When Jenny and Doug Branson decided to make a move to Dorking they initially set their sights on Victorian properties. But for interior designer Jenny, a chance viewing of a new build property proved to be an irresistibly blank canvas.

TEST The vaulted drawing room features a glass wall soaring to the apex of the roof. “There is lots going on in this room but the colours tie it all together,” says Jenny

The vaulted drawing room features a glass wall soaring to the apex of the roof. “There is lots going on in this room but the colours tie it all together,” says Jenny

TEST A glass fronted cabinet from a car boot sale, topped with a US tin tile, houses Jenny’s glass collection

A glass fronted cabinet from a car boot sale, topped with a US tin tile, houses Jenny’s glass collection

TEST On the wall behind a pale cream sofa is a vintage French screen below which are cushions made by Jenny from bark cloth and old 1960s silk scarves

On the wall behind a pale cream sofa is a vintage French screen below which are cushions made by Jenny from bark cloth and old 1960s silk scarves

TEST The chimney breast papered entirely in House of Hackney ‘Empire’ features a variety of critters enjoying themselves, among them a hookah-smoking sloth, a frog in a bowler hat, a fanning otter and an imbibing badger

The chimney breast papered entirely in House of Hackney ‘Empire’ features a variety of critters enjoying themselves, among them a hookah-smoking sloth, a frog in a bowler hat, a fanning otter and an imbibing badger

TEST The heart of the property is the dramatic downstairs space which encompasses a kitchen, dining room, and down a few steps, a stunning living room

The heart of the property is the dramatic downstairs space which encompasses a kitchen, dining room, and down a few steps, a stunning living room

TEST Down a few steps and one is in a vaulted drawing room with its glass wall soaring to the apex of the roof

Down a few steps and one is in a vaulted drawing room with its glass wall soaring to the apex of the roof

TEST In the spacious downstairs hallway is a cinema chair upholstered in Stars & Stripes – homage to Doug’s US heritage – and a lovely rogue’s gallery of black and white framed family photographs

In the spacious downstairs hallway is a cinema chair upholstered in Stars & Stripes – homage to Doug’s US heritage – and a lovely rogue’s gallery of black and white framed family photographs

TEST On one side of the pine dining table gather a mix of plastic and metal 1950s/60s and Ikea chairs

On one side of the pine dining table gather a mix of plastic and metal 1950s/60s and Ikea chairs

TEST The pretty 60s-style sofa is from Made.com and above it hangs a 1960s French schoolroom poster

The pretty 60s-style sofa is from Made.com and above it hangs a 1960s French schoolroom poster

TEST The master bedroom adheres to a palette of delicate whites and pastels, the trellis wallpaper by Harlequin. Each side of the Loaf bed are matching 60s cabinets on which stand two Anglepoises – one 60s and the other contemporary. Beside the bed stands an elegant, 60s steel-framed, white leather chair

The master bedroom adheres to a palette of delicate whites and pastels, the trellis wallpaper by Harlequin. Each side of the Loaf bed are matching 60s cabinets on which stand two Anglepoises – one 60s and the other contemporary

TEST Beside the bed stands an elegant, 60s steel-framed, white leather chair

Beside the bed stands an elegant, 60s steel-framed, white leather chair

TEST The guest room occupies a vaulted space at the top of the house in which Jenny has appropriated a place by the window to serve as her office. The wall over the Loaf bed is papered in Clarke & Clarke ‘Lattice’ next to which stands an unusual gilt Lloyd Loom chair

The guest room occupies a vaulted space at the top of the house. The wall over the Loaf bed is papered in Clarke & Clarke ‘Lattice’ next to which stands an unusual gilt Lloyd Loom chair

TEST In the guest room Jenny has appropriated a place by the window to serve as her office

In the guest room Jenny has appropriated a place by the window to serve as her office

TEST Pastel paper clouds float across one wall of the children’s guest room at the top of the house

Pastel paper clouds float across one wall of the children’s guest room at the top of the house

TEST The guest bathroom

The guest bathroom

TEST In Jasper’s colourfully accessorised room, Jenny has taken an Ikea pine bed and, with the help of Annie Sloan, turned it lime green to match the 60s ball chair. Beside the bed is a Coca Cola drum table and above it a crowd of multi-coloured stars...

In Jasper’s colourfully accessorised room, Jenny has taken an Ikea pine bed and, with the help of Annie Sloan, turned it lime green to match the 60s ball chair. Beside the bed is a Coca Cola drum table and above it a crowd of multi-coloured stars

TEST Jenny has papered the twins’ room with navy polka dots

Jenny has papered the twins’ room with navy polka dots

TEST John Lewis beds are topped with their initials with matching bookcases at the foot of each bed for their favourite reads

John Lewis beds are topped with their initials with matching bookcases at the foot of each bed for their favourite reads

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

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