Houzz Tour: A Former Farmhouse and Pigsty is Transformed
Elegant country style and a gentle colour palette create the perfect weekend getaway from busy London life
It was love at first sight for the owners when they first saw this large, country retreat. The former pigsty and granary had been converted into a home the 1980s, but it now required a decorative overhaul and a refreshed layout to create a home where this professional couple could relax and entertain guests at weekends with their young daughter and dog. “The property was once a working farm and is now a heritage property with distinctive character,” says interior designer Emma Sims Hilditch who was delighted to be asked to transform the Mill House. “It uses traditional materials, but has an unconventional layout shaped over time as various outbuildings were joined together to create a sprawling, U-shaped building.”
To one side of the entrance hall is the more formal drawing room, with a bespoke library unit designed by Sims Hilditch.
“The original footprint of the house remains unchanged with no additional building work, but the clients wanted the layout completely reconfigured for a better use of space to suit their lifestyle,” adds Sims Hilditch.
“The colour scheme includes gentle greys, warm stone, soft mauves and dusky pinks.”
Bespoke seating upholstered in Willow Sage fabric, and coffee table in Pelham Biscuit; curtains, Cymbeline in Antique Sage, all GP & J Baker.
“The original footprint of the house remains unchanged with no additional building work, but the clients wanted the layout completely reconfigured for a better use of space to suit their lifestyle,” adds Sims Hilditch.
“The colour scheme includes gentle greys, warm stone, soft mauves and dusky pinks.”
Bespoke seating upholstered in Willow Sage fabric, and coffee table in Pelham Biscuit; curtains, Cymbeline in Antique Sage, all GP & J Baker.
The bespoke library unit is made from solid oak. It stores real and faux books and hides the TV at the same time.
A small area between the drawing room and snug is the perfect place to serve drinks when hosting.
Richly hued grasscloth wallpaper adds a textural dynamic in the snug, while honed and oiled oak floorboards throughout the ground floor create a seamless and authentic look.
European oak flooring, Havwoods. Grasscloth wallpaper, Altfield.
Richly hued grasscloth wallpaper adds a textural dynamic in the snug, while honed and oiled oak floorboards throughout the ground floor create a seamless and authentic look.
European oak flooring, Havwoods. Grasscloth wallpaper, Altfield.
Continuing on this wing of the U-shaped layout, the snug then leads through to the formal dining room.
“The clients entertain on a regular basis, and the dining table, which seats 18, is made from reclaimed, hand-polished mahogany,” adds the interior designer. “They wanted an elegant, formal dining room which felt relaxed yet refined.”
“The clients entertain on a regular basis, and the dining table, which seats 18, is made from reclaimed, hand-polished mahogany,” adds the interior designer. “They wanted an elegant, formal dining room which felt relaxed yet refined.”
The mirror was privately sourced from an antique dealer on behalf of the client.
“We also designed a small butler’s kitchen next to the dining room, so the homeowners were able to serve drinks and store food prior to dining,” explains Sims Hilditch.
Charlotte metal chandelier, Villaverde. Walls painted in Rolling Fog Dark, Little Greene. Dining chairs upholstered in Lismore Heather, GP & J Baker.
“We also designed a small butler’s kitchen next to the dining room, so the homeowners were able to serve drinks and store food prior to dining,” explains Sims Hilditch.
Charlotte metal chandelier, Villaverde. Walls painted in Rolling Fog Dark, Little Greene. Dining chairs upholstered in Lismore Heather, GP & J Baker.
The sideboard is a bespoke piece by Sims Hilditch.
A dedicated flower room leads out to the garden and is used specifically for arranging blooms picked from the garden.
Bespoke cabinetry painted in Dead Salmon, Farrow & Ball.
Bespoke cabinetry painted in Dead Salmon, Farrow & Ball.
At the very end of this same arm on the U-shaped ground floor is a comfortable and light-filled study.
The vintage-style desks – bespoke pieces by Sims Hilditch – are paired with William Yeoward’s Halwell library chair, a design taken from a 19th century original.
Sisal carpet provides added comfort underfoot.
Oriental Topaz sisal, Capitol Carpets.
The vintage-style desks – bespoke pieces by Sims Hilditch – are paired with William Yeoward’s Halwell library chair, a design taken from a 19th century original.
Sisal carpet provides added comfort underfoot.
Oriental Topaz sisal, Capitol Carpets.
To the other side of the entrance hall is the open-plan kitchen, which leads to the back hall, pantry, WC, boot room and laundry room.
“The original kitchen was located in what is now the drawing room,” says Sims Hilditch, “but it felt very disjointed from the rest of the house.”
It is a classic, painted kitchen with marble countertops and limestone flooring.
Pendant lights, Jim Lawrence.
“The original kitchen was located in what is now the drawing room,” says Sims Hilditch, “but it felt very disjointed from the rest of the house.”
