WE WANTED TO CREATE A HOME THAT FOLDS YOU INTO ITS EMBRACE – IT'S ALL ABOUT ESCAPISM & EXUBERANCE

Celebrating English country house style - from swags and tails to rich damasks - this confident renovation by Guy Goodfellow marries tradition and modern-day comfort

- WORDS EMMA J PAGE

Some homes make the heart beat faster thanks to experimental finishes and trend-led schemes, others reveal their treasures more slowly, offering a familiarity that is both comfortable and comforting. This home, part of a country estate in Shropshire, falls into the latter category. A grand entrance, imposing architectural lines, a sweeping staircase and back corridors leading to hidden nooks all conjure a bygone sensibility and yet, in the hands of interior designer Guy Goodfellow, every element has been gently reappraised for modern life.

'For me, a successful country house has to feel authentic and unpretentious rather than overwhelming,' says Guy, who worked on this project for four years. 'That means embracing the melting pot nature of classic English decoration, where “pristine” sits comfortably with “faded around the edges” and furniture is always a little mismatched.'