An English Manor Makeover

Nestled in the rolling hills of England's southern coast, this 19th-century home gets a youthful refresh courtesy of color, collectibles, and a not-so-serious spirit (disco ball, anyone?).

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When Amy Bell's mother-in-law, Olli, found her 7,969-squarefoot Victorian Gothic house to be too much to handle on her own, Amy and her husband, James, decided they couldn't resist settling into the beloved country home and its storied rooms. Built in 1849, "Hamsey House," as it's known, had previously been owned by Mr. Whitfield, who had acquired the plot of land after marrying the local farmer's daughter. "He became a prominent businessman and went on to start a bank that merged into what is now Barclays," says Amy.

Built of bricks fired at a nearby brickmakers-they were burnt on one end to give them their unique gray color-the estate checks all the English country manor boxes: elaborate moldings, tall banks of windows, upstairs servant quarters with bells still intact. Outside, the sprawling eight acres are just as quintessentially English. There's an orchard of apples, pears, quinces, and medlars-"They are really quite ugly, but the birds like them," says Amy-as well as a parterre, wildflower garden, conservatory, and henhouse. Here, Amy's secrets to getting that English country look, even if you're sitting stateside.

A Warm Welcome

"Why have just one wreath when you can have two," says Amy, who always makes sure the grand entrance doors (painted Lichen by Farrow & Ball) are adorned with fragrant wreaths made of blooms cut from the property's gardens. Also there to greet guests: a pair of vintage cast-iron doorstops depicting famous cricketer W. G. Grace.