The most successful country house renovations allow a period property to function beautifully for modern life while still retaining the atmosphere and architectural character that made it special in the first place. Country houses, farmhouses and historic cottages need a different approach; respecting the proportions, materials and history of the building is essential to creating a home that feels cohesive, comfortable and authentic to its setting.

Historic houses are rarely straightforward, often containing awkward layouts, uneven circulation and layers of architecture from different centuries. Rather than fighting these quirks, the most successful country house renovations work with them. Sensitive spatial planning can dramatically improve how a house functions without stripping away its identity, while modern comforts can be incorporated sympathetically through thoughtful layouts, material choices and carefully integrated storage.

The type of interiors I create are usually in historic buildings, layered with colour and variety, weaving together the narrative my clients bring with the character of the architecture. When combining so many different elements, the key is mastering ‘visual language’.

Pieces which share a common visual language, regardless of their time period or geographical origin, tend to sit well together. Without the constraint of sticking to one time period or style, it becomes possible to approach a complex design brief with confidence. This is what allows a house to feel coherent without becoming predictable.

Shopping for your home, especially when renovating, can start to feel overwhelmingly materialistic. We are bombarded with choices but the reality is most of us don’t want to engage in mindless consumption. The skill of interior design lies in curating a home with intention: selecting pieces that add character, depth, and personal resonance, rather than simply filling space. Often, the most satisfying purchases come from looking for something specific and taking your time to find it. Mixing high and low, new and old, smooth and rough creates contrast and tension, which gives a room its character.

Strap in, this is a technical one! For those of you interested in understanding colour beyond the basics of the colour wheel, this blog is a deep dive into the techinical breakdown of a colour and its related shades and hues. This can help you to build a really successful colour scheme even if you don’t have a natural eye for colour, and can indeed help you to train your eye for colour.