The owner of this charming home in Somerset, located in the south of England, is 72-year-old Philip Hooper, a decorator and the managing director of the renowned interior design company Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler.
After retiring, Philip stopped taking on interior design projects and devoted all his free time to the most important project of his life—designing his own home.
In 2016, when he was 63, Philip bought an old Georgian-style house built in 1832 in a small village with just a few thousand residents.
Though the cottage was old, it was solidly built, with a good foundation and repaired load-bearing structures. The main task was to strip away the dubious-quality finishes (some parts of the interior were covered with siding and cheap tiles).
“We peeled away layer after layer to reach the original wall surfaces. For me, renovating the house was a real experiment. I tried different combinations and colors. Some worked brilliantly, while others, not so much.”
He meticulously designed the entire interior himself—choosing furniture and wallpaper, ordering textiles, and creating a cozy ambiance.
The interior of this home is characterized by a symphony of colors and patterns, which surprisingly blend together harmoniously.
However, not everything went smoothly during the renovation process, especially in the living room. Philip repainted the walls several times to find the right color. Initially, he opted for a neutral beige but then switched to turquoise. Still, it didn’t feel right.
“I finally snapped and decided to paint the walls a vibrant yellow. I wanted to see if I had the courage to pull it off. Surprisingly, it turned out luxurious. This color seemed to unify everything in the room.”
In other rooms, he also experimented successfully with color. Bright turquoise in the hallway and a subdued orange transitioning to ochre in the dining room.
This old house is fascinating because every item in it has its own story. For instance, a hand-woven Persian rug from 1900 graces the floor. Philip bought it many years ago when he was young and traveled a lot for work.
“I started collecting vintage items back in college. I was 18 when I bought my first pair of antique embroidered curtains and hung them in my dorm room. Those curtains are still with me.”
In the hallway, the walls are adorned with hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper. All the patterns are inspired by original wallpapers from European homes of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Each roll is a true work of art. No two patterns are identical; every design differs, if only in line thickness or color tone.
The kitchen exudes a rustic English charm. An old, legendary AGA stove, weathered wooden benches, and a handcrafted pine table set the scene.
An interesting fact about the stove: there are just over 750,000 AGA stove owners worldwide. These unique stoves are quite expensive, with traditional yet functional ones fetching around $9,000-$10,000. A modern one, however, might cost about half that.
In the corner stands a display cabinet holding glasses and cups.
A rug on the floor and a painting above the stove act as two key elements that tie the interior together.
A 19th-century dresser houses a collection of ceramic dishes that Philip has been gathering throughout his life (his favorite pieces are displayed here) and is one of the oldest furniture items in the room.
Other intriguing details include hunting trophies on the wall that double as hat racks, a nod to Philip’s love for hats.
The house retains some historical details, like the molding in the living room and library (pictured above). The windows and doors are also original.
Above the fireplace, Philip hung a charcoal drawing, adding a symbolic touch.
The blue armchair next to the bookshelves is an antique from the 1920s. Its upholstery is original and remarkably well-preserved after 100 years.
The neighboring armchair, however, is reupholstered in suit fabric, a modern restoration.
Upstairs are the bedrooms. Philip often points out to guests how differently the walls on the first and second floors appear.
Under artificial lighting, the paint looks entirely different compared to natural sunlight.
In the master bedroom, a canvas painting above the bed headboard seems to bring the entire interior together.
This is Philip’s signature technique: finding one piece for a room that becomes a unifying element for everything else.
Even a vibrant Turkish throw from Robert Kime and a 19th-century rug don’t seem out of place in the overall atmosphere.
The guest bedroom is designed with overnight stays in mind, as Philip lives in a rural area, and guests often need to stay the night rather than travel back in the dark.
Below is a photo of Philip and his pet.
This is how the house looked during the renovation process:
Would you agree that Philip has brought a special character and soul to this house? How do you find the interior of this old mansion? Does it feel cozy to you?
Photos: Paul Massey
