An English Arts and Crafts Home Becomes Delightfully Modernized

In the rural town of Farnham, England, two interior designers restore a historic property into their own dream home by embracing its Arts and Crafts roots.

When interior designers, and founders of 2LG Studio, Russell Whitehead and Jordan Cluroe were first discussing renovation strategies for the 1,700-square-foot abode, they couldn't help but think of the famous textile designer William Morris, who was also a key figure in the British Arts and Crafts movement. "We asked ourselves, if William Morris were alive today, who might he have worked with, and what patterns might he have created to bring this home to life," states Whitehead. 

The designers/owners kept the home's original Arts and Crafts style posts.

The designers/owners kept the home's original Arts and Crafts style posts.

Set within the idyllic Farnham countryside, the five-bedroom residence was built sometime between 1880 and 1920, during the Arts and Crafts movement. When Whitehead and Cluroe were contemplating ways to thoughtfully remodel the home, they decided on an interior concept that would be a modern take on the aesthetics of that period. 

A Pinch pendant light hangs gracefully in the airy hall.

A Pinch pendant light hangs gracefully in the airy hall.

A small kitchen is located in the attic, and has been largely decorated with IKEA furnishings.

A small kitchen is located in the attic, and has been largely decorated with IKEA furnishings.

Russell Whitehead and Jordan Cluroe of 2LG Studio.

Russell Whitehead and Jordan Cluroe of 2LG Studio.

On the ground floor, the two designers collaborated with London–based studio Custhom to create a handprinted, floral wallpaper.

On the ground floor, the two designers collaborated with London–based studio Custhom to create a handprinted, floral wallpaper.

A peek at the inviting sitting area in the attic level. 

A peek at the inviting sitting area in the attic level. 

Much of the original oak paneling, doors, and pillars were left exposed, and a neutral background palette was selected to allow the William Morris-inspired textiles, artwork, and antiques shine. Here, the Dedar armchair is in pistachio wool.

Much of the original oak paneling, doors, and pillars were left exposed, and a neutral background palette was selected to allow the William Morris-inspired textiles, artwork, and antiques shine. Here, the Dedar armchair is in pistachio wool.

The dining area is comprised of plush banquet seating set along the walls of a spacious, window-wrapped alcove, as well as a bespoke brass-and-oak dining table designed by the duo and manufactured by British design brand Novocastrian. The contemporary chairs are by Ercol.

The dining area is comprised of plush banquet seating set along the walls of a spacious, window-wrapped alcove, as well as a bespoke brass-and-oak dining table designed by the duo and manufactured by British design brand Novocastrian. The contemporary chairs are by Ercol.

The crisp, white walls contrasts beautifully with the warm, dark wood throughout the house. Here, the hallway lighting is by Areti.

The crisp, white walls contrasts beautifully with the warm, dark wood throughout the house. Here, the hallway lighting is by Areti.

Bespoke, encaustic tiles sit beautifully with the original deep-green, glazed tiles of the fireplace in the music room, and continue throughout the home into the family and master bathroom. 

The leaf motif on the brass, metal lights used in the hallways and throughout the home also pays homage to Morris’s botanical prints, yet in a more minimalist and modern way. 

The leaf motif on the brass, metal lights used in the hallways and throughout the home also pays homage to Morris’s botanical prints, yet in a more minimalist and modern way. 

Another Pinch pendant light in the living room.

Another Pinch pendant light in the living room.

In the sitting room and music room, lighting by London brand Pinch stays true to the ethos of the Arts and Crafts movement, as well as Farnham’s long tradition of craftsmanship. 

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The bright master bedroom.

The bright master bedroom.

On the upper level is an attic leisure space that can be used as a home theatre.

On the upper level is an attic leisure space that can be used as a home theatre.

Here, the bed is by And So To Bed.

Here, the bed is by And So To Bed.

"The house maintains the strong heritage of its original Arts and Crafts architecture, but is brought up to date with contemporary details," says Cluroe. 

A delightfully decorated bathroom in the attic level.

A delightfully decorated bathroom in the attic level.

 The bespoke, encaustic tiles continue in the bathroom.

 The bespoke, encaustic tiles continue in the bathroom.

Project Credits: 

Interior design: 2LG Studio / @2LGstudio

Photography: Megan Taylor  

Collaborators: Custhom

Michele Koh Morollo
Dwell Contributor
Michele Koh Morollo is a journalist who has been writing about design, lifestyle and travel for the last twenty years.

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