This rustic farmhouse was the designer's first project outside of the city – the result is a lesson in blending country and contemporary

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. 

‘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.’

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.’

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.

‘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.

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.’

Meet the designer

Angus Reid shares his style inspiration 

Which part of the project are you happiest with?

The lighting scheme. We procured a mixture of new and antique lighting and integrated a control system for every mood. 

What element was the greatest indulgence?

The bespoke joinery and furniture. We designed the bathroom vanities, wardrobes, and all the upholstered furniture to suit our clients’ requirements and house dimensions to the centimeter. 

Tell us one small change that had a huge impact.

Refinishing and re-grouting the existing stone floors. The transformation was remarkable.

Describe your style in three words.

Serene, considered, inviting.

What are the essentials of a country house interior?

Big cozy sofas, roaring log fires, deep bathtubs, kitchens designed for entertaining, and a warm water external hose for washing the dogs!

What's inspiring you currently?

Alvar Aalto’s interiors and furniture.

The next game-changer in design?

Non-toxic wall finishes such as clay plaster.