LIFE IN YOURcountry home

What makes thishouse a home ...

'Having space for ourgrown-up daughtersand friends to stay forwonderful weekends,and being surroundedby special treasuresthat we've collectedover the years'

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Jeni Jebb recallsjeelin,q at home the moment she andhusband Stuart stepped into the large kitchen of this mill house twoyears ago. 'The units were painted the same shade as the ones inmy existing kitchen, even the tablecloth was the same,' Jeni says.'I said to Stuart, "This is definitely meant to be." The couple had livedin a farmhouse near Guildford, but decided to move on when theirdaughters, Sophie and Amy, flew the nest. Moving, however, provedeasier said than done. While they wanted somewhere that wouldsuit the two of them and accommodate visiting family and friends,they also hoped to create a boutique bed-and-breakfast retreat.Properties that met their criteria were few and far between.

'Eventually, we instructed a property-finding company,' says Stuart.'It sounds expensive, but it was absolutely worth it.' The firm theychose, Qwest, sorted the wheat from the chaff, so that Jeni and Stuartdidn't have to make fruitless trips to view unsuitable properties.'When they called to tell us about this old mill house, we were

hopeful,' says Jeni. 'We loved its situation and the size soundedperfect. Wewent down that weekend with fingers crossed.'The couple were intrigued by the property's history. Records show

a mill has stood on this site since Domesday times. While the currentmill was built 200 years ago, its adjoining cob cottage, which housedthe miller and his family, dates back to the 15th century. It was aworking mill until just before the Second World War when the areawas commandeered by US troops to accommodate soldiers. A Germanbomb sealed its fate, destroying the leat (a man-made channel thatdiverts stream water to a mill). It was then used to store farmmachinery until both buildings were converted in the 1990s.Jeni and Stuart liked the fact that there were four bedrooms on

the cottage side, which would be perfect for guests, and three morein the mill for family. While the property was in good condition, mostof the rooms needed updating. 'We loved the original features, butwanted to introduce a feeling of light and space,' Jeni says. Stuartset to work without delay, redecorating rooms and corridors in soft,neutral shades, installing contemporary bathrooms and updatingthe basic heating system with eco-friendly woodburning stoves.Meanwhile, Jeni, who had worked in interiors 'for many years,

thought how best to incorporate the furniture and collections fromtheir former home into this new one. 'Wewere so lucky that almosteverything we had looked right,' she says. 'Although we had to .investin a few new pieces, generally we were able to make each roomcomfortable and homely as soon as they'd been redecorated.'Within seven months of moving in, the couple were more than

settled in and able to welcome not only their first guests but friendsand family, who often gather for relaxed country weekends. Lastsummer their daughter Sophie's wedding was even held in thegardens. 'It's such a privilege to be part of this wonderful building'sstory and share it with everyone who comes.''2:i"Keynedon Mill, 01848 831488, keynedonmill.co.uk. »

At home with ..,Owners Jeni and Stuart Jebb,who have lived here since 2011with their Lakeland Terrier,

Mabel. They have two grown-updaughters, Sop hie and Amy.House An early-19th-centurymill and adjoining 15th-centurycob cottage with three andfour bedrooms respectively.

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On our doorstep ...Visit... 'The South WestCoastal Path (southwest

coastalpath.com). The sceneryis stunning, and we love

visiting the wonderful beachesand coves where we spentso many happy holidayswith our daughters:

Shop at ... 'The Friday marketin Totnes. It's fantastic and sellseverything from artisan breadto French country furniture.

Vanessa Harrison's stall, ClassicVintage (classic-vintage.co.uk),is a favourite for the latter:

Gofor a meal at ... TheSeahorse Restaurant (01803835147, sea horse restaurant.co.uk) in Dartmouth. Ownedby top chef Mitch Tonks, itspecialises in fresh local fish:

housetohome. co.ukl countryhomesandinteriors 27

What we love most about living here ...'The beauty of the South Hams, the .calmer-pace-of life,and all the local people who've made us feel so welcome'

Devon mill house

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Room ideas

Be inspired by...

Jeni's kitchen

oDownload yourdigital editiontoday: visit

housetohome.co.ukldigital-editions

1Willow cutlery basket, H21x15cm sq, £8, The Contemporary Home. 2 Ceramic jug,H18.5cm, £30, Plum & Ashby. 3 Wooden wall cupboard, H100xW60xD23cm, £159, HafodFarm. 4 600 Series range cooker, col Claret, H91xW99.5xD58.2cm, from £4,995, Rayburn.5 John Leach Squat 1.5Lcasserole, £74, David Melior. 6 Metal wall sconce, H33.5cm, £24.95,Dupere Design. 7 Oak antipasti board, 40x30cm, £48, Garden Trading. 8 Bespoke cook'sbench with oak top and integral bread drawer, col Sage Grey, £2,000, Barnes of Ashburton.

30 housetohome. 00.uk/ oountryhomesandinteriors

k Colour mixingUsing cool, relaxed shades is a

fail-safe way to put a country stampon a kitchen. To update the look,

add an appliance in a vibrant colour.

Need to know ...For units or freestanding pieces, picktoning shades from a neutral paintpalette, such as cream, limestoneand soft dove grey - great for

evoking acalm, spacious feel. Mixand match worktops in natural woodand stone to bring in warmth andinterest. A range cooker in a glossyenamelled finish adds a bright accent.

Where to buy ...• Little Greene for neutral paints .

• Rencraft for hand-painted kitchens.• Stoves for range cookers in hot,

vibrant shades.• Smeg for range cookers in fresh

pastel colours.

Find the perfectcountry tiles

Chicken Run

All hand-painted wall tiles, 13cm sq,from £24.20 each, Marlborough.

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