Tucked away, at the end of a leafy driveway, is a typically Kentish house. Its fish-scale hanging tiles are that particularly rich orange-red that produces a sentimental glow in the heart of almost every Kent resident (though perhaps it is especially strongly felt by those who have escaped here from London).

TEST The substantial kitchen, complete with Belling warm cupboard (above, to the far right of the image), the number one item on Sophie and Nick’s wedding list

The substantial kitchen, complete with Belling warm cupboard (above, to the far right of the image), the number one item on Sophie and Nick’s wedding list

TEST Cappuccino the dog’s room, covered in a rather fantastic dog-print wallpaper!

Cappuccino the dog’s room, covered in a rather fantastic dog-print wallpaper!

TEST The walls of the hallway are smothered in the flowers and butterflies of an exuberant Nina Campbell wallpaper

The walls of the hallway are smothered in the flowers and butterflies of an exuberant Nina Campbell wallpaper

TEST Sophie’s use of pattern is bold and assured. The curtain fabric, generously draped in the drawing room, is by Colefax & Fowler

Sophie’s use of pattern is bold and assured. The curtain fabric, generously draped in the drawing room, is by Colefax & Fowler

TEST

TEST The drawing room is furnished with family pieces, but also items found locally. Sophie had the carpet specially made and then sourced the rest of the fabrics for the sofas and chairs

The drawing room is furnished with family pieces, but also items found locally. Sophie had the carpet specially made and then sourced the rest of the fabrics for the sofas and chairs

TEST

TEST The drawing room is furnished with family pieces, but also items found locally. Sophie had the carpet specially made and then sourced the rest of the fabrics for the sofas and chairs

The drawing room is furnished with family pieces, but also items found locally. Sophie had the carpet specially made and then sourced the rest of the fabrics for the sofas and chairs

TEST The dining room, decorated with lanterns from Morocco, and a mirror from India. Both were found when Sophie went on buying trips for Liberty

The dining room, decorated with lanterns from Morocco, and a mirror from India. Both were found when Sophie went on buying trips for Liberty

TEST A broad staircase has its original Regency banisters. Sophie has painted them in Farrow & Ball’s ‘blue-green’ to match the rest of the wooden panelling

A broad staircase has its original Regency banisters. Sophie has painted them in Farrow & Ball’s ‘blue-green’ to match the rest of the wooden panelling

TEST The walls of the attic playroom are papered in another fabulous wallpaper aptly featuring clouds

The walls of the attic playroom are papered in another fabulous wallpaper aptly featuring clouds

TEST the children’s bedrooms

the children’s bedrooms

TEST

TEST the view from the wonderfully private and cosy en suite, a couple of steps down from the guest bedroom

the view from the wonderfully private and cosy en suite, a couple of steps down from the guest bedroom

  • words:
  • pictures: David Merewether
  • styling: Lucy Fleming

Building Connections

After nearly a decade of planning, Dominic and Eve were finally given permission to convert a pair of derelict barns, linking them together to create one very beautiful dwelling Words: Jo Arnell Photographs: David Merewether The story arc of an...

Change it up

Neil and Sharon Maidment’s reconfigured family home is the result of a very successful partnership with OPEN architecture, who opened their eyes to a new layout they never imagined was possible Words: Fiona Patrick Photographs: David Merewether The green modular...

Cut to Fit

Deborah Harrison downsized to a three bedroom house, which she renovated and reconfigured, reinstating the original Victorian features and editing family heirlooms to suit her new home and lifestyle “As William Morris says, ‘Everything has to be beautiful or useful,’”...