A GEORGIAN MANOR
Entering this Grade II* listed Oxfordshire manor for the first time in 2015 was incredibly exciting, despite its many dilapidated parts. Its architectural features and interior character were clear reminders of its former halcyon days.
Though it dated from the early 1700s, the early Georgian period, the manor went on to be extended several times and so is also a building shaped by different eras. Now, it was our turn to write the next chapter, bringing the manor into the 21st century while respecting the character of all that had come before.
The renovation was a two-year undertaking, encompassing reroofing, replumbing, a complete rewire, internal reconfiguration, window restoration and entirely new interiors. I co-managed the project alongside my husband, the project manager, overseeing the transformation from building works through to the finished schemes.
The vision for the interiors was to bring the manor gently into the 21st century, creating a comfortable home for modern living while preserving its timeless elegance and architectural character. Downstairs, introducing more light was a particular priority, as many of the rooms felt dark and enclosed.
With the vast majority of the budget committed to the building’s infrastructure, fabric and restoration, the allowance for interior decoration was necessarily tight. Paint, wall and window treatments, furniture, fabrics and lighting all needed to be carefully considered. The challenge was to create warm, layered and characterful interiors that felt cohesive and appropriate to the house, making the most of the available budget without compromising the overall vision.
In the entrance hall, we removed a door to the porch, consulted lighting specialists on a sophisticated lighting system, restored and painted the panelling in a light-giving Little Greene colour and kept placement of furniture and paintings clean; all to counter the darkness.
The rare and unique glass light fittings, original to the house, were restored and kept. Being in the oldest part of the house, the stone floor required heavy diamond sanding to revive and remove layers of dirt built up over its 400 year history.
A dark green carpet grounds the oak staircase which we kept. The dark red trim highlights the scagliola pillars. A De Gournay feature at the top of staircase with blossom branches feels like you're entering a new portal. (If only we had the budget to go all the way round!).
The beautiful, dark & rich oak panelled room which was originally the entrance hall was the perfect place for a glamorous cinema room.
The Bar sits just off the light bright entrance hall and is intended to contrast this as a cosy room to retreat into. Dark greens and blues in leathers and velvets sit comfortably with the rich oak and make for an intimate atmosphere.
The large kitchen was created by knocking through to the old school lavatories and storage cupboards.
The floor was inspired by an old picture of a chateau in France. A once glamorous black and white stone floor gone through centuries of ageing was now grey and cream. Striking but timeless, it felt like the right contribution to the fabric of the building and to flow through from some other floors which were hundreds of years old.
Completed with Arabascata marble tops for a timeless and glamorous finish.
The silver dishes hung on the walls were found during the cumbersome initial clear out of the manor. We polished them up and made a wall feature out of them. We bought two large paintings from a local artist to hang on the walls.
Upstairs, we turned 18 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms into 10 ensuites and converted the large unused attic spaces into another four ensuites. Each ensuite was designed to have its own personality yet connect to the other suites.
The bedrooms take on colours on the walls for cosier and warmer atmosphere. I saved whatever antiques we could from the manor, like these low ebonised salon chairs reupholstered in a classic stripe.
Throughout the decorative elements for manor I had to combine "high" and "low" to stick to the budget. Here, you can see Fermoie on the headboard and cushions and a £15 a metre deadstock fabric on the curtains. Below is a chandelier I found in the back of an antiques centre, and the curtains in the master bedroom came from the Curtain Exchange in Bath.
The infamous bath was given a paired back surrounding of marble floors and French Grey walls to allow it to shine. A simple restoration of the incredible lion tap and handles was all that was needed.
A moodier ensuite with Pleat by Little Greene on the walls, a cosy blue velvet and for a pop of colour Arsenic by Farrow and Ball on the bath.
PRESS LINKS ON THE MANOR
Homes & Gardens - 100 Year Anniversary Shoot
