See How This Grade II-Listed Home Became A Modern Family Retreat

Seeing as our clients are keen cooks and entertainers, the kitchen was always going to be the heart of the home, so it needed to work hard both practically and socially. It had to feel warm and inviting for up to 21 guests, while also accommodating the practicalities of everyday cooking for a family of four.

The original kitchen was at the opposite end of the property, so we relocated it to the Mill side and removed a series of partitions to create a generous, open space. The layout was carefully planned around the existing structural beams, windows and doors, which had to be retained due to the building’s listed status.

We layered colour and texture throughout: clay-plastered walls, tongue and groove panelling, and a rich, dark red on the cabinetry with brass detailing. Soapstone worktops were chosen for durability, while a striking marble on the island introduces some drama. At the centre of the room sits a bespoke oak island, hand-crafted and anchoring the space both functionally and aesthetically.

Kitchen Designed By Frank & Faber & Sadie Snelson Architects & Made By Local Carpenter Jeremy Norton
Pendant Light Over Island Visual Comfort  Piaf Pendant Light
Dining Chairs Vintage Razor Chairs, Joseph Berry Interiors
Pendant Light Over Dining Table Pinch Plum Pendant Light
Kitchen Tap Perrin & Rowe 

When we first encountered the Mill living room, it felt flat and underwhelming, despite its generous proportions and beautiful views. We knew immediately it had the potential to become the home’s main entertaining space – the ‘party room’ as it became known. From the outset, we felt it needed depth and texture to bring it to life. We spent nearly a year searching for the right wallpaper, drawing inspiration from the surrounding gardens, until we found a mural-like Pierre Frey design with a wonderfully tactile, immersive quality. We paired this with clay-plastered walls and a timber-clad ceiling finished in a rich gloss to reflect the light and add warmth.

To support the way the space is used, we designed a bespoke joinery wall in collaboration with Sadie Snelson Architects, which discreetly houses a dishwasher, fridge, sink and abundant storage – seamlessly combining practicality and style. The amber-toned chandeliers introduce a warm glow, while the freestanding furniture is more contemporary and robust in character, echoing the industrial heritage of the Mill side. 

Wallpaper Pierre Frey
Chandeliers Pure White Lines Palermo Chandelier
Wall Lights Visual Comfort Vendome Double Sconce 
Sofa RH Belgium Sofa
Side Table Soho Home Tisbury Side Table

While the house was designed for entertaining, part of our brief was to create a private sanctuary for our clients, a peaceful retreat to enjoy the surrounding grounds. The top floor of the Mill side proved perfect for the main suite, offering uninterrupted views on all sides. The key requirement was a bath with a view, so this became the focal point of the layout, positioned centrally to overlook the garden. The suite is open plan, with the bed oriented toward the bath and the windows beyond. Bespoke wardrobes subtly divide the bedroom and bathroom zones while housing dual vanity units on their reverse, and the WC and shower are discreetly enclosed either side of the bath.

Finishes were kept calm and understated, with a warm, light colour palette and abundant natural light. Softness is introduced through draped window treatments and integrated wardrobe drapes, while hand-crafted Zellige tiles frame the bath, adding a delicate, artisanal touch.

Bedside Tables Soho Home Carlisle Bedside Tables
Ceiling Light Anders Light By Pinch
Wall Tiles Zellige Tiles By Mosaic Del Sur
Window Blind Fabric Above The Bath Susan Deliss Batik Old Rose 

Much of the existing space was retained and redecorated here in order to stay true to the original architecture. There is a long view from the entrance hall in three directions and when our clients acquired the property, it was a mish mash of finishes, with five different floors and myriad colours, which felt jarring. 

We wanted to create something calmer which would provide a warm but neutral linking space. Therefore, finishes to the entrance hallway, hallways and landings were kept natural, also providing a backdrop for the soft furnishings and accessories. We did introduce some colour onto the staircase to warm up this area. The ceilings are quite low, so we used a combination of the discreet spots and wall lights.

Spots & Wall Lights Corston 
Walls Paint And Paper Library Stone II With A Darker Accent On Skirting Boards, Woodwork & Floor Little Greene Clay 
Dining Table Vintage 
Bamboo Chair Vintage 
Rug Bombay Sprout X Laura Stephens Pearl
Curtains GP&J Baker Bibury In Red/ Olive 

The drawing room has lovely views onto the garden from the floor-to-ceiling bay window at the front and French doors at the back. This room was always intended to be an adults-only space, for reading the papers or a book. Ceilings here, as with the rest of the ground floor cottage, are lower, so we wanted to keep the base finishes simple but warm and have comfortable, sumptuous soft seating. 

