So grateful to call this amazing Dream House ours for a lifetime. A few of my favourite reasons…

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the front
If you have eyes you should be able to see why. Our front door has a big rough-cut old key and above it, under the creeper, you can just make out the old lettering from when the ground floor was a sweet shop. A sweet shop! I can’t wait to get a better look at the typeface in winter!

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the kitchen
The kitchen was one of the first things that sold the house to me, which is funny because I suspect it’s what had put all the other potential buyers off. It’s old and hand built and not at all like modern kitchens; the work top is an old mahogany shop counter, the pantry cupboard is a cabinet from a 1940s co-op. It was dark green & orange pine when we moved in, but in my head it was already bright white & Pinterest-worthy. We’re very nearly there.
There’s a stained-glass window that’s next to go – pretty as it is, I love full spectrum daylight more.

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the fire
A real fire has always been on our dream list, and out here on the hills it’s almost a necessity.
Warmth aside, we get to have a woodpile and lovely woodsmoke smells, and a feature for our living room that doesn’t involve a TV screen. Plus, Rory gets to do his caveman thing, which seems important.

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the desk
This antique desk is sort of built into a corner of our bedroom. I was really excited to arrange it all lovely and turn it into my workspace (I have a lot of important birthday cards to write and photos to VSCO, alright??) but Orla had other plans, and has totally commandeered it as her colouring-in station. There’s a clever little edge to stop pencils from rolling off & I can leave her there while I wash my hair, so it’s a fair swap. One day I’ll make it beautiful & organised, though.

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the window seat
Aka our bedroom window. We had to put the bars up because WHAT IF ORLA BROKE THROUGH the single-glazed glass and fell to the paving below?? It’s fine though, we’ll take them down as soon as she turns 21, and they’re nice to lean on.
One morning we woke up to such heavy mist that it looked like this:

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Which leads me to…

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that view
Who needs pictures when you have a view like this? It seems to change by the hour sometimes, & Orla likes spotting ‘her’ cows at every opportunity. When they’ve gone to bed she knows it’s time for her to do the same – god I love those cows.

If all this seems a bit idyllic & makes you hate me, remember that it wasn’t always like this for us. Six months ago I looked out on grey concrete and into the windows of our neighbours, and the closest thing to wildlife were the neighbour’s cats digging up our flowerbeds.

PLUS, on the side of the lovely roll-top bath upstairs, there’s a mural of horses emerging from the sea, and I can’t get it off.
Actually, we might have to move… 

{all decent images in this post taken with NX3000 c/o Samsung}

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34 Comments

  • tlovertonet

  • March 08, 2024

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  • Lindsay Eryn

  • May 12, 2016

Ah, I’m so glad I found this post! I saw some photos of your more recent home tour/magazine feature, but it didn’t have all these special details. Your home is so darling, and I’m just a little… a lot jealous. If I ever make it over the the English countryside, I’m paying a visit!

  • Sara Tasker

  • May 12, 2015

Thanks! Yes, someday you absolutely will, and it will make the wait worthwhile, I promise 🙂

  • Johanna J

  • May 12, 2015

Wow this is seriously beautiful! The kitchen would have definitely gotten me too, so pretty. I hope one day I’ll have a house as wonderful as this 🙂

  • Sara

  • November 08, 2014

Thanks Claire! Yes, I can definitely relate to the children’s room issue. I’ll defo do a post soon on Orla’s stuff – there’s an older post on here too of her room from the old house that you might be interested in too.
Thanks for stopping by! xx

  • Claire F

  • October 31, 2014

Lovely. Would love to see more if possible… Also interested to see how you’ve made Orla’s room work. Find there’s so little for children’s rooms that I love.
Beautiful home and you can’t beat God’s own county! X

  • Sara

  • October 25, 2014

Thanks Emma!! It’s such a beautiful area, and there are so many teensy villages to make home. Our’s is not far from Ripponden/Sowerby Bridge, so about 15 mins from Hebden. Definitely give me a shout next time you’re up this way – we could meet for a cuppa and chat rural property dreams! 🙂

  • Sara

  • October 25, 2014

Ah, Niki, sorry to hear you have been there yourself, but so grateful for your kind words! Yes, a move to the countryside is a life changer like nothing else. I feel smug whenever I visit friends back in the city – poor them, with no cows and chickens! Teehee! x

  • Sara

  • October 25, 2014

Ah Tina, we see the world the same! <3 That's all I want to do, and it seems to be one of life's bitter ironies that now I have the perfect spot to do this, I have a tiny bossy dictator and a million and one other things to pull me away. One day! When Orla is 40 and the decorating is finished..! xx

  • Sara

  • October 25, 2014

YES! Well spotted – there to inspire us all. You do need to visit, it’s absolutely essential! Hurry hurry! x

  • Sara

  • October 25, 2014

bahahahaha! your comments always win. I am somewhat concerned that the house is haunted by the ghost of pear drops and cola cubes, as I find myself craving sugar far more than is acceptable and I’m sure it isn’t my fault. x

