This rural property, comprising an old water mill and adjacent red brick cottage dating from 1872, is surrounded by mature gardens with a stream running through. This is English countryside at its best, and we wanted to make the most of the views and the inspiration wherever possible.
The project was far more than cosmetic: services needed to be upgraded, and areas that had fallen into disrepair needed to be managed before we could think about remodelling or changing the decor.
The owner, a retired doctor, had raised her family here and had seen the house through various adaptations, some that were never quite finished or no longer seemed to work. Now that she had the time, she wanted to fulfil long-held dreams to make best use of the whole house and to set it up as a place she could enjoy – whether on her own or with friends and family – and be comfortable long into retirement.
Downstairs, we considered the functions of the rooms, with particular emphasis on the light available in them at different times of the day. We took the bold move to relocate the Kitchen to the front of the cottage, where the morning light is beautiful. That said, the architecture and proportions of the previously knocked-through double front rooms and narrow hall had been creating a challenge. With some smart space planning, we created a multi-functional Kitchen-Diner-Living Room. Quality cabinetry in classic style represents a shift from the previous rustic Kitchen, while the style of the various seating types brings modern freshness. The extendable round Kitchen table with built-in banquette seating takes centre stage in this sociable space.
The fun-loving client was keen for some unexpected drama to be sensitively introduced. Smaller rooms, such as the new Utility Room (carved out from a previous Dining Room extension), as well as the Cloakroom, offered the perfect opportunity. They were treated to strong colour and pattern, a welcome change of mood from quieter adjacent spaces.
The hallway was opened up to create a calm, spacious entrance and to set the tone for a beautiful, well-integrated home. We introduced the large paving-style floor tiles that flow through the whole of the downstairs.
The main room in the old mill, with its smaller windows, and exposed beams and bricks, is best suited to a characterful and colourful, country living room, particularly appealing in the longer evenings of Autumn and Winter.
Where there had previously been a single internal door to the Conservatory, we added glazed sliding doors and panels, allowing the space to be easily joined with the Living Room, particularly helpful when the whole family is visiting.
Many items of furniture, some antique heirlooms, had been amassed over the years and help was needed to work out what should be retained and how those pieces could be arranged and woven together with some new pieces. The client is drawn to Classical style – her Italian heritage coming through – and this is reflected in the choices of some of the fabric patterns as well as furniture pieces that were included.
The dual function Dining Room / Study needed reorganisation as well as a few changes: the addition of new French doors and drapes, reupholstery of some seating, some new architectural detailing, and a colour scheme to offset the previously owned antiques. This achieved the formal look of the room, suitable for special occasions, such as Christmas dinner with family.
A pretty floral wallpaper was introduced on the staircase, echoing the much-loved garden. Feminine decor choices like this can be seen woven through the house.
Once the downstairs was complete, the client asked for further help with some of the upstairs rooms. We decorated and furnished the Master Bedroom Suite to create a warm scheme in the Classical style that the client favours. Once again, making the most of the beautiful garden views was key.
Finishes and detailing were chosen to make the most of the light-filled, south-facing En Suite Bathroom. The opportunity was also taken for the space to be remodelled to allow for more storage in the adjacent Walk-In Wardrobe and to make a more interesting layout in the bathroom.
The Family Bathroom, often used by Grandchildren when visiting, had suffered some serious wear and tear. However, the freestanding bathtub, which had been inherited from previous owners, still had some life in it, especially when we treated it to a refurbishment and a glorious new saffron colour. The client was always pleased to renew rather than discard.
