When Victoria and David left London for Surrey they had no idea that such a wonderful home was just around the corner, down a pretty leafy lane. An expansive Arts & Crafts house, with more than a touch of Betjeman about it, it just needed their personal touch to turn it into something truly special.

On either side of the fireplace, the alcoves are papered with Andrew Martin’s faux books and over the mantelpiece, Victoria has hung a gilt mirror from a heavy antique chain that, cleverly, tilts the looking glass in a downward direction, reflecting the room

On either side of the fireplace, the alcoves are papered with Andrew Martin’s faux books and over the mantelpiece, Victoria has hung a gilt mirror from a heavy antique chain that, cleverly, tilts the looking glass in a downward direction, reflecting the room

The drawing room, which features another handsome Andrew Martin sofa flanked by a pair of French Provencal-style sofas from OKA with a huge buttoned OKA ottoman between them. Pale furniture, and masses of windows, ensure that this is a house that is filled with natural light

The drawing room, which features another handsome Andrew Martin sofa flanked by a pair of French Provencal-style sofas from OKA with a huge buttoned OKA ottoman between them. Pale furniture, and masses of windows, ensure that this is a house that is filled with natural light

As I follow Victoria along the hallway, I notice the polished oak floor stretching ahead. “Yes, it’s the original flooring, laid when the house was built. We didn’t even know it was here until we discovered the architect’s plans from 1915 that showed oak floors throughout.”

As I follow Victoria along the hallway, I notice the polished oak floor stretching ahead. “Yes, it’s the original flooring, laid when the house was built. We didn’t even know it was here until we discovered the architect’s plans from 1915 that showed oak floors throughout.”

Although most of the house has been completely refurbished, Victoria and David decided to keep the dark green and gold ceiling in the sitting room

Although most of the house has been completely refurbished, Victoria and David decided to keep the dark green and gold ceiling in the sitting room

Sanderson fern fabric stands out against the muted colour scheme

Sanderson fern fabric stands out against the muted colour scheme

The smartly appointed kitchen inhabits a vast space that was once the garage

The smartly appointed kitchen inhabits a vast space that was once the garage

Although the room is huge, it’s cleverly divided up into distinct areas, so that beyond the working part, a pair of linen-covered sofas provide a sociable spot for family and friends to lounge and chat while food is being prepared

Although the room is huge, it’s cleverly divided up into distinct areas, so that beyond the working part, a pair of linen-covered sofas provide a sociable spot for family and friends to lounge and chat while food is being prepared

French-style touches include this pretty armoire on the upstairs landing

French-style touches include this pretty armoire on the upstairs landing

A classic chaise longue in one of the guest bedrooms

A classic chaise longue in one of the guest bedrooms

The master suite, painted in Little Greene’s French Grey comprises three rooms that feel wonderfully luxurious; the bedroom, dressing room and bathroom

The master suite, painted in Little Greene’s French Grey comprises three rooms that feel wonderfully luxurious; the bedroom, dressing room and bathroom

A volcanic limestone double-ended bath is large enough to accommodate Victoria and both children

A volcanic limestone double-ended bath is large enough to accommodate Victoria and both children

A wall of bespoke wardrobes with mirrored and lattice-work doors in the dressing room was beautifully crafted by the couple’s carpenter, Robert and fits perfectly with the property’s 20th century, Arts & Crafts aesthetic. Hiding any clutter, they are also eminently functional too

A wall of bespoke wardrobes with mirrored and lattice-work doors in the dressing room was beautifully crafted by the couple’s carpenter, Robert and fits perfectly with the property’s 20th century, Arts & Crafts aesthetic. Hiding any clutter, they are also eminently functional too

The children’s Jack & Jill bathroom has sliding doors to leave maximum space for washing. Pale travertine tiles cover the floor and walls and the room was tanked to cope with splashes from the huge bath and walk-in shower

The children’s Jack & Jill bathroom has sliding doors to leave maximum space for washing. Pale travertine tiles cover the floor and walls and the room was tanked to cope with splashes from the huge bath and walk-in shower

Decorative touches in one of the en suite bathrooms

Decorative touches in one of the en suite bathrooms

Victoria and David’s daughter’s room is furnished with a carved Laura Ashley bed, dressing table and an antique armoire, and accessorised with Cath Kidston rosebud bedlinen, a Kate Forman floral print fabric for the blinds and vintage painted tables and chairs

Victoria and David’s daughter’s room is furnished with a carved Laura Ashley bed, dressing table and an antique armoire, and accessorised with Cath Kidston rosebud bedlinen, a Kate Forman floral print fabric for the blinds and vintage painted tables and chairs

Ready for a tea party

Ready for a tea party

Convincing ‘faux’ plants add a touch of colour – without the risk of soil spillage

Victoria says that her three-year-old is very proud of having tidied it himself for the visitors. Convincing ‘faux’ plants add a touch of colour – without the risk of soil spillage

The couple’s son’s room is themed with his current favourites, including racing cars and sailing boats

The couple’s son’s room is themed with his current favourites, including racing cars and sailing boats

The pool house, at the far end of the garden, has a touch of Victorian Gothic style about it and looks out over the vast lawn and swimming pool

The pool house, at the far end of the garden, has a touch of Victorian Gothic style about it and looks out over the vast lawn and swimming pool

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

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