BY FRANCINE BLACK, Staff Reporter
Sections of Timbuktu - IAN ALLEN PHOTOS
NESTLED IN THE hills of Hellshire, overlooking the Caribbean Sea and a swamp is a bed and breakfast with a homely feel.
The warmth and naturalness about this hideaway in the St. Catherine community is evident even from a distance. The house, painted in bright yellow, is colourful and blends in with the natural shape of the land. The property was named Timbuktu by the owners, Charlene Fagan-England and Ian Mark England, because of the hideaway nature of the house when it was built about six years ago.
The couple had first designed the house as a holiday home for themselves and their children. However, shortly after they migrated, and decided to turn their two-bedroom house into a bed and breakfast. The house started operating as such about two years ago and has undergone and is still undergoing improvements. The house now has four bedrooms, three kitchens, and four bathrooms. Four more bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchenettes are currently being added to the house.
DESIGN
The interior and outer designs have been done solely by the owners who have allowed several influences and their preferences for the unusual to impact their choices. "We didn't think about it (decor) before hand. We just did things as we went along," Mrs. England said.
The look of the house has also been guided by the artistic mind of Mr. England, who has made some accessories for the rooms. Some of his hand crafted designs include light fixtures made out of driftwood and a toilet seat converted into a mirror.
Other pieces of furniture were collected during the couple's visits to other countries. In the meantime, the couple continues to improve upon the property and within a few months should have completed the other rooms and added a swimming pool.
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