Set within the grounds of a former butterfly farm which provided the silk for Princess Diana’s wedding dress, this elegant 16th century manor house is chock-full of historic charm and has been lovingly restored, fusing original period features with contemporary interiors.
Read Also:Before & After: How This Family Home Got A Whole New Look With Just Accessories (opens in new tab)
The property is the perfect example of the saying 'never judge a book by it's cover'; because although this Grade-II listed Sherborne home has a traditional exterior, inside it hides a modern white kitchen, modern-country style ensuite bedrooms, and a plum-coloured home cinema room.
Cocooned by eight acres of private gated grounds, the property flaunts lavishness inside and out.
Read Also:Explore a Georgian country mansion with a bowling alley and games room (opens in new tab)
Dubbed Butterfly House, it features a strikingly modern white kitchen, with handleless cabinetry...
... and a modern kitchen island with breakfast bar.
Read Also:35 Strikingly Stylish Kitchen Breakfast Bar Ideas (opens in new tab)
The open-plan kitchen also features a casual dining area with Eames chairs and gorgeous garden views.
Read Also:Laid-back Luxe Dining Room Ideas (opens in new tab)
At the heart of the property is a grand, original wooden staircase with a stained glass window.
The dark space features cow hide rugs, wood ceilings, decorative logs and a cow painting.
Read Also:Stunning Statement Staircase Ideas (opens in new tab)
The dark colour palette continues in a mulberry purple cinema room.
Upstairs, bedrooms have a more country-inspired look, with wood panelling, decorative logs, and a softer colour scheme.
Read Also:Cool, Calm & Simple Bedroom Ideas For A Summer Refresh (opens in new tab)
All of the furniture was made by local Dorset craftsmen, while chandeliers came from Florence. Every detail was deliberately chosen.
En-suite bathrooms feature a rustic-inspired schemes with wood floors and roll-top baths, but have been given modern updates too.
Outside, there's a modern patio and al fresco dining space.
Read Also:48 Stylish Garden Patio Ideas (opens in new tab)
When the new owners bought it, the property was in a terrible condition; everything had to be replaced, including a new roof, oak sash windows, ceilings and cornices, fireplaces, electrics, plumbing, and even the floors.
The only thing that remains is the honeyed stone exterior, which gives it that warmth, character and grandeur.
Read Also:Explore A Historic Farmhouse In Provence With Modern Rustic Interiors (opens in new tab)
Aside from the central staircase and stained glass windows, the bookcase in the drawing room is also original, and has been restored.
Read Also:Chic & Stylish bookshelf, bookcase and library ideas (opens in new tab)
The new owners started building work in early 2006, and over an 18 month period they transformed the property from a disused and unloved butterfly farm into the contemporary country house retreat it is now.
Butterfly House (opens in new tab) sleeps up to 14 guests (10 adults and 4 children), and is available to hire from £4,150 per week, £3,395 per short break, through uniquehomestays.com (opens in new tab)
Photography: Copyright Mark Watts
-
-
What are the best countertops for cooking? The styles to consider for your kitchen if you love to cook
Whether you're looking for countertops to knead dough on or just one that holds up to red sauce stains, these are the best styles for budding chefs
-
If you want to bring on-trend texture to bathroom walls, these 6 ideas are your best options say interior designers
These textured bathroom walls will elevate the bathroom to give depth and drama to the space
-
Tour a mid-century house in Philadelphia with a modern take on Mad Men style
This mid-century house in Philadelphia is a modern take on mid-century design and the perfect backdrop for this enviable collection of art and objects
-
This modern Edwardian house in Melbourne is small but mighty
It may be small, but thanks to its ingenious design, this Edwardian house in Melbourne makes family living a breeze
-
Old meets new in this apartment in New York's East Village - a former community centre built in 1860
The owner of this loft-style apartment in New York's East Village mixes ancient and modern with timeworn pieces, design classics and his own abstract art...
-
Explore this super-contemporary coastal house in Cornwall
This coastal house in Cornwall is all about drinking in the uninterrupted views of nature at its most raw, most pure…
-
Explore this spacious detached 1900s house in southeast London with stylish modern interiors
Edgy textures, luxe materials and a mix of vintage and bargain buys transformed a blank detached 1900s house in southeast London into a home full of personality.
-
This large house in west London is minimal yet playful
A firefighter’s pole in the kitchen and a slide down the stairs? This house in west London proves minimalism can also be fun.
-
Inside A Clever Garden Room That Doubles As A Chic Guest House
This striking garden room design incorporates a sleeping area, kitchenette, loo and shower, as well as plenty of storage space, making it ideal as both a self-contained guest house or a restful retreat to escape to.
-
This light and bright Victorian terrace in west London is relaxed yet stylish
This chic Victorian terrace in west London is full of clever ideas that allow it to evolve.
