Houzz Tour: Calming Hues for a 16th-Century English Manor
Restful neutrals with accents of color allow the period details of this traditional country home to shine
The owners of this 16th-century manor house in the Gloucestershire area of England wanted to reveal the history of their home, so they hired interior designer Emma Sims-Hilditch, who rediscovered it on their behalf.
“When we stripped back the decoration, there were the stone walls and paneling,” says Sims-Hilditch, who created a fresh take on English country house style that is sympathetic to the period features. But although recognizing that the house’s history was important, so too was making it a family home. “It had to be practical and not too precious,” she says.
“When we stripped back the decoration, there were the stone walls and paneling,” says Sims-Hilditch, who created a fresh take on English country house style that is sympathetic to the period features. But although recognizing that the house’s history was important, so too was making it a family home. “It had to be practical and not too precious,” she says.
Two chests flank the fireplace. The benches in front are upholstered in soft suede.
Mirror: Julian Chichester; Ascona crystal vase and Warwick table lamp with drum shade: Vaughan
Mirror: Julian Chichester; Ascona crystal vase and Warwick table lamp with drum shade: Vaughan
The living room features a number of seating areas. “The owners specifically requested seating for 12 in here,” Sims-Hilditch says. “There’s space to play the games they enjoy, like cards and backgammon.”
Find an interior designer near you
Find an interior designer near you
A doorway to the hall from the living room was repurposed as a drinks cabinet, with a fridge below. “It’s a listed building, so infilling was done very carefully” according to the rules for historical buildings, Sims-Hilditch says.
The kitchen was to be reconfigured at a later date. In the meantime, the cabinetry got new paint.
Imperial nickel pendant lights: Neptune
Find nickel-finish pendant lights
Imperial nickel pendant lights: Neptune
Find nickel-finish pendant lights
The area lacks natural daylight, so pale colors and glass-front wall cabinets help keep it bright.
8 Beautiful Ways to Work Glass Into Your Kitchen Cabinets
8 Beautiful Ways to Work Glass Into Your Kitchen Cabinets
Family Room Opens Up
The family room was the only space in which building work was carried out. The room used to be divided with a bookcase down the middle, but it was opened up. Now the space includes kitchen, dining and living areas, and it has a less formal look that’s more suited to family living than some of the other spaces.
Sims-Hilditch bought two tables and pushed them together to make a generous table that can accommodate 14. “They’re big on entertaining and having family to stay,” she says.
Solid and check pillow fabrics: Merrick in blue and Larsen Longdale in taupe, Colefax and Fowler; print pillow fabric: Blue Dachshund, Emily Bond; curtain fabric: Carew in teal, GP & J Baker
The family room was the only space in which building work was carried out. The room used to be divided with a bookcase down the middle, but it was opened up. Now the space includes kitchen, dining and living areas, and it has a less formal look that’s more suited to family living than some of the other spaces.
Sims-Hilditch bought two tables and pushed them together to make a generous table that can accommodate 14. “They’re big on entertaining and having family to stay,” she says.
Solid and check pillow fabrics: Merrick in blue and Larsen Longdale in taupe, Colefax and Fowler; print pillow fabric: Blue Dachshund, Emily Bond; curtain fabric: Carew in teal, GP & J Baker
More formal entertaining takes place away from the family area in a separate dining room. The chairs were custom-made for the room.
Dining chair fabric: Fife in aqua, Colefax and Fowler
Dining chair fabric: Fife in aqua, Colefax and Fowler
The house, as it stands, now includes sections constructed in different eras, and the hallway is in the oldest part. “It has amazing flagstones that must go back 400 years,” Sims-Hilditch says.
A table was needed to fill the space. “You can put huge flower arrangements on it or use it as a drinks area,” she says. The seating here is perfect for children. “If they host lots of people and the adults are in the formal dining room, kids can have lunch on the benches.”
