Sanctuary for joint creativity

But creating their ideal home has been a long and sometimes difficult process – especially at the start. "We moved in a week before we got married," says Simone. "There was no hot water, no carpets, it needed re-roofing. The house had been rented for 17 years before we moved in and it was a mishmash of botched jobs. Everyone said, 'You can't stay there', but we just got on with it. We did it up, but not quickly. It really has evolved around us."

Twenty-one years later and Chris and Simone feel they're near completion. The house has just had its loft converted, giving daughters Grace and Chloe their longed for "own" rooms while Chris and Simone now also have his'n'hers attic studios.

The house was built in 1908 and the couple have always felt that they want to stay true to the original. This has included some humorous touches – such as retaining the original pelmets, "just because," says Simone.

She has worked in a small back bedroom all these years, producing over 200 children's books for the likes of Usborne, Walker and Lamaze publishers, as well as co-running a small company making children's apps for iPhone.

Perhaps it's a coincidence, but now that the house has finally been completely renovated, Simone has decided to set up the Cold Bath toyshop in Harrogate. This means she'll now be working away from home during the day. "Chris has his eye on my studio to do printing in," she says.

The Woods's house, is filled with paintings. Many of these are by Chris, who is exhibiting at the Royal Academy. He is preparing for an exhibition at Agnew's next spring which will coincide with the publication of a book about his work by the Yorkshire-based writer Lynne Green.

There are also paintings by friends of the family, as well as work that the couple have picked up at sales and auctions. The paintings provide a dramatically colourful factor in the house's dcor – many of them are very large, or grouped together. "We like the juxtaposition of abstract paintings with figurative, contemporary with Victorian," says Chris.

With art playing such an important role in the interior, Chris and Simone have wallpaint colours that provide a calm and soothing backdrop. Shades of cool greyish greens, such as Dulux's Chelsea Green and Jungle Drum have been used in the hall and on the stairs. Simone says: "We've had lots of colours in the house throughout the years, but we keep coming back to green."

The house is furnished in a style that the pair describe as accidental. "We just buy things that catch our eye, there's no plan or scheme," says Chris, adding: "It's important for us to be surrounded by objects that hold personal significance."

Favourite places for object hunting are Hemswell Antiques in Lincoln and Hartley's Auctioneers in Ilkley. "Chris and I like collectable bric-a brac, but the girls wanted IKEA furniture in their rooms," says Simone.

The couple have also had a few items of furniture specially made for their home, such as the oak kitchen table crafted by John Watts and a shelving unit for Chris's extensive CD collection by cabinet maker Wilf Williams.

And due to the launch of the toyshop, the house has also recently become home to an increasing number of toys. Using her love of illustration as a guide, Simone has stocked the shop on Cold Bath Road with beautiful and original toys from around the world. "I think my family finds it amusing finding pull-along dogs and fluffy teddies turning up in the house. I think they probably do play with them when I'm not looking."

Sustainability is important to her and she adds: "Many of the toys I sell are created from recycled materials, and sourcing 'green' toys and toys with recyclable packaging has become a priority to me." The shop even stocks toys where the box itself becomes a part of the toy. This key element of sustainability can also be seen at home – Simone is a keen gardener and has given over most of this city garden to vegetable growing, with all available space utilised. This means bay trees by the back door, an apricot tree in a pot and tomatoes growing on the garage roof. She also makes her own compost and has a wormery.

The house may also double up as a place of work, but it still retains a sense of sanctuary. It is clearly home to a highly creative and enterprising family.

Contacts

For Simone's children's app, Little Red, see: www.appilyeverafterpublishing.com

For more about Simone's illustration work, see: www.simoneabel.com

Cold Bath Toy Shop. Tel: 01423 709886

Chris Wood's paintings can be seen on his website: www.christopher-p-wood.com

Or at Agnew's Gallery: www.agnewsgallery.com

Or at 108 Fine Art in Harrogate: www.108fineart.com

Get the Look:

Wilf Williams Furniture: www.wilfwilliams.co.uk

John Watts Furniture: www.johnwattsfurniture.co.uk

Hartley's Auctioneers and Valuers: www.hartleyfinearts.co.uk

Hemswell Antiques: www.hemswell-antiques.com