When the polo-loving, poultry-keeping designer Brian Woulfe was craving a slice of pastoral calm, the celebrity-swamped Cotswolds was not on his or his partner Milan Lenart’s vision board. That is until the couple came across a charming old vicarage in Oxfordshire. Suddenly, all bets were off, and within months, the pair had set it up as their country bolthole.
‘Some might call it a midlife crisis, but for me, it really was about allowing myself to enjoy a slower pace of life once again,’ says the HG101 designer about why he was aching to get out of London. Having grown up on a farm on the west coast of Ireland but living and working in the city, Brian missed the sense of calm and space the countryside offers; this property felt both rooted in nature and accessible for when duty called. ‘It was a true “pinch me” moment when we first pulled up outside,’ Brian recalls. ‘We had been looking for something that felt authentic rather than overly polished, and this came onto the market at exactly the right moment. It wasn’t perfect, but it had presence as well as room for us to put our stamp on it – for me that’s always a strong starting point.’
This was also an opportunity for the designer to explore another facet of his design philosophy. ‘In the city, life is faster and more structured, and the interiors reflect that with a tailored, purposeful edge,’ he explains. ‘In the county, everything softens. The design becomes more layered, more relaxed and more connected to its surroundings. It’s less about precision and more about atmosphere.’
The house that ticked all the boxes is, in fact, a combination of two properties; one part dates back to the 17th century and the later addition, the old vicarage, was built in the 19th century. Over time, it had undergone alterations that reflected the different chapters of its life, and it was the romance of being able to add a new page to its story that attracted Brian. ‘At its core, you can see that the building has clear architectural integrity, but there was also an opportunity to reinterpret it for contemporary country living,’ he explains.
While no structural interventions were required, the house clearly needed work: the interiors were tired, and felt disconnected, and some of the previous alterations hadn’t been sympathetic to the original architecture. ‘The main issue was creating cohesion, both in terms of flow and aesthetics, while respecting the heritage of the building,’ explains Brian, who saw the challenge as an opportunity to reimagine how the house could be lived in today. ‘We approached it by carefully layering in contemporary elements that complement rather than compete with the original fabric. I think my instincts have proved correct.’
With his team at Designed by Woulfe, Brian reworked key areas to improve flow and functionality, particularly in the kitchen. A curved, built-in banquette that is now positioned to look out at the breathtaking landscape anchors the dining nook, while sage-green cabinets with Brazilian quartzite accents lend a contemporary touch. But what makes the kitchen the real star of the house is the custom Liz Allison mural that brings the outdoors in. It is one of the many examples of how Brian has used artisanal finishes to give the house its depth and character. ‘I focused on enhancing rather than overhauling and the murals hold particular significance,’ he says. ‘They bring a sense of individuality and artistry that can’t be replicated, and they tell a story within each space, whether it’s the kitchen or the living room.’
Throughout the house, a focus on warmth, proportion and craftsmanship has created a sense of rootedness in tradition that honours the building’s past. A sensitive mix of decorative elements, including mid-century furniture sourced from online platforms like Vinterior and contemporary pieces from the likes of RH (Restoration Hardware) and Soho Home, is combined with earthy finishes – the pale putty plaster in the dining room, for example, the restored floor tiles in the entrance hall or the dramatic wallcoverings in the bedroom that have an air of timeless glamour. Together, they subtly introduce a refined modernity without challenging the building’s architectural bones.
‘Balancing old with new is not easy and one can tip too far in either direction,’ says Brian. ‘By investing in craftsmanship, whether bespoke joinery or artisan finishes, we created a lived-in quality. These elements may not always be the most visible at first glance – and I prefer it that way – but they are what make an interior scheme endure.’ His advice to others planning on renovating period buildings? ‘Respect what stands before you. Understand its architecture before imposing anything new. The most successful renovations are those that work with the house rather than against it.’
Brian Woulfe: @brianwoulfe | @designedbywoulfe_
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