Kent houses can be deceptive. Many of those that appear to be classical Georgian and Regency structures like the ones that line the high streets of towns like Tenterden and Cranbrook are actually, upon closer inspection, much older than those 18th century facades suggest, and though their increased antiquity is undoubtedly lovely, their medieval timbers support a very different architecture to that which might be expected. Murielle and Peter’s house however, set along a winding Kent lane is an unusual exception.

Hats and coats hang in the bright hallway

Hats and coats hang in the bright hallway

An large oval mirror in the hallway

An large oval mirror in the hallway

Visitors to the house step into the original, classic Regency hallway with a black and white diamond-tiled floor and a sinuous staircase that invitingly curves up and around to the upper storey

Visitors to the house step into the original, classic Regency hallway with a black and white diamond-tiled floor and a sinuous staircase that invitingly curves up and around to the upper storey

A stained glass window adds a pop of colour to the cool white hallway

A stained glass window adds a pop of colour to the cool white hallway

The study is painted in a cool blue and furnished simply with white painted bureau and desk

The study is painted in a cool blue and furnished simply with white painted bureau and desk

The kitchen has been extended to include a spacious orangery

The kitchen has been extended to include a spacious orangery

A painted Welsh dresser displays a full set of early 20th century bone china that belonged to Murielle’s parents

A painted Welsh dresser displays a full set of early 20th century bone china that belonged to Murielle’s parents

Shelves of cookery books hint at the big family gatherings that Murielle loves to hold

Shelves of cookery books hint at the big family gatherings that Murielle loves to hold

A reinforced glass tabletop conceals the well beneath it

A reinforced glass tabletop conceals the well beneath it

The music room walls are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Cream. Pride of place is given to the ebony Challen baby grand piano that belonged to Murielle’s mother.

The music room walls are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Cream. Pride of place is given to the ebony Challen baby grand piano that belonged to Murielle’s mother

The sitting room with its beautiful light fitting

The sitting room enhanced by a beautiful light fitting

A large mirror, chair and occasional table

A large mirror, chair and occasional table sit in the master bedroom

The master bedroom and en suite

The master bedroom and en suite

The ensuite bathroom

The ensuite bathroom looking through to the master bedroom

A guest bedroom features accents of robin’s egg blue

A guest bedroom features accents of robin’s egg blue

A guest bathroom

The lovely guest bathroom

In the first guest room the walls are also painted with Skimming Stone, but here the colour looks more of a cool grey and the accents are in robin’s egg blue. A chest of drawers displays a collection of Art Deco perfume bottles and a glass bonbon jar holds a clutch of speckled robin’s eggs

In the first guest room the walls are also painted with Skimming Stone, but here the colour looks more of a cool grey and the accents are in robin’s egg blue. A chest of drawers displays a collection of Art Deco perfume bottles and a glass bonbon jar holds a clutch of speckled robin’s eggs

A guest room, painted in F&B’s James White, features honeysuckle print curtains, limed wood furniture from The Vintage Home Co in Westerham and delicate drawings and paintings of landscapes and woodland animals

A guest room, painted in F&B’s James White, features honeysuckle print curtains, limed wood furniture from The Vintage Home Co in Westerham and delicate drawings and paintings of landscapes and woodland animals

Pictures hang on the wall above a wooden chest

School photographs hang on the wall above a wooden chest

Peter and Murielle’s son’s room

Peter and Murielle’s son’s room

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

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