This beautifully restored country rectory is the perfect place to celebrate Christmas

Renovating a period home is rarely a quick process, but the owners of this old Georgian rectory had a shared vision of a blissful country home, and were prepared to take the long view. 

Ten years after acquiring the Old Rectory, a Georgian house in an Oxfordshire village, their home is a delight to behold. Completed in a series of steady phases, it’s proof that patience really does pay off. 

The attention to detail and the quality of the finish in this renovated period property truly make it one of the world's best homes.

It was the garden that first attracted the homeowners to the property and one of the first things they did was repair the tennis court and swimming pool for the family to enjoy. The house itself, while attractive, had fallen into disrepair and was in need of a committed effort to reclaim its former glory. 

The property had been in the same family for well over 50 years and really hadn’t been touched much in that time. Its new owners discovered that some of the walls that were more structurally unsound than they had expected, and the roof was beginning to leak. They started with all the essential structural requirements before taking on each floor.

Kitchen

The owners were keen to preserve as much detail as possible in the original property. This included the cornicing, the shutters and the fireplaces, as well as an ornate marquetry floor in the drawing room and an original Arts & Crafts carved staircase. 

For anyone looking for kitchen ideas, this smart space is full of inspiration. The dark walnut bar table pairs elegantly with the grey cabinetry and great care has been taken to match and retain the surrounding period features. 

The owner came up with the interior schemes herself, having learnt from decorating a couple of London houses and a previous country home. She was also grateful for advice of an interior designer friend, who provided 'an endless source of wisdom’. 

Dining room

This relaxed setting for family mealtimes showcases some practical dining room ideas that would transfer well to other open-plan kitchen-diners. Once the utility room, this alcove now has banquette seating that is softly upholstered and inviting. 

Living room

With just the right mix of traditional and contemporary styling, the living room ideas in this space put the emphasis on glamor. 

An early 20th-century Art Deco coffee table is a striking centerpiece, and sets the tone with velvet living room sofa ideas arranged for socializing by the fire. 

Garden room

The house was also extended, with a garden room built around the ruins of an old structure and connecting to the old church reading room. There's space here for a Gustavian-style bench, along with dining furniture in the same style. 

Bedrooms

The homeowner describes the rectory's new style as ‘a fusion of classic and modern’, characterized by plenty of mirrored surfaces, both on the walls and in the furniture, as well as mid-century and slightly distressed yet ornate, Gustavian-influenced pieces. 

While a palette of soft greys dominates, hand-painted de Gournay wallpapers bring exquisite delicacy to the principal bedrooms, which are a rich source of bedroom ideas for anyone looking for a luxurious look. 

Entrance hall

For the entryway ideas, hexagonal mirrors bounce light from the windows further into the house. 

At Christmas time, the house welcomes friends and family, greeted happily by a roaring fire in the entrance hall. The warm embrace of this glorious country home is a seasonal highlight for all its guests.

Photography/Polly Eltes

Styling /Sian Williams

Text/ Juliet Benning