Amanda Owen opens up about the intense pressure of renovating her family’s farmhouse, Anty John’s, in the latest episode of Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids.
Challenges in Farmhouse Renovations
The Yorkshire shepherdess explains that the property divides into two distinct sections. The main house, being listed, requires traditional blind plastering. In contrast, the unlisted barn section allows for quicker plasterboard and skimming, making it a faster and more cost-effective option.
Progress accelerates as the project shifts focus to interiors and styling. Amanda states, “The house is, in a way, split in two. Basically, the house end is listed. The barn end is not listed. So the main house needs to be done with blind plaster, and the barn end, we can just plasterboard and skim it. It’s a faster, quicker, easier, cheaper job.”
She meets lighting consultant Simon to explore options, but the initial choices fall short. Amanda dismisses the first as “too modern” and the second as making her feel “sea sick.” She remarks, “I’ll tell you something, it’s incredibly interesting. But I feel like that is far too much out there for this place.”
Amanda admits the decision-making weighs heavily on her. “There’s a bit more sort of onus and pressure on me to kind of make decisions, and that’s really hard,” she shares. “I don’t know quite what I am doing, so what I am doing is relying on other people to come up with suggestions while I say, ‘No’.”
Heartbreaking Loss of Beloved Dog Chalky
The episode also captures a poignant moment as the Owen family bids farewell to their cherished dog, Chalky. Amanda fights back tears while the children, aware of the impending loss, gather to bury him. Their daughters recite a poem in his honor.
Amanda recalls, “When the children came running out of the house door saying that Chalky had passed away, they were absolutely bereft, and they knew it was coming, and I knew it was coming. But still, just to see her laid there, as peaceful as anything and still warm, it pulled at your heartstrings.” She adds, “No, she’s had a good life.”
Clive reflects, “Oh, it’s good old Chalkie. She’s gone, but not forgotten. She’s lived a great life, and she’s been a great friend to us all. There she’ll be, and we’ll remember her there, won’t we?”
Our Yorkshire Farm airs on Channel 5, while Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids streams on All4.