Six-arm Oak Leaf and Acorn chandelier: Richard Taylor Designs; shade fabric: Cawdor in mineral, GP & J Baker
Browse chandeliers
A table was needed to fill the space. “You can put huge flower arrangements on it or use it as a drinks area,” she says. The seating here is perfect for children. “If they host lots of people and the adults are in the formal dining room, kids can have lunch on the benches.”
Six-arm Oak Leaf and Acorn chandelier: Richard Taylor Designs; shade fabric: Cawdor in mineral, GP & J Baker
Browse chandeliers
The family makes the most of country life, and this room off the hallway provides a place for boots, coats, gloves and hats. The new stone floor tiles complement the hall’s original flagstones.
Paneling paint: Driftwood, Neptune
Paneling paint: Driftwood, Neptune
Master Bedroom Leans Contemporary
The master bedroom got a look that’s a little more contemporary than other rooms in the home. Located in a more recent part of the house, it’s lighter and airier than some other spaces too.
The owners wanted a big bed, and this one is emperor-sized. The large room meant that there was space for a small daybed at its foot.
Accessories introduce accent colors to brighten the bed’s soft blue-gray.
Custom divan base with two drawers: Millbrook Beds; custom Lorenzo daybed with feet: The Sofa & Chair Co.
The master bedroom got a look that’s a little more contemporary than other rooms in the home. Located in a more recent part of the house, it’s lighter and airier than some other spaces too.
The owners wanted a big bed, and this one is emperor-sized. The large room meant that there was space for a small daybed at its foot.
Accessories introduce accent colors to brighten the bed’s soft blue-gray.
Custom divan base with two drawers: Millbrook Beds; custom Lorenzo daybed with feet: The Sofa & Chair Co.
The master bathroom was reconfigured with a stud wall, in which the faucets are located. This separates the shower enclosure from the freestanding tub.
The vanity was custom-made. “It gave them storage, but it’s not too heavy,” Sims-Hilditch says.
Chichester mirrors: Neptune; wall light: Hector Finch Lighting
Chichester mirrors: Neptune; wall light: Hector Finch Lighting
A bench on the other side of the partition wall is a handy spot to put clothes to wear after a shower.
The tub, meanwhile, has great sightlines. “There’s an amazing view out of the window,” Sims-Hilditch says.
The tub, meanwhile, has great sightlines. “There’s an amazing view out of the window,” Sims-Hilditch says.
This attic bedroom belongs to the youngest son. “He’s mad keen on planes and makes models, so we found him the Spitfires wallpaper,” Sims-Hilditch says.
A second bed is ready for sleepovers.
Wallpaper: Spitfires in blue, PaperBoy Wallpaper; star pillow fabric: Sparkle in denim, Sarah Hardaker; Penelope pillows in Holt Stripe linen: Neptune
A second bed is ready for sleepovers.
Wallpaper: Spitfires in blue, PaperBoy Wallpaper; star pillow fabric: Sparkle in denim, Sarah Hardaker; Penelope pillows in Holt Stripe linen: Neptune
Also located in the attic is a children’s bathroom. The space doesn’t have any windows, but marble tiles help brighten the room.
“We wanted to keep it timeless because children do grow up,” Sims-Hilditch says.
Honed Carrara marble tiles: Mandarin Stone
“We wanted to keep it timeless because children do grow up,” Sims-Hilditch says.
Honed Carrara marble tiles: Mandarin Stone
An oversize 16th-century fireplace dominates the study. “The owner loves the view and the room’s position at the center of the house,” Sims-Hilditch says.
Three doors open to the room, including one to the playroom, so the children come and go through the space.
Three doors open to the room, including one to the playroom, so the children come and go through the space.
With the fireplace center stage in the study, Sims-Hilditch chose to build in simple cabinetry for books and a television.
The room also includes a custom sofa to make it a relaxing space for the family as well as a workroom.
“The blue velvet and the lovely woodwork color went well with the old stone,” Sims-Hilditch says.
