Step inside this Georgian cottage transformed with vintage, retro and vibrant colour

‘I would do it all again!’ says Edwige Trost-Mayman of the root-and-branch home renovation she and husband Ben Mayman embarked upon ten years ago.

The palpable joy she has for her uniquely colourful abode is infectious, and this is despite the fact the couple did everything themselves: the building, installations, plumbing and painting.

The property is a characterful silk-weaver’s cottage in Macclesfield, built in 1823 on the end of a row of six. The Georgian version of ‘working from home’, the silk weavers would have lived on the first two floors and worked on the open-plan top floor, which Edwige and Ben renovated as the final part of their project. ‘We found a lot of silk-weaving paraphernalia as we did the work,’ says Edwige, ‘old clay pipes, bits of spindle, as well as kids’ toys, such as marbles.’ But it wasn’t all storied nostalgia. ‘We took the roof down as the old lathe plaster was falling off, and discovered 200 years’ worth of coal dust,’ she says. ‘That was a messy job!’

Indeed, ‘messy’ is probably the best way to describe the property before the couple worked their magic. They’re not sure who exactly lived there before them, but their guess is that rooms were rented out. All the walls were covered in nicotine stains, so each one had to be steam stripped. The pair completely ripped out the ‘horrible’ kitchen (essentially a sink in the corner) and bathroom, taking both back to brick.

But all the toil has been worth it. Edwige and Ben – who met in London and have lived all over the world, from New York to Amsterdam – have created a home that really reflects their personalities and how they want to live day-to-day. As Edwige says of doing such an involved – and still evolving – renovation: ‘We’ve got the excitement.’

Rich tones
The spaces sing with bold and cheering colour combinations, much inspired by Edwige’s Ghanaian heritage. ‘I’m a colourful person,’ she smiles. ‘This comes from my mother’s side, and these colours make it bright even if the day is grey.’ Olive greens, terracotta and saffron sit with pops of celestial blue, lilac and sunny yellow to create comfortably cosy rooms that spark the imagination.

‘I go along with the moment when painting,’ says Edwige, as she explains her creativity. She now works in adult social care – recently completing a diploma – but having studied in New York for a degree in art history and still painting when she has time, it’s clear that Edwige has a very considered eye. ‘My first job was PA to the jewellery designer Lara Bohinc, and she inspired me,’ she says.

Back in Macclesfield, it was an autumn leaf that provided the spark for the spice-orange scheme. ‘I took the leaf to the paint shop and they replicated the colour for me,’ Edwige reveals. The current top-floor renovation, for which sculptor Ben has created a clever built-in cupboard from Georgian doors, painted in pine green and rich brown.

Personal stories
Edwige cites that eternally bothersome combination, time and money, as their biggest challenge, meaning that they had to take on areas of the home one at a time. That said, working at a slower pace has had its advantages. ‘It may have been nice to strip everything out and do it all at once, but it is good to take time as things develop as you go,’ Edwige admits. ‘When you actually live in a property, you see how it works best.’

And their tastes have naturally progressed over the years too. Mid-century furniture including the dining table and Ercol chairs, their beloved green chair in the sitting room and 1950s kitchen cabinets, found on eBay, blend with Africa-print cushions, artwork and Ben’s own sculptures, creating layers of interest. ‘We’ve been collecting older pieces since we lived together in Amsterdam,’ says Edwige. ‘I like the design, the quality of old furniture and accessories, and I just love the style. Furniture was better made, solid, so it lasts longer, and it’s eco-friendly.’

The couple are always ‘on the lookout’ and regularly visit car-boot sales, auctions and the nearby Victorian mills which have regular markets and independent stores. Edwige describes her style as quite eccentric. ‘Sometimes I look around and think it’s weird,’ she laughs. ‘But it shows our character and the way we live.’

Good bones
Ben was particularly excited about taking on the derelict property and was all in for the complete renovation, while Edwige took some persuading. But settling down in this creative town – known for its textiles heritage – after so much moving around was a big draw, and the ability for both of them to walk to work, even if it initially meant living through a lot of dust and mess, has worked out.

It is indeed satisfying to make a humble piece of history extraordinary, celebrating the craftsmanship of 200 years ago with a modern twist (and running water!). The house was hiding its beautiful period features, not least the flagstones on the ground floor, buried underneath concrete, which Ben discovered when he opened up the staircase. The property retains its Victorian sash windows, which the couple have enhanced with Georgian shutters, and they’ve reinstalled the Victorian fireplaces that had been ripped out and replaced with gas heaters.

There may not be a full garden, but since the house is the end terrace the couple have made the small outside yard their own with a shed, pretty potted plants and flowers. It’s testament to their can-do attitude and inspiring creativity that the pair have transformed a tired space that most would ignore into a head-turning beauty. As Edwige rightly says, ‘It’s a good place.’