Much is written of the Georgian house – its perfect proportions, its soaring rooms, its windows that allow light to flood into every nook and cranny. However, these eulogies tend to be about grand Georgian town houses or elegant country seats. It’s considerably less common to read praise of equally lovely working Georgian farmhouses, which is exactly what The Farm was once upon a time – a modest three bedroom Georgian home at the heart of a modest Wealden farm.

TEST Above the old pine baker’s table is an impressive clock that once hung in the hall of Burberry’s in London

Above the old pine baker’s table is an impressive clock that once hung in the hall of Burberry’s in London

TEST In one corner of the kitchen sits a vast papier mâché old lady eating fish and chips by Hastings artist Jo Redpath

In one corner of the kitchen sits a vast papier mâché old lady eating fish and chips by Hastings artist Jo Redpath

TEST A kitchen window looks out into the bright conservatory

A kitchen window looks out into the bright conservatory

TEST “I love bright strong colours,” says Louise. By happy coincidence these reds, blues, greens and yellows are Georgian colours and complement the house perfectly...

“I love bright strong colours,” says Louise. By happy coincidence these reds, blues, greens and yellows are Georgian colours and complement the house perfectly

TEST The large conservatory looks out over one of the couple’s two beautiful large ponds. Centrepiece of the room is a great table that previously belonged to the Bank of Siena

The large conservatory looks out over one of the couple’s two beautiful large ponds. Centrepiece of the room is a great table that previously belonged to the Bank of Siena

TEST At either end of the room are large colourful terracotta pots that Louise has painted, home to crassulas, plants that flower only after they are 10 years old

At either end of the room are large colourful terracotta pots that Louise has painted, home to crassulas, plants that flower only after they are 10 years old

TEST The whole length of one dining room wall is devoted to a wonderful swan mural, the trees populated by birds added by Louise and her children. “What I’d now really like to do is to have birds flying across the walls all over the house – owls, swallows, hawks – anything on the wing,” she says

The whole length of one dining room wall is devoted to a wonderful swan mural, the trees populated by birds added by Louise and her children. “What I’d now really like to do is to have birds flying across the walls all over the house – owls, swallows, hawks – anything on the wing,” she says

TEST Mounted on the wall of the deep red hallway is a fierce Thai mask, two fat fish in a case and a French mirror the couple brought back from France. In one corner a chair is occupied by a giant Roman head from a film set

Mounted on the wall of the deep red hallway is a fierce Thai mask, two fat fish in a case and a French mirror the couple brought back from France. In one corner a chair is occupied by a giant Roman head from a film set

TEST A bronze sculpture sits in between a collection of hats by the kitchen

A bronze sculpture sits in between a collection of hats by the kitchen

TEST Louise is no follower of the white-on-white church which currently has so many devoted disciples

Louise is no follower of the white-on-white church which currently has so many devoted disciples

TEST Over the drawing room fireplace is a Louis Philippe mirror and, flanking it, a portrait of Alex’s great-grandfather nicely complemented by a bronze bust of his father on a cabinet by the door

Over the drawing room fireplace is a Louis Philippe mirror and, flanking it, a portrait of Alex’s great-grandfather nicely complemented by a bronze bust of his father on a cabinet by the door

TEST The drawing room features two deep red velvet sofas that Louise found on eBay for £200

The drawing room features two deep red velvet sofas that Louise found on eBay for £200

TEST The window seat provides the ideal spot to enjoy beautiful views over rolling countryside

The window seat provides the ideal spot to enjoy beautiful views over rolling countryside

TEST A warm and welcoming guest suite is home to an early Victorian bedspread with a superb gold satin counterpane that Louise found in a charity shop for £20

A warm and welcoming guest suite is home to an early Victorian bedspread with a superb gold satin counterpane that Louise found in a charity shop for £20

TEST Over the pine master bed is a large gold Japanese fan that Louise and Alex brought back from a yacht rally in Japan

Over the pine master bed is a large gold Japanese fan that Louise and Alex brought back from a yacht rally in Japan

TEST On the floor, a Turkish rug, another trophy from their travels

On the floor, a Turkish rug, another trophy from their travels

TEST The rich turquoise that Louise has chosen to paint the upstairs corridors sets off the dark inlaid wood furniture

The rich turquoise that Louise has chosen to paint the upstairs corridors sets off the dark inlaid wood furniture

TEST The Farm is a place of endless fascination with something new to catch one’s eye and feed one’s imagination at every turn

The Farm is a place of endless fascination with something new to catch one’s eye and feed one’s imagination at every turn

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

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