Moving out of the Georgian farmhouse that has been your family home since 1968 might seem a daunting prospect for most people, but Steven and Emily Hall saw it as just another stage in their lives together. The couple had decided to hand the farmhouse on to their eldest son and his growing family and they had spied an opportunity to make a new home for themselves just across the garden.

linen-covered sofas and chairs have been placed in conversational groups or around the vast fireplace in the drawing room.

linen-covered sofas and chairs have been placed in conversational groups or around the vast fireplace in the drawing room.

a painting of Pencil the horse hangs next to an impressive gilt fish-eye mirror which Steven saw in an antiques shop

a painting of Pencil the horse hangs next to an impressive gilt fish-eye mirror which Steven saw in an antiques shop

a flamboyant chinoiserie is situated next to a Derbyshire dresser

a flamboyant chinoiserie is situated next to a Derbyshire dresser

in the central part of the barn huge windows flood the room with light and the walls either side are covered with pictures

in the central part of the barn huge windows flood the room with light and the walls either side are covered with pictures

bookshelves made by Alpine Joinery of Frant stretch almost the length of the landing

bookshelves made by Alpine Joinery of Frant stretch almost the length of the landing

a contemporary oil painting by Alison Guest is hung on the way to the first floor. Guest is a local equestrian artist whose work is shown at the Tryon Gallery in London

a contemporary oil painting by Alison Guest is hung on the way to the first floor. Guest is a local equestrian artist whose work is shown at the Tryon Gallery in London

the couple’s bedroom has views towards both the North and South Downs.

the couple’s bedroom has views towards both the North and South Downs.

the en suite. As in the rest of the house, the timbers have been kept in their natural honeyed hue

the en suite. As in the rest of the house, the timbers have been kept in their natural honeyed hue

watercolours are hung on the north, and oils on the south-facing wall as they’re not so susceptible to fading. Horses are the dominant subject

watercolours are hung on the north, and oils on the south-facing wall as they’re not so susceptible to fading. Horses are the dominant subject

Steven’s dressing room. Dotted about the house are black and white photographs of the family

Steven’s dressing room. Dotted about the house are black and white photographs of the family

the impressive stonework that features throughout the barn was designed and installed by Burslem

the impressive stonework that features throughout the barn was designed and installed by Burslem

the barn’s windows overlook the stables where the family keep their point-to-pointers

the barn’s windows overlook the stables where the family keep their point-to-pointers

Steven bought the 300-acre farm in 1977, where they keep suckling cows and sheep for fattening as well as the horses

Steven bought the 300-acre farm in 1977, where they keep suckling cows and sheep for fattening as well as the horses

the property enjoys beautiful views over the South and North Downs

the property enjoys beautiful views over the South and North Downs

a wealth of seasonal produce grows in the garden’s sizeable vegetable patch

a wealth of seasonal produce grows in the garden’s sizeable vegetable patch

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

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