Take a look around a restored French manor house

Property: 18th century manor house in 116 acres with a medieval tower, in the Dordogne, France. Space: Entrance room/hallway, boot room, kitchen, pantry, piano room, cloakroom, living room, bathroom, 4 bedrooms, 2 en-suite bathrooms.

Property: 18th century manor house in 116 acres with a medieval tower, in the Dordogne, France.
Space: Entrance room/hallway, boot room, kitchen, pantry, piano room, cloakroom, living room, bathroom, 4 bedrooms, 2 en-suite bathrooms.

Exterior

house exterior with exposed stone wall and windows

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

This manor house in the heart of the Dordogne, was the perfect renovation project for the owners to create a beautiful blend between French glamour and English comforts.

Rustic hallway

room with exposed brick wall and peg rail and cloths and arm chair

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

The beauty of the exposed brick walls in this manor house are shown off in this simple hallway. A chalkboard for every day of the week, helps keep a busy family organised, and a tan leather armchair sets off the natural stone flooring.

For a similar chalkboard, look at Dibor, and head to John Lewis for classic leather armchairs.

Contemporary kitchen

kitchen area with exposed stone wall and beam and dinner table and chairs

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

Natural materials are key in this rustic kitchen-diner, with stone flooring, wooden furniture and exposed brickwork all adding to the French charm. Polished concrete work surfaces and concrete supports add a contemporary, more industrial feel to the room. Tactile soft furnishings add warmth and comfort.

These acrylic chairs are from IKEA. For similar soft furnishings look at WovenGround or Volga Linen.

Cosy living room

living area with white wall and wooden floor and sofa and cushion and coffee table

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

A blend between vintage and classic French style is key in this living room. A neutral cream and grey colour scheme is combined with antique shop finds, with vintage accessories finishing off the calm and laid-back style.

For a luxurious rug like this one, head to Simply Rugs, and for classic sofa, try Laura Ashley.

Wood burner

exposed stone wall and wood burner and wood stacks and armchair

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

A traditional wood burner, creates a cosy area of the entrance hall, with an inviting leather armchair creating a useable reading area.

This woodburner is from Charnwood, and the leather armchair is from Laura Ashley.

Living space grand piano

living area with white wall and french door and piano and wood floor

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

A cool colour palette contrasts with this statement grand piano, creating the focal point. Bleached floorboards, and simple artwork and photographs lining the walls, emulate the understated, French style of the property.

For rugs like these try Simply Rugs, and for a chandelier like this one, head to Directlight.

Neutral bedroom

bedroom with white wall and white window and beams

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

Exposed beams and tall windows provide an eye-catching backdrop to the statement bed in this country-inspired bedroom. Dark wood furniture, like the chest of drawers, adds depth and contrast to the white wrought-iron bed.

This bed was sourced from Divine Dreams and for dark-wood furniture like this, look to Dovetail Antique Pine Furniture.

Girls bedroom

bedroom with white wall and wooden floor and white window and beam

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

An all-white bedroom is accented with pretty accessories, like this glass chandelier and cute bunting, for a simple and stylish girls bedroom.  Pastel bedlinen and accessories keep the look feminine, and the wooden rocking horse adds a sense of fun. Essential storage in the shape of under-bed wicker baskets, keep the room clutter free.

This bedlinen is from Susie Watson Designs and the under-bed storage comes from IKEA.

Sleek bathroom

bathroom with white wall and bathtub and white door

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

An original stone sink is housed in the alcove behind the bath, showing the age and history of the property. It is now combined with a sleek modern bath and sink unit. Built-in storage keeps the bathroom clutter free, and a simple all-white colour palette keeps it bright and airy, emulating the classic style of the house.

This bath unit is from Victoria Plumb, for bathroom taps try Bathstore.

Are you looking for more decorating ideas and inspiration? Why not take a look at our house tours section for everything from a 19th century Victorian villa, to a quirky and eclectic mansion?

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.