Words Hannah Clugston
Photography French + Tye
In among the stone homes of Lancashire, hid down a sweeping drive and flanked by rich foliage is Domus– a 1950s Grade II-listed mid-century work of art with initial terrazzo floor covering, rosewood panelling and floor-to-ceiling views. Commissioned by Eric Cookson and developed by designer Alan Chambers in 1958, Domus has actually constantly turned heads– as it provided for existing owner Keith Rushworth who typically passed it as a young boy. “Living here was a little a youth dream” he discusses.
Domus suggests “home” in Latin, and Keith– in addition to his spouse Veronique– has actually invested the previous 20 years making it simply that. Adoringly brought back, it has actually functioned as an inviting household home that has actually supported the couple’s 2 children and seen lots of an elegant celebration. Hosting remains in Domus’ DNA: Cookson owned a big building company and routinely utilized to amuse customers at Domus, utilizing his home to exhibit the ease of modern-day living.
Keith and Veronique have an eye for information and have actually striven to regard Cookson and Chamber’s initial vision, however the requirement for a practical home has actually made sure the interiors have actually constantly stayed in keeping with modern life. “It’s not a museum” states Keith. “Convenience is extremely essential to us” includes Veronique who set up big cosy couches and a wood burner in the sitting space to enable the household to relax after supper.
With Domus now on the marketplace, Keith and Veronique review their years of remediation and what makes the home a relaxing location to live.
Keith: “Initially, we had actually seen Domus on the marketplace however when we attempted to get a watching, we were informed it had actually been offered, however then it stood empty for ages. When we did some more examining, it ended up a contractor was shopping it to knock it down to construct on the big plot of land it was basing on. For us, it was essential that it was brought back, so we matched the other deal and ultimately protected it.”
Veronique: “I truly wasn’t sure to start with as I was utilized to residing on a peaceful little cul-de-sac, however since this was Keith’s youth dream, I consented to come and take a look. As quickly as I got here, I fell in love. When you boil down the drive, your house is concealed away and it feels truly remote. There is a lot light and it is so open– I might truly see our household living here. I believe everybody believed we were insane purchasing this location since it required a great deal of work and we had a young household at the time.”
Keith: “When we relocated 23 years back, your house remained in rather a bad state. Eric Cookson– who developed your house and commissioned the designer Alan Chambers– had actually been living here, however as he aged things had not been kept. It indicated your house was basically unblemished– it resembled a time pill– however it likewise indicated there were major concerns. The wood window frames were all rotten and half the underfloor heating didn’t work. The parts that did work were costing us ₤ 120 weekly to run, which remained in 2001!”
Veronique: “The floorplan is entirely initial– we have actually simply concentrated on bring back and upgrading the location. When we relocated and began the work, we understood the worth of the initial functions– like how essential the rosewood walls and the terrazzo floorings were, for instance. On a number of ceilings there were acoustic tiles that were felt on one side, however a great deal of them were permanent, so we restored enough of them to cover the ceiling in the downstairs celebration space, that makes sense as it softens the noise.”
Keith: “Since our women were young, it was truly essential to change the windows instantly as the glass wasn’t safe. We likewise changed the kitchen area since it wasn’t suitable for function any longer– we ‘d get plates out of the cabinet and they ‘d be covered in sawdust. The design is practically the very same other than we reconfigured things so you ‘d be watching out to the garden rather of at the sink when preparing supper.”
Veronique: “The connection to the exterior is among the very best aspects of your house. There is a veranda that runs along the bed room and the kitchen area and we invest a great deal of time out there. The view from the bed room is among the important things I will miss out on most when we leave– it is fantastic to get up every day to that. We are simply surrounded by nature– we get deer, owls, foxes and birds roaming into the garden from the forest. When good friends come by, we typically consume or have beverages outside.”
Keith: “Eric Cookson and his spouse didn’t have kids and your house was developed for amusing. It is truly open, there are no areas concealed away. All the area is utilized. The reality you can translucent your house has actually been extremely helpful for domesticity, however we have likewise had a great deal of celebrations. Downstairs, there is a bar and if you press the couch back and move the carpet there is an initial glass dancefloor that illuminate. Sky shot Amusing Female here and they had a celebration scene on that dancefloor that looked basically precisely like among our celebrations.”
Veronique: “Individuals like coming here– we can’t get them to leave! We typically discover individuals asleep in the egg chairs at the end of a night. It has actually been fantastic for the women too– they have had some fantastic celebrations here.”
Keith: “It is a special home, especially in this part of the world. A great deal of Lancashire is stone developed, so nowadays it would be extremely difficult to get preparing approval to construct Domus since it would not be ‘in keeping’ with the area. Eric Cookson had the ability to construct it since his building company indicated he had a great deal of impact. It was fantastic when it got noted because now it suggests it can be protected. Ideally whoever purchases your house next aspects the origins of it and continues to keep it well.”
Veronique: “I believe for both people, the most essential aspect of our home is that we raised our household here and the memories we have. It has actually been an unbelievable household home– and a genuine sanctuary too.”
Keith: “We are transferring to be closer to our children. I believe since they matured in such an open-plan home, it has actually made us an actually close-knit household, so we ‘d like to reside in a comparable mid-century home simply much closer to them.”
Veronique: “We are carrying on to a brand-new phase of life– I’ll have my 60th birthday celebration here initially though …”
