to have! Sophie from Ribble Valley Bathrooms was great at making the whole process simple and bringing our ideas off the page and into reality within our budget.’
Kate had seen Ca Pietra’s Lily Pad tiles on Pinterest and was keen to include these in both the master en suite and ground floor guest bathroom. The hexagon tile format was also incorporated into the remaining en suites for a cohesive feel throughout. The house features brushed gold brassware and Anna’s bathroom makes a real statement with a bespoke floating double vanity with marble worktop and pink sit-on basins.
The quirky cloakroom features green panelling with eye-catching porcelain monkey tiles and a fluted vanity unit, showcasing Kate’s love of colour. ‘I always knew I didn’t want ultra modern interior décor, but I wanted all the rooms to look clean, fresh and new, so we went with a ‘cosy modern’ feel.
‘I also knew from the start we wouldn’t shy away from colour, I’m not the biggest fan of the grey trends that seem to have been popular lately. I’ve always liked a bit of colour in life.’ This is clear to see in the bold wallpapers used throughout the house, and the colourful kitchen units and furniture.
Kate struggles to choose just one favourite part of the house, ‘I absolutely love it all, so I suppose I have lots of favourite areas. And sometimes it changes depending on the light and the way the sun shines into a particular room. I love the cosiness of the living room, I love the kitchen and all the bathrooms, and I wouldn’t be without the boot room or my pantry.
‘I’m still absolutely thrilled with how everything came together. We tried to think of everything, even down to having a plug socket in the floor for the Christmas tree.
‘If I were to do it all again, I wouldn’t change a thing - except maybe tiny details like a slightly bigger sink in the pantry.
‘One of the most incredible things about the house is the location and the view across the fields from all sides.’ The house takes full advantage of the views with expansive windows and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors which blur the boundary between outdoors and in.
Kate thinks carefully when asked if the property was completely finished when they moved in: ‘Except for some landscaping, we finished virtually everything before we moved in. The builders were literally plumping the cushions on the new sofas as they left. It then took us a few months to settle into the space and add little interior touches.
‘...I think with a new build, especially one that you’ve had such a hand in designing, you’ll be forever adding the finishing touches.’
