Surrey Homes | SH18 | April 2016 | Garden supplement inside

Above: Helena and Julian wanted to be able to lie in the bath and gaze up at the stars, so positioned the double-ended bath under a central skylight window.
Underfloor heating and a large heated towel rail keep this generous bathroom warm, even in the depths of winter
At the opposite end of the house to the kitchen is the
equally imposing drawing room, another double-height
room but this time with a barrel ceiling rather than a
pitched one. The walls and the curtains – 82 metres were
required for the drops and swags in this room alone – are
all in neutral tones, so create a perfect backdrop for the
interesting pieces Helena has added like the paintings,
cushions and lamps. Making the biggest statement is the
large oil painting by artist Bill Talbot of the two girls.
Commissioned when they were young in bold vibrant
colours, all the elements of the painting represent a
personal story and a space has even been left to add
more and so finish the painting when they are older.
At the other end of the room, two pretty Bergere chairs
covered with a deep red and cream check provide a great
spot to sit and look out over the rolling countryside
that sweeps around the house. The first floor has an
open landing looking up to the glass cupola and down
to the hall from which all the bedrooms lead. The
master bedroom works really well with its dark sand
walls perfectly offsetting an old brass bed covered in
a velour throw of the deepest bronze. Three sets of
windows ensure this rich palette looks sumptuous
rather than dark. At the other end of the bedroom is
a seating area with comfortable sofas and chairs and
an especially pretty Victorian writing desk given to
Helena as a 40th birthday present. The guest bedroom
is adorable. Painted in gardenia and with thick Colefax
and Fowler floral curtains, the room has a really fresh
and pretty feel that any visitor couldn’t help but enjoy.
Across the landing are the girls’ rooms – identical
mirror images of each other and interconnected by a
A classic Porcelanosa white bath which sits in magnificent splendour on a plinth
in the middle of the room under a skylight. Everything else has been paired down
to create a modern, minimalist feel. As bathrooms go, it really works
87 www.wealdentimes.co.uk