HEREFORDSHIRE FARMHOUSE

This elegant farmhouse near the Black Mountains is a haven of calm for Juliette and Neal Fernandes Smith

Its breathtaking setting sealed the deal for the owners of this 17th-century house

The landscape around Juliette and Neal Fernandes Smith’s farmhouse seems to invite guests to pause and inhale deeply, such is its still beauty. It was this sense of peace that appealed to Juliette, who has practised yoga for over 20 years and was looking for a property with land where she and Neal might possibly start a retreat centre. After selling her house in London, the couple were renting a Wiltshire cottage when they stumbled upon the house they have since renamed Alchemy Hill. ‘It was only the second place we looked at. But surrounded by thousands of acres of common, the views were outstanding, like a film set,’ says Juliette.

They had been drawn to the area, and nearby Hay-onwye, after a visit to a friend. The town’s community of artists and writers appealed to both Juliette and Neal’s creative appetites. ‘Originally, we had been looking for a traditional Georgian farmhouse and, although Alchemy Hill didn’t fit that mould, we were won over by the landscape,’ says Juliette. ‘Internally, the previous owner had done a renovation that had stripped out much of the original character. It was of a high standard, but we wanted to introduce older features to soften it.’ Juliette’s parents bought a hotel when she was four and, when she was a teenager, decided to build their own house. ‘I was given free rein to design my own >

❝YOU CAN WALK FROM OUR LAND ONTO THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF COMMON WHERE YOU CAN ROAM FREELY AMONG PONIES❞ SHEEP AND

❝WE FOUND LOCKDOWN TO BE THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO PLANT A VEG PATCH AND BECOME MORE SUSTAINABLE❞

bedroom, so from a young age I was reading all the homes magazines and interior design has become a lifelong passion,’ she says. ‘We worked on the house for eight weeks, initially putting in a couple more bathrooms, restyling the kitchen and redecorating,’ says Juliette. ‘We also opened up a doorway that had been closed. Much of the work was on the exterior, which we repainted, and in the landscaping and planting.’ Juliette reaches far and wide for inspiration, drawing from the Japanese tradition of ‘wabi-sabi’, as well as French farmhouses and the landscape itself. ‘A place is about heart, and the interiors had to feel authentic and uncontrived. I wanted to achieve a sense of inner calm, so I chose objects for their raw beauty. I love things that you can see have been touched by another human being, or have been touched by the elements in nature. I feel comfortable mixing ages and styles of furniture and I have collected individual pieces from every country I have lived in or visited.’

Juliette has created a calming, homely and elegant interior, accessorising with natural wools and linens, as well as locally woven Welsh rugs. ‘The furnishings evoke a sense of timelessness and warmth, far removed from the stresses of daily life. I love incorporating different types of wood, especially ash, oak and walnut,’ she adds. Perfecting walls that were >

Living room Surrounding the doorframe, the bookshelf makes use of the entire wall space evoking a cosy library setting. Chairs, both Foy & Co

Dining room Low hanging pendant lights bring a romantic, intimate mood after dark. Old School Electric Bell blown glass pendants, Holloways of Ludlow

Kitchen A deep butler sink is perfect for catering for large numbers of guests. Paintings propped on the work surface bring a relaxed, informal character. For a similar butler sink, try Tap Warehouse

Kitchen A carpenter made the island from two cabinets back-to-back and a large piece of old oak. Cabinets in Manor House Gray estate eggshell, Farrow & Ball

Exterior The old barns in the courtyard add character and create a historic atmosphere with a reminder of the farm’s working past