Houzz Tour: Calming Hues Transform a 16th Century Manor House
Restful neutral tones and accents of colour allow the period features of this historic country home to shine
Sarah Warwick
26 August 2018
Houzz Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist and editor writing for nationals, magazines and websites. A serial house revamper, I love great design, beautiful interiors and practical solutions.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist and editor writing for nationals, magazines... More
The owners of this 16th-century manor house wanted to reveal the history of their home, so they hired interior designer Emma Sims-Hilditch, who rediscovered it on their behalf.
“When we stripped back the decoration there were the stone walls and panelling,” says Emma, who created a fresh take on English country house style, sympathetic to the period features. But while recognising the house’s history was important, so too was making it a family home. “It had to be practical, and not too precious,” she says.
“When we stripped back the decoration there were the stone walls and panelling,” says Emma, who created a fresh take on English country house style, sympathetic to the period features. But while recognising the house’s history was important, so too was making it a family home. “It had to be practical, and not too precious,” she says.
House at a Glance
Who lives here A couple and their three children
Location North of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Property 16th-century manor house
Size Nine bedrooms and seven bathrooms
Designer Emma Sims-Hilditch of Sims Hilditch
Photos by Brent Darby and Adam Carter
The drawing room is used for entertaining, so Emma gave it an elegant look with a little more of a smart city feel than the rest of the home.
Making space to accommodate every guest was important. “We added fenders to the fire so if there are more than eight people on the sofas others can perch,” says Emma.
The sofas and ottoman were specially made for the room.
Sofas upholstered in Retro Alabaster fabric, Romo. Ottoman upholstered in Fife Dove fabric, Colefax and Fowler. Chairs, Julian Chichester.
Who lives here A couple and their three children
Location North of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Property 16th-century manor house
Size Nine bedrooms and seven bathrooms
Designer Emma Sims-Hilditch of Sims Hilditch
Photos by Brent Darby and Adam Carter
The drawing room is used for entertaining, so Emma gave it an elegant look with a little more of a smart city feel than the rest of the home.
Making space to accommodate every guest was important. “We added fenders to the fire so if there are more than eight people on the sofas others can perch,” says Emma.
The sofas and ottoman were specially made for the room.
Sofas upholstered in Retro Alabaster fabric, Romo. Ottoman upholstered in Fife Dove fabric, Colefax and Fowler. Chairs, Julian Chichester.
The fenders were upholstered with a soft suede, and chests were sourced to go either side of the chimney breast.
Mirror, Julian Chichester. Ascona Crystal Vase and 17” Warwick drum shade table lamp, Vaughan.
Mirror, Julian Chichester. Ascona Crystal Vase and 17” Warwick drum shade table lamp, Vaughan.
The drawing room features a number of different seating areas. “The owners specifically requested seating for 12 in here,” says Emma. “There’s space to play the games they enjoy, like cards and backgammon.”
Planning to renovate your period home? Find period property and restoration specialists in your area
Planning to renovate your period home? Find period property and restoration specialists in your area
A doorway to the hall from the drawing room was repurposed as a drinks cabinet with fridge below. “It’s a listed building so infilling was done very carefully,” says Emma.
The kitchen was to be reconfigured at a later date, and in the meantime the cabinetry was repainted.
Imperial Nickel pendant lights, Neptune.
Imperial Nickel pendant lights, Neptune.
The area lacks natural daylight, so pale shades and glass-fronted wall cabinetry help keep it light filled.
The family room was the only space in which building work was carried out. The room used to be divided with a bookcase going through the middle, but it was opened out. Now the space includes kitchen, dining and living areas, and has a look suited to family living and a less formal ambience than that in some of the other spaces.
Emma bought two tables and pushed them together to make a generous tabletop, which can accommodate 14. “They’re big on entertaining and having family to stay,” she says.
Sofa cushions in Larsen Longdale Taupe and Merrick, both Colefax and Fowler; Blue Dachshund, Emily Bond. Curtains made in Carew Teal, GP & J Baker.
Emma bought two tables and pushed them together to make a generous tabletop, which can accommodate 14. “They’re big on entertaining and having family to stay,” she says.
