L O C A L HIST O R Y
Flores House
The Grand Old Lady of the High Street Restored Amander Meade discovers more about what is believed to be the oldest building in Oakham
The newly landscaped garden provides a tranquil space
Above: A wonderful carved stone doorway leads straight through the house to the newly landscaped garden. Left: The double height ceiling was revealed during the build. The original beams line the master bedroom.
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LORES House is situated in the middle of the town’s High Street and has occupied its position since the fourteenth century. Named after its creator, the house was originally built in the mid-1300s by William Flore, Controller of Works at Oakham Castle, and also occupied by his son Roger Flore, a wealthy wool merchant and lawyer who became Speaker of the House of Commons and died in 1427. Much altered over the centuries, in its more recent history Flores House has been divided into a retail outlet with frontage onto the High Street and a separate large private home which has recently been lovingly restored by restoration expert Will Ashmore of Coppice Homes with valued input by David Taylor and Will’s wife Lisa who runs Old Spot Interiors and has overseen the interior details with her expert eye. “We noticed the property was for sale in October 2014,” explains Will. “We love a challenge and I particularly like working on listed properties so we decided to go ahead and buy the place.” Work began with a complete stripping back of the interior which was in need of complete renovation. Will’s team removed all the floors which have been replaced with limecrete finished with limestone flagstones in the kitchen and reclaimed York stone in the hall with the added luxury of underfloor heating – the perfect solution for keeping older houses warm. Flores House has a Grade II listing and it was essential from the start that the renovation be both sympathetic to the building’s proud history and within the regulations imposed by English Heritage. David Trubshaw was the Conservation Officer providing liaison and Will credits him with offering fantastic support and guidance. Throughout the project Will has utilised artisan materials and methods to highlight the historic features of the house. The walls were replastered with horsehair and lime before being
The medieval piscina in the hallway was once the only source of drinking water in Oakham
lime washed in Matchstick by Farrow and Ball which provides a wonderful neutral base for any design scheme. Lisa has chosen traditionally styled wall lights, door handles and light switches – lovely details which complement the décor. In the master bedroom the walls are lined with the original beams and the dramatic double height ceiling was discovered under a further ceiling added at a later date, exposing more beams which now create a striking feature. As befits a house of this age, historic elements abound including a carved stone portal, a front door dating back almost three hundred years and a medieval piscina in the hallway that was once the only source of drinking water in Oakham. Externally, the whole roof has been retiled with reclaimed slate and all the exterior plastic has been replaced with traditional cast iron guttering. The hand blown conservation glass and leaded panes for the windows were made to order and the garden has been beautifully landscaped and planted. Will and Lisa say they have thoroughly enjoyed the project although there have been plenty of challenges along the way. “It has been truly fascinating finding out all about the house whilst we have been here. For me the joy is in returning an unloved gem to its former glory. There is so much incredible history here and now the house is ready to welcome in her next phase – the grand old lady is ready to welcome whatever the future brings.” • Flores House is currently on the market through Moores Estate Agency. To find out more or arrange a viewing Tel: 01572 757979 or visit www.mooresestateagents.com Contact Will at Coppice Homes Tel: 01572 811 111 www.coppicehomes. co.uk Contact Lisa at Old Spot Interiors on Tel: 07734 914981 www.oldspotinteriors.co.uk RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JULY 2016
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