There can be few weatherboarded cottages in the Weald of Kent that offer visitors such a welcome and refreshing surprise. Forget low ceilings and dark corners, or chintzy, rustic styling, and prepare yourselves for a trip to the Alps.

TEST The light-filled kitchen once had an unreliable old Aga at its heart – since replaced by a range cooker. The kitchen units are by Howdens and are complemented by light, machined-oak floorboards. Martine and Andrew are big fans of the artist Bella Pieroni whose pictures hang to the right of the cooker

The light-filled kitchen once had an unreliable old Aga at its heart – since replaced by a range cooker. The kitchen units are by Howdens and are complemented by light, machined-oak floorboards. Martine and Andrew are big fans of the artist Bella Pieroni whose pictures hang to the right of the cooker

TEST The couple built a two-storey extension, which has created a spacious open-plan kitchen and triple-aspect dining area with French doors into the garden

The couple built a two-storey extension, which has created a spacious open-plan kitchen and triple-aspect dining area with French doors into the garden

TEST Cream-painted units and pale oak worksurfaces reflect the light

Cream-painted units and pale oak worksurfaces reflect the light

TEST A luxurious, rather masculine downstairs loo area, designed by Andrew

A luxurious, rather masculine downstairs loo area, designed by Andrew

TEST The contemporary wood panelling throughout Martine and Andrew’s home gives it an undeniably cosy – and high class – chalet feel

The contemporary wood panelling throughout Martine and Andrew’s home gives it an undeniably cosy – and high class – chalet feel

TEST The quirky giraffe is covered in Design Forum fabric, Kaleidoscope

The quirky giraffe is covered in Design Forum fabric, Kaleidoscope

TEST The leather turtle and hippo were both escapees from a chalet job but seem very much at home in Kent

The leather turtle and hippo were both escapees from a chalet job but seem very much at home in Kent

TEST The understated, wood-lined stairway, with bespoke handrail designed by Andrew, gives a taste of the chalet style upstairs

The understated, wood-lined stairway, with bespoke handrail designed by Andrew, gives a taste of the chalet style upstairs

TEST The landing to Oli’s bedoom, over the extended kitchen-dining area, includes a door on to the roof terrace. Plush, neutral carpets throughout make the house feel extremely snug

The landing to Oli’s bedoom, over the extended kitchen-dining area, includes a door on to the roof terrace. Plush, neutral carpets throughout make the house feel extremely snug

TEST Max’s bedroom, across the way, is suitably grown-up, tastefully reflecting his interest in skiing and sailing

Max’s bedroom, across the way, is suitably grown-up, tastefully reflecting his interest in skiing and sailing

TEST The boys’ rooms are light and airy and cleverly furnished to allow work, rest and play – with typical, smart wooden furnishing including these sturdy bunk beds in Oli’s room

The boys’ rooms are light and airy and cleverly furnished to allow work, rest and play – with typical, smart wooden furnishing including these sturdy bunk beds in Oli’s room

TEST Greg Buchan has again woven his magic and created great chalet-style oak bunk beds

Greg Buchan has again woven his magic and created great chalet-style oak bunk beds

TEST The boys' interest in skiing is evident in their bright and airy rooms

The boys' interest in skiing is evident in their bright and airy rooms

TEST The cottage is deceptively spacious, thanks to the sense of ‘flow’ around the stairway and light-filled landing, on to which all rooms seem to face

The cottage is deceptively spacious, thanks to the sense of ‘flow’ around the stairway and light-filled landing, on to which all rooms seem to face

TEST A view through to the master bedroom and en suite bathroom

A view through to the master bedroom and en suite bathroom

TEST The main bedroom is an oasis of calm and order – helped by muted colours and the addition of an en suite dressing room and hidden cupboards

The main bedroom is an oasis of calm and order – helped by muted colours and the addition of an en suite dressing room and hidden cupboards

TEST For ‘neutral’, do not for a moment read ‘dull’

For ‘neutral’, do not for a moment read ‘dull’

TEST The compact yet luxurious en suite to the master bedroom

The compact yet luxurious en suite to the master bedroom

TEST A view into the master bedroom’s enviable dressing room

A view into the master bedroom’s enviable dressing room

TEST The staircase is far from what one might expect in a country cottage

The staircase is far from what one might expect in a country cottage

TEST The play room and snug shares the woodburner with the ‘adults’ living room nextdoor. Hidden cupboards, built by Martine and Andrew’s carpenter, Greg, on either side of the flat screen television, help to keep things tidy while the bright carpet and Union Jack storage trunk add colour and a sense of fun

The play room and snug shares the woodburner with the ‘adults’ living room nextdoor. Hidden cupboards, built by Martine and Andrew’s carpenter, Greg, on either side of the flat screen television, help to keep things tidy while the bright carpet and Union Jack storage trunk add colour and a sense of fun

TEST An antique settle in the downstairs hallway contrasts with a contemporary faux-fur throw, geometric-patterned cushions and colour fabric ‘samplers’

An antique settle in the downstairs hallway contrasts with a contemporary faux-fur throw, geometric-patterned cushions and colour fabric ‘samplers’

  • words:
  • pictures: David Merewether
  • styling: Jennifer Stuart-Smith

Building Connections

After nearly a decade of planning, Dominic and Eve were finally given permission to convert a pair of derelict barns, linking them together to create one very beautiful dwelling Words: Jo Arnell Photographs: David Merewether The story arc of an...

Change it up

Neil and Sharon Maidment’s reconfigured family home is the result of a very successful partnership with OPEN architecture, who opened their eyes to a new layout they never imagined was possible Words: Fiona Patrick Photographs: David Merewether The green modular...

Cut to Fit

Deborah Harrison downsized to a three bedroom house, which she renovated and reconfigured, reinstating the original Victorian features and editing family heirlooms to suit her new home and lifestyle “As William Morris says, ‘Everything has to be beautiful or useful,’”...