BRANCHING OUT

Nestled among the trees and the rolling Kent countryside, Astrid Zala's contemporary home was inspired by a traditional barn, to complement its rural settings

- SARA EMSLIE

Sitting on her sofa, Astrid Zala can see the colours opposite gradually change. This seasonal spectacle of autumn leaves on the trees outside is accentuated further by a mirrored re-ection into the water below. Even from inside the leaves seem almost touchable. Dramatic is an understatement. ‘The main view was always to be of the pond with the woods behind it,’ explains Astrid, ‘because I’d always wanted to look out onto woodland.’

After 25 years in London Astrid and former husband Jamie were keen to make the break to the country. ‘We were after a more peaceful and soul-nurturing lifestyle,’ she explains, so along with daughters Olympia and Atlanta, they eventually made the move 10 years ago. ‘At first, we thought we’d buy an old farmhouse or such like. But the ceiling heights were so low, the rooms dark and the configurations of the houses bizarre,’ she laughs. Hence the decision to build their own. ‘We had also completely renovated our previous London properties, so “doing a project” was what we were used to.’