Evolved OVER TIME’
Using moody colours and statement motifs, Joolz and Tim Wright have transformed their farmhouse into a modern, maximalist home while retaining its historic character
When my husband Tim and I realised we would soon outgrow our cottage, we didn’t have to look far to find a solution,’ says Joolz. ‘Tim’s parents were still living on the family farm nearby, but they were ready to downsize, so we decided to swap. They moved out to a smaller home on the farm, while Tim and I and our two daughters moved in.
At the time, it felt a little strange moving into a house we already knew so well, especially as I was pregnant with our third child, so I couldn’t get stuck into making it our own straight away. However, the farmhouse was very liveable. Apart from installing central heating and building a new kitchen, we prioritised raising our family and running the farm, although I really looked forward to personalising the decor.
Rethinking the layout
When we moved in, it was a warren of tiny rooms and there was still an outdoor toilet. It’s also set into a hillside, which makes it quite dark. We knew we didn’t want to change the character of the farmhouse, but we thought it would benefit from an open-plan design that would turn it into a modern family home. We knocked down the wall between the sitting room and kitchen to create a large space we can all use together. Upstairs, two box rooms and a cloakroom were reconfigured to become our bedroom, complete with an en-suite bathroom. The new layout suits us so much better.
Kitchen design
I’m really into cooking and I love having friends over for dinner, so I was excited
First, choose your backdrop. A classic white tablecloth feels elegant, while a bright pattern packs a fun punch. A linen table runner in an earthy tone creates a relaxed rustic feel.
Layer up. Add texture by layering woven rattan place mats and linen napkins. Bonus points for cute napkin rings.
Think about height. Tapered candlesticks bring a touch of drama. For variety, dot tealights down the middle of the table.
Accessorise with flowers. Opt for a big wow-factor centrepiece or place a few pretty stems in several small vases along the table.
Finish with handwritten place cards and menus.
to get to work on transforming the kitchen. Our starting point for this was clear: one of the most striking features is the beautiful original stone fireplace that’s been the heart of the house ever since it was built. It used to be an open fire with a range in the middle, a bread oven on one side and a big copper pot for washing on the other. There was no way we were getting rid of it, so we built our kitchen around it, as did Tim’s parents years before.
Choosing colours
I’m drawn to earthy tones, dark hues and rich shades and I’ve used these to decorate throughout the house. My absolute favourite colour we’ve used is the grey paint in the sitting room, Moonlight Dance from Valspar. I got tester pots and I thought it was perfect but Tim thought it would be too dark, so I painted and decorated the whole room while he was away skiing! He came back to a completely different sitting room and, thankfully, he loves it. I just knew he’d have to see it to believe it.
This is actually quite a dark room and I had tried lightening it by painting it
‘I MOVE THINGS FROM ROOM TO ROOM ALL THE TIME AS I LIKE MY HOUSE TO FEEL FRESH AND NEW’