Episode Information Trade Secrets Yorkshire

Date Published:

16/06/2008

Usually when you look at a listed ruin, it's almost impossible to imagine that someone would have enough vision to transform a dark, dank, crumbling old wreck into a place you'd want to live in.

But with a little help and inspiration from the work of late architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens, Francis and Karen manage to turn their dreams into reality.

On the trail for inspiration on how to return the Peel ruin to its former glory, Francis and Karen looked to Lindisfarne Castle. Built in the early 1600s it towers over the North sea on the Northumbrian coast and conjured up the kind of drama and romance that Francis was adamant to recreate when he started to rebuild the ruin.

A hundred years ago, Edward Hudson, the owner of Country Life magazine, wanted to convert the ancient Lindisfarne Castle into a lavish holiday home for his family. He turned to renowned architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens, to take on the job. Lutyens managed to transform the functional fort into a kind of hybrid - half family home, half medieval fantasy.

It was by carefully crafting the inside that Lutyens was able to change the atmosphere of the place, make it more warm and homely. He kept things like the fantastic portcullis, but then softened the rest of the exterior by removing the battlements and rounding the buildings hard edges. In the Long Gallery he added a beautiful, curved stone staircase with stunning arches that transform an otherwise boxy corridor.

All of these statements played a big role in softening the interior - it becomes less harsh and more liveable. Lots of arts and craft influences added a final finish to its very quirky personality.

From austere ruined castle to intimate family house via some rather nifty Edwardian architecture. No wonder Francis found such inspiration in Edwin Luytens. Here, the inhospitable has been turned into a cosy home. Before Karen and Francis came to the Peel's rescue, sixty years of neglect had taken its toll. The once majestic house had become an eyesore in the beautiful surrounding countryside.