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PAST PERFECT A restored seventeenthcentury farmhouse becomes a family home perfect for celebrating in style
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Blue accents from one of the couple’s favourite paintings, Beauty, by Danielle O’Connor Akiyama, have been pulled through to the dining room. At Christmas, the striking Oval Lartigue chandelier from Porta Romana is laden with fresh eucalyptus, whilst the Wimbledon dining table from I & JL Brown, is strewn with holly and ivy from the garden.
Whilst Stephanie Thorne strolls from room to room, admiring her cherished Christmas decorations, she reminisces about the day she first viewed the historic farmhouse that is now her home. “Although I instantly fell in love with the exterior, having stepped inside, I was deeply concerned about the amount of work that would be required, she recalls. “Even though I struggled to visualise it at the time, my husband, Steve, said it could become a wonderful home, particularly at Christmas. I am so glad that I trusted his judgement and vision.”
Back in 2014, keen renovator Steve was captivated from the moment his online search uncovered the handsome Dorset property, set in acres of unspoilt countryside. “The rural location with views over paddocks was idyllic and, because I’m passionate about history, the prospect of living in a period house did appeal,” says Stephanie, who hails originally from the United States. “However, we had already renovated two houses and I was initially reluctant to tackle what was clearly going to be a lengthy, major project.”
ABOVE Two islands in the airy new kitchen ensure there’s plenty of worktop space for Christmas food preparation. “We’re so pleased with our Suffolk kitchen from Neptune, and the Aga, which really comes into its own at this time of the year,” says Stephanie. RIGHT Wooden panelling lends interest and texture to this cosy corner of the kitchen, which is a relaxed space for the Thornes and their dogs, including Golden Retrievers Brodie and Bria. The Roman blind has been made in Rapture & Wright’s Cloud Garden in Quink.
ABOVE LEFT At Christmas, the staircase, with its Lambrook 1 runner from Fleetwood Fox, is adorned with foliage and twinkling lights. ABOVE RIGHT An antique map, part of Stephanie’s treasured collection, injects further character in the spacious drawing room. The lamp bases are painted in Radicchio by Farrow & Ball.
Weighing up the pros and cons, Steve, the CEO of a creative company, and former solicitor Stephanie, decided to take the plunge, and, in March 2015, they clinched the deal. “Steve is a stickler for detail and, with his experience in renovating properties, I was confident that he would go the extra mile to sensitively transform this house into a beautiful home,” Stephanie says.
Built in the 1600s, the property was significantly altered and then reconfigured in the nineteenth century. It was later extended in the 1900s. “In years gone by, the roof had been thatched, but a fire destroyed that in 1947,” Stephanie explains. “On further inspection, we found the remains of charred timbers in what was to become our bedroom.”
Fully embracing the property’s rich heritage, Steve was determined that the restoration would do justice to this languishing countryside residence. To bring his vision to fruition, he enlisted the help of interiors company, Sims Hilditch. “We love their aesthetic and holistic approach to renovations,” says Stephanie. “The scale of the project was daunting, and the choices were overwhelming. We felt that Sims Hilditch could help us with selecting the right materials, formulating a lighting plan and designing the interiors.”
As well as repairing the roof, the whole house needed rewiring, new plumbing and electrics. The iron guttering and downpipes had to be replaced, and new wooden windows and doors installed.
Plans were drawn up for a two-storey oak-frame extension at the back of the house to create a spacious family kitchen on the ground floor, plus two additional bedrooms, one bathroom and three shower rooms on the first floor, and a new loft space on the second floor. “Many jobs were much more timeconsuming than we had anticipated,” says Stephanie. “For instance, because the ground floor had been laid straight onto earth, we had to take the old flooring up, and excavate 120cm down, before laying underfloor heating and flooring. Thankfully, the builders, 3 Gen Construction, were fantastic and, with Steve project managing, no stone was left unturned.”
During the renovation, poignant echoes of the property’s previous residents gradually came to light,
The dusky pink and orange tones found in the drawing room are echoed in the informal living area that forms part of the entrance hall. The coffee table is from Flamant whilst the Browning pendant and Eva sofas are from Neptune. Stephanie found the wooden sledge at Krave Antiques in Bath and the tree is from Real Christmas Trees.
ABOVE The twin beds in this bedroom are from The Bed Workshop and are upholstered in Peony & Sage’s Faded Dotty Butterflies fabric. The wallpaper is Pretty Maids in Dusky Pink by Vanessa Arbuthnott.
such as the yellowing, faded newspapers that were lining the shelves in what had once been the farm office. “I pored over them, reading about the Second World War and lovely stories about Queen Elizabeth’s early life,” Stephanie explains. “It was amazing to happen upon such tangible links with the past.”
As the year-long build progressed, the couple felt themselves becoming increasingly connected to the farmhouse. Taking on the mantle of custodians, they enthusiastically salvaged and enhanced any of the period features that had survived the fire and passage of time. “Cornicing and plaster moulds were restored or replaced to match the existing ones by local firm, Wessex Plaster Mouldings,” says Stephanie.
When it came to considering the interiors, the Thornes were inspired by designer Kit Kemp, and the decor at Crosby Street Hotel in New York. a favourite of theirs. “Sims Hilditch understood that we wanted our period farmhouse to have a fresh, modern country look with a sense of understated elegance,” says Stephanie. “When they showed us the Adam’s Eden wallpaper by Lewis & Wood, we felt the subtle palette in the ivory colourway would work very well in the hallway and throughout the rest of the house, linking the schemes together.”
ABOVE LEFT Tongue-and-groove panelling and a pretty Roman blind made from Grainsack Pink Icing fabric, by Peony & Sage, add rural charm to this bathroom.
ABOVE A comfortable armchair and footstool, upholstered in Manuel Canovas fabric, create a relaxing spot to unwind in this bedroom with its far-reaching countryside views.
ABOVE The house, with parts dating back to the early 1600s, has been given a completely new lease of life. The front door has been painted in Farrow & Ball’s Green Blue and is adorned by a welcoming festive wreath. In April 2016, the couple were thrilled to finally relocate to their enchanting home and it has played a significant role in their desire to merge their English and American traditions. “Christmas and Thanksgiving have always been incredibly important to me,” Stephanie says. “It’s wonderful to have plenty of space to celebrate both these special occasions with the children.” On Thanksgiving, the Thornes get together to share a lovingly prepared meal in the dining room. “When we go round the dining table to voice what we are all thankful for, health, family and home, are always priorities for me,” Stephanie says. Weeks later, with the house beautifully decorated, the Christmas celebrations begin. “The day starts with stocking opening, accompanied by a breakfast of smoked salmon and poached eggs, fresh from our chickens,” says Stephanie. “Next, Steve lights the fire in the drawing room, where we all open our presents. After a dog walk along the river, we head back for Christmas dinner. At dusk – when I draw the curtains, light the candles and glance around at my loved ones – I couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather spend this magical time of the year. Steve was absolutely right.” n
