Moving from the city to the country usually comes with the promise of a more spacious home, a larger yard, and all the lifestyle changes that a rural setting offers. However, it took some clever thinking on the part of the owner of this house to make this former farmhouse work as hard as the family’s former London home.
Their new country house in the south-west of the capital has only three bedrooms and was no larger than the town house they had left behind. However, an expansive garden, airy double height living area, flower shed with office and uninterrupted views of the surrounding countryside easily sealed the deal. And it’s these special qualities, along with recent owner updates, that make this home one of the finest homes in the world.
The property was in safe hands from the start. Its new owner is interior designer Melissa Hutley from Hutley & Humm and she had plenty of plans to ensure she, husband Oli and their three young children make the most of their new country home.
Here’s how Melissa made the family move to the country a resounding success and how she redesigned the space to make the house work for her.
The front entrance
(Image credit: Bénédicte Drummond)
Melissa’s updates to the home are evident from the moment you step in the freshly painted front door. Her hallway ideas include using a vintage card table to display plants or flowers—a nicer option than a sprawling console table when space is at a premium. Gloves and scarves are stored in baskets underneath.
Game changer for the kitchen
(Image credit: Bénédicte Drummond)
By far the biggest game changer was the way Melissa reconfigured the kitchen. that of the couple kitchen ideas revolved around a radical change: centering all space around a lavish island. A row of chic floor-to-ceiling blue cabinets houses utilities and ample storage. The kitchen became primarily a work space, although there is still room on the island to pull up a bar stool for a snack and a chat.
The original dining area was then moved to the double height annex, sharing space with the living room. This change, more decorative than structural, opened up the ground floor to the family and improved the layout and flow of the whole home.
The kitchen window frames have been painted a dark tone to give the space a cohesive feel, while a bamboo blind and vintage rug soften the look.
Creating a cozy kitchen corner
(Image credit: Bénédicte Drummond)
Even in this busy kitchen, there’s a place for weary cooks to sit and relax. This cozy nook next to a working fireplace contrasts with the practical areas of the kitchen. The gallery wall and vintage chair upholstered in natural linen add to the relaxed feel of this attractive space.
island life
(Image credit: Bénédicte Drummond)
Melissa finds the kitchen works much better for the family by freeing up space to create a central island and a series of floor-to-ceiling cabinets. The off the shelf kitchen cabinets have been customized with bespoke handles for a more luxurious finish. Vintage pendant lights help the new kitchen fit into the context of the 1930’s home.
relocated dining room
(Image credit: Bénédicte Drummond)
Moving the dining area into the double-height living room, part of a recent addition, made a huge difference in how the family used the home by freeing up valuable kitchen space. Take advantage of the dining room ideas here to create a bohemian, inviting space that’s just as great for family dining and entertaining. A combination of wooden and painted furniture continues the relaxed tone throughout the home. The lamp bases are made from old balustrades and the yew table and painted console are antique pieces.
Window seat with a view
(Image credit: Bénédicte Drummond)
Melissa created this cozy nook in the new dining room with a thickly padded seat cushion and lots of pillows. Linen curtains complete the look and frame the idyllic view of the meadow outside.
Relaxed family living room
(Image credit: Bénédicte Drummond)
There’s plenty of inspiration in this space for anyone who seeks Country house living room ideas. Melissa ushered in the changes by painting the basic fire border a striking red. A pair of hand-painted lampshades and an upholstered ottoman, all from Melissa’s company Hutley & Humm, add cozy accents, while mismatched sofas, throw pillows, and rugs help keep the look relaxed.
sanctuary in the bedroom
(Image credit: Bénédicte Drummond)
The master bedroom here shows that you don’t need a large bedroom to showcase some eye-catching bedroom ideas. A generous headboard designed by Hutley & Humm and upholstered in La Paiva fabric by Pierre Frey defines the shape of this attic room. This is a cottage bedroom with big ambitions and a modern twist.
The outside space
(Image credit: Bénédicte Drummond)
The original three bedroom portion of the farmhouse was built in the 1930’s and was extended in 2011 with the addition of a double height barn extension. The house is surrounded by gardens and woodland, and fragrant nepeta line the path leading to the front door. Inside the house, Melissa’s recent updates have further enhanced the house, and she and her family have settled here so much that they can’t imagine ever moving back to town.
Original Feature Film / Emma J Page
Photographs & Styling / Bénédicte Drummond