Behind the Scenes at Restaries: Chaos, Craft, and Community

When I left London for the countryside, everyone assumed I’d stepped straight into a beautifully serene life, drifting between fields, dipping in the pool whenever I fancied, attending thoughtful little countryside events, living some kind of permanent golden-hour dream. Friends often message saying things like, “Ugh, your life looks like heaven!” and I have to laugh, because honestly… I am not floating in a pool. I’m deep in sh*t most days… literally (animals and babies) and theoretically.

The reality is far less polished: I’m usually juggling a one-year-old on one hip, negotiating with a four-year-old, managing a business, and navigating a renovation that keeps revealing “little surprises” in the walls. It’s a full, chaotic, joyful life — just not the serene fantasy people imagine.

But the truth is, the chaos is part of why I’m here. After years working in fashion PR, events, and communications — Soho House being my final, wonderfully frenetic chapter in London — I felt a pull towards something slower. Not a complete escape, but the kind of space where you can actually hear yourself think.

When Thom and I first saw Paradise Farm, something clicked. This 16th-century Suffolk farmhouse, wrapped in woodland and endless skies, had a calmness that felt immediate. I didn’t have a business plan per se. I just had a feeling — that this could be a home, a sanctuary, and maybe even something more.

That “something more” became Restaries: a place designed for people (other people) to genuinely switch off — not perform relaxation, but actually experience it. Nature-led, design-led, warm and personal. A retreat that feels lived-in, loved, and thoughtfully made.

Of course, the dream and the day-to-day are two very different things. Running a young business means wearing every hat imaginable. Some days I’m planning creative shoots or collaborating with makers; other days I’m deep in logistics, troubleshooting, or answering emails surrounded by toys and coffee that’s gone cold twice.

And the renovation… well, let’s just say it’s a character-building experience. Every time we finish one milestone, another quietly steps forward. But each step gets us closer to the vision we fell in love with.

Despite the madness, there are so many moments that feel truly magical. Watching guests settle in and exhale. Seeing the way light moves through the Gate House in the morning. Creating spaces that feel soft and grounding — inspired by nature, craftsmanship, and honest materials. Collaboration has been one of the highlights: working with makers who share our values and bring something special to the interiors.

Then there are the small joys: delivering someone’s favourite newspaper to their door, mixing a cocktail in the woods, or taking families to meet the alpacas (who, for the record, are the least chaotic members of the team).

Friends may imagine me leisurely strolling through fields, but most days look more like: a meeting, a toddler snack request, a decision about wall finishes, an email, a quick dash to catch a goat heading somewhere it shouldn’t (because a guest has left the gate open — AGAIN!), another meeting, then finally a quiet moment where I remember why we built all this in the first place.

Because underneath it all, Restaries is about rest — real rest. The kind that doesn’t ask you to be perfect or calm or “on”. The kind that meets you exactly as you are.

Looking ahead, 2025 was a big year for us: new accommodation, the shop launch, our event space The Tiles coming to life, and collaborations with brilliant creatives. It feels exciting, hopeful, and aligned with the original feeling that brought us here. Next year, we hope to add more of a wellness element with a woodland sauna and bathing.

So no, I’m not lying by the pool. I’m here, in the thick of it, building something I deeply believe in. And even with the noise and the juggling and the constant surprises, this is exactly where I’m meant to be. If you’re reading this, come see us soon. :)