Art House Hay

I bought this mid terrace listed townhouse in 2017 and spent a year restoring it. Taking my inspiration from Axel Vervoordt and his wabi sabi approach I retained as much of the lime plaster and original windows, floorboards and fireplaces as I could. Adding a contemporary kitchen extension with conservation roof lights enabled me to draw upon the talents of local historical builders Jones & Fraser as well as Hay based joiner Jonathan Brunton who earmarked wide quarter sawn oak floor boards, remainders from the King’s Dining Room at Edinburgh Castle when it was restored in the late 90’s by John Nethercott & Co. The retaining garden wall was rebuilt using local stone and the steps moved to enable access to the small garden and the surreal Sulking Shed beyond.

The paintings and furniture are generally all from creatives and friends that I have got to know when moving here nearly twenty years ago. In the sitting room the furniture is from Sally & Mark at Baileys, there is a Clearview wood burner from Ludlow and the cafe blinds are designed and made by Julie aka The Welsh Girl. The kitchen table by Ryan Saxon was version I and originally in The Atelier when I lived there. It moved here with me after Ryan had designed version II for the gallery, The Table, after which it is named. The kitchen chairs were originally commissioned by my mother from the Clifford-based furniture maker, Chris Armstrong, before I had moved back to Hay so imagine my surprise after she died to discover their origin so they had to come back to the shire.

The Welsh stick chair and console table are made from the same tree on the Penpont Estate by Gareth Irwin. There is an Everhot cooker in the old chimney breast and a Quooker tap above the concrete sink alongside the dishwasher.

The paintings, ceramics and sculpture are all part of my private art collection which extends over the first two floors of my discreet art gallery here at home. Whilst there is access to the whole curated house over three floors you will only be able to sleep in the top front bedroom so therefore suitable just for a solo guest or a couple who can manage two flights of stairs!. The kingsize double bed has linen sheets with feather pillows and duvet. The bathroom next door has a tadelakt shower with rain head.