The previous owners had converted it back to a family home from flats around five or six years ago. They had also tanked the cellar and made it into several rooms. However, the home was not to their taste, particularly the kitchen, which is one of the most important rooms in the house.
The owners asked for something modern with lots of natural light that felt like a country home without any associated stuffiness. It had to be both practical and comfortable, but we also wanted it to look stunning. They are very family orientated and it was important to reflect that. They wanted something calm but warm that was functional and not at all precious.
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Hallway
The original Victorian tiled floor inspired the colour palette for the entire house.
Boot room
The family are keen walkers so this smart and capacious boot room, which was created from three small rooms, is a valuable addition to the house.
Living room
A limestone fireplacegives this space a suitably formal focal point.
Family room
To take advantage of its low ceiling, this basement room has been turned into a cosy space where the family can relax, play board games and watch films together.
Kitchen
The expansive kitchen is a great and much-used room. Everyone can have their own space even when we are all in there together. There is a big table, lots of natural light and wonderful views of the hills, especially when the doors are wide open.
Dining room
The large French doors flanked by two generous windows reflect the symmetry of the garden beyond. The ceiling is clad in whitewash boards to add texture and improve the acoustics. Upholstered chairs add a splash of color and pattern to this intimate room.
Guest bedroom
Tucked away at the top of the house, this room’s tongue-and-groove panelling highlights the interesting shape of the ceiling.
Guest bathroom
An opulent wallpaper makes this space a decadent, indulgent sanctuary.
Main bedroom
A warm, textured linen wallcovering gives this reconfigured room a sophisticated look.
The interior designer preserved the original, grand parts of the house while opening up and rationalising the secondary spaces that had been added later on. Key to achieving this was replacing the rear extension with a much larger, open-plan kitchen, dining and seating area.
Photography ⁄ Mel Yates
Interior Design ⁄ Emma Sims-Hilditch
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