An unusual country house in Warwickshire with curated yet comfortable interiors by Sims Hilditch
Located between the Cotswolds to the south and Leicestershire to the north, Warwickshire and neighbouring Northamptonshire are rich in literary, military, and political history (the Gunpowder Plot to assassinate King James I in 1605 was planned in the county). While parts of it are sparsely populated and grounded in agriculture – the area inspired Borsetshire, the fictional farming community in the long-running BBC Radio 4 series The Archers – Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon and the spa town of Leamington have placed the county firmly on the map.
Sims Hilditch was asked to breathe new life into a distinctive country house for a couple with two small children who were relocating to the UK from France. Set in an elevated position within an AONB (a government designation for Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), the house is not as old as it looks. Most of the substantial structure was built just 20 years ago to a design by Craig Hamilton, the architect who worked on Highgrove House, the country home of King Charles III when he was still the Prince of Wales. Hamilton used reclaimed material – mostly from the buildings that originally occupied the site – to construct the new house, giving a softness and texture to floors and beams. These are complemented by ceramic elements and antique furnishings, which were introduced by Sims Hilditch to add detail to the interiors and to make best use of the client’s existing collection of furniture.
The couple’s brief was for a light and youthful feel with a fresh colour palette and a discreet use of
pattern. ‘They felt this style would reflect their lifestyle and sensibilities,’ explains Gema Broch, senior interior designer at Sims Hilditch. ‘What started off as a furnishing project ended up as a whole house redecoration, with updates to the bathrooms and a new kitchen, boot room and pantry. Despite the scale of the property, the boys were starting at their new school shortly after moving in, so we worked to a tight schedule in order to deliver the project on time.’
A broad mix of skills within the team, from project management and procurement to spatial planning and interior architecture, ensured a sense of coherence within the necessary timeframe. Particular care was shown to ancillary rooms including a boot room and a utility space. ‘They provide the practical backbone of the home – places to store muddy boots, wash the dog, or arrange flowers – but they also bring charm to daily routines,’ says Gema. ‘These rooms are often the first space you enter when returning home, so creating somewhere that feels both welcoming and beautifully considered is key.’ Ceilings were also given special attention; beams were lightened and some rooms were fitted with rough-hewn timber, a common feature of Sims Hilditch projects that lends a relaxed, rustic feel.
The large formal drawing room and dining room now occupy the original barn. They have been decorated in a calming colour scheme with blue and burnt orange accents and, as in other areas of the house, the beams were whitewashed for a more lived-in, settled look. The kitchen meanwhile is accommodated in another, newer wing with higher ceilings and a loggia providing sweeping views of the Warwickshire landscape.
Throughout the house, the aim was to introduce warmth and texture for a sense of comfort and authenticity that feels true to both the house and its setting. ‘The reclaimed materials and natural finishes already gave the building a beautiful foundation, so our role was to layer soft, tactile fabrics, colours, and furnishings to make the house feel lived-in,’ adds Gema. ‘In a home surrounded by such rural beauty, it was important that the interiors reflected that same sense of harmony.’ Furniture and lighting include a mix of the couple’s own pieces, bespoke designs made for the project and antiques, many of which were sourced in Tetbury. In the cloakroom, an antique chest of drawers was converted into a vanity unit. On the top floor, bespoke joinery and bold patterns present an element of whimsy suited to younger generations.
The house is a perfect example of how, in the right hands, buildings can evolve and adapt as they serve the different lives of successive owners. Guided by the team at Sims Hilditch, this country home has been transformed in a way that respects both the past and its location, creating a home in harmony with its surroundings. ‘It’s been a fascinating project,’ reflects Gema, ‘and it has resulted in a family home that feels beautifully curated yet highly practical. It feels as though it’s been part of the landscape forever, even though it was only built in 2005.’
This is an edited extract from ‘Sims Hilditch: Beautifully British Interiors’, published by Rizzoli and written by Giles Kime.
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Christopher Horwood1/10On the other side of the boot room, Lewis & Wood’s ‘Fly Fishing’ wallpaper and a blind in Veere Grenney’s ‘Verandah’ linen with a Samuel & Sons trim add complementary pattern and colour.
Christopher Horwood2/10A built-in dog bed in a boot room or utility room has become something of a Sims Hilditch signature. The mirror above is from Looking Glass of Bath.
Christopher Horwood3/10The bright paintwork and chequerboard tiles bring this functional pantry space to life. A traditional butler sink with a fluted apron front provides the perfect spot for household chores.
Christopher Horwood4/10The downstairs loo has an elegant vanity unit created using a converted 19th-century French mahogany commode with a Carrara marble surface and an aged brass tap from Catchpole & Rye. ‘Toile de Joie’ wallpaper from Chelsea Textiles showcases a bespoke mirror with a faux bamboo frame, flanked by Jim Lawrence wall lights with custom-made scalloped raffia shades.
Christopher Horwood5/10In the main bedroom, a headboard covered in Ian Sanderson’s ‘Poppinjay’ linen tones with pale pink bedside tables from Trove by Studio Duggan and Vaughan lamps from with Fermoie lampshades. The wicker sofa is from David Seyfried.
Christopher Horwood6/10A four-poster bed from the owners’ previous house is set against walls in ‘Torchon Stripe’ by Inchyra in the spare room. The blue velvet sofa, also from their existing collection, tones with the ‘Hikira’ flatweave rug from A Rum Fellow. Above the fireplace are a Neptune mirror and Pooky wall lights.
Christopher Horwood7/10Otto Tiles’ ‘Sunny’ design in cream/peanut and a slipper chair upholstered in Whiteworks’ ‘Posy’ linen add interest to this spacious bathroom.
Christopher Horwood8/10The steps lead to another part of the bathroom with an extra basin.
Christopher Horwood9/10Walls in Jane Churchill’s red/aqua ‘Tassi’ and a pull-out daybed in Ian Mankin’s ‘Ticking Stripe’ with Samuel & Sons’ ‘Flanders Cord’ piping give the children’s playroom a vibrant yet smart feel. On the windowsill is a Pooky lamp with a Matilda Goad lampshade.
Christopher Horwood10/10Architect Craig Hamilton specified reclaimed materials, many from the building that was originally on the site, to give the façade a sense of place and authenticity.
