A Hampshire House Reimagined: Timeless Elegance Meets Contemporary Comfort

/ 24 March 2026

A Hampshire House Reimagined: Timeless Elegance Meets Contemporary Comfort

Set in the Hampshire countryside, this period house has been meticulously expanded and brought up to date to create a family home that is both inviting and impeccably styled. Balancing warmth, character and modern sophistication, interior designer Rebecca Hughes tells us how she achieved this and gives us the tour…

Georgina Blaskey

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The Property

Set in the Hampshire countryside, this family home has been thoughtfully reimagined to suit a lively household of five – plus three dogs and a cat – with an emphasis on effortless, multi-generational entertaining. While the footprint was significantly increased, meticulous spatial planning ensures the original architecture flows seamlessly into the new additions. The transition is so considered that the house now feels entirely cohesive, as though it has always existed in this form.

The Brief

The vision was to sensitively extend and reimagine the existing house, creating a home that balances generosity of space with a sense of intimacy – practical for modern family life, yet layered with warmth and character.

The client wanted a quintessentially English country house – elegant, enduring and deeply connected to its setting. The surrounding Hampshire landscape became a guiding influence, with interiors that echo its rolling greens and muted, earthy tones. Much of the family’s existing furniture was thoughtfully rehomed within the new scheme, sitting comfortably alongside carefully sourced additions. Throughout, a confident use of colour and pattern lends each room a distinct personality, while a considered palette ensures the overall aesthetic feels cohesive and timeless.

Among the standout spaces is the serene library, enveloped in Farrow & Ball’s deep olive Bancha, and anchored by a richly veined Emperador marble fireplace. It serves as an atmospheric retreat from the home’s larger living spaces. By contrast, the dining room embraces drama – cocooned in a sumptuous red with gilt accents and soft, ambient lighting – transforming effortlessly into a theatrical backdrop for convivial dinner parties.

LET’S TAKE THE TOUR

The Entryway

This entrance was designed to impress. Soaring ceilings, a striking chequerboard floor and tranquil blue walls establish a sense of quiet grandeur. From here, the house unfolds into a sequence of richly layered rooms, each defined by confident swathes of deep red, burnished mustard and olive, creating a home that feels both characterful and considered.

Pendant: Cheyne Globe Lantern, Vaughan
Flooring: Doga Stone (Farrow Grey Limestone, Galala Light Limestone)
Wall paint: Spruce, Paint & Paper Library
Skirting & fireplace mantle / surround paint: De Nimes, Farrow & Ball

The Library

Cocooned in sumptuous olive hues, the library was conceived as a sanctuary of understated luxury and calm. Layers of texture – from the softly patterned rug to antique occasional tables and warm timber finishes – lend depth and a sense of quiet. Pools of lamplight and thoughtfully placed vintage accents create a gentle, atmospheric glow. The effect is timeless and intimate: a space designed for unhurried reading, lingering conversation and moments of retreat.

Bespoke ottoman: John Haswell Upholstery
Ottoman fabric: Tangier 2202/3 in Olive, Guy Goodfellow
Rug: London Persian Rug Company
Bespoke sofa fabric: Olive Sacking in Cocoa, Guy Goodfellow
Side table: Ceraudo
Table lamp: OKA
Armchair: George Smith
Wall paint: Bancha, Farrow & Ball

The Sitting Room

Rust-toned curtains and an antique chest of drawers ground this quintessential country house sitting room, lending warmth and quiet gravitas. Delicate blush wallpaper and a vintage chandelier introduce a sense of tradition and gentle formality, while contemporary artwork brings a crisp, modern counterpoint. The result is a space that feels rooted in heritage yet alive with present-day energy, striking that enduring balance between old and new.

Wallpaper: Pomegranate Fresco in Sweet Pea, Lewis & Wood
Curtains: Copper, Chase Erwin
Table lamps: Alexandra Table Lamp, Anboise
Bespoke armchair fabric: Selsley Stripe in Peat, Lewis & Wood
Coffee table: Twisted Leg Coffee Table, Richard Taylor Designs

The Orangery

Formerly a courtyard, this elegant orangery has been transformed into a light-filled retreat that gracefully blurs the boundary between house and garden. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a central roof light bathe the space in natural light, creating a tranquil setting from which to enjoy the surrounding garden throughout the seasons.

Set against soft plaster-pink walls, the client’s collection of antique plates introduces a sense of heritage and gentle whimsy – a characterful detail that encapsulates the home’s eclectic charm.