It is a classic, painted kitchen with marble countertops and limestone flooring.
Pendant lights, Jim Lawrence.
The back hallway, with painted panelling and letter pigeon-holes was designed by the client.
Originally stable buildings, what is now the boot room has a classic rustic feel with brick flooring and bespoke storage for hanging coats, wellies and other outdoor kit.
Henley mirror, Neptune. Foster pendant light, Jim Lawrence.
Henley mirror, Neptune. Foster pendant light, Jim Lawrence.
The downstairs cloakroom is pretty and decorative with a bespoke vanity unit and patterned wallpaper.
European Fish wallpaper, Lewis & Wood. Kildare oval mirror, Oka.
European Fish wallpaper, Lewis & Wood. Kildare oval mirror, Oka.
On this side of the sprawling property there is also an entire guest wing, including two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a sitting room.
“It’s a classically English look which takes inspiration from the countryside,” says the designer. “It also needed to have a hotel-like luxury for guests to stay.”
The headboard is a bespoke design.
Bedding, The White Company. Headboard upholstered in Suffolk Mauve, Colefax & Fowler.
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“It’s a classically English look which takes inspiration from the countryside,” says the designer. “It also needed to have a hotel-like luxury for guests to stay.”
The headboard is a bespoke design.
Bedding, The White Company. Headboard upholstered in Suffolk Mauve, Colefax & Fowler.
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The patterned wallpaper creates a feminine backdrop in a pretty, muted palette.
Indienne wallpaper in China Blue, Lewis & Wood.
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Indienne wallpaper in China Blue, Lewis & Wood.
Discover contemporary style tips to take from Victorian wallpaper
With the building arranged in a U-shaped layout, all the rooms overlook the central courtyard.
“The courtyard previously had gravelled parking, but it’s now beautiful landscaped gardens,” says Sim Hilditch.
“The courtyard previously had gravelled parking, but it’s now beautiful landscaped gardens,” says Sim Hilditch.
The upstairs family room is a comfortable, laid-back space for the clients to spend time with their daughter.
“This is our favourite room and the biggest transformation,” explains Sims Hilditch. “It has plenty of light, a full ceiling height and characterful exposed beams with a cosy country aesthetic. It’s a great space for the family to relax and watch films by the fireplace.”
Walls painted in Rolling Fog, Little Greene. Aurore storage console, Flamant.
“This is our favourite room and the biggest transformation,” explains Sims Hilditch. “It has plenty of light, a full ceiling height and characterful exposed beams with a cosy country aesthetic. It’s a great space for the family to relax and watch films by the fireplace.”
Walls painted in Rolling Fog, Little Greene. Aurore storage console, Flamant.
The daughter’s charming bedroom on the first floor is decorated in delicate shades.
“It’s a fun, pretty children’s room, which has plenty of storage for toys,” says the designer.
Wilton Svelte carpet, Capitol Carpets. One Hundred Acre Wood Map wallpaper, Jane Churchill. Bed, Neptune.
“It’s a fun, pretty children’s room, which has plenty of storage for toys,” says the designer.
Wilton Svelte carpet, Capitol Carpets. One Hundred Acre Wood Map wallpaper, Jane Churchill. Bed, Neptune.
The master suite on the first floor is elegant and crisp, with a natural palette punctuated by warm mauves and lilac hues that run throughout the décor.
The striking four-poster bed is a bespoke piece by Sims Hilditch.
Paxton wallpaper, Colefax & Fowler. Bedding, The White Company.
The striking four-poster bed is a bespoke piece by Sims Hilditch.
Paxton wallpaper, Colefax & Fowler. Bedding, The White Company.
A neutral en-suite bathroom offers a classic, refined look, in keeping with the rest of the house.
What do you think of this sprawling country retreat? Share your thoughts in the Comments below – and please remember that you’re discussing someone’s home!
What do you think of this sprawling country retreat? Share your thoughts in the Comments below – and please remember that you’re discussing someone’s home!
Who lives here Professional couple with three-year-old daughter and dog
Location Wiltshire
Property Converted granary and pigsty
Size 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms
Designer Emma Sims Hilditch, Sims Hilditch
The owners fell in love with the large country property, as it offered masses of space for their young family as well as guests.
“The challenge was to create an identity that would bring the seemingly disparate parts together as a whole,” explains Emma Sims Hilditch. “This was achieved with a classic, elegant scheme and juxtaposition of certain raw features, such as the exposed timber.”
With stone floors and painted wall panelling, the entrance hall sets the design tempo for the rest of the house: warm, classic and inviting with a range of bespoke furniture (such as the armchair and table) to suit the footprint of the building.
Wall panelling painted in Blue Gray, Farrow & Ball. Buscot Limestone flooring, Artisans of Devizes. Bezio Grande mirror and St Germain sideboard, India Jane. Cambray Crystal column table lamp, Vaughan Designs.