60 SECONDS WITH HATTA BYNG, EDITOR OF HOUSE & GARDEN

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT

We took on my parents-in-law’s Grade II* family home, built in 1804, just outside York.  It needed everything – heating, plumbing, wiring – every room was touched.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE?

It was meant to be 32 weeks. But I always thought that was optimistic. We moved in within a year.

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION WHEN IT CAME TO THE DECORATION?

The house itself, which is Regency with a wonderful cantilevered staircase hall. I felt strongly that we should not sweep in with a whole new look even though we modified every room. While the interiors needed to feel right for today, I also felt they must look – to a certain degree – like they have always been like this.

DID YOU MANAGE TO STICK TO YOUR BUDGET?

We were about 17% over. Mostly that was because there was far more plumbing than we expected.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE ROOM IN THE HOUSE?

I love our kitchen. It was my husband Charlie’s grandparent’s dining room. My parents-in-law changed it into their kitchen and we’ve made further changes. We’ve now got a huge table that goes down the middle and an open fire with a big nursery fender. My extravagance was the antique Delft tiles on the chimney breast.

WHAT WAS THE BEST INVESTMENT? WAS IT A SINGLE ITEM? OR GETTING THE HEATING WORKING?

Getting the heating working was crucial!  But it is the joinery, both architectural and fitted, that we spent a lot of time and money on so that it feels right for the house and something that will outlast us. Perhaps the most exciting was the 18th-century Italian tester that Charlie bought at Christie’s for our bedroom – plumes and all.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT FROM DOING THE PROJECT?

I think the biggest learning curve is to make sure you brief properly – whether that’s the tiler tiling your bathroom or your curtain maker making a blind.  I think I can be a bit broad brush and assume somebody thinks like I do!

“I want to be a maximalist, but I’ve got a minimalist pulling me away.”

QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS

MINIMALIST OR MAXIMALIST?

Something in between. I think I want to be a maximalist, but I’ve got a minimalist pulling me away.

TATE BRITAIN OR TATE MODERN?

Different times, different reasons… You need them both.

COTTON OR CASHMERE?

Cotton. But I’m wearing a cashmere jumper right now.

PALACE OR PENTHOUSE?

I’d say palace, having just been round Castle Howard, which is pretty much a palace.