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This sophisticated farmhouse is a convincing homage to Tudor architecture |

Appearances can be deceptive, as this farmhouse reveals. Its weathered brick facade, centuries-old beams, and timeworn flagstones all point to the house design of Tudor times – yet it turns out that it was built just twenty years ago. 

‘The developers behind the project are renowned for replicating historical homes with meticulous attention to detail,’ comments Angus Reid, whose design studio Angus Reid Projects was tasked with refurbishing the interiors by the property’s new owners, a young Anglo-Swedish couple. 

This sophisticated farmhouse is a convincing homage to Tudor architecture |

Calacatta Borghini marble worktops. Bespoke cabinetry, deVOL. Wobble plaster pendant light, Alexandra Robinson. Bespoke stools, Angus Reid Projects. Tiles, antique.

(Image credit: Genevieve Lutkin)

‘The house offers the best of both worlds, combining lovely reclaimed materials with modern luxuries such as underfloor heating,’ says Angus. Angus is known for his quiet, considered aesthetic that sees pared-back spaces enhanced with textures, warm, neutral tones, and curated collections of furniture and objets that major on the mid-20th century.

This was the studio’s first country project. ‘It was definitely a departure for us, not least because this house offered so much more space than the urban projects we tend to work on,’ Angus acknowledges. ‘This was also our first foray into botanical prints – albeit of the non-chintzy kind.’

farmhouse living room in neutral colours

Studio sofa, Rose Uniacke; covered in fabric, de Le Cuona. Rug, Capitol Carpets of Chelsea. Table lamp, Anton&K Decorative Antiques. Corded stool, antique. Bespoke coffee table, Angus Reid Projects.

(Image credit: Genevieve Lutkin)

Before he and his team set to work devising the interiors – which included a new kitchen and bathrooms, as well as the laborious restoration of the flagstones throughout the ground floor – they spent time understanding how the owners wished to use the house.

‘They wanted it to be a cozy home with generous, comfortable pieces centered around the fireplaces,’ he recalls. ‘Our clients have two dogs and they love to entertain informally, so practicality was important: the sofas have linen slipcovers and we sourced a type of matting for the rugs that is made from hogla, a plant fiber that is very forgiving when it comes to spills.’

dining room with countryside view through window behind

French bleached oak farmhouse dining table, antique. Hans J Wegner CH24 Wishbone chairs, Nest. Curved wall light in Dark Bronze, Rose Uniacke.

(Image credit: Genevieve Lutkin)

Furniture was scaled up to suit the generous proportions of the spaces, such as the antique French farmhouse dining table and the kitchen’s vast island. Angus designed comfortable bar stools, contrasting leather seats with tactile hessian backs.

‘I like to introduce as much texture as possible,’ says the designer of choices that include a handcrafted plaster pendant light and a splashback of antique Delft tiles. The color palette spans chalky whites and mushroom greys to moody tobacco and khaki hues – neutral but warm shades that complement striking antiques and mid-century pieces.

bathroom with botanical wallpaper

Walls in Raphael in Blue, Sandberg. Mirror, antique. Pyrford washstand, Catchpole & Rye. Wall lights, Howe London.

(Image credit: Genevieve Lutkin)

‘Sourcing antiques was another chance to broaden our horizons, taking us out of our comfort zone of mid-20th century pieces,’ observes Angus, pointing out a handsome 19th-century pedestal table that was selected as a card table for the sitting room; it is teamed with 1930s rope chairs and a rare 1930s pendant by Louis Poulsen – a nod to the client’s Scandinavian heritage.

Pattern makes its appearance in the form of the cloakroom’s leafy wallpaper, which captures the beauty of an oak canopy. In the bedrooms, headboards are upholstered in arresting block prints. ‘We made the headboards quite large as we wanted them to hold their own in these vaulted spaces,’ explains Angus.

bedroom in country house with twin beds and beams and striped headboards

Bespoke headboards, Angus Reid Projects; in Ticking Stripe in Field by Penny Morrison. Floral print cushion covers and linen bedspreads, all Zara Home.

(Image credit: Genevieve Lutkin)

It is evident that Angus’ soulful style of decorating lends itself just as beautifully to a country home as it does an urban setting. ‘I don’t think that country interiors have to be overly layered,’ he points out. ‘An uncluttered approach creates a feeling of calm, allowing a few chosen pieces to shine.’

image of bath in country house

Empire bathtub; Henry tub filler, both Waterworks. Blind in Primitive in Garlic, de Le Cuona. Classic Lyon tumbled limestone flooring, Mandarin Stone.

(Image credit: Genevieve Lutkin)

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