There are few more iconic structures in Kent than the oasthouse and fewer more popular farm buildings for conversion to private homes. Ever since the first oast was converted in 1903 at Millar’s Farm in Meopham by Sir Philip Waterlow, literally hundreds have been given a new lease of life.

Originally the dining room roundel was accessed solely from the hallway but Katy has provided additional access from the kitchen. Here Katy has accentuated the space and height of the roundel by keeping furnishing to a minimum – just a wine rack and shelves to display her eclectic collection of glasses

Dave’s units and dresser surround a central marble-topped preparation table

The kitchen required the most planning and the solution of bespoke units, built to order by Dave Newing of Millside Joinery in Lenham, has made the absolute maximum of the circular wall space while creating a room that never for a moment seems cramped or cluttered

“Dave did a really excellent job and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him,” says Katy

Katy brought the marble for the preparation table back from Greece where she sourced it from the Pentelic quarries of Mount Pentelikos which also once provided the marble for the Parthenon – and had the base made from reclaimed pine


In the sitting room, the original beams remain as do the previous owner’s curtains. Against one wall is the couple’s son’s piano and against another a heavy 28-draw chest that came with the family back from Dubai

A woodburner nestles cosily between the roundels on the ground floor

The architect realised the potential of the height of the roundels to the full when it came to the hallway, by creating a two-storey hall and galleried first floor


The windows in all the roundels are superb, virtually floor to ceiling, and look out over some lovely views

The master bedroom is dominated by a huge bed with tubular steel head and foot, another Dubai find. Katy has completely revamped the two bathrooms and knocked down a wall to create an en suite for the master bedroom


Daughter Daisy’s room is painted pastel blue. “She wanted the whole room dark blue but we negotiated her down to just the window frames,” says Katy


Son Tom’s room is deep red, very much a boy’s room and currently shrine to Tin Tin, a legacy of the family’s time in Brussels

The guest bedroom. The windows in all the roundels are superb, virtually floor to ceiling, and look out over some lovely views of the garden and countryside beyond

The guest room

Close to the house is an outbuilding that Katy has converted into a photographic studio

From here she runs both her portrait photography and her highly successful photographic card business, Dipingo Design
- Katy Donaldson www.katydonaldson.com
- Dipiingo Design www.dipingodesign.co.uk 07764150003
- Millside Joinery www.millsidejoinery.co.uk Lenham 01622851441
- RJ Garden Services www.rjgardenservices.co.uk Marden 07894998351
- Vintage Party Bunting www.vintagepartybunting.co.uk Marden 07790512626
- words: John Graham-Hart
- pictures: David Merewether
- styling: Lucy Fleming
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