From California to Cambridge – how this family found a new life in an old English home that merges tradition with laid-back West Coast style

When Margo Moore’s husband David was offered a new role in tech in Cambridge, their family, comprising Eloise, 17, and Valerie, 15, Teddy a Golden Cavalier and Simba the cat, were all well established in their Californian home.

‘We had a vineyard, a pool and plenty of acreage, all in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It really was a dream home,’ says Margo. While uprooting had never been in their immediate vision, the family had lived abroad before and enjoyed the challenges of expat life. ‘Dave and I thrive on adventure, so I’ve never felt the need to settle in one spot permanently,’ she adds.

Selling their home, donating furnishings and leaving California lock, stock and barrel behind them, Margo began the search for an English country home in Cambridge. ‘For me, a lot comes down to location, and I already knew the streets I wanted us to live on. I was keen to be able to walk into the city center and become a hub for our friends – the house where everyone congregates,’ she says.

Anticipating potentially a year of house-hunting, Margo was surprised to discover only the third house she viewed – a listed Arts and Crafts property built in 1922 – to be an ideal candidate. ‘The second I walked in I found myself standing in this dark entryway envisioning what could be achieved. I just loved the bones,’ she enthuses.

While the wheels of the move were in motion, Margo began to consider how to soften the shift from the bright, dry Californian weather to England’s less clement climate. Enlisting the expertise of Antonia Winkler von Stiernhielm at Studio Anton, Margo set about embracing her new location.

‘Antonia and I had plenty of discussions about how we could bring in light. We spent a lot of time thinking about the placement of wall sconces and lamps, and the changing tone of the light throughout the seasons,’ Margo observes.

The addition of a conservatory, three sets of French doors and glazed pocket doors have all made significant impact by allowing daylight to penetrate through. ‘Margo was coming from a very white, minimal home with masses of space but she was ready to shed all of that and embrace an English aesthetic and eccentricity. Inspired by the Arts and Crafts Movement, we embraced flora and fauna, stripes, checks, muted color tones, craftsmanship and a connection to nature,’ Antonia recalls.

‘Margo suggested American design details that we’re not used to but will take forward for future projects. The house went from six to five bedrooms as we made space for a laundry room on the first floor. The kitchen has a sink incinerator along with a pull-out tap and a soap dispenser,’ Antonia notes. ‘Above the sink is a single spot on its own circuit that can be left on in the night for anyone that wants to come down for water. This was a project where we were constantly laughing about why the Brits and the Americans design things a certain way,’ she adds.

Plenty of artwork and an eclectic range of furniture made the transatlantic crossing with the family. ‘When we bought our last house in California, I worked with a local art dealer who really supported Bay Area artists and I purchased quite a few pieces from her. I’ve brought a lot of colorful abstract pieces that we’ve made work in a more traditional interior,’ says Margo.

Soon after moving in, Margo set to work on the garden. ‘Curb appeal is extremely important to me so I drew up my own simple yet classic gardening plan and had a local landscape designer help bring it to life.’

For the time being the family are growing their shallow roots. ‘We intend to stay until the girls have gone to university,’ Margo says. Proof that a wonderful home can change the outlook of even those with the itchiest of feet.

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