Page 78 - Homes & Antiques (February 2020)
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HOMES Malthouse Conversion
W irksworth has in town. ‘It can take me 20 minutes to
walk down our street because there’s
always been
a place where
always someone to chat to.’ Esther’s
home, which she shares with her
people make
husband, Paul Carr, and two grown-up
things,’ says
children, feels equally sociable. The
Esther Pa!erson.
The Derbyshire
the 1700s, and the "rst $oor they dwell
market town
in would have been used to dry grain
is where Richard red-brick building was a malthouse in
Arkwright opened the world’s "rst for brewing. The couple have preserved
water-powered co!on mill in 1771 its industrial, open-plan architecture,
and where, during the 19th century, adding rugs, art and colourful
mills in the area churned out the red wallpapers, so it’s a cross between an
tape beloved of bureaucrats in urban lo# and a country house.
Whitehall to bind legal documents. ‘We moved here from a townhouse
Today, factory workers have been with a small si!ing room and we
replaced by cra#speople, the mills wanted to have a large communal
converted into studios for the space where the family could meet up,’
ceramicists, metalworkers and says Paul, a graphic designer. They
designers like Esther, who give divided the long rectangular space
Wirksworth its bohemian edge. simply, with glazed screens at either
‘This is a friendly place too,’ says end to provide separate bedrooms. The
Esther, whose business, Curiousa kitchen, bright with hanging plants,
& Curiousa, specialises in colourful takes up the centre, opening onto the
contemporary lighting made by hand si!ing room on one side
78 Homes & Antiques February 2020
