Janet McMeekin

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Articles

'The restoration of the cottage has been well worth the journey'

3 weeks ago | idealhome.co.uk | Janet McMeekin |Rachel Crow

Lilli King shrieked with delight after discovering that the pretty Cotswold cottage she desperately wanted to buy had come back on the market. ‘Within 24 hours, we’d stepped inside the property, put in an offer, and were keeping our fingers crossed that we would clinch the deal,’ she says. Back in 2020, the Kings were passing through the picturesque village of Southrop when they spotted the cottage with its attractive, decorative porch.
‘We wanted to completely rejig the layout to make it feel more balanced and practical for family living'

2 months ago | idealhome.co.uk | Janet McMeekin |Rachel Crow

Despite having their hearts set on buying a Victorian property, when the owners initially viewed a dated four-storey house with a higgledy-piggledy layout, they agreed that such a major project would be a step too far. ‘Even though we walked away, it had left an impression on us. About 18 months later, when it was still on the market, we returned.’This time, the couple decided that the property’s period charm, location and potential outweighed the prospect of tackling a huge renovation.
This Hampshire home blends mid-century design with Georgian elegance

Dec 11, 2024 | idealhome.co.uk | Janet McMeekin

The house is a detached Grade II-listed property, built in 1780, with Victorian additions, and comprises a hall, kitchen-breakfast room, sitting room, dining room, snug, cloakroom, utility room, six bedrooms (three en suite) and a family bathroom. In 2010, Deborah Chancellor followed her heart and trained at the KLC School of Design to be an interior designer. After graduating, she began looking for a suitable property to transform.
'Our home really sparkles at Christmas' - with its pale wood, classic decor and hints of pink, this cosy home is a welcome sight for the festive season | Ideal Home

Nov 23, 2024 | idealhome.co.uk | Janet McMeekin |Ginevra Benedetti

Christmas is a time to celebrate with friends and family and an excuse for many to adorn their homes with feel-good festive decorations. Twinkling lights and greenery are obvious choices, with both looking perfectly at home in this Scandi-style five-bedroom, renovated home in Kent. The owners, having almost given up on ever finding a new home to suit the growing needs of their family, discovered this attractive house, dating from the 1930s.
I’m a travel writer and I can make you book Sri Lanka in under 5 minutes

Oct 29, 2024 | nzherald.co.nz | Janet McMeekin

An aerial view of Uga Chena Huts and the Indian Ocean. Photo / Uga EscapesA return trip to Sri Lanka confirms Sri Lanka is a country everyone should put on their travel wish list. With a five-minute read time, we’re positive Janet McMeekin will have you booking by the end. The magical island of Sri Lanka has a way of getting under your skin. And it’s little wonder.
A new-build house with harbour views is this couple's happy place

Sep 25, 2024 | idealhome.co.uk | Janet McMeekin

This seven-bedroom house, built in 2022, sits on a site with stunning views of Chichester Harbour and the South Downs. So it's still a surprise to homeowners Alex and Ollie that they didn't spot the location's potential the first time they saw it. In fact, it took three viewings for the penny to drop. ‘We can’t quite believe that we live in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – and that we almost walked away from a golden opportunity,' Alex confides.
My five years (and counting) renovating a 30-room Georgian wreck

Aug 3, 2024 | thetimes.com | Janet McMeekin

After finally clinching the deal on a 30-room Georgian wreck, then waking bleary-eyed on the first morning living in his five-storey, grade II listed home to the sound of rats scratching and the overpowering stench of cat and dog excrement, Greg Penn wondered momentarily what on earth he had done.
'Be brave and go bright' was the design mantra for this colourful cottage

May 24, 2024 | idealhome.co.uk | Janet McMeekin

Amelia Harvey never tires of seeing her visitors’ astonished expressions when they first set foot in her multicoloured Cotswold home. ‘From the outside, it’s fairly unassuming and traditional, but that is certainly not the case inside,’ she smiles. ‘Behind the subtle green front door, there’s a riot of colour and pattern; it’s quite the surprise.’This jewel-toned gem is a huge departure from the neutral, Scandi-style house in London where Amelia was living four years ago.
‘We’re turning a derelict Welsh chapel into a home, pottery studio and community space’

Apr 15, 2024 | thetimes.co.uk | Janet McMeekin

The first time that we tentatively set foot in the grade II listed chapel in the North Wales coastal town of Pwllheli, it wasn’t the sheer size of the place that really shocked us, but how neglected, damp and grim it was [say Keith Brymer Jones, 58, and Marj Hogarth, 56]. Marj and I live in a flat in Margate and, when the pandemic struck, we began craving more space. I rent a pottery studio in nearby Whitstable and have always dreamt of owning my own studio.
First time on a Greek flotilla - The reluctant sailor

Feb 19, 2024 | sailingtoday.co.uk | Janet McMeekin

Janet McMeekin provides a novices view of the fun and frolics of a Greek flotilla holiday. As a non-sailor, I was rather alarmed when my husband dropped the bombshell that he would love to mark his 60th birthday year by embarking on a ‘dream’ family flotilla holiday, sailing around the Ionian islands in Greece. Trying hard to suppress the urge to blurt out: ‘No way! That’s my idea of a nightmare,’ I squirmed inwardly, hoping this was a fleeting notion that would rapidly vanish into the ether.