Restoring the grand 19th-century residence has been a sentimental endeavor

Achieving the desired dream home has proven to be valuable, despite the challenges and financial burden for the homeowners

, and Administrator

2025 September 23 . 4:36 AM

2 min read

Restoring the grand 19th-century residence into a splendid abode was a task filled with affection

Restoring the grand 19th-century residence has been a sentimental endeavor

In April 2021, Sam and Nina moved into Eller How, a Regency home with a rich history and acres of land, and began a remarkable transformation. The couple, with Sam's experience in hospitality and Nina's creative flair, saw the potential in the property, especially during the peak of post-Covid staycations.

Part of Eller How had already been converted into self-catering accommodation, and the couple wasted no time in reviving it. They started by restoring the unusual Australian Brushbox timber floors and reglazing, repairing, and repainting the drawing room to highlight its original ornate detailing.

The couple's approach to decorating was simple yet effective. Nina chose natural, earthy shades throughout the house, believing it's important for the walls to look as if they could have always been that colour. The snug room, for instance, is painted in Farrow & Ball's Green Smoke, while the main bedroom walls and ceiling are coloured in Farrow & Ball's Dibber.

In the kitchen, Nina painted the cupboards in Farrow & Ball's Singed Red as a budget-friendly kitchen idea. The glass pendant light above the kitchen was found on Etsy, adding a touch of modernity to the traditional space. The sink curtain in the kitchen is made from H&M Home tablecloths, providing a splash of pattern and colour.

The family bathroom was renovated with a classic chequerboard tiled floor, wall pannelling painted in Farrow & Ball's Planter, and walls papered in Lewis & Wood's Alhambra wallpaper. The fun spare bedroom's character is preserved despite the house's challenges, with a mix of antiques, high-street buys, a rug from West Elm, and a burnt orange sofa from Dunelm.

One of the most unique features of Eller How is the hallway in their side of the property, which was redecorated in plaster pink and features Nina's hand-painted murals of oak and tulip trees. The hallway leads to a French marble-topped washstand from eBay, which was converted into a vanity unit for the bathroom.

Despite the challenges they faced, Nina and Sam value living at Eller How, as it is where they plan to spend the rest of their lives. They fell in love with the property a year earlier when they visited it and sent each other listings for a dream home with the words 'house goals'. Today, they have turned that dream into a reality, creating a charming self-catering retreat that guests can enjoy.