One of the world’s best homes, this house spans three different architectural styles and merges contemporary and traditional design elements and furnishings to create a comfortable family home. There’s no shortage of inspiring features and we’ve picked out our favourite spaces below.
Hallway
Part of the home’s renovation involved widening the home’s Georgian entrance by removing a wall. Remodelling has opened up the space, producing a bright, welcoming reception for visitors. Hallway ideas include hanging dramatic artwork to one side of the repositioned living room entrance. Walls and woodwork in Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore keep the space light and airy. An iconic Ercol bench is a statement piece, but also a useful piece of furniture for the enlarged space.
Living room snug
This living room snug in the middle of the home dates back to the 16th century. It’s thought that the front of the house burned down and was rebuilt in the 1700s, hence the Georgian façade. Living room ideas for the cosy space include moody grey-green walls and warm oak flooring that links the snug and kitchen-diner. Piled with cushions, the L-shaped sofa creates a cosy, family-friendly corner. Because the snug is at a lower level than the kitchen, there’s a real sense that the cosy room is hunkered down at the heart of the house.
Kitchen
The kitchen at the back was a single-storey brick barn that was added about 100 years ago. Kitchen ideas for this rustic space include deep grey-green for the cabinets with pale marble tops to emphasise the light. The bricks and rafters have been left exposed so that the beauty of the original space shines through. An antique carved dining table has been paired with space-maximising bench seating. The pendant lighting was salvaged from a Cornish warehouse. The large butler’s sink and dishwashers are sited at the far end of the kitchen, up a couple of steps leaving the central area free for entertaining.
Primary bedroom
Bedroom ideas for the primary bedroom are simple, a matching pair of antique wardrobes fit the bedroom alcoves and the original decorative fire insert was swapped at a reclamation yard for a simpler style. Walls painted in Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore. The homeowner chose the rattan-style bed to match a treasured antique chair (below).
Bathroom
The old bathroom was tired and in need of an update. New wood-effect flooring, tongue and groove paneling for the bath, lustre tiles and a chest of drawers adapted to make an elegant washstand are the key bathroom ideas that gave the space its new identity.
Georgian façade
The symmetrical Georgian façade of the house gives nothing away about the 16th-century middle section and early-20th-century barn at the back of the house. This is a house that likes to keep its secrets.
