Charnwood Stories: Inside the Home of Josie & Rob da Bank

At Direct Stoves, we love seeing how our wood burning stoves take prime position in real homes! After all, it’s not just about the stove itself, but the whole feeling it gives to your room.

Here, we take a peek inside the home of Bestival co-creators, Rob da Bank and his wife Josie, to get some new log burner ideas!

Read on to discover how they have fitted their Charnwood stoves into their colourful and creative lives…

Who Lives Here?

Josie and Rob live in the house with their three boys, aged four, six and eight. Located in the Isle of Wight, they wanted somewhere they could relax and enjoy the outdoors while bringing their children up.

As the co-founders of the award-winning Bestival music festival, they are also close to the home of their annual event!

Rob da Bank sitting on his sofa at his Isle of Wight House

What is the House Like?

Rob and Josie’s home was once an outhouse to the farm next door. It was built in 1750, and has had many iterations since, including a stint as a beekeeper’s cottage.

The house is full of character and features plenty of beautiful natural stonework. Josie’s interior design style marries the old and new, with vintage, shabby chic and modern elements all working together.

According to Josie, she had no particular style in mind when decorating the house. The carpets and furnishing have been picked up along their travels to India and Morocco. They also commissioned a few animal heads (not real!) from artist Emily Warren, while a close friend created their mosaics for them…

“I don’t think we have a style, we buy things that we like and it all just gels together.” - Josie da Bank

How Do Their Charnwood Stoves Fit Into Their Home?

Josie and Rob first fit the Charnwood Cove 1 into their extension four years ago. Despite having underfloor heating, the family needed some extra warmth to help heat up their old property. It also serves as a stunning centerpiece to the room...

“All year round, it’s a great centerpiece for the room, especially when you’ve got the fire going and the sun is setting out the window, it’s quite peaceful.” - Rob da Bank

Their second stove is the Charnwood Tor Pico Wood Burning Stove. Along with having magnificent 360° views of the flames inside, its powerful heat output can have half the house heated up in just a small amount of time.

Charnwood stove in Rob da Bank's home

What is a Winter Day Like in the da Bank Home?

Being surrounded by gorgeous places, including Bouldnor Forest, Newtown Creek and the River Yar, they are perfectly suited for heading off on walks or bike rides - before heading back to warm up around the stove, away from the distractions of TVs or iPads!

With an array of birds and other wildlife living just outside, they can take a break from their life of music to laze by the fire and enjoy the peace and quiet...

“I love the whole process of chopping up the kindling and preparing the fire and it involves the boys as well. We’ve got the crackling of the fire, the whistling of the wind and the nature sounds. Just to sit and listen to that is music really.” - Rob da Bank