  • Sara

  • October 25, 2014

5%! It’s so funny, isn’t it? But ultimately our gain, as we got a total bargain with this place.
You must get in touch next time you’re up North and pop by for a cuppa & some cake. We can talk countryside dreams and What I Should Paint White Next… haha! x

  • Emma

  • October 22, 2014

It’s beautiful! I’ve been dying for a peek into your home, and it’s better than I ever imagined! It’s our dream to live in the same area so really inspiring to see your home. Beautiful photographs as well. Where about in West Yorkshire are you? My best friends live in Todmorden, so I spend a lot of time in the area, usually walking around Tod, Hebden and Heptonstall. Would love to find out some of your favourite spots in the area – and perhaps share some of mine! – Emma xx

  • niki t

  • October 21, 2014

A move to the country was a must for me too. Heaven.
I’ve just read your tree & sky post and completely loved it.
I have been that person – so perfectly put Sara, it was excellent!

  • Sara

  • October 21, 2014

Oh no, don’t worry! I can get the horses printed onto various accessories and soft furnishing items online – its really no problem at all! 😀

  • Jo

  • October 20, 2014

Ummm shall I give you the link to my Amazon wish list? 😀 Might be simpler to shop from, y’see.

  • Tina

  • October 20, 2014

You had me at the front door *sigh* Dreamy and so much character. I could very easily sit in that window seat and dream the day away. Thank you for sharing your space x. Enjoy 🙂

  • Stacy and Olive

  • October 19, 2014

I’m in love! I need to visit ASAP!! That front door… Drool!! THAT KITCHEN!! It would sell me too!! And I spied a little calligraphy in Orla’s coloring corner!!! Hehehe

  • Rebecca

  • October 19, 2014

The sweet shop is too much. I’m all envy and sulk. Also, half a pound of lemon sherberts, please.

  • Emma

  • October 19, 2014

It is so beautiful Sara, I can see why it captured your heart. You have done a great job with the kitchen, it is definitely pinterest worthy. I always find it funny too how people can’t see through decor to recognise the potential of a house, but apparently only 5% of the population can visualise things! I look forward to seeing more photos in the future. Emma xx

  • Sara

  • October 19, 2014

Thanks Carly! We’re loving every single minute 🙂

  • Sara

  • October 19, 2014

Yes, that’s exactly what we think! It’s funny how so many people can’t see past decor, isn’t it? Admittedly this place was quirky, but that’s exactly why we love it so much! xx

  • Sara

  • October 19, 2014

I often think how different having a tiny baby would have been if we’d been here – despite being so much more rural, I feel a lot less isolated as there’s such a community here. Maybe next time 😉
You’re right, the stained glass needs preserving, and there’s another window we’re leaving as is. It’s just sadly too dark and too yellow to work in the kitchen. I’ll definitely snap those horses and share – they’re pretty special!

  • Sara

  • October 19, 2014

Oh thanks Emma – that’s the loveliest thing to say ☺️

  • Sara

  • October 19, 2014

Haha! That’s your Christmas present sorted then – I’ll get some specially commissioned

  • Sara

  • October 19, 2014

YES, exactly that – we still both have a slightly irrational fear that someone is going to come and tell us there’s been a mistake and ask for it back!

  • Sara

  • October 19, 2014

Thank you Megan! I’ll definitely get a picture of the writing and post it once the leaves have fallen – it’s so faded, I think a bit of computer manipulation might be needed to make out all the words anyway.
We had no idea of that part of the building’s history when we bought it, so it’s very exciting. Apparently the top floor where we sleep was a dance hall at one point too! xx

  • carly

  • October 19, 2014

simply divinely lovely, takes your breath away. enjoy your new space.

  • Aloadofoldtat.blogspot.co.uk

  • October 19, 2014

Truly wonderful. The kitchen is stunning, fortunately you had the foresight to see past the orange and green. Obviously built for a lifetime.

  • Phillipa

  • October 19, 2014

Ah Sara you deserve everything if had crappy neighbours with a baby. House is a m a z i n g! Try to keep the stained glass as I’m sure you’ll find a use for it and I’d actually love to see a pic of the horse! Sounds hilarious!

  • Emma Gutteridge

  • October 19, 2014

It’s simply beautiful! The light you’ve captured is just gorgeous too. A feast for the eyes on a Sunday morning.

  • Jo

  • October 19, 2014

Is it wrong that I quite like the horses? 😀 Wouldn’t want it in my actual bathroom, however…

Beautiful beautiful house <3

  • Faye

  • October 19, 2014

Oh my word. What an utterly beautiful home. You must have to pinch yourself everyday to make sure it is actually yours and you’re not just dreaming. Old houses with such character and their own secret stories to tell are so special. My childhood home is the stable block / carriage house of a stately home built in 1883 (the big house was sadly demolished in the ’60’s). It also has so much charm and will always hold a piece of my heart. What a great gift you are giving to Orla by carving out your own traditions and making memories here in this lovely place that she will no doubt hold dear for her lifetime xxx

  • Megan B

  • October 19, 2014

This really does look like a fairytale home..Your photos are beautiful! I would love to see the old lettering on your door of the sweet shop, because that is so freakin’ awesome!! I love finding out history of old buildings and homes that are as beautiful as this one you have snatched up!

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