ENGLISH HOME
Elegant rural interiors to match their glorious settings
25 YEARS OF CRAFTSMANSHIP
Celebrating Britain’s heritage skills
• Decorating with wool • Travel to West Sussex
• Using passementerie EXPERT GUIDES
HISTORIC CASTLE HOWARD
Life in Yorkshire’s grand Baroque masterpiece
THIS PAGE The grand stone house is surrounded by several lofty trees, including copper beeches with their rich purple leaves, planted when the building was first erected. A traditional Georgian canopy covers the front door. OPPOSITE In the centre of the entrance hall, a pedestal table inherited from Charlotte’s grandmother sits on top of a traditional-style rug from Atlantico Rugs.
Grace and grandeur
Over five decades, Charlotte Langton has revived this once-derelict home in Somerset, creating sophisticated yet warm interiors that evoke the charm of the traditional country house look
An unassuming elegance and profound sense of comfort are at the heart of the quintessential English country house style, qualities that are undeniably present in the home of Charlotte Langton. It begins to make perfect sense as she cites her sources of inspiration: ‘I’ve always liked a classic look and was a huge admirer of John Fowler. I also love some of Veere Grenney’s work and American designer Cathy Kincaid.’ Following the lead of these greats, she has created an exquisite yet welcoming family home for herself, her husband, Tom, and their three dogs.
The home in question is a late-Georgian building, constructed in 1830 to replace a previous house which burnt down during the Civil War. The stately symmetrical facade, generous sash windows and delectable assortment of period features, including grand fireplaces and intricate coving, are all tell-tale signs of its era. It was purchased in 1952 by Charlotte’s father-in-law, who then gifted it to the couple as a wedding present. ‘We waited about 12 years before we came here and it was let all that time,’ explains Charlotte.
In
room, a
the drawing
pair of bespoke sofas have been covered in Pierre Frey’s Le Manach Balmoral fabric, tying in with the floral curtains made from Josselin cotton and linen print by Brunschwig & Fils at GP & J Baker. Walls in Papers and Paints’s Deep Egyptian Buff create a cossetting feel.
A matter of time
Despite not rushing into renovating their historic lodge house in the Cotswolds, Emily and Gareth Phillips immediately felt very settled in the area
FEATURE ALISON GIBB PHOTOGRAPHY DOUGLAS GIBB
A bespoke dining tableby Gasson & Phillips is paired with chairs from Peppermill Antiques. The kitchen, designed by Emily and installed by local joiners SJ Carpentry, is painted in Sage Green by Little Greene and completed with Burmese rattan pendants from Kalinko and bar stools from French Connection.
Majestic Arundel Castle reigns supreme over its namesake town, with the River Arun running by.
My English Home
Nicholas Howard, who lives in magnificent Castle Howard in Yorkshire, reveals how restoration and family life have transformed this historic house into a home
Who do you live with and where?
I live with my wife Vicky, and our lurcher, Poppy, in historic Castle Howard, near York. Our son, George, lives in the village on the estate. Vicky and I stay in Bayswater, London for a week every month, otherwise we are based in the countryside.
Can you describe your home?
You could describe Castle Howard as a stately home, a grand country house, or a Baroque masterpiece! The creation of the house began in 1699, with design work by John Vanbrugh, and it has been in my family for more than 300 years. I grew up in Castle Howard as a child and returned here full-time 10 years ago. We now live in one wing of the house.
Have you had to restore any of it?
I have lived in the house on and off my entire life, which is what makes it so
special; it is full of memories. Obviously in a place this size, the restorations are ongoing. Most recently, we have redecorated the long gallery – which was in planning since before lockdown – with the help of the wonderful New York decorator Remy Renzullo, Alec Cobbe, who specialises in picture hanging and encouraged us to move the picture rail to a different height, and Hesp Jones, who specialises in restoration work. Nick Hesp has worked with the family for years and helped us create the most beautiful earthy pink, terracotta paint for the walls, which looks fabulous next to the restored gilding.
How do you make Castle Howard feel like home?
Remy has a real gift for creating warm spaces in grand houses, like the Tapestry Room (above). It has a huge ottoman piled high with coffee table books, and Queen
‘I have lived in the house on and off my entire life, which is what makes it so special’
Anne chairs, which we had restored. We had two sofas made, which sit perfectly in the room – in fact, it’s hard to tell what is old and new. The room has four large Vanderbank tapestries on the wall, that miraculously survived a fire in the house in the 1940s when a large proportion of one side of the building was destroyed. I remember as a child you could see right up to the sky and there were holes in the walls for years.
What is your favourite space in the house and why?
We have enjoyed many special family occasions in the Crimson Dining Room, and the Great Hall is a wonderful space. It has four vast arches holding up the dome, and we move sofas and rugs in there, making it a cosy, winter sitting room by the fire. It’s also very special walking though the antique passage, which is full of busts and statuary. It’s like a tour through history.
What is your most treasured possession?
A painting by the Italian artist Domenico Fetti, called The Music Master. I stop every time I walk past it and take it all in, there is so much symbolism in the work. Another precious painting is the Constable called Cloudscape my father bought in the 1950s.
Tell us about your new book?
The new book, Castle Howard: A Grand Tour of England’s Finest Country House, is a photographic essay of the house through the seasons. It’s lovely to have a record of the house now we have done so much restoration work.
And finally, what should no English home be without?
Memories, a view and a decent number of bookshelves! n
Castle Howard: A Grand Tour of England’s Finest Country House by Christopher Ridgway (Flammarion, $130); castlehoward.co.uk
