English Identity

The following appeared by this author on Homeclick.

A 15th century, 10,000-square-foot Tudor manor gets the deluxe treatment from British interior designer Thomson Carpenter.

Some things just translate across the Pond – such as beauty and elegance. Even when the words are different – “taps” are faucets; “chatelaine” is the lady of the house; “ginger” means red – stunning style speaks a language all its own.

For British interior designer Thomson Carpenter, diving into a project such as this 10,000-square-foot two-story Tudor meant travelling back in time. Built in the 15th century – yes, you read that right – the Sussex home had been in the same family for many years but the new chatelaine wanted it restored.

After all, it’s no ordinary home, but storybookesque - at the center of a 2,000-acre estate, boasting six bedrooms and four bathrooms in the main house alone. There are also three small, two-bed cottages on the property!

Carpenter, who frequently travels and is inspired by historic architecture, brought his passions to this project and manifested them in a way that doesn’t require words. Even so, I wanted to tap his brain to see if any of the magic could rub off on me.

Following is an edited transcript of our e-mail conversation:

Is this property similar or different from your usual work - how so?

My usual style is pretty classic, but with a contemporary (fresh) twist - I refer to it as pared-down classicism. My design for this property is similarly traditional, incorporating the owners’ existing antiques. However, the property is different as I’ve never worked with something as old as this before. The rooms are full of timber beams (walls and ceiling), small mullioned windows, and large flagstone floors.

You told me it was "very English.” What does that mean to you?

By very English, I mean that one wouldn’t see this style of property anywhere else in the world. We are fortunate in Britain to have a plethora of historic buildings to both live in and admire. Of course, the rest of Europe is littered with old buildings too, but their style is different; this house retains a very English identity, as I think the pictures show.

What was the most challenging part of the project?

There were lots of small rooms previously in the property. It was a challenge structurally to open them up and make the house feel fresher and more livable for today.

Specifically, what challenges are you talking about, Thomson?

For example, opening up three small offices in order to create one vast kitchen (a lot of concealed structural support had to be carried out to make sure this part of the house didn’t collapse!)

[I also] moved the master bedroom from one end of the house to the other, again opening up three smaller bedrooms and two bathrooms to create one large space. The roof was [also] opened up and vaulted; the walls were lined with silk. Other challenges included adding a modern (Victorian style) conservatory breakfast room - the planning officers were not exactly open to this idea at first!

How long did the project take you? Is this typical?

About one year. Yes, this is typical for a project of this size and scope, where serious structural work is carried out - The property was essentially gutted - and budgets typically exceed £1 million (as in decoration budgets, exclusive of the cost of the property itself.)

What drives you as a designer?

I love making a house a home - Cheesy as that sounds! I like to see how people live, if that makes sense. A house is obviously meant to be impressive and grand, within reason, for impressing guests, but it is also to be lived in.

What was the client's response to your work?

They were very happy! I have since gone on to decorate another of their properties as well as their daughter’s house. ###

To contact the designer, please visit him him at: www.thomsoncarpenter.co.uk.

Photographer: Adam Johnson