When talking about the enduring popularity of Georgian architecture one can bang on endlessly about its classical heritage, its proportion and balance and the strict mathematical rules that govern every detail but the truth is that when we see a Georgian home none of this is of the slightest relevance – we just want to live there.

The only room that needed a major rethink when the couple moved in was the kitchen

The only room that needed a major rethink when the couple moved in was the kitchen

The ground floor was completely redesigned to accommodate a superb open-plan kitchen and conservatory space

The ground floor was completely redesigned to accommodate a superb open-plan kitchen and conservatory space

The walls of the grown-ups’ snug, painted in Farrow & Ball ‘Off Black’, creates an inviting and cosy evening retreat. “I often think darker colours are more neutral than white,” says Adele. “They often make spaces look larger rather than smaller and add depth and warmth.” The sofa is flanked by two superb tables with brushed aluminium legs in the shape of kudu horns

The walls of the grown-ups’ snug, painted in Farrow & Ball ‘Off Black’, creates an inviting and cosy evening retreat. “I often think darker colours are more neutral than white,” says Adele. “They often make spaces look larger rather than smaller and add depth and warmth.”

The sofa is flanked by two superb tables with brushed aluminium legs in the shape of kudu horns

The sofa is flanked by two superb tables with brushed aluminium legs in the shape of kudu horns

The drawing room is at once spacious and intimate with echoes everywhere of the couple’s South African roots

The drawing room is at once spacious and intimate with echoes everywhere of the couple’s South African roots

A bay tree stands in a large metal dolly tub from Blooms Furniture in Southborough

A bay tree stands in a large metal dolly tub from Blooms Furniture in Southborough

Tribal textiles hang in one corner of the room

Tribal textiles hang in one corner of the room

To the left of the woodburner, echoing the vibrant red of the sofa in front, stands a striking Chinese wedding cabinet

To the left of the woodburner, echoing the vibrant red of the sofa in front, stands a striking Chinese wedding cabinet

Favourite artworks are beautifully framed throughout the house

Favourite artworks are beautifully framed throughout the house

In the hallway sprawls a zebra print rug and on the wall a mixed media work by another RSA artist Debra Bell. In the children’s room sofas – one stone, the other black – lounge around a huge TV. On the wall opposite is a pair of antlers and a great wildlife print by one of the couple’s favourite artists, South African John Moore...

In the hallway sprawls a zebra print rug and on the wall a mixed media work by another RSA artist Debra Bell

In the children’s room sofas – one stone, the other black – lounge around a huge TV. On the wall opposite is a pair of antlers and a great wildlife print by one of the couple’s favourite artists, South African John Moore

In the children’s room sofas – one stone, the other black – lounge around a huge TV. On the wall opposite is a pair of antlers and a great wildlife print by one of the couple’s favourite artists, South African John Moore

The bright dressing room provides ample storage for clothes and accessories

The bright dressing room provides ample storage for clothes and accessories

The master bedroom en suite

The master bedroom en suite

Adele’s daughter’s room is a blizzard of white with warmth provided by the raspberry étoile curtains. The bed’s cast-iron headpiece came with her from South Africa

Adele’s daughter’s room is a blizzard of white with warmth provided by the raspberry étoile curtains. The bed’s cast-iron headpiece came with her from South Africa

In the en suite, the frame of a large ornate mirror from Blooms has been very effectively painted the same F&B as the walls

In the en suite, the frame of a large ornate mirror from Blooms has been very effectively painted the same F&B as the walls

Adele’s son’s room is red and white and a pleasing juxtaposition of old and new

Adele’s son’s room is red and white and a pleasing juxtaposition of old and new

On the top floor landing is a chandelier that, at Christmas, the family decorated with twigs gathered on a country walk

On the top floor landing is a chandelier that, at Christmas, the family decorated with twigs gathered on a country walk

The bright second guest bedroom features delicate wrought-iron headpieces which are actually the matching head and foot of a single bed found in a Tunbridge Wells antique shop

The bright second guest bedroom features delicate wrought-iron headpieces which are actually the matching head and foot of a single bed found in a Tunbridge Wells antique shop

Centrepiece of one of the guest bedrooms is a large red Zulu headdress that Bruce had to bring to the UK in his hand luggage. “He wasn’t pleased but seeing it there I think it was worth the hassle,” says Adele. On one of the F&B Dauphin walls are flower drawings by Bruce’s mother and an attractive quirky touch is provided by an old wooden farm ladder

Centrepiece of one of the guest bedrooms is a large red Zulu headdress that Bruce had to bring to the UK in his hand luggage. “He wasn’t pleased but seeing it there I think it was worth the hassle,” says Adele. On one of the F&B Dauphin walls are flower drawings by Bruce’s mother and an attractive quirky touch is provided by an old wooden farm ladder

One of a pair of Siamese cats locates the best position to bask in the sunlight

One of a pair of Siamese cats locates the best position to bask in the sunlight

Philippe Starck chairs surround a wonderful dining table, made from old African railway sleepers, which once graced the couple’s veranda in South Africa

Philippe Starck chairs surround a wonderful dining table, made from old African railway sleepers, which once graced the couple’s veranda in South Africa

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

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