When creative London couple Roni and John decided to relocate to the country, they initially set their sights on a Kentish Georgian property. But once they’d happened upon a pretty 17th century cottage they knew they had found what they had ultimately been looking for.

Hanging above the dining table and chairs, sourced from SV Antiques, is a pair of old stainless steel industrial lights. A few of Roni’s sketches are mounted in frames on the wall between life drawings and charcoal studies

Hanging above the dining table and chairs, sourced from SV Antiques, is a pair of old stainless steel industrial lights. A few of Roni’s sketches are mounted in frames on the wall between life drawings and charcoal studies

Roni’s cottage is filled with lovely pieces of art which date from the 1920s through to the 1950s. Her favourite is a large formal 1936 portrait of an aristocratic lady in pink that virtually covers one of the sitting room walls that Roni bought from Roy Massingham in Westerham

Roni’s cottage is filled with lovely pieces of art which date from the 1920s through to the 1950s. Her favourite is a large formal 1936 portrait of an aristocratic lady in pink that virtually covers one of the sitting room walls that Roni bought from Roy Massingham in Westerham

The couples' own wedding photograph sits amid other special items

The couples' own wedding photograph sits amid other special items

It took a while for Roni to become accustomed to life with an Aga: “There were a few Sunday roasts that took five hours but I’ve finally got the hang of it and wouldn’t change it for the world.”

It took a while for Roni to become accustomed to life with an Aga: “There were a few Sunday roasts that took five hours but I’ve finally got the hang of it and wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Roni has updated the original kitchen by painting the old pine units Little Greene Portland Stone and changing the fittings to Shaker chrome

Roni has updated the original kitchen by painting the old pine units Little Greene Portland Stone and changing the fittings to Shaker chrome

The stainless steel marine lights were found at Ardingly Antiques Fair

The stainless steel marine lights were found at Ardingly Antiques Fair

A painted Victorian dresser stands against one wall of the dining room and is home to an array of spectacular domes

A painted Victorian dresser stands against one wall of the dining room and is home to an array of spectacular domes

One of Roni's creations sits on the dining table

One of Roni's creations sits on the dining table

A glowing gold oriental fan takes centrestage in the master bedroom. Beside the bed is Roni and John’s own wedding dome.

A glowing gold oriental fan takes centrestage in the master bedroom. Beside the bed is Roni and John’s own wedding dome.

Opposite the master bedroom window is another 1950s portrait from a Westerham antiques shop, flanked by two oval gilt and black mirrors; beneath, atop a 1930s oak chest of drawers, are two more favourite domes

Opposite the master bedroom window is another 1950s portrait from a Westerham antiques shop, flanked by two oval gilt and black mirrors; beneath, atop a 1930s oak chest of drawers, are two more favourite domes

Adjacent to a stunning 1920s mirrored chest of drawers, a still life hangs above a gilded chair in one co

Adjacent to a stunning 1920s mirrored chest of drawers, a still life hangs above a gilded chair in one co

Across the corridor from the master bedroom, the all-white bathroom, filled with Jo Malone goodies, is a serene and inviting space in which to relax after a long day at work

Across the corridor from the master bedroom, the all-white bathroom, filled with Jo Malone goodies, is a serene and inviting space in which to relax after a long day at work

The pretty bathroom is home to more artwork

The pretty bathroom is home to more artwork

At the very top of the house is a vaulted spare bedroom with its own tiny en suite

At the very top of the house is a vaulted spare bedroom with its own tiny en suite

The little en suite in the eaves of the house

The little en suite in the eaves of the house

On the first floor, Roni’s studio allows her to work from home

On the first floor, Roni’s studio allows her to work from home

Roni’s studio is a treasure trove of items for future domes. She cleverly reuses her old Jo Malone boxes as a way of keeping her trimmings, keepsakes and mementoes in order. Every available inch of wallspace is covered by clippings from magazines, drawings and paintings by herself and friends

Roni cleverly reuses her old Jo Malone boxes as a way of keeping her trimmings, keepsakes and mementoes in order. Every available inch of wallspace is covered by clippings from magazines, drawings and paintings by herself and friends

Roni’s studio is a treasure trove of items for future domes

Roni’s studio is a treasure trove of items for future domes

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

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