Step inside a contemporary period farmhouse in Essex

Property: Grade II listed farmhouse built in 1689. Bought in 2002. Space: Open-plan kitchen/dining/family room, formal sitting room, kids' TV room, sitting room, 6 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms plus en-suite, small store room and basement utility

Property: Grade II listed farmhouse built in 1689. Bought in 2002.
Space: Open-plan kitchen/dining/family room, formal sitting room, kids' TV room, sitting room, 6 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms plus en-suite, small store room and basement utility

The large combined living space is perfect for entertaining.

Living room

living area with wooden floor and christmas tree and sofa with cushions

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

The blue sofa and cushions are from Rume. The Christmas tree is from John Lewis.

Kitchen

kitchen area with white wall and kitchen units and wooden beam ceiling

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

Slate is a modern, elegant choice for the floor in this country kitchen. Green and blue glass lanterns hang over the stove for a fun, eclectic look.

The slate flooring is from Fired Earth. The glass lanterns are from Aspen & Brown.

Kitchen-diner

dining area with wooden beam and dining table with flower vase

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

Stylish, eclectic touches add character to the modern country scheme. Pendant lights hang above the island unit, which doubles up as a dining table.

Find similar pendant lights at SCP.

Dining room

dining room with wooden floor and white wall and white tablecloth and white chair

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

A modern table is decorated with pastel chairs and zingy accessories for a quirky look.

The chairs are by Fritz Hansen at Skandium, and wall print is from Not On The High Street.

Bedroom

bedroom with white wall and mirror

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

A metal frame gives the bedroom a period feel, while an intricately designed mirror adds a feminine element.

Find a similar antique bed from Heritage Beds.

Bedroom

bedroom with white wall and wooden beam and bedding with cushions and throw

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

A mix of old and new combine beautifully to create a pretty, period-style bedroom.

The bedlinen, throw and cushions are from The White Company. The bedside chest if from Graham and Green.

Bathroom

bathroom with white wall and wooden beam and bathtub and washbasin and chair

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

Painted floorboards and a classic cast-iron bath make an elegant scheme, enhanced by the ancient wooden beams.

The white dove garland is from Dotcomgiftshop.com. The mirror and chair is from An Angel at My Table.

Are you looking for more real homes inspiration from Country Homes & Interiors? Take a look around this country cottage in Cheshire or, for more inspiration, step inside this former school house in Lancashire.

Heather Young
Editor

Heather Young has been Ideal Home’s Editor since late 2020, and Editor-In-Chief since 2023. She is an interiors journalist and editor who’s been working for some of the UK’s leading interiors magazines for over 20 years, both in-house and as a freelancer.