The first episode of Sarah Beeny’s New Life in the Country has been viewed by viewers who criticized the couple’s lavish house building project. Sarah Swift and Graham Swift commissioned busts last night. They called it “really bad taste”.
The programme, which aired on Channel 4 at 8pm on Tuesday, is the second in the series documenting the couple as they transform a semi-derelict former dairy farm on 220 acres of Somerset countryside into their luxury dream house – dubbed a ‘contemporary take on the classical English stately home’.
In the first episode, the Swift family (including husband Graham Swift) and their boys, Charlie, Rafferty, and Billy helped to build their dream home. They also planted 20,000 trees on the farmland around their house and set up a bee farm.
This grandiose mock Baroque mansion will be finished with a great entrance hall and music room, sitting area, five bathrooms, and five bedrooms.
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Sarah Beeny is a property entrepreneur. After the premiere episode on Tuesday of the second series, New Life in the Country was criticized. Beeny and Graham Swift built their modern country home on 220-acres of Somerset’s former dairy farm.
Sarah Swift with her husband Graham Swift (pictured middle) and their four boys are seen walking the grounds of their estate. Many were surprised by their obvious wealth.
The five-bed home with five bathrooms that the couple built themselves from scratch inspired by Baroque architecture was described as a’middle class monster’.
Although many viewers enjoyed the Beeny family’s story, many others were disappointed to see them speculating on details, such as cornices. This is a disturbing development considering the number of people living in poverty here.
A family of six helped out at the rural construction site to build their family’s home. However, many viewers took to Twitter and criticised the programme.
The couple poses for a 3-D scanner at one point to make busts of themselves.
Swift can be heard saying, “I think I will go for an empirical appearance”, while Beeny says she believes her husband loves the idea being a lord of manor.” Swift then adds: “Hopefully we are still going to look good enough!”
“Hopefully, we’re still going look posh enough!” Graham Swift, Beeny’s husband, contemplates what their new busts might look like
Before the commission, a fine artist visits the property and scans the heads of the couple.
The scanner shows you what the real estate entrepreneur’s bust looks like
You’re done! But it arrives, but the family doesn’t like the look. Beeny is deemed more attractive in real-life.
Swift: “I think that I’ll go to an empirical look” Swift is a storm in his bust
After one of their sons said it makes them look “much younger”, he is happy with the outcome.
One viewer, @brianorbistc, wrote: ‘I’m really struggling to relate here – can they finish this absurd middle class monster on budget and can they get the cornice level Oh no!! I’m starting to hope the local peasants revolt and take it from them.’
@NG_Bookkeeping commented: ‘I just can’t keep it under control. This is a problem when so many families cannot afford food. A nice family, but really poor taste.
Other people loved it, while one called it “escapism”.
@Comeondover66 wrote, ‘Interesting how many people are criticizing this program yet still watching it Thinking Face I love the show and Sarah has a wonderful extended family.
@FloodDj concurred, writing: “Well the show has obvious faults. However, all is forgiven because of the adorable puppies and the bees who are now checking out the new hive.
It’s their home. They take some time out to enjoy the 5 bedroom home.
It will be situated on 220 acres of Somerset countryside.
It took years for the project to come to life. The first series documented how the couple envisioned building their dream home.
Baroque architecture was the couple’s inspiration and they hope to end up with an ‘alternative take’ on the traditional English stately house. This programme will show the progression of their building and eventually allow them to move in.
Graham, a professional artist and architect, spent many months designing the plans. He stated at the planning stage that he had always wanted to own a house. Although it will be difficult work, I believe that the end result will be worthwhile.