One Of A Kind
25 Beautiful Homes|October 2019
Hilary and Nick Chambers took their time, determined to craft a home unique to them.
Nicky Guymer
One Of A Kind

After four years of saving, a year of renovating and two years of settling in, Hilary Chambers still refers to the home that she shares with her husband Nick and their three children, Olive, 11, Iris, eight, and Herbie, three, as a work in progress.

It was the riverside location in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, coupled with its massive potential, that piqued their interest when they first viewed the Edwardian terrace back in 2011. ‘It was in the middle of a property boom and there was very little on the market,’ says Hilary. ‘But we knew on the first viewing that this would be our home despite the state it was in.’ Nick agrees, saying, ‘There were a lot of strange upgrades, like a timber-framed conservatory, which, though attractive, was too higgledy-piggledy to ever be practical.’

There were other challenges, too – matted carpets, blown plaster, a quarter of a ceiling missing in what is now the playroom, no heating and an infestation of mice. ‘We begged and borrowed just enough to buy the house, but we didn’t have any money left over to renovate it,’ says Hilary. ‘So when the kitchen ceiling fell down, the first Christmas we were here, we just had to leave it bare to the rafters.’

This story is from the October 2019 edition of 25 Beautiful Homes.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 2019 edition of 25 Beautiful Homes.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM 25 BEAUTIFUL HOMESView All
NATURE'S colour scheme
25 Beautiful Homes

NATURE'S colour scheme

Interior designer Charlotte Thomas has transformed a centuries-old country house into a haven of charm, with hues that are in harmony with her personality

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
SPECIAL BLEND
25 Beautiful Homes

SPECIAL BLEND

Marcus and Eliza Waring’s captivating new build combines modern style with Georgian charm

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
Southern belle
25 Beautiful Homes

Southern belle

Interior designer Michael Mitchell breathed new life into y a home in South Carolina with colour, art and antiques Lan

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
LOFTY AMBITION
25 Beautiful Homes

LOFTY AMBITION

Bespoke joinery and a light palette were used to maximise the space in this cosy bedroom under the eaves

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
Modern CLASSIC
25 Beautiful Homes

Modern CLASSIC

Interior designer LeeAnn Baker has infused this elegant new-build waterfront home with a sense of history and a welcoming atmosphere

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
European VIBES
25 Beautiful Homes

European VIBES

Italian and French mid-century pieces, exquisite marbles and a calming palette of blues and greens lend an international flavour to a historic apartment in Stockholm

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
A return to grandeur
25 Beautiful Homes

A return to grandeur

An extensive remodel has given this 1990s home fabulous character, with designer Jeffrey Neve’s eye for fresh colours softening the space

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
SHEER GLAMOUR
25 Beautiful Homes

SHEER GLAMOUR

Eleanor and Ollie Bowmer gave their new en suite the five-star treatment with luxe finishes and a statement bath

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
Relaxing RUSTIC
25 Beautiful Homes

Relaxing RUSTIC

Designer Claire Garner has concocted a warm and welcoming interior scheme that perfectly complements the oak beams of this modern Tudor-style home

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
The little house of CALM
25 Beautiful Homes

The little house of CALM

Sue and Jonathan Eley turned a timber cabin in a beautiful secluded New Forest setting into a luxurious country escape

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024