The kitchen is on the south-facing rear side of the house. Previously a dark room, Richard opened up the space and installed three Velux windows so light pours in, right through into the dining area

The kitchen is on the south-facing rear side of the house. Previously a dark room, Richard opened up the space and installed three Velux windows so light pours in, right through into the dining area

The challenge was to make their new country home work for their 21st century lifestyle and the sophisticated mid-century style furniture they’d amassed in their big city days, which clearly took some vision.

The challenge was to make their new country home work for their 21st century lifestyle and the sophisticated mid-century style furniture they’d amassed in their big city days, which clearly took some vision.

The couple bought the dining table and chairs from West Elm in Dubai.

The couple bought the dining table and chairs from West Elm in Dubai.

A door off the dining room leads into the children’s playroom, with a comfy sofa, plenty of toy storage and one wall of map of the world wallpaper

A door off the dining room leads into the children’s playroom, with a comfy sofa, plenty of toy storage and one wall of map of the world wallpaper

Another door from the dining area leads through to a generously sized bedroom, painted in Farrow & Ball Skimming Stone. A striking arrangement of framed flower prints hang over the headboard, taken from a book called the The Temple of Flora by a botanist Robert John Thornton

Another door from the dining area leads through to a generously sized bedroom, painted in Farrow & Ball Skimming Stone. A striking arrangement of framed flower prints hang over the headboard, taken from a book called the The Temple of Flora by a botanist Robert John Thornton

Richard and Tanya created the ‘inside/outside’ feeling they craved by glazing the entire southfacing back wall of the sitting room with ‘Crittall-style’ windows and French doors

Richard and Tanya created the ‘inside/outside’ feeling they craved by glazing the entire southfacing back wall of the sitting room with ‘Crittall-style’ windows and French doors

A large spread-winged owl, digital artwork created by Richard, looms over the galleried entrance hall

A large spread-winged owl, digital artwork created by Richard, looms over the galleried entrance hall

The entrance hall flooring tiles are by Ca’Pietra

The entrance hall flooring tiles are by Ca’Pietra

Richard sourced the oversized dimpled glass shades that illuminate the sitting room online

Richard sourced the oversized dimpled glass shades that illuminate the sitting room online

Richard used to spend weekends browsing for mid-century pieces. Now his browsing is strictly on Google sitting at the beautiful mid-century desk in the airy mezzanine office space on the first floor hall

Richard used to spend weekends browsing for mid-century pieces. Now his browsing is strictly on Google sitting at the beautiful mid-century desk in the airy mezzanine office space on the first floor hall

The shutters in all the bedrooms were already in place when the couple moved in, but in thirsty-looking dry pine. Painted, they give the rooms a tailored look with a country feel, much better than curtains which could have easily looked twee.

The shutters in all the bedrooms were already in place when the couple moved in, but in thirsty-looking dry pine. Painted, they give the rooms a tailored look with a country feel, much better than curtains which could have easily looked twee.

The 300-year-old oak structure of the barn criss-crosses Jay’s room at the top of the house

The 300-year-old oak structure of the barn criss-crosses Jay’s room at the top of the house

Like her brother’s, Elle’s room benefits from shuttered skylights

Like her brother’s, Elle’s room benefits from shuttered skylights

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

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