Arriving at John and Sandy Schofield’s house in the heart of the Weald, the welcome is a picturesque one. A flock of pure white doves take off from their dovecote and flutter above our heads before settling on the red tiled roof as if bestowing their blessing upon it.

the generous kitchen/dining room was created out of two rooms

the generous kitchen/dining room was created out of two rooms

coming into the hall through the front door, you can now see right through to the fields beyond

coming into the hall through the front door, you can now see right through to the fields beyond

the concrete slabs in the lean-to conservatory have been painted to mimic a chequer board marble effect

the concrete slabs in the lean-to conservatory have been painted to mimic a chequer board marble effect

he fireplace in the original hunting lodge; the bar is to the right of the ornate fireplace, part of the 1970s extended section of the room

he fireplace in the original hunting lodge; the bar is to the right of the ornate fireplace, part of the 1970s extended section of the room

the painting is by John and Sandy’s son, Harry

the painting is by John and Sandy’s son, Harry

the beamed master bedroom features foot-wide oak floorboards

the beamed master bedroom features foot-wide oak floorboards

Sandy’s dressing table

Sandy’s dressing table

the large painting in the family bathroom is by John and Sandy’s art student daughter Grace

the large painting in the family bathroom is by John and Sandy’s art student daughter Grace

these chairs in her bedroom are from John’s garden business

these chairs in her bedroom are from John’s garden business

another family bathroom in more muted shades

another family bathroom in more muted shades

bright colours in one of the spare bedrooms

bright colours in one of the spare bedrooms

Sandy painted the glass in this bathroom door to create a stained glass effect

Sandy painted the glass in this bathroom door to create a stained glass effect

this mirrored console table and old looking glass are put together to create a dressing table in John and Sandy’s daughter’s room

this mirrored console table and old looking glass are put together to create a dressing table in John and Sandy’s daughter’s room

the Victorian porch on the front of the house looks out over farmland

the Victorian porch on the front of the house looks out over farmland

a flock of white doves live in the dovecote

a flock of white doves live in the dovecote

French windows which lead onto decking overlooking the stream are given a Venetian touch

French windows which lead onto decking overlooking the stream are given a Venetian touch

  • words:
  • pictures: David Merewether
  • styling: Cherry Whytock

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