sked to imagine a country retreat brings to mind serene scenes of pastoral natural beauty — tidy lawns and sculpted hedges with a smattering of wildflowers shining brightly in sunlight, while untamed trees stoically stand as they have done for centuries. And a vision of a stately manor that has perhaps stood for nearly just as long, yet is sumptuously fitted out in quality furnishings, fittings and fixtures. Such a place typifying inviting retreat instantly sets the mind at ease. The reality of restoring such a grand architectural gesture though is nowhere near as idyllic, and while the potential can
