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SUBSCRIBE TO COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
from Yvfhgg
by elloco2019
Love green? The Newt’s Hadspen House hotel did it first…
Bare brick and floral wallpaper at Babington House, Somerset
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owner and designer.
‘My inspiration was the beautiful manor house and working outbuildings, such as the stables, coach house and laundry. ’
The much admired drawing room at Hadspen House, the main building on The Newt’ s estate, perfectly showcases Karen ’ s skill for blending the old with the innovative. Contemporary velvet tub chairs and modern taxidermy rendered in patchwork fabric sit alongside lofty portraits of former owners. The scheme is tied together with a fresh celadon green, not an uncommon colour to see in the countryside, and used over all woodwork and panelling here to striking effect.
‘I invariably end up with a few green rooms, ’ says Karen. ‘It helps to hold together old and new furniture, and perhaps links everything back to nature. ’ Reflecting the trend towards indoor-outdoor living, the house ’ s courtyard has been covered over with glass, creating a solarium dining space peppered with potted
Hadspen House at The Newt in Somerset
trees and plants, which practically named itself The Botanical Rooms. Karen notes that country house style has become less grand, eschewing gilt inlay heirlooms in favour of a look linked to rooms traditionally hidden from view. ‘I like the interiors of films such as Gosford Park and The Portrait of a Lady, but I tend to prefer the downstairs, where the spaces are functional, timeless and unfussy. ’
It’ s a sentiment with which Judy Hutson, founder of The Pig hotels –or rather, restaurants with rooms – agrees. ‘Country hotel style takes many different forms but for us at The Pig, it is always about comfort and relaxation, ’ she explains. ‘It should never feel too precious or contrived, yet maintain a feeling of somewhere special.
‘We see ourselves as having a very “lived in ” look, rather like a home that has evolved over time. We love texture and strong colours that create the ambience that have become our signature. We try not to be too “ shiny ” , preferring the rusty and reclaimed look rather than something too perfect. And I always try to bring the gardens inside. ’
This distinctive, eclectic style has won legions of design fans across the eight The Pig properties, with guests keen to replicate the look in their own homes. ‘I receive constant requests for information, ’ Judy says. ‘Many questions are about colour – seeing them used at the hotels gives people more confidence to try them in their own homes. ’
The new country house hotels are also keen to foster local talent, commissioning work from local makers, craftspeople and artists to bring their interiors to life. ‘It fits with our philosophy of trying to support UK craftsmanship, ’ explains Judy.
The march continues. This month, The Newt is sponsoring the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the first time, bringing an emphasis on native flowers and naturalistic planting – a theme that stems from its own style and ethos. Babington House, where it all began, is set to move the style barometer once again after its latest refurbishment. But ultimately this is a look about comfort and joy – neither of which ever stops being a trend.
