When you step inside this light and airy country home, it is hard to believe that parts of it were originally an 18th-century butcher's shop and doctor's surgery. The property was built around 1700, and a front extension was added in 1750.
1/12 Entrance hall
2/12 Front sitting room
Like most rooms in the house, the front sitting room is very square. In order to fit two sofas alongside her favourite French furniture, the owner commissioned a matching pair from designer Amanda Knox.
Sofas
Amanda Knox, Decorative Country Living
3/12 Front sitting room fireplace
Neutral tones mixed with florals keep the whole house looking bright and fresh.
Wall paint
Farrow & Ball
4/12 Dining room
The dining room - which the owner deliberately keeps as the darkest room in the house, for a moody effect - is put to good use throughout the year, but none more so than when the family entertains, when its chiaroscuro appearance is enhanced with red blooms and eucalyptus.
Wall paint
Farrow & Ball
5/12 Home office
The tiny home office, visible through the dining-room doorway, is probably a hangover from the days when the rear end of the house was a doctor's surgery; its little window looks into the sitting room behind.
6/12 Morning room
The house is filled from top to bottom with the owner's collection of French country furniture, complemented beautifully by a range of Kate Forman fabrics, which add subtle hints of colour.
Chair coverings
Kate Forman
Antique French country table and chairs
Decorative Country Living
7/12 Morning room dressing table
In the morning room, the painted round table seats six comfortably and works perfectly with the French dressing table and powder-pink painted walls.
Wall paint
Farrow & Ball
8/12 Kitchen
The kitchen has been kept light and simple, with a French rustic feel.
Similar vintage letters
Signs for Homes
9/12 Kitchen range cooker
The owner worked with the existing structure of the room that is now the kitchen, and found a Watson range cooker to fit the fireplace very neatly.
Similar range
Redfyre
10/12 Landing
Light colours on the walls and woodwork keep the landing feeling bright.
11/12 Main bedroom
Light-blue walls make for a calming main bedroom, which has ample space for a super-king-size sleigh bed.
Wall paint
Farrow & Ball
Bed
And So To Bed
12/12 Children’s bedroom
A matching pair of children's painted French beds mean that the owner's daughter can have friends to stay in comfort.
If you liked this, find more inspiring home ideas on the Homes & Gardens website. And be first to hear about our favourite new finds on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
-
How we test duvets at Ideal Home: our review processThis is how we put duvets through their paces to find our top recommendations
-
How to prevent mattress mould in winter - 6 ways to avoid this common problem, recommended by expertsNo one likes the idea of mould invading their mattress, but you can avoid it with these simple steps
-
Pantone’s trend-setting colour of the year for 2025 is out – meet the earthy yet delicious shade you’ll soon be seeing everywhereMocha Mousse is the shade setting the tone for the year ahead
