Arriving at Lucinda Hamilton’s oasthouse, it seems that she can best be found by following the aroma of baking that wafts from the open French windows at the rear. A glance across the garden prompts a cartoonish double take as the eye is irresistibly held by the dramatic sweep of the softly undulating valley that stretches to the horizon.

Simba the Labrador relaxes. A silk shaded standard reading lamp overlooks a wingback chair covered in a duck egg blue fabric

Simba the Labrador relaxes. A silk shaded standard reading lamp overlooks a wingback chair covered in a duck egg blue fabric

In the drawing room a large square coffee table from Woodcocks in Tenterden shows off neatly arranged piles of art books along with a silver vase filled with hydrangeas and branches of aromatic rosemary

In the drawing room a large square coffee table from Woodcocks in Tenterden shows off neatly arranged piles of art books along with a silver vase filled with hydrangeas and branches of aromatic rosemary

A door in the hallway opens to reveal a lovely little day room, home to a deconstucted children’s teepee

A door in the hallway opens to reveal a lovely little day room, home to a deconstructed children’s teepee

There are echoes of Lucinda's childhood in Kenya, throughout the house

There are echoes of Lucinda's childhood in Kenya, throughout the house

The kitchen is the hub of Lucinda’s cake-making business, Cocolicious

The kitchen is the hub of Lucinda’s cake-making business, Cocolicious

The piano is the latest addition for Andrew’s 40th birthday

The piano is the latest addition for Andrew’s 40th birthday

The open plan kitchen/breakfast room is painted a chalky white and the low beams are decorated with colourful bunting and pretty striped ribbons from which the children’s vivid paintings and drawings are hung

The open plan kitchen/breakfast room is painted a chalky white and the low beams are decorated with colourful bunting and pretty striped ribbons from which the children’s vivid paintings and drawings are hung

Bunting hangs in the kitchen

Bunting hangs in the kitchen

The family’s latest additions, two tiny kittens, snooze in the sunshine on top of the Wendy house

The family’s latest additions, two tiny kittens, snooze in the sunshine on top of the Wendy house

The ascent up the staircase is lined with black and white studies of Lucinda’s children taken by photographers Emma Freeman and Florence Finburgh

The ascent up the staircase is lined with black and white studies of Lucinda’s children taken by photographers Emma Freeman and Florence Finburgh

A handsome painted sideboard on the landing is covered with more silver-framed family photographs many of which feature Lucinda’s parents

A handsome painted sideboard on the landing is covered with more silver-framed family photographs many of which feature Lucinda’s parents

The guest bedroom is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Stony Ground and simply furnished with a carved wooden bed and a pair of painted bedside tables

The guest bedroom is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Stony Ground and simply furnished with a carved wooden bed and a pair of painted bedside tables

The master bedroom and en suite. A long chest of drawers from Country Pine stands in front of one window with jugs of garden flowers and sweetly scented herbs to perfume the air

The master bedroom. A long chest of drawers from Country Pine stands in front of one window with jugs of garden flowers and sweetly scented herbs to perfume the air

The master bedroom's ensuite

The master bedroom's ensuite

The girls’ bedroom shows more evidence of their grandmother’s affection, with framed pictures of both children set in magical surroundings painted for them by Terry. On a little yellow chair three hand-kitted bears huddle together.

The girls’ bedroom shows more evidence of their grandmother’s affection, with framed pictures of both children set in magical surroundings painted for them by Terry

On a little yellow chair three hand-kitted bears huddle together.

On a little yellow chair three hand-kitted bears huddle together

Son Jackson’s room looks like the lair of a budding explorer with its bold sky blue paint and pictures of exotic animals and placesSon Jackson’s room looks like the lair of a budding explorer with its bold sky blue paint and pictures of exotic animals and places

Son Jackson’s room looks like the lair of a budding explorer with its bold sky blue paint and pictures of exotic animals and places

Opposite the bed a large IKEA storage unit houses books, games and toys as well as a brightly coloured globe

Opposite the bed a large IKEA storage unit houses books, games and toys as well as a brightly coloured globe

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

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