Shelving paint: London Clay, Farrow & Ball; sofa fabric: Malvern in navy, Kravet; Arthur stool in Elliot fabric with dark oak legs: Neptune
The room also includes a custom sofa to make it a relaxing space for the family as well as a workroom.
“The blue velvet and the lovely woodwork color went well with the old stone,” Sims-Hilditch says.
Shelving paint: London Clay, Farrow & Ball; sofa fabric: Malvern in navy, Kravet; Arthur stool in Elliot fabric with dark oak legs: Neptune
Guests Have Their Pick of Bedrooms
“The main guest bedroom is one of the prettiest bedrooms,” Sims-Hilditch says. The paneling in the room is original, but she changed the radiator to a more sympathetic column version and added a window seat to take advantage of a fabulous view to the yard.
The paisley curtain fabric was a design one of the owners fell in love with, and the color scheme was kept neutral with a hit of color. “We wanted to warm it up with burnt-orange [pillows] because it’s on the north side of the house,” Sims-Hilditch says.
Zurich three-light lantern in nickel: Vaughan
“The main guest bedroom is one of the prettiest bedrooms,” Sims-Hilditch says. The paneling in the room is original, but she changed the radiator to a more sympathetic column version and added a window seat to take advantage of a fabulous view to the yard.
The paisley curtain fabric was a design one of the owners fell in love with, and the color scheme was kept neutral with a hit of color. “We wanted to warm it up with burnt-orange [pillows] because it’s on the north side of the house,” Sims-Hilditch says.
Zurich three-light lantern in nickel: Vaughan
The high ceiling demanded a proportionately tall headboard, which was made for the room and finished with nickel studs. “It’s simple because we didn’t want to detract from the paneling and features like the windows,” Sims-Hilditch says.
Headboard fabric: Herringbone linen in almond: Neptune
Headboard fabric: Herringbone linen in almond: Neptune
This guest bedroom also has beautiful paneling. Built-in bookshelves add interest to the square space.
The room features a soft teal color, which is repeated elsewhere in the house. “It’s a tone we loved, so we used it in various places,” Sims-Hilditch says.
Curtain fabric: Lansdown in old blue: Colefax and Fowler
The room features a soft teal color, which is repeated elsewhere in the house. “It’s a tone we loved, so we used it in various places,” Sims-Hilditch says.
Curtain fabric: Lansdown in old blue: Colefax and Fowler
“Going away from the Georgian part of the house to the earlier build gives this room a different character,” Sims-Hilditch says. The designer used darker colors and richer patterns in this room.
Wallpaper: Benak, Lewis & Wood; curtain fabric: William Yeoward Caudle in biscuit, Designers Guild; William armchair in Hamish fabric with dark oak legs: Neptune
Wallpaper: Benak, Lewis & Wood; curtain fabric: William Yeoward Caudle in biscuit, Designers Guild; William armchair in Hamish fabric with dark oak legs: Neptune
Sims-Hilditch created a traditional feel in another of the guest bedrooms, dressing the bay window with a pelmet as well as curtains. “We wanted it to feel spacious, light and airy, but also cozy, so there’s a wool blanket rather than a bedspread,” she says. “There’s also an understated wool on the headboard with antique brass studs, so nothing’s too shiny or glitzy.”
Browse wool blankets
Browse wool blankets
Adjoining the room is a bathroom with a freestanding tub that slips neatly under the slope of the staircase.
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More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their three children
Location: North of Cheltenham, England
Size: Nine bedrooms, seven bathrooms
Designer: Emma Sims-Hilditch of Sims Hilditch
The living room is used for entertaining, so Sims-Hilditch gave it an elegant look with more of a smart urban feel than the rest of the home.
Making space to accommodate every guest was important. “We added fenders [benches] to the fire, so if there are more than eight people on the sofas, others can perch,” Sims-Hilditch says.
The sofas and ottoman were specially made for the room.
Sofa fabric: Retro in alabaster, Romo; ottoman fabric: Fife in dove, Colefax and Fowler; chairs: Julian Chichester