Wealden Times | WT171 | May 2016 | Restoration & New Build supplement inside

Above: Mood boards in Christel’s office hint at one of her many talents – as
an interior designer. She is currently working on the interior decor of two
boutique hotel chains in the West Country Right: the informal, cosy landing
area, which links the sumptuous bedrooms on the first floor.
cooks seem to love. The cabinets are from Neptune, the
dark green cabinet is Dutch, and I had my carpenter
make the shutters to match the others around the house.”
The striking chandeliers, made up of wine glasses on a
wire rack are from a high street shop in West Malling.
Sensibly close to the kitchen is the dining room – which
has more than a hint of Swedish, Gustavian style – which
is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Cooking Apple Green.
“When we moved in, this room had huge swag curtains
and horrible dark walls,” says Christel. Now, off-white
painted furniture surrounds a long, oval table, covered
with a delicate, embroidered tablecloth. “The table
extends, and can seat more than 20 people comfortably,
Pretty, Kidston-esque wallpaper on the
landing fits perfectly with the Old Rectory’s
role as country house and family home
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