The owners of this Oxfordfordshire, England property outside of London wanted an estate home to rival the historic and enchanting country houses that dot the English countryside. This particular country house should look as if it had graced the landscape for generations, subtly changing over time. As such, the building was designed to weave the vernacular forms of the region with the disciplined geometry of Georgian architecture. Influences include notable houses dating as early as the 15th century, the picturesque movement, and celebrated 18th century English architect Edwin Lutyens. Balance, rather than symmetry, informs the design of the facades. Exterior material choices of red brick and limestone reflect the local vernacular and help to give the home a sense of solidity and history – as if it is an integral part of the landscape, and has been for ages. The result is a house complex in form, but rooted in the history of classical proportion.
The homeowners not only requested a house at home in the English countryside, but one that could meet their family’s needs within. A grand foyer greets guests and leads to gracious formal rooms for entertaining. A conservatory allows the outside in, while acting as a jewel of a focal point from the exterior. Comfortable family space is not forgotten, nor is function: the house is equipped with hardworking spaces to keep the house and estate running smoothly. Upstairs, plentiful guest bedrooms, a separate au pair suite, and a generous primary suite ensure that everyone has a private oasis to rest up after a long day in the countryside.
This house is dignified and timeless, constructed in the spirit of artisanship that has shaped so many beautiful buildings of the past.
