When Katie and Richard yearned for a change from their 1960s family farmhouse, they embarked on an epic project to realise their dream home from scratch. Twenty-one months, and 35 tonnes of Turkish marble, later the couple have created a stunning, technology-filled retreat with views out over the Kentish countryside to die for.

TEST The kitchen and associated areas take up the whole eastern side of the house

The kitchen and associated areas take up the whole eastern side of the house

TEST The couple have created a spacious kitchen, dining and living area which enjoys beautiful views into the valley below

The couple have created a spacious kitchen, dining and living area which enjoys beautiful views into the valley below

TEST A large TV has been artfully set behind protective glass above the hob so Richard can watch the football while cooking. Also in the kitchen is a full height cabinet that, when opened, reveals more technology than GCHQ – technology that runs the house’s state-of-the-art audio-visual systems

A large TV has been artfully set behind protective glass above the hob so Richard can watch the football while cooking. Also in the kitchen is a full height cabinet that, when opened, reveals more technology than GCHQ – technology that runs the house’s state-of-the-art audio-visual systems

TEST After much research, Katie stumbled upon her dream Clive Christian kitchen on eBay

After much research, Katie stumbled upon her dream Clive Christian kitchen on eBay

TEST The chrome-on-brass Art Deco metalwork banister is a one-off designed exclusively for the house by Burvills Ornamental Metalwork in Surrey. Suspended in its centre is a glittering four-and-a-half foot high, 14-stone Wilkinson chandelier...

The chrome-on-brass Art Deco metalwork banister is a one-off designed exclusively for the house by Burvills Ornamental Metalwork in Surrey. Suspended in its centre is a glittering four-and-a-half foot high, 14-stone Wilkinson chandelier

TEST Bi-folding doors in the orangery lead out onto the terrace and its oval-shaped pool

Bi-folding doors in the orangery lead out onto the terrace and its oval-shaped pool

TEST The vast and delicate horseshoe staircase sweeps up three floors creating a huge, soaring marble and crystal atrium

The vast and delicate horseshoe staircase sweeps up three floors creating a huge, soaring marble and crystal atrium

TEST The chrome-on-brass Art Deco metalwork banister is a one-off designed exclusively for the house by Burvills Ornamental Metalwork in Surrey

The chrome-on-brass Art Deco metalwork banister is a one-off designed exclusively for the house by Burvills Ornamental Metalwork in Surrey

TEST Richard and Katie’s master suite has a warm hint of gold in the dramatic bed and dressing table, both from And So to Bed in Tunbridge Wells

Richard and Katie’s master suite has a warm hint of gold in the dramatic bed and dressing table, both from And So to Bed in Tunbridge Wells

TEST The mirrored dressing room

The mirrored dressing room

TEST The bathroom with its part-vaulted ceiling is superb, its centrepiece a huge bath cut from a single block of Turkish marble...

The bathroom with its part-vaulted ceiling is superb, its centrepiece a huge bath cut from a single block of Turkish marble

TEST Weighing three tonnes, manoeuvring the bath into the master bathroom was a nightmare. Barry Hutson hit on a brilliant solution to carefully slide it off its massive trolley onto a block of ice that then slowly melted, lowering it into exactly the right position

Weighing three tonnes, manoeuvring the bath into the master bathroom was a nightmare. Barry Hutson hit on a brilliant solution to carefully slide it off its massive trolley onto a block of ice that then slowly melted, lowering it into exactly the right position

TEST The two guest rooms feature grey leather beds from the feet of which rise flat screen TVs

The two guest rooms feature grey leather beds from the feet of which rise flat screen TVs

TEST Throughout the house, the finish and attention to detail is outstanding and speaks volumes for Richard’s professional partners in the venture.

Throughout the house, the finish and attention to detail is outstanding and speaks volumes for Richard’s professional partners in the venture.

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

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