Love in Another Town by Barbara Taylor Bradford Page A

Philip Lowden. They own an advertising agency on Madison Avenue. They live in Manhattan during the week, and wanted a retreat in the country. Anne fell in love with this place, especially the grounds. She came to me through aclient in New Preston, whom I’ve done work for. Anne told me she liked my understated style. “No
nouveau riche
folderol for me,” she said when we met. She didn’t even bother to interview any other designers, just hired me to do it all. Anne wants me to modernize the farmhouse and the guest cottage.’
    â€˜The farmhouse certainly needs it,’ Jake remarked, and turned to look at Maggie. ‘Okay, where shall we start?’
    â€˜Let’s go into the kitchen first. We can put our things there: it’s the only place with any furniture in it anyway.’
    Maggie led the way down a short corridor and into the kitchen. This was a medium-sized room with two adjoining pantries, a couple of small windows, and a beamed ceiling. It overlooked a vegetable garden, an old stone well and, to the right, a flower garden.
    â€˜A decent-sized room,’ Jake commented as they surveyed the kitchen together. ‘But it’s too dark, not much natural light coming in; you’ll have to supplement it with really good artificial lighting.’
    â€˜I know,’ Maggie murmured. ‘And that’s the problem with the whole house, Jake. It’s so … so gloomy. Personally, I find it quite depressing. I like airiness, pale colours, a sense of space. My aim is to get rid of the sombre feeling without having to put in too many additional windows. I don’t want to kill the period look of the place. After all, it’s one of the reasons my clients bought it. For its rustic charm and antiquity.’
    â€˜I understand.’ Jake’s eyes scanned the kitchen once more. He looked up at the ceiling and then walkedaround the room a few times, a thoughtful expression settling on his face.
    Maggie placed her briefcase and handbag on the kitchen table, took out a notebook and made a few notations.
    Jake said, after a moment, ‘I don’t think this room presents too many problems. We could use several large-sized ceiling fixtures, such as old lanterns, something like that, plus wall sconces, in order to introduce proper artificial light. And you might want to think about putting in a new kitchen door, one that has panes of glass in the upper portion.’
    â€˜Yes, I had thought of that … it would let in additional natural daylight.’
    â€˜What about high hats? Would you or the clients object to a few in the ceiling?’
    â€˜No, since they’re fairly unobtrusive. But can you do it?’
    â€˜I think so. I’ll have to cut into the ceiling first, to investigate what’s going on up there. But it shouldn’t present any real problems. If I get the job, that is.’
    Maggie stared at him, frowning slightly. ‘Jake, surely you know you’re going to get the job.’
    â€˜You might not like my estimate, it might not fit into your budget.’
    â€˜We’ll make it fit into my budget, won’t we, Jake?’
    He gave her a long look and was silent for a few seconds. Then he said, ‘I guess so. Have you found a contractor yet?’
    â€˜I’m thinking of hiring Ralph Sloane. He’s done a bit of work for me, and I’ve seen some of his really huge jobs in the last few days. I like the way he operates, I like his style. Do you know him?’
    â€˜Yes, I’ve worked with him before. He’s a good guy. Are you going to hire an architect? Or don’t you plan on making structural changes?’
    â€˜The answer is yes to both of those questions, Jake. I met with Mark Payne the other day -’
    â€˜He’s the best!’ Jake cut in, sounding enthusiastic.
    â€˜That’s what I thought. I’ve seen a lot of his work now, and he seems to be an expert when it comes to Colonial