When Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen first glimpsed this half-Tudor, nineteenth-century farmhouse in West Sussex, they knew immediately it was something special. Gazing through the gate, they sensed the potential of its south-facing views, privacy, and tranquillity—an hour by train from London yet feeling worlds away.

What emerged is far from the usual country cottage: every corner has been reimagined with boldness and sensitivity. The original architecture became their canvas. They removed walls, reconfigured layouts, opened up the staircase, and transformed the barn into an enchanting guest wing.

Inside, light, texture, and harmony guide the design. Reclaimed Belgian oak floors stretch throughout; linen curtains — whose subtle chameleon-shade came from vintage military fabric — soften the edges and bring warmth. The ceilings are pale and slightly muted in hue, and beams are pickled to keep low ceilings feeling open. Most furnishings lean painted or pale rather than heavy, dark woods, allowing the house’s history and details to breathe.

Each room unfolds with character. The drawing room is gracious and symmetrical, with sofas that echo wall tones, an Isfahani carpet faded to perfection, and soft lighting accentuating the graceful proportions. The dining room surprises with its blue-and-white decoration—drawn from an 18th-century French painted screen. Upstairs, bedrooms each take on their own personality, curated through colour, antique furnishings, and fabric that build intimacy without compromising elegance.

Yet what stands out most is the seamless sense of coherence. Despite varying styles, periods, and origins of the elements—from Tuscan marble basins to French beds, from Flemish tapestries to English charm—the design consistently respects light, proportion, and craftsmanship. The result is a cottage that feels lived in, artfully edited, and deeply personal.

More images and stories on Paolo and Philip's book "An Entertaining Life".