Glamour” is not a word usually associated with the country cottage, but Andrew Fionda’s home is rather different. Andrew is one half of the fashion duo Pearce Fionda. Having met in the mid-1980s, and established their partnership in the mid-1990s, the designers won a slew of international awards and became famous for their luxurious Hollywood-style gowns.

TEST The view from the kitchen window overlooks the terrace at the rear of the property

The view from the kitchen window overlooks the terrace at the rear of the property

TEST A huge Aga warms the kitchen. “I love it. I’d never used one before so I went on an Aga cookery course – I was the only man! It’s fantastic for roasts and I cooked for ten people at Christmas. I couldn’t cope with what were rather orange pine cupboards though, so I stripped and painted them a much cooler grey.”

A huge Aga warms the kitchen. “I love it. I’d never used one before so I went on an Aga cookery course – I was the only man! It’s fantastic for roasts and I cooked for ten people at Christmas. I couldn’t cope with what were rather orange pine cupboards though, so I stripped and painted them a much cooler grey.”

TEST The kitchen opens out into a larger, L-shaped space, the first part of which features a pair of linen-covered sofas that are arranged facing each other

The kitchen opens out into a larger, L-shaped space, the first part of which features a pair of linen-covered sofas that are arranged facing each other

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TEST The dining room. Hanging on one wall is a vintage 1950s gown made of pale, shell pink silk with layers of pearl grey tulle and a cascade of appliquéd blossom on the bodice. “I love vintage style. I like the elegance of the dresses of the 40s and 50s and find them really inspiring,” says Andrew

The dining room. Hanging on one wall is a vintage 1950s gown made of pale, shell pink silk with layers of pearl grey tulle and a cascade of appliquéd blossom on the bodice. “I love vintage style. I like the elegance of the dresses of the 40s and 50s and find them really inspiring,” says Andrew

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TEST The “snug” is also where Parker and Holly retire to bed at seven o’clock promptly every evening

The “snug” is also where Parker and Holly retire to bed at seven o’clock promptly every evening

TEST At the far end of the kitchen, Parker has stretched his considerable frame out onto a cowhide rug

At the far end of the kitchen, Parker has stretched his considerable frame out onto a cowhide rug

TEST Opening a door to the side of the chimney-breast, Andrew reveals the stairs to the first floor. Above our heads an extravagantly gilded mirror and French Empire-style chandelier set the tone

Opening a door to the side of the chimney-breast, Andrew reveals the stairs to the first floor. Above our heads an extravagantly gilded mirror and French Empire-style chandelier set the tone

TEST The main bedroom is both simply furnished and extravagantly embellished. The furniture is painted or limed and texture and pattern is added in the form of piqué bedcovers, silk throws and embroidered and appliquéd cushions

The main bedroom is both simply furnished and extravagantly embellished. The furniture is painted or limed and texture and pattern is added in the form of piqué bedcovers, silk throws and embroidered and appliquéd cushions

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TEST The landing is a surprisingly large space and Andrew has cleverly added an element of drama by keeping the wooden floor uncluttered apart from a flamboyantly carved table placed in the centre of the room. A wall of built-in wardrobes enables the area to function as Andrew’s dressing room

The landing is a surprisingly large space and Andrew has cleverly added an element of drama by keeping the wooden floor uncluttered apart from a flamboyantly carved table placed in the centre of the room. A wall of built-in wardrobes enables the area to function as Andrew’s dressing room

TEST In the second bedroom again there are plenty of decorative flourishes. Ornate gilded and mirrored sconces hang above an exuberantly carved console table. Embroidered shawls cover the radiators and a vintage cutwork wedding dress is displayed on one wall

In the second bedroom again there are plenty of decorative flourishes. Ornate gilded and mirrored sconces hang above an exuberantly carved console table. Embroidered shawls cover the radiators and a vintage cutwork wedding dress is displayed on one wall

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TEST The last, smallest bedroom is packed with more vintage finds. “When I bought the house, this room was painted pink and the beams had been stained black, which I found really oppressive, so I changed it to white and then put all these rose prints from an old book on the wall,” says Andrew

The last, smallest bedroom is packed with more vintage finds. “When I bought the house, this room was painted pink and the beams had been stained black, which I found really oppressive, so I changed it to white and then put all these rose prints from an old book on the wall,” says Andrew

TEST A serene corner of the upstairs bathroom

A serene corner of the upstairs bathroom

TEST The decked terrace encircles an ancient yew tree and sweeps around the weatherboarded house that is perched at the summit of a high ridge

The decked terrace encircles an ancient yew tree and sweeps around the weatherboarded house that is perched at the summit of a high ridge

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TEST Before we enter the house we follow Andrew to the terrace at the rear of the property. “This is what sold the place to me,” he says, gesturing towards what is an incredible view across the Ashdown Forest. “I saw this and knew I’d found my house.”

Before we enter the house we follow Andrew to the terrace at the rear of the property. “This is what sold the place to me,” he says, gesturing towards what is an incredible view across the Ashdown Forest. “I saw this and knew I’d found my house.”

TEST The summerhouse has been painted a pale Dior grey and beside it a pair of deckchairs ,newly covered with grey and white striped canvas, face the autumn sunshine

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TEST

TEST Down another set of steps and there, among the boughs of a fine oak tree is the treehouse, now painted white, with nautical blue and white striped curtains. Inside, Andrew has wallpapered it and added just one, throne-like chair

Down another set of steps and there, among the boughs of a fine oak tree is the treehouse, now painted white, with nautical blue and white striped curtains. Inside, Andrew has wallpapered it and added just one, throne-like chair

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

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