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Gathered round the wood - burning stove in the living room of their East Sussex timber - frame home, members of the Chilvers household welcome Christmas morning with a glass of champagne, before tucking into a breakfast of English nam. This is a tradition that has beer observed by Bens family for generations but, despite its appearance, the house in which they celebrate was built less than two years ago.
Ben, an equine vet, and Victoria moved to this idyllic location on the edge of Ashdown Forest six years ago, to live in a former estate gardeners cottage built in the Arts and Crafts style, made famous by the architect Edwin Lutyens. Bijou but blessed with a decent - sized garden, the cottage was ideal for two. But over time, the couple felt that its proportions, marked by small, boxy rooms, were impractical for their family plans.
"We lived there for two years, wondering how we could extend sympathetically," says Victoria, whc trained in interior and spatial design at the Chelsea College of Art and Design before setting up her own practice a few years ago. "In the end. we made the radical decision to knock down the cottage and rebuild a larger home that would pay homage to the original. I grew up in Bath and am a huge admirer of period properties, so I confess I was in two minds about the idea of a new build, but we decided that by paying close attention to :he details, we could make it work."
The result is a four - bedroom home, twice the size of the original, with a Lutyens - inspired. double - height oak and leaded window at the front, in place of what was a plain brick facade. "The back of the original buildinghad an attractive timber framework, which we have recreated on the tear of this house, but the north - facing front was rather nondescript." says Victoria. "We could have carved an extra bedroom out of the tall space that the window now occupies, but we really wanted to give the house a statement feature as well as channel in lots of natural light."
Having obtained planning permission that allowed them to extend outwards as well as upwards, Victoria and Ben managed to double the internal space while preserving the period spirit of the original house. True to its Arts and Crafts pedigree, there is plenty of oak, inside and ou:. with simple flagstone flooring and every window leaded; the doors, meanwhile, are fine examples of the traditional latch style.
"We reused the clay roof tiles from the original cottage and sanded down and reinstated timber wherever possible, like the chunk of oak above the wood burner." says Victoria. "Weve integrated solar panels into the roof so that we can heat much of our water naturally, and we have been able to create the open - plan internal spaces that we craved. It means we have the convenience of a new build with the charm of a period home."
At Christmas, that charm is especially in evidence, with an abundance of locally gathered foliage adorning the front door and hall staircase, interspersed with twinkling lights much loved by the couples three - year - old daughter, Olivia. "We put our Christmas tree in the window, on top of the apothecary chest, which is one of my favourite antique finds," says victoria. "Sometimes we have gifts hidden in the little drawers of the chest or larger presents spilling out of therewith the ground floor comprising an open - plan living room, dining room and kitchen, as well as a separate study and conservatory, there is plenty of space for family gatherings. "We always attend the candlelit church service in the village on Christmas Eve," says Victoria, and our festivities are quite traditional. We go for a long walk in the forest at the back of the house and ga:her wood for the stove - were endowed with Commoners Rights to collect forest timber Then, in the evening, supper is a black - tie occasion."
An avid antiques hunter, Victoria has peppered her home with beautiful and unusual finds alongside cherished heirlooms such as the campaign chair that was bequeathed to Ben by Victorias grardmother. However, she is happy to mix and match with practical pieces in a complementary style, such as the simple white - painted kitchen stools from Ikea.
like pared - back schemes and arn inspired by French and Gustavian furniture." says Victoria. So keen is her passion for sourcing things that she has recently set up Heirloom, an offshoct of her interiors business, which is dedicated to tracking down distinctive items for her clients from auctions, house sales and trips to Europe. Given her own tastes, it is hardly surprising that some of the pieces have become permanent fixtures in her own home instead. "I found some beautiful French windows from a chateau." says Victoria, "which I backed with mirror and then mounted on the wall in the living room. It helps to make the room feel wider than it is."
Christmas this year is due to be particularly busy as Victoria and Ben are expecting a second child in January, and Victoria is working on plans for a garden studio. "We are going to relax over the holiday period though. We will have a sma.l family gathering involving little more than good food, wine and the occasional hearty walk," she says. All in all, the familys newly built home is proving the perfect winter retreat.
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