At Barclay Interiors, we excel at blending modern design elements with the timeless charm of historical properties. Our renovation of the Berkshire Estate is a perfect example of this. In this blog post, we’ll take you through how we maintained the estate’s rustic charm while incorporating modern amenities to create a luxurious yet homely environment.
The Project Brief
The Berkshire Estate, with its rich Elizabethan heritage, required a delicate approach to renovation. The project was divided into two overlapping phases:
Phase 1:
- Renovation of two cottages.
- Conversion of several barns into functional spaces such as a billiard room/bar, bathrooms, an office/boardroom, a gym, and a new swimming pool with terraces and a refurbished tennis court.
Phase 2:
- Comprehensive renovation of the main house.
- Transformation of additional barns into a golf simulator room, a wine cellar, and a pool house equipped with changing rooms, showers, dining areas, and a Bulthaup kitchen.
Preserving History While Embracing Modernity
Our primary goal was to preserve the estate’s historical features while introducing contemporary design elements and technology. This balance was essential to creating a tranquil haven for the family and an inviting space for entertaining guests.
Lighting Design:
We partnered with John Cullen Lighting to develop a scheme that preserved the original beams. Surface-mounted fittings ensure no damage to the historical structure. In the more modern areas of the house, beams were finished in a lighter finish to give a more contemporary feel, seamlessly blending the old with the new.
Season-Specific Spaces:
To cater to the clients’ lifestyle, we designed spaces tailored to different seasons. The snug, perfect for winter months, features a large inglenook brick fireplace surrounded by a luxurious Flexform sofa, providing a cosy retreat.
Dining Room:
Retaining its historical charm, the dining room boasts hand plaster-finished walls by Henry van der Vijer, enhancing the beamed walls. A large Tom Faulkner Papillon dining table sits in front of the inglenook fireplace, ready for entertaining. The space also includes a bespoke metal bar with champagne troughs and a wine tasting area, adding a modern touch to this historical setting.
Drawing Room:
The triple-aspect drawing room in the older part of the house opens through French doors to a terrace with views of the magnificent gardens, pool, and to the lake beyond. While major changes were not feasible in historically significant rooms like the snug and dining room, we enhanced these areas with exquisite lighting and furnishings, creating warm, inviting spaces.
Modern Additions:
The 20th-century additions, including the family room and kitchen, were characterised by small windows and dark interiors. We introduced Crittal windows and doors to bring in much-needed light, opening these spaces to the terraces, walled garden, and pool. The hand-polished plaster walls bounces light around the room, further increasing the natural light, and brightening the interiors.
The Final Result
The Berkshire Estate renovation achieved a harmonious balance between rustic elements and modern design. We maintained the estate’s historical charm while introducing the clients’ modern art collection, creating a unique juxtaposition of old and new. The result is a self-contained, warm oasis that perfectly aligns with the clients’ vision. The estate now offers a luxurious yet homely living environment, embodying the charm and elegance of traditional British architecture with modern comforts. To view the full project portfolio, click here.
At Barclay Interiors, this project stands as a testament to our commitment to preserving history while embracing modernity, creating spaces that are both functional and timelessly elegant.
For more information and to see our other projects, visit our website or follow us on Instagram at @barclayinteriors.
