Rob, Caroline and family brought the Woolpack Hotel in Tenterden to life and since then, it has also won plaudits for its décor, which is no real surprise – Rob originally trained as an interior designer. So, with such obvious talents in creating attractive, welcoming environments, one might very reasonably expect his own home – Brick House Farm in High Halden – to be something really rather special. And you’d be right – it is. There is only one slight problem and that’s the assumption that he is responsible for both home and hotel.

Caroline is a regular visitor to the Ardingly antiques market, where she bought this large, French-style farmhouse table and other accessories that decorate the large living area at the front of the house

Caroline is a regular visitor to the Ardingly antiques market, where she bought this large, French-style farmhouse table and other accessories that decorate the large living area at the front of the house

Light-coloured homeware and furnishings help to make the most of the natural light

Light-coloured homeware and furnishings help to make the most of the natural light

A pile of inspiring books hints at Caroline and Rob’s background in interior design

A pile of inspiring books hints at Caroline and Rob’s background in interior design

A collection of pretty crockery on a farmhouse dresser completes the look in the living room

A collection of pretty crockery on a farmhouse dresser completes the look in the living room

The kitchen sits under the catslide roof at the back of the farmhouse and is made from a host of up-cycled and recycled materials

The kitchen sits under the catslide roof at the back of the farmhouse and is made from a host of up-cycled and recycled materials

A cosy seating area next to the kitchen catches the morning sun and is the perfect spot for breakfast

A cosy seating area next to the kitchen catches the morning sun and is the perfect spot for breakfast

Steep stairs, hidden behind a door, lead up from the kitchen

Steep stairs, hidden behind a door, lead up from the kitchen

The bricks of a disused fireplace in an upstairs bedroom have been painted white to reflect the light – and avoid the gloominess associated with low, beamed ceilings. A Victorian-style bed is draped with a lovely handmade spread from Love Lane Vintage

The bricks of a disused fireplace in an upstairs bedroom have been painted white to reflect the light – and avoid the gloominess associated with low, beamed ceilings. A Victorian-style bed is draped with a lovely handmade spread from Love Lane Vintage

Personal touches such as family photos, favourite books and paintings add interest to the carefully decorated and designed bedrooms. The whole ceiling has been painted white, where once the beams were painted black – giving a sense of light and space

Personal touches such as family photos, favourite books and paintings add interest to the carefully decorated and designed bedrooms. The whole ceiling has been painted white, where once the beams were painted black – giving a sense of light and space

One of the outhouses at Brick House Farm is home to the couple’s daughter. The space was designed by Rob in a ‘more masculine style’, according to Caroline, or ‘modern rustic’, and incorporates salvaged wood from around the farm. A kitchen corner, sleeping area and living room are cleverly combined in an open-plan arrangement

One of the outhouses at Brick House Farm is home to the couple’s daughter. The space was designed by Rob in a ‘more masculine style’, according to Caroline, or ‘modern rustic’, and incorporates salvaged wood from around the farm. A kitchen corner, sleeping area and living room are cleverly combined in an open-plan arrangement

Disused stairs have a new lease of life as shelves for plants

Disused stairs have a new lease of life as shelves for plants

A pretty corner of the farmyard

A pretty corner of the farmyard

A double bed in the lakeside shack looks over the fishing pond and paddocks containing geese, sheep and, in the far corner, pigs. There is departure from Caroline’s muted colour scheme in the shack, which features warm tones on the walls and furnishings

A double bed in the lakeside shack looks over the fishing pond and paddocks containing geese, sheep and, in the far corner, pigs. There is departure from Caroline’s muted colour scheme in the shack, which features warm tones on the walls and furnishings

A wood stove and brightly coloured rugs keep guests cosy all year round, while the chandelier overhead adds a touch of boho glamour

A wood stove and brightly coloured rugs keep guests cosy all year round, while the chandelier overhead adds a touch of boho glamour

A mezzanine bed reached via a rustic ladder, above the main sleeping area, offers a fun place for children to sleep. When not lounging around, guests can fish – or cook themselves a full English breakfast on the deck – using ingredients from the farm

A mezzanine bed reached via a rustic ladder, above the main sleeping area, offers a fun place for children to sleep. When not lounging around, guests can fish – or cook themselves a full English breakfast on the deck – using ingredients from the farm

  • words:
  • pictures: David Merewether
  • styling: Helen Barton

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