quintessential 19th century English country estate majestically surveys the gently rolling scenery that surrounds it. The vast red brick house has recently been restored and converted into large apartments, with new buildings constructed in similar style to the west of the main house.

In the drawing room, pale sofas are grouped around bleached teak Thai tables and delicate phalaenopsis orchids are set against plain, ivory walls

In the drawing room, pale sofas are grouped around bleached teak Thai tables and delicate phalaenopsis orchids are set against plain, ivory walls

The hallway is home to “Uncle Sid’s French chairs”

The hallway is home to “Uncle Sid’s French chairs”

In the kitchen, shelves of blue and white Thai china dominate one wall. “We won quite a few of these pieces at bridge games in Thailand, and as we had so many of them, they rather dictated the colour scheme in this room,” says Mike

In the kitchen, shelves of blue and white Thai china dominate one wall. “We won quite a few of these pieces at bridge games in Thailand, and as we had so many of them, they rather dictated the colour scheme in this room,” says Mike

Jauntily striped cobalt blue and grey Roman blinds reinforce the colour scheme and complement the grey-beige tones of the sleek Italian kitchen units

Jauntily striped cobalt blue and grey Roman blinds reinforce the colour scheme and complement the grey-beige tones of the sleek Italian kitchen units

The kitchen’s glass dining table was ordered over the internet and came from Italy

The kitchen’s glass dining table was ordered over the internet and came from Italy

Mike and Jean were keen to maximise the feeling of light and space in the apartment through careful and considered use of white and glass furnishings

Mike and Jean were keen to maximise the feeling of light and space in the apartment through careful and considered use of white and glass furnishings

Mike and Jean’s apartment has both a contemporary and exotic air and is filled with an assortment of objets d’art that the couple collected whilst living in Thailand

Mike and Jean’s apartment has both a contemporary and exotic air and is filled with an assortment of objets d’art that the couple collected whilst living in Thailand

The principal bedroom is pure Hollywood-style glamour

The principal bedroom is pure Hollywood-style glamour

The small anteroom is where Jean keeps her workspace and the laptop of which she has made such good use

The small anteroom is where Jean keeps her workspace and the laptop of which she has made such good use

Glass perfume bottles are grouped either side of a glass Victorian epergne

Glass perfume bottles are grouped either side of a glass Victorian epergne

The symmetry in the master bedroom reinforces the sense of serenity that the pale colours and liquid-like surfaces create

The symmetry in the master bedroom reinforces the sense of serenity that the pale colours and liquid-like surfaces create

The guest bedroom has been inspired by pieces of Thai china that the couple brought back with them when they returned to England

The guest bedroom has been inspired by pieces of Thai china that the couple brought back with them when they returned to England

In the guest bedroom, one wall is comprised of built-in wardrobes with sliding mirrored doors that Jean says were built for them “in record time” by Sliderobes of Aylesford

In the guest bedroom, one wall is comprised of built-in wardrobes with sliding mirrored doors that Jean says were built for them “in record time” by Sliderobes of Aylesford

Shells on display in the cloakroom

Shells on display in the cloakroom

The apartment enjoys wonderful views across the parkland. “We have three terraces here so we can change our perspective, or we can walk to the village pub when we have guests, visit Penshurst gardens, or just stroll around the grounds., says Jean

The apartment enjoys wonderful views across the parkland. “We have three terraces here so we can change our perspective, or we can walk to the village pub when we have guests, visit Penshurst gardens, or just stroll around the grounds., says Jean

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

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