Sofa cushions in Larsen Longdale Taupe and Merrick, both Colefax and Fowler; Blue Dachshund, Emily Bond. Curtains made in Carew Teal, GP & J Baker.
More formal entertaining takes place away from the family area in a separate dining room. The dining chairs were made bespoke for the room.
Dining chairs upholstered in Fife Aqua fabric, Colefax and Fowler.
Dining chairs upholstered in Fife Aqua fabric, Colefax and Fowler.
The house, as it stands, now includes sections constructed in different eras, and the hallway is in the oldest part. “It has amazing flagstones that must go back 400 years,” says Emma.
A table was needed to fill the space. “You can put huge flower arrangements on it, or use it as a drinks area,” she says. The seating here is perfect for children. “If they host lots of people and the adults are in the formal dining room, kids can have lunch on the benches.”
Oak Leaf and Acorn Chandelier six-arm chandelier, Richard Taylor Designs. Blind made in Cawdor Mineral, GP & J Baker.
Browse for dining tables in the Houzz shop
A table was needed to fill the space. “You can put huge flower arrangements on it, or use it as a drinks area,” she says. The seating here is perfect for children. “If they host lots of people and the adults are in the formal dining room, kids can have lunch on the benches.”
Oak Leaf and Acorn Chandelier six-arm chandelier, Richard Taylor Designs. Blind made in Cawdor Mineral, GP & J Baker.
Browse for dining tables in the Houzz shop
The family makes the most of country life, and the boot room that’s located off the hallway provides a place for wellies, coats, gloves and hats. New stone floor tiles were sourced for the space to complement the hall’s original flagstones.
Panelling painted in Driftwood, Neptune.
Panelling painted in Driftwood, Neptune.
The master bedroom was given a look that’s a little more contemporary than other rooms in the home. Located in a more recent part of the house, it’s lighter and airier than some other spaces, too.
The owners wanted a large bed, and this one is emperor-sized. The large room meant there was space at the bed’s end, and this has been filled with an ottoman.
The soft blue-grey colour was taken through the room with accent colours introduced with accessories.
Bespoke divan base with two drawers, Millbrook Beds. Bespoke Lorenzo day bed with feet, The Sofa & Chair Company.
The owners wanted a large bed, and this one is emperor-sized. The large room meant there was space at the bed’s end, and this has been filled with an ottoman.
The soft blue-grey colour was taken through the room with accent colours introduced with accessories.
Bespoke divan base with two drawers, Millbrook Beds. Bespoke Lorenzo day bed with feet, The Sofa & Chair Company.
The master bathroom was reconfigured with a stud wall, in which the taps are located. This separates the shower enclosure from the freestanding bath.
The vanity unit was made bespoke. “It gave them storage, but it’s not too heavy,” says Emma.
Vanity unit painted in Charcoal; Chichester mirrors, all Neptune. Glass storm shade large with swan neck fitting, Hector Finch Lighting.
Vanity unit painted in Charcoal; Chichester mirrors, all Neptune. Glass storm shade large with swan neck fitting, Hector Finch Lighting.
A bench on the other side of the partition wall is a handy spot to put clothes ready for dressing after a shower.
The bath, meanwhile, has great sightlines. “There’s an amazing view out of the window,” says Emma.
The bath, meanwhile, has great sightlines. “There’s an amazing view out of the window,” says Emma.
This attic bedroom belongs to the youngest son. “He’s mad keen on planes and makes models, so we found him the Spitfire wallpaper,” says Emma.
A second bed is ready for sleepovers.
Spitfires Blue wallpaper, PaperBoy Wallpaper. Cushions made in Sparkle Denim fabric, Sarah Hardaker. Penelope cushion in Holt Stripe, Neptune.
A second bed is ready for sleepovers.
Spitfires Blue wallpaper, PaperBoy Wallpaper. Cushions made in Sparkle Denim fabric, Sarah Hardaker. Penelope cushion in Holt Stripe, Neptune.
Also located in the attic is a children’s bathroom. The space doesn’t have any windows, but marble tiles help brighten the room. “We wanted to keep it timeless because children do grow up,” says Emma.
