When Nick and Sonja walked into Goudhurst’s old disused Methodist Chapel they knew they could make something truly special from the 2,000 square feet of space bounded by solid Victorian brick and soaring Gothic windows. A year and a half later they have succeeded in creating a stunning family home whilst preserving the integrity of this historic building.

TEST In the sitting room an L-shape of grey Spanish leather Cadira sofas gather round a mauve Habitat rug

In the sitting room an L-shape of grey Spanish leather Cadira sofas gather round a mauve Habitat rug

TEST At one end of the room is a contemporary Contura woodburner, the tallest that Nick and Sonja could find

At one end of the room is a contemporary Contura woodburner, the tallest that Nick and Sonja could find

TEST Nick and Sonja were determined to keep the chapel windows as single entities. In order to do this, they divided the living room into three spaces, two soaring to the height of the windows at either end of the room and a centre section with a lower ceiling which provides for second floor accommodation

Nick and Sonja were determined to keep the chapel windows as single entities. In order to do this, they divided the living room into three spaces, two soaring to the height of the windows at either end of the room and a centre section with a lower ceiling which provides for second floor accommodation

TEST The office sits up a few steps from the sitting room

The office sits up a few steps from the sitting room

TEST A truly superb white leather Varier ‘Orange Peel’ chair where the couple can take it in turns to relax and enjoy the stunning westerly view down from the top of Goudhurst hill

A truly superb white leather Varier ‘Orange Peel’ chair where the couple can take it in turns to relax and enjoy the stunning westerly view down from the top of Goudhurst hill

TEST In the kitchen bi-folding doors lead out onto an elegant sandstone terrace and its Lloyd Loom table and chairs

In the kitchen bi-folding doors lead out onto an elegant sandstone terrace

TEST The lights above the table provide pops of colour

The lights above the table provide pops of colour

TEST In the kitchen bi-folding doors lead out onto an elegant sandstone terrace and its Lloyd Loom table and chairs. The units and surfaces and island are courtesy of Cambridge Kitchens, the dining table and Eames-style chairs are from John Lewis

The kitchen units and surfaces and island are courtesy of Cambridge Kitchens, the dining table and Eames-style chairs are from John Lewis

TEST Daughter Jessie’s room

Daughter Jessie’s room

TEST The beds in the guest rooms came from M&S and accent lighting is provided by small light cubes which are also cleverly used in the living room and kitchen

The beds in the guest rooms came from M&S and accent lighting is provided by small light cubes which are also cleverly used in the living room and kitchen

TEST One of the guest rooms with feature window

One of the guest rooms with feature window

TEST The second guest room, painted a deep grey, is a pleasing combination of contemporary minimalism with a dash of country charm – the latter provided by a pretty shuttered window

The second guest room, painted a deep grey, is a pleasing combination of contemporary minimalism with a dash of country charm – the latter provided by a pretty shuttered window

TEST Underfoot – as in most of the chapel – glows warm engineered oak.

Underfoot – as in most of the chapel – glows warm engineered oak

TEST Shutters add a touch of rustic charm to the guest room

Shutters add a touch of rustic charm to the guest room

TEST The wall of bi-folding doors is echoed upstairs in the master bedroom directly above the kitchen where they open out onto a decked balcony and more Lloyd Loom surrounded by a plate glass balustrade. The polished nickel bed is from Feather & Black in Tunbridge Wells while above it hangs a wonderful glass Flos Glow Ball light which can be dimmed to look like the moon

The polished nickel bed is from Feather & Black in Tunbridge Wells while above it hangs a wonderful glass Flos Glow Ball light which can be dimmed to look like the moon

TEST The wall of bi-folding doors is echoed upstairs in the master bedroom directly above the kitchen where they open out onto a decked balcony and more Lloyd Loom surrounded by a plate glass balustrade

The wall of bi-folding doors is echoed upstairs in the master bedroom directly above the kitchen where they open out onto a decked balcony and more Lloyd Loom surrounded by a plate glass balustrade

TEST The balcony outside the master bedroom

The balcony outside the master bedroom

TEST The outdoor dining space, perfect for entertaining

The outdoor dining space, perfect for entertaining

TEST The design makes the most of the outside space

The design makes the most of the outside space

TEST The Chapel enjoys truly enviable views across the Kentish countryside from Goudhurst to Horsmonden whilst also enjoying a secluded courtyard space

The Chapel enjoys truly enviable views across the Kentish countryside from Goudhurst to Horsmonden whilst also enjoying a secluded courtyard space

TEST The downstairs loo

The downstairs loo

  • words:
  • pictures: David Merewether
  • styling: Lucy Fleming & Helen Barton

Building Connections

After nearly a decade of planning, Dominic and Eve were finally given permission to convert a pair of derelict barns, linking them together to create one very beautiful dwelling Words: Jo Arnell Photographs: David Merewether The story arc of an...

Change it up

Neil and Sharon Maidment’s reconfigured family home is the result of a very successful partnership with OPEN architecture, who opened their eyes to a new layout they never imagined was possible Words: Fiona Patrick Photographs: David Merewether The green modular...

Cut to Fit

Deborah Harrison downsized to a three bedroom house, which she renovated and reconfigured, reinstating the original Victorian features and editing family heirlooms to suit her new home and lifestyle “As William Morris says, ‘Everything has to be beautiful or useful,’”...