Restoration
Restoration took 5 years from 1995 to 1999, the same time that the original building took from 1920 to 1924. The house and garden are listed Historic Monuments, and a programme of restoration, including normally contentious issues like extra bathroom facilities, air conditioning, a new, if discreet, swimming pool were agreed at the outset. Every effort was made to bring the house back to its prewar condition and the whole undertaking was supervised by the region’s Architect in Chief for Historic Buildings.
The garden was delicately reinvented to take account of tree growth and modern planting and watering systems were introduced to retain the historic components and feel, while enabling the 3,5 hectare garden, all in terraces, to be economic in water consumption, and able to be looked after by two gardeners.