Wall light: Rattan Curved Wall Sconce, Mrs Alice
Table lamp on scallop table: Ankara Ceramic Table Lamp, Vaughan
Lampshade: Ikat Lampshade in Burnt Red & Cream, Rosanna Lonsdale
Window treatment: Great Toile in Indigo on Oyster, Bennison
Seat cushion on bamboo chairs & scatter cushion: 513I Laura Indigo, Les Indiennes

The Kitchen

Defined by bespoke sage-green joinery and a large island, the kitchen was conceived as the heart of the home – an inviting space for everyday family living. From unhurried morning coffee to evenings when guests linger after supper, every detail has been considered to foster warmth, connection and a quiet sense of celebration.

Island pendants: Pumpkin Pendant in Large, Pure White Lines
Splashback tiles: Bejmat Ecru Rose, Otto Tiles
Kitchen cabinetry paint: Breakfast Room Green, Farrow & Ball
Kitchen counter stools: Leather Strap Bar Stool in Tan, Six The Residence

The Family Room/Snug

This family room embraces colour with assured confidence. Saturated mustard walls create a cosy yet energising backdrop, enveloping the space in warmth. A deep navy velvet sectional grounds the scheme, while floral artwork in nuanced blues and greens introduces a note of freshness above the tiled mantel. Conceived as a relaxed retreat, the room is intentionally informal and and conducive to sinking in and switching off.

Pendant light: Cavaillon Chandelier, Vaughan
Table lamp: HAN Floral Birds Oriental Table Lamp, Orchid
Bespoke ottoman fabric: Todo in Terracotta, Christopher Farr Cloth
Walls & joinery: India Yellow, Farrow & Ball

The Dining Room

Enveloped in a rich burgundy – a shade inspired by 14th-century Palazzo Zeno in Venice – this dining is deeply atmospheric. Contemporary artworks sit comfortably alongside gilded antiques and classic detailing, creating a nuanced interplay between eras, craftsmanship and collected pieces. The result is a room that feels both dramatic and welcoming – conceived for long, candlelit suppers, animated conversation and memorable evenings around the table.

Wall paint: Trilogy, Paint & Paper Library
Lampshade: Fortuny
Artwork: Mylo Art

The Main Bedroom

A soothing palette of layered neutrals imbues this primary bedroom with understated elegance and warmth. Soft beiges, creams and blush tones mingle effortlessly with antique accents, creating a serene, lived-in retreat. A tall, upholstered four-poster bed takes centre stage, dressed in crisp white linens and subtly patterned cushions, while the interplay of classic forms and tactile textures ensures the room feels refined yet inviting – the perfect balance of sophistication and comfort.

Wall paint: Oxford Stone, Farrow & Ball
Bed: Antique
Bedside table lamp: Richard Taylor
Lampshade: Fermoie
Bed cushions: Anboise

The Main Bathroom

An antique vanity provides a grounding presence, while blue-green chequered tiles and sunny yellow gingham curtains inject a touch of playful charm. By pairing vintage details with contemporary finishes, the space achieves a wonderfully lived-in quality, as though it has been curated and evolved gracefully over time.

Floor tiles: Milan Gorani, Fired Earth and Milan Cerva, Fired Earth
Bath tiles: Tuscany Faded Floral Base, Baked Tile Co
Wall paint: Archive 227, Farrow & Ball
Skirting paint: Slate II, Paint & Paper Library
Vanity: Antique

The Guest Bedroom

In this guest bedroom, vibrant pink Andrew Martin wallpaper turns the space into a whimsical, storybook retreat. Towering trees laden with oversized pears and frolicking mythical creatures bring a sense of enchantment to every corner. Layered with carefully chosen antique furniture, the room feels as though it has been lovingly lived in for generations – offering guests not just a place to rest, but an experience infused with imagination and charm.

Wallpaper: Mythical Land on Linen Wallpaper, Andrew Martin
Table lamp: Penny Morrison
Bed: Client's own, antique
Flooring: Stockbridge in New England - NE6028, Unnatural Flooring
Bed cushions: Trove

The Guest Ensuite

The pretty wallpaper continues in here, with an ornate folding screen creating a boudoir style bathroom.

Bath: Antique
Curtain fabric: Amalfi Linen, Clarke & Clarke

The Bathroom

This bathroom marries timeless materials with a modern, contemporary edge. Glossy white subway tiles, laid in a classic brick pattern, line the walls, while a deep teal wainscot adds depth and a striking contrast to the lower half of the room. A delicate black-and-white geometric floor tile introduces subtle pattern and visual intrigue without dominating the space. Warmth is brought in through a light timber vanity, perfectly balanced by a crisp white marble countertop.

Blue tiles: Metro Deco in Green Park, Fired Earth
White tiles: Metro Deco in South Kensington, Fired Earth
Vanity: Edinburgh Undermount Open Washstand, Neptune

Visit RebeccaHughesInteriors.com

Photography Astrid Templier

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