Through her inventive and unique approach to interior design, Alexis Wylie has sensitively updated her ancient farmhouse to create a quirky, yet organised, family space. The Wylie family’s delightful Bodiam farmhouse is a breath of fresh air. The eye catching interior is a celebration of Ally’s years spent living in Africa, with reminders of the continent reverberating throughout this delightful home. The family love animals, a good thing as there were a couple of extra inhabitants already residing here when they moved in.

TEST After the kitchen, the ‘snug’ is perhaps the second most popular room, as far as the Wylie family is concerned

After the kitchen, the ‘snug’ is perhaps the second most popular room, as far as the Wylie family is concerned

TEST Ally's office is filled with luscious fabric samples, wallpaper books and haberdasher’s goodies

Ally's office is filled with luscious fabric samples, wallpaper books and haberdasher’s goodies

TEST Reminders of Africa resound throughout the home

Reminders of Africa resound throughout the home

TEST In the dining room the upholstered chairs which surround an antique refectory table are each covered in an entirely different African fabric

In the dining room the upholstered chairs which surround an antique refectory table are each covered in an entirely different African fabric

TEST In the dining room the walls and bookcases are painted a dark grey – though Ally has managed to keep the room from feeling dark and oppressive by painting the ceiling and its beams off-white

In the dining room the walls and bookcases are painted a dark grey – though Ally has managed to keep the room from feeling dark and oppressive by painting the ceiling and its beams off-white

TEST Despite its ancient origins, the house has been sensitively updated over the years. Fans of classic Wealden buildings are in for a treat, as the eye is led upwards by the most enormous chimney of local brick and lime mortar which juts into the roof space

Despite its ancient origins, the house has been sensitively updated over the years. Fans of classic Wealden buildings are in for a treat, as the eye is led upwards by the most enormous chimney of local brick and lime mortar which juts into the roof space

TEST Ally's handbag wall

Ally's handbag wall

TEST The master ‘suite’ on the top floor comprises master bedroom with en suite, and dressing room

The master ‘suite’ on the top floor comprises master bedroom with en suite, and dressing room

TEST The master bedroom, looking through to the ensuite bathroom

The master bedroom, looking through to the ensuite bathroom

TEST The first floor is home to a very pretty spare room featuring a French-style upholstered bed and blue Toile de Jouy wallpaper, curtains and trim

The first floor is home to a very pretty spare room featuring a French-style upholstered bed and blue Toile de Jouy wallpaper, curtains and trim

TEST Well-travelled antique suitcases

Well-travelled antique suitcases

TEST The cosy landing area

The cosy landing area

TEST Tabby's room has plenty of rosettes

Tabby's room has plenty of rosettes

TEST Tabby's room celebrates her love of horse riding

Tabby's room celebrates her love of horse riding

TEST Original details are enhanced by quirky additions throughout the home

Original details are enhanced by quirky additions throughout the home

TEST Ally has rationalised and organised each of her children’s rooms with her own distinctive design techniques – including more chalet-style horizontal boards and clever storage spaces – while allowing the children’s own taste and style to shine through

Ally has rationalised and organised each of her children’s rooms with her own distinctive design techniques – including more chalet-style horizontal boards and clever storage spaces – while allowing the children’s own taste and style to shine through

TEST The kids' rooms are cosy and fun

The kids' rooms are cosy and fun

TEST The Wylies’ holiday let is reached by an outside staircase. Once inside the oast you’re met with the most gorgeous open-plan kitchen and living room, lined with pale-blue painted boards and honey-coloured beams. Stencilled black numbers on the beams are a reminder of the oast’s former purpose

The Wylies’ holiday let is reached by an outside staircase. Once inside the oast you’re met with the most gorgeous open-plan kitchen and living room, lined with pale-blue painted boards and honey-coloured beams. Stencilled black numbers on the beams are a reminder of the oast’s former purpose

TEST The four-poster bed belonged to Ally's parents and the wire-work chandelier was bought in Africa

The four-poster bed belonged to Ally's parents and the wire-work chandelier was bought in Africa

TEST A mirror reflects the wire-work chandelier

A mirror reflects the wire-work chandelier

TEST A purple velvet upholstered chair sits by the bath

A purple velvet upholstered chair sits by the bath

TEST The den’s walls are covered in corrugated iron, which Ally retrieved from various local farmyards, or reclaimed scaffold boards, and a tractor tyre has been topped with planks and turned into a table

The den’s walls are covered in corrugated iron, which Ally retrieved from various local farmyards, or reclaimed scaffold boards, and a tractor tyre has been topped with planks and turned into a table

TEST The pool table in the den

The pool table in the den

TEST Downstairs, reached via French doors which face out on to the garden, is Ally’s office and work room. The room is filled with luscious fabric samples, wallpaper books and haberdasher’s goodies

Downstairs, reached via French doors which face out on to the garden, is Ally’s office and work room. The room is filled with luscious fabric samples, wallpaper books and haberdasher’s goodies

  • words:
  • pictures: David Merewether
  • styling: Helen Barton

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