Houzz Tour: A Listed Country Farmhouse With a Modern Edge
How a rustic period property was given a sprinkling of contemporary style
When they started house-hunting, the owners of this listed farmhouse in Somerset were looking for a secluded location. “The property is quite hard to find,” says Dominic Sharp of McIntosh DBR, the design and building company responsible for giving the home a facelift. “And it’s an idyllic location.” While the location clearly hit the spot, the property did need some creative oomph to lift it to the next level interiors-wise. “The house had already been refurbished, but it was lacking imagination,” says Sharp. “Together with our clients we set about trying to create something different.” The result? A classic country space with a cool edge.
The large island with butler sink is ideal for prepping and chopping, and also helps fill what is a big, open-plan room. A multi-function tap keeps things practical, and so do the deep drawers on the other side of the island, which provide a home for everything from cutlery to linens. The wall of sliding glass doors provides beautiful views and it also brings a modern feel to the space.
Leading off the cooking area is a simple but chic dining space. Two skylights make sure both areas are filled with light. The antique glass wall lights in the dining area are from a market in Paris – the owners love sourcing unique pieces that will give their home character.
The long dining table is perfect for dinner parties. The table and the chairs were already part of the owners’ furniture collection and they’ve added two ornate candelabras to elevate the dining set.
Discover the best tables for relaxed get-togethers
Discover the best tables for relaxed get-togethers
Works to the house took about four months to complete. The steel sliding doors in the open-plan kitchen/dinging room aren’t a new addition, but the two structural poles at each end of the doors were clad in oak “to give a period feel,” explains Sharp.
This project was really about sprucing up what was in place, rather than any radical reordering of the house. “We made no real changes to the layout of the property, but used all the available space carefully so that each room presented maximum impact,” says Sharp.
This project was really about sprucing up what was in place, rather than any radical reordering of the house. “We made no real changes to the layout of the property, but used all the available space carefully so that each room presented maximum impact,” says Sharp.
There’s a welcoming modern-eclectic look in this living room, courtesy of the battered, brown-leather chesterfield, the graphic rug and the Union Jack wall hanging.
A coffee table made from rustic wood adds a natural touch, while the floor lamp is based on a classic, triple-arc Italian design.
For a similar leather sofa, try Sofa Sofa. La Redoute does affordable graphic rugs.
A coffee table made from rustic wood adds a natural touch, while the floor lamp is based on a classic, triple-arc Italian design.
For a similar leather sofa, try Sofa Sofa. La Redoute does affordable graphic rugs.
The second, more formal, living space has been given a midcentury vibe with a retro coffee table and chairs. The dark wood on these pieces tie in with the farmhouse’s original exposed beams.
13 more midcentury modern-style living rooms we love
13 more midcentury modern-style living rooms we love
A single Roman blind was used as a window dressing rather than curtains to keep this low-ceilinged room feeling more open. It’s also a more modern choice.
The cloakroom has been fitted with an old-school-style WC with a high cistern. All the Victorian-look radiators in the house are convincing copies. The Radiator Company does similar styles.
Toilet and cistern, Burlington.
Choose the best loo for your bathroom
Toilet and cistern, Burlington.
Choose the best loo for your bathroom
Vintage-style fixtures and fittings add to the cloakroom’s country-manor-meets-boutique-hotel look, while tongue and groove fits the styling perfectly.
The antique lighting with squirrel cage filament bulbs creates an almost candlelit atmosphere.
For similar dark wall paint, try Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe.
The antique lighting with squirrel cage filament bulbs creates an almost candlelit atmosphere.
For similar dark wall paint, try Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe.
The look the owners wanted was very much “boutique hotel in a remote country setting,” says Sharp. “So luxury and comfort, but with a slightly rustic feel.” Here, the modern tree-print wallpaper and brass chandelier teamed with checked cushions and a woollen throw help achieve this perfectly.
Woods wallpaper, Cole & Son.
Woods wallpaper, Cole & Son.
Dark radiators have more impact than white ones, and a cowskin rug warms up the bare boards.
A four-poster doesn’t have to be fusty, as this modern version in the main bedroom proves. The wall of graphic paper frames the bed beautifully. And, again, the print on the wallpaper walks the line between classic and modern perfectly.
For a similar modern four-poster, try Maisons du Monde.
For a similar modern four-poster, try Maisons du Monde.
No prizes for guessing Sharp’s favourite element in the house: “It’s this bespoke shower enclosure, which has been made to look like a window you would find in SoHo in New York. It’s surrounded by reclaimed oak with a luxury shower kit inside and subtle lighting. The end result is stunning. We designed the enclosure based on pictures in our clients’ mood board book.”
Elysee double-basin console, Aston Matthews.
Elysee double-basin console, Aston Matthews.
The main bedroom’s en suite is a glorious retreat, largely thanks to the use of warm wood. “The panelling on the walls is reclaimed Turkish oak, glued and pinned in place,” says Sharp.
Cast-iron bath, Aston Matthews.
Cast-iron bath, Aston Matthews.
In this room, a Sputnik-style light and a metal locker used as a wardrobe add some look-at-me attitude.
10 clever and creative alternatives to wardrobes
10 clever and creative alternatives to wardrobes
Floor-to-ceiling metro tiles with grey grout create impact in this bathroom. A niche was added on one wall to create streamlined storage.
The airy study has been brought to life with a statement pendant and Persian rug. And instead of slotting the desk in a corner, it was positioned in the centre, again to make a style statement.
For a similar ceiling light, try the Atticus by Där Lighting.
For a similar ceiling light, try the Atticus by Där Lighting.
In the cosy TV snug, an expanse of exposed stone is a reminder of the house’s farmhouse heritage.
With its mellow stone facade, the property’s exterior exudes traditional country elegance.
What do you love about this home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
What do you love about this home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A professional couple
Location Somerset
Property A detached period farmhouse
Size 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Designer Dominic Sharp of McIntosh DBR
A large, light-filled kitchen is at the heart of the home. “This room was originally too clumsy, with a mismatch of colours and dark granite worktops,” says Sharp. “The owners and I collectively decided it needed lightening up, so redecorating the units was essential.” Crisp white walls now provide a bright backdrop for a mix of pale grey and white units with marble worktops. The owners decided to eschew a higher splashback for a low trim of marble that matches the worktops. The result is a cleaner, simpler look.
The flooring might look original, but it’s an ingenious alternative. “The timber was aged and distressed by a very skilled supplier we have used for years,” says Sharp. “He specialises in heritage work and produces stunning floorboards in different stages of age and stain.”