You’re happiest at home when…
Michael: It’s oh-so quiet. I enjoy pottering around the kitchen, preparing or planning a meal, in the peace of the morning before anyone else is awake.
Hannah: Michael is cooking. I love being at home with the family, sitting in the kitchen with the double doors open wide and the sun streaming in. Our lovely neighbours have grandchildren of a similar age to our daughters, and they spend their weekends jumping back and forth across the terraced garden walls to play. It’s great fun!
How would you describe the interiors of your house?
Hannah: Calm, considered, comfortable. When we renovated, we made various structural and behind-the-scenes changes that may not be immediately apparent but were quite transformative. The result is an ergonomic and beautiful home that is a pleasure to use.
If you could only save one thing, what would it be?
Michael: My Falcon oven. Although I don’t think I’d get it out very easily.
Hannah: The botanical prints behind the dining table. They’re old German posters that I found years ago in Hackney. I love their faded beauty. All the other things are too heavy!
What was the last thing you bought for the house?
Hannah: Pelargoniums for our pots in the living room and two botanical tiles by Rachel Dein from the Maze Home store. We spend so long sourcing beautiful products for work that it’s impossible not to bring some home. I love the contrasting delicacy of the flowers cast in solid concrete – a simulacrum of nature.
Top three coffee table books?
This is Home by Natalie Walton; The John Derian Picture Book by John Derain; The Food Lab by J Kenji Lopez-Alt.
If money was no object, what changes would you make?
Hannah: Trees! We planted two rows of pleached hornbeams outside the kitchen when we first moved in and, if budget allowed, I’d continue down the length of the garden. I love their sculptural branches in winter, and they provide privacy in summer, without cutting out the light.
You’re having people over for dinner: what do you cook?
Michael: Pizzas in the Ooni oven, or kebabs with freshly baked flatbreads and bowls of colourful salads. Simple, flavoursome food that allows me to relax and socialise without getting too caught up in the kitchen.
What does a Sunday here look like?
Michael: Sunday is often the only day we have together as a family, so we usually take it pretty slow and potter around the garden with the girls before cooking a big roast in the afternoon.
What are the best things about the neighbourhood?
Hannah: We love Larkhall; it’s so perfectly positioned. We’re within easy walking distance of Bath’s beautiful city centre, but only minutes from the canals and the countryside. It’s like a village on the edge of town with an independent bookshop, flower shop, butcher, deli, and organic grocery.
How long will you be here for?
Hannah: A few more years. It’s a very practical house for a young family but we definitely have designs on another project down the line. It will be hard to leave Larkhall but I imagine the next move will be further into the countryside. Somewhere with big rooms and tall ceilings.
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