Carrara Honed Marble tiles, Mandarin Stone.
Carrara Honed Marble tiles, Mandarin Stone.
The study is dominated by an oversized 16th-century fireplace. “The owner loves the view and the room’s position at the centre of the house,” says Emma.
Three doors open on to the room, including one to the playroom, so the children come and go through the space.
Three doors open on to the room, including one to the playroom, so the children come and go through the space.
With the fireplace centre stage in the study, Emma chose to build in simple joinery for storing books and to house a television.
The room also includes a bespoke sofa to make it a relaxing space for the family, as well as a work room. “The blue velvet and the lovely woodwork colour went well with the old stone,” says Emma.
Shelving painted in London Clay, Farrow & Ball. Sofa upholstered in Kravet Malvern Navy fabric, GP & J Baker. Arthur stool in Elliot with dark oak legs, Neptune.
The room also includes a bespoke sofa to make it a relaxing space for the family, as well as a work room. “The blue velvet and the lovely woodwork colour went well with the old stone,” says Emma.
Shelving painted in London Clay, Farrow & Ball. Sofa upholstered in Kravet Malvern Navy fabric, GP & J Baker. Arthur stool in Elliot with dark oak legs, Neptune.
“The main guest bedroom is one of the prettiest bedrooms,” says Emma. The panelling in the room is all original, but she changed the radiator to a more sympathetic column version and added a window seat to take advantage of a fabulous view to the garden.
The paisley curtain fabric was a design one of the owners fell in love with, and the colour scheme was kept neutral with a pop of colour. “We wanted to warm it up with burnt-orange cushions because it’s on the north side of the house,” says Emma.
Zurich Frame lantern in nickel with three lights, Vaughan.
The paisley curtain fabric was a design one of the owners fell in love with, and the colour scheme was kept neutral with a pop of colour. “We wanted to warm it up with burnt-orange cushions because it’s on the north side of the house,” says Emma.
Zurich Frame lantern in nickel with three lights, Vaughan.
The high ceiling demanded a proportionately tall headboard, which was made for the room and finished with nickel studs. “It’s simple because we didn’t want to detract from the panelling and features like the windows,” says Emma.
Headboard upholstered in Herringbone Linen in Almond, Neptune.
Headboard upholstered in Herringbone Linen in Almond, Neptune.
This guest bedroom also features beautiful panelling, and further interest was added to the square-shaped space by building in book shelving.
The room features a soft teal colour, which is repeated elsewhere in the house. “It’s a tone we loved, so we used it in various places,” says Emma.
Curtains in Lansdown Old Blue fabric, Colefax and Fowler.
The room features a soft teal colour, which is repeated elsewhere in the house. “It’s a tone we loved, so we used it in various places,” says Emma.
Curtains in Lansdown Old Blue fabric, Colefax and Fowler.
“Going away from the Georgian part of the house to the earlier build gives this room a different character,” says Emma. The designer used darker colours and richer pattern in this room.
Benaki wallpaper, Lewis & Wood. Curtains in William Yeoward Caudle in Biscuit, Designers Guild. William Armchair in Hamish with dark oak legs, Neptune.
Benaki wallpaper, Lewis & Wood. Curtains in William Yeoward Caudle in Biscuit, Designers Guild. William Armchair in Hamish with dark oak legs, Neptune.
Emma created a traditional feel in another of the guest bedrooms, dressing the bay window with a pelmet, as well as curtains. “We wanted it to feel spacious, light and airy, but also cosy, so there’s a wool blanket rather than a bedspread,” she says. “There’s also an understated wool on the headboard with antique brass studs, so nothing’s too shiny or glitzy.”
Adjoining the room is a bathroom with a freestanding bath that slips neatly under the slope of the staircase.
Tell us…
What’s your favourite feature in this 16th-century house? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Tell us…
What’s your favourite feature in this 16th-century house? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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More more more pictures. Stunning calm house. If I needed something this big I could move in Tomorrow.
I just clicked on the designers name and got to see the outside of the house and a garden picture nd many more inside views. Just perfect. Sigh.
What's the square footage for the whole lot??