Number 9 Beeston Road

Who?

Hello! I'm Ana and I'm behind Number 9..which I really hope you like! Houses and gardens are my 'thing' - in my head I'm a cross between Barbara Good and Margo Leadbetter. If that's not a terrifying thought. I love turning a tired or unloved gem into a warm, comfortable home and in the past 4 years I have developed a green finger or two which I can use to turn a tired space into a thriving garden of delight. That said -  my sister Natalie exhibited on BBC Gardeners World Live...you might want to give her a call..

How did it happen?

I've always loved interiors and design and like many people who end up in this business, my first big renovation project was my own house in Stamford. In 2015 I moved back 'home' from Hong Kong. During my time in HK, we'd moved 5 times so I had a fair amount of design under my belt - but my UK move was a bit different. I bought the highly impractical but beautiful chocolate box, 15 Water Street, Stamford. A 350 year old Grade II listed Georgian property, everyone said I was mad but I was totally in love. What started as a 'lick of paint' ended up in a total renovation job. As so often is the way. What is they said about Pringles - once you pop you just can't stop....well this was the same. 

Despite my new purchase being wrapped in red conservation and listing tape, with more hoops to jump through than a dog in the agility round at Crufts,  I held my nose and jumped in. What resulted was a new house in an old shell and I was hooked.  Obviously the sensible thing would have been to stay in that house and renovate other peoples, but that would be predictable. So you find me now, in a tiny hamlet just outside Stamford, this time in a farmhouse project. I chose this one as it would not require any structural work. Obviously that went out of the window, along with the odd wall. Turning things around this time, I got the main internal bits underway and then immediately turned my attention to the garden, which has been an epic project with much life left in it! This house is going at a a slower rate, I've learnt that you need to feel a house breath before you dress it, but that doesn't stop me slopping paint on walls for 24 hours before a scene change. 

So how does Number 9 fit in to all of this? Essentially - I made a very expensive trip to Sheringham. I say expensive because it was supposed to be just to drop my son off at his friends holiday house. I had no idea it would result in a house purchase and renovation ...

Number 9 has been a joy to design and decorate. The difference for this one is it's not just mine, it's a home for other families to enjoy as a holiday home and Sheringham is the gift that keeps on giving, a wonderful town on the stunning North Norfolk coast. I've finally put into practice all that I have learnt over the years and the projects I have worked on have culminated in this new house. So - here we are. Present day. Number 9 is up and running, Longstone is on the final furlong, and I am accepting commissions for new projects. 

Have a look at the gallery and see what you think, and if you like what I do and need a consultant or just some ideas, get in touch. We can definitely make your home beautiful and its not as hard as you'd think...