Walls & Ceilings Paint & Paper Library Desert Rose 
Sofa Soho Home Arundel In Lichen Velvet
Side Tables Salvesen Graham Cane Side Table
Mirror Studio Ham Branch Mirror In Bronze/Black
Curtains Susan Deliss Artemis In Antique Gold 
Floor Lamp Pooky Moonshine In Silvery Black
Shade Vaughan Atticcus Tribal Lampshade 

The Snug

This is a compact room with low ceilings and a lack of natural light, so it had snug written all over it – a cosy room for family film watching on a big slouchy sofa. As always, we chose to embrace the darker space with a strong wall colour and opted for singularity or ‘drenching’ to enhance the cosiness. 

Curtains Tinsmiths 
Armchair Rowen & Wren Clandon Armchair
Table Lamp  Soho Home Lila Table Lamp
Paint Farrow & Ball Theron 

The Downstairs Cloakroom

The ground floor WC is compact but we wanted it to pack a punch. We opted for a Pierre Frey wallpaper; the yellow detail in this colourway really stood out. The accompanying floor finish is a striped encaustic tile – a lovely clash of pattern without being overpowering. 

Wallpaper Pierre Frey La Pannonie 
Paint Colour On Woodwork Little Greene Windmill Lane 
Floor Encaustic Tile Otto Tiles Green Stripes 
Wall Light Pooky 
Sanitary & Brassware Lefroy Brooks 

Previously the main bedroom, this space became the largest guest room in the reconfiguration. We leaned into its naturally calm atmosphere, choosing a warm, muted green for the walls to create a restful backdrop. Freestanding rattan furniture adds texture and an easy, relaxed elegance, enhancing the room’s inherent sense of tranquillity.

Paint Colour Little Greene Normandy Grey  
Window Treatments Schumacher Cabanon Stripe Rouge
Dressing Table & Chairs Vintage
Armchair Vintage, Reupholstered In Linwood Elba Linen 
Side Tables Chelsea Textiles Bobbin Bedside Tables

Designed with younger guests in mind, the bespoke beds can serve as a twin or super-king arrangement. The colour palette was inspired by the existing fireplace surround, which has ornate blue tiles. 

Bespoke Headboards Designed By Frank & Faber; Made By The Odd Company Upholstered In Romo Oswin Red Tulip
Bedside Table Lamps Pooky
Lamp Shades Alice Palmer

This bedroom belongs to our clients’ teenage daughter, who was very clear that she wanted a pink room. As one of the darker rooms in the house, we opted for a deeper, duskier pink to add warmth and atmosphere. With its lower ceilings, beams and sloped walls, we chose to carry the colour across both walls and ceiling for a cohesive, cocooning feel. Existing joinery was retained and painted in a slightly stronger tone to add subtle definition. The bespoke scalloped headboard, upholstered in a complementary pink, reinforces the soft, layered aesthetic. The overall colour-blocked approach creates a calm, enveloping space and the perfect backdrop for playful textiles and personal touches.

Walls & Ceilings Paint & Paper Library Temple 
Woodwork Little Greene Nether Red
Bed Bespoke Designed By Frank & Faber; Made By The Odd Company 
Armchair Vintage, Reupholstered In Linwood Hester – Pink, Green
Desk Stumble Goosie

Nothing says country cottage quite like a wallpapered loft and this room is the perfect cosy hideaway. Tucked under sloped ceilings with exposed beams and overlooking the gardens, it feels like an ideal spot to curl up with a book. We wanted to celebrate the room’s inherent character while enhancing its sense of warmth and intimacy through a matchy-matchy scheme. The chosen wallpaper, with its linen toned background and rich, layered colour, adds depth and texture without overwhelming the space. Complementary furniture is simple, warm and neutral. 

Wallpaper & Curtains GP&J Baker Seed Pod In Red   
Bed Client’s Own
Table Lamp Pooky Hera Table Lamp With Imogen Pope Striped Rose Lampshade
Desk Stumble Goosie

Our clients wanted to upgrade the finishes in this small shower room, primarily used by guests, without making big changes to the layout. As with other spaces on the Cottage side, the compact footprint and lower ceilings lent themselves to a colour-blocking approach. A strong yet warm blue perfectly complements the chosen tiles, while textural details – tongue and groove walls, scalloped Zellige tiles, and brass hardware – add warmth and visual interest. The existing vanity unit was retained and refreshed in a rich, vibrant orange, creating a playful yet cohesive finish.

Wall & Ceiling Colour Paint & Paper Library Sea Nor Sky 
Vanity Unit Painted In Farrow & Ball Red Earth 
Scallop Zellige Tiles Mosaic Del Sur
Brassware Aston Matthews 

Interior Design: Visit FRANKANDFABER.CO.UK
Architect: SSARCHITECTS.CO.UK
Photographer Credit: Emma Lewis