When Nina and Nick found Chilverbridge House, a stunning 17th century, Grade II-listed manor house with a semi-converted granary and coach house in Arlington, they knew it was exactly what they had been looking for. Over the last eight years they have poured their hearts and souls into the property, transforming it from a total wreck to a luxurious B&B within convenient reach of Glyndebourne.

TEST In the drawing room heavily embroidered Sanderson curtains complement the Elizabethan panelling

In the drawing room heavily embroidered Sanderson curtains complement the Elizabethan panelling

TEST Across the imposing inglenook hangs a chain-mail spark curtain custom-made by A&M Energy Fires in Gloucester. Nina has started work on a floral mural that will eventually surround the fireplace

Across the imposing inglenook hangs a chain-mail spark curtain custom-made by A&M Energy Fires in Gloucester. Nina has started work on a floral mural that will eventually surround the fireplace

TEST In front of a bookcase that spans one wall of the drawing room stands an impressive grand piano

In front of a bookcase that spans one wall of the drawing room stands an impressive grand piano

TEST The dining room is used principally as a breakfast room. Nina has varnished the Colefax & Fowler ‘Snowtree’ wallpaper to give it the appearance of silk

The dining room is used principally as a breakfast room. Nina has varnished the Colefax & Fowler ‘Snowtree’ wallpaper to give it the appearance of silk

TEST On the doors leading through to the garden and drawing room are two hand-painted nudes, Nina’s tribute to Charleston

On the doors leading through to the garden and drawing room are two hand-painted nudes, Nina’s tribute to Charleston

TEST Bloomsbury features a lavish Designers Guild purple velvet headboard and William Morris curtains

Bloomsbury features a lavish Designers Guild purple velvet headboard and William Morris curtains

TEST Wilmington enjoys balcony views over the garden

Wilmington enjoys balcony views over the garden

TEST Keynes’s patio offers a secluded space to enjoy an evening drink

Keynes’s patio offers a secluded space to enjoy an evening drink

TEST Situated in the granary, Keynes features a super king-sized draped bed and antique, painted, glass-fronted armoire

Situated in the granary, Keynes features a super king-sized draped bed

TEST Keynes' antique glass-fronted armoire

Keynes' antique glass-fronted armoire

TEST A pair of Moorish mirrors are a striking feature of Keynes’s limestone en suite, complete with a deep bath and glass-walled wet-room shower

A pair of Moorish mirrors are a striking feature of Keynes’s limestone en suite, complete with a deep bath and glass-walled wet-room shower

TEST Above Keynes, Sackville is tucked away in the eaves, its vaulted ceiling and clever shutters over the Velux windows providing serious romance. An ornate hand-carved mirror, bought in Battle 30 years ago, hangs above the huge bed

Above Keynes, Sackville is tucked away in the eaves, its vaulted ceiling and clever shutters over the Velux windows providing serious romance. An ornate hand-carved mirror, bought in Battle 30 years ago, hangs above the huge bed

TEST Sackville’s en suite has been beautifully hand-painted by Nina, taking four months to complete. A decadent slipper bath is an ideal spot to take in the stunning views of the surrounding countryside

Sackville’s decadent slipper bath is an ideal spot to take in the stunning views of the surrounding countryside

TEST Sackville’s en suite has been beautifully hand-painted by Nina, taking four months to complete.

Sackville’s en suite has been beautifully hand-painted by Nina, taking four months to complete

TEST When Nina and Nick first took over the property, the garden was just a rural wasteland – a sea of mud, bramble and hawthorn. Over the years, like the house itself, the couple have painstakingly returned it to its former glory

When Nina and Nick first took over the property, the garden was just a rural wasteland – a sea of mud, bramble and hawthorn. Over the years, like the house itself, the couple have painstakingly returned it to its former glory

TEST Gateway to the beautiful gardens

Gateway to the beautiful gardens

  • 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,’”...