This house, down a rough farm track near Staplehurst, is not a show home, neither is it a designer home full of the latest interior trends. It’s not bling and doesn’t have electric gates with an intercom where visitors have to request permission to enter. For all these reasons, what it is, is a truly special family home – and one where the current family intend to stay for the foreseeable future.

TEST The mural in the entrance hall was painted by Sue Fields

The mural in the entrance hall was painted by Sue Fields

TEST The family love their Christmas rituals

The family love their Christmas rituals

TEST The ladies riding horses and a zebra are by Cranbrook ceramic artist Marie Prett

The ladies riding horses and a zebra are by Cranbrook ceramic artist Marie Prett

TEST The snug was created as a room for the kids to watch television, while their parents enjoyed quieter time next door in the book room

The snug was created as a room for the kids to watch television, while their parents enjoyed quieter time next door in the book room

TEST The tiger wearing a red hat is by Cranbrook ceramic artist Marie Prett

The tiger wearing a red hat is by Cranbrook ceramic artist Marie Prett

TEST Instead of wallpaper depicting the spines of books, Tim and Eve have a wall of children’s books dating from the First World War to the mid 1950s

Instead of wallpaper depicting the spines of books, Tim and Eve have a wall of children’s books dating from the First World War to the mid 1950s

TEST Looking from the book room into the snug. The angels are from the Singing Soul Gallery in Cranbrook

Looking from the book room into the snug. The angels are from the Singing Soul Gallery in Cranbrook

TEST They bought the Fornasetti cushion online

They bought the Fornasetti cushion online

TEST A painting by Rosalind Lyons Hudson

A painting by Rosalind Lyons Hudson

TEST The plant-filled conservatory was added about 18 years ago and is where big family feasts are eaten

The plant-filled conservatory was added about 18 years ago and is where big family feasts are eaten

TEST Upstairs, Tim and Eve use the large space outside the bedroom as a dressing room

Upstairs, Tim and Eve use the large space outside the bedroom as a dressing room

TEST Eve’s collection of glass jelly moulds is displayed on a shelf over the stairs

Eve’s collection of glass jelly moulds is displayed on a shelf over the stairs

TEST The bathroom was recently refurbished by their builder friend, Steve Moss. Eve chose the wallpaper, by Colefax & Fowler, because it looks as though it has been painted onto the wall

The bathroom was recently refurbished by their builder friend, Steve Moss. Eve chose the wallpaper, by Colefax & Fowler, because it looks as though it has been painted onto the wall

TEST The large painting in the master bedroom is a depiction of Eve’s favourite poem, ‘The Lady of Shalott’, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

The large painting in the master bedroom is a depiction of Eve’s favourite poem, ‘The Lady of Shalott’, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

TEST The teddy on the bedroom mantlepiece was given to Eve when she was three days old. The painting is ‘An Angel Watches Over Me’ by John Afflick

The teddy on the bedroom mantlepiece was given to Eve when she was three days old. The painting is ‘An Angel Watches Over Me’ by John Afflick

  • 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,’”...