{"id":440508,"date":"2026-05-22T19:50:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T19:50:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/440508\/"},"modified":"2026-05-22T19:50:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T19:50:26","slug":"an-interior-designer-breathed-new-life-into-this-grade-ii-listed-georgian-farmhouse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/440508\/","title":{"rendered":"An interior designer breathed new life into this Grade II-listed Georgian farmhouse"},"content":{"rendered":"

Who lives here?<\/p>\n

Nicky Keen, an interior designer who runs Joy Interiors<\/a>, her husband and their three children.<\/p>\n

Nicky Keen realised it was high time to move when, at six foot seven inches tall, her eldest son began struggling to stand up properly in their much-loved cottage.<\/p>\n

\u2018My husband and I are both tall and, as our two other boys were following in George\u2019s footsteps and shooting up quickly, it dawned on me that, at six foot, I was soon going to be the shortest member of the family,\u2019 Nicky says. \u2018We were, quite literally, outgrowing our home and needed to find a more practical property.\u2019<\/p>\n

At the time, the Keens were living in a 400-year-old cottage in Appleby Magna, Derbyshire, that they had <\/a>renovated and extended.<\/p>\n

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\"Living\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future PLC \/ Rachel Smith)<\/p>\n

\u2018When we started house hunting in 2020, it was Covid times and the property market was crazy,\u2019 Nicky explains. With a buyer for their cottage on board, but unable to find anything suitable for themselves, the Keens decided to rent while they carried on looking. After a frustrating nine months, Nicky received an email from an estate agent.<\/p>\n

\u2018She told me that a Georgian farmhouse in a village reasonably nearby was just about to go on Rightmove. I actually got goosebumps as it sounded absolutely perfect,\u2019 Nicky says. Within hours, she and her husband were stepping inside the property. \u2018The house was ideal,\u2019 Nicky says. \u2018It had high ceilings, a super layout, lots of character and was in a good location.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\"Keen\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Rachael Smith)<\/p>\n

When she called the estate agent to make an offer, Nicky was astonished to hear that a cash buyer had already made a higher bid that had been accepted. However, the disappointing situation took an unexpected twist when a few days later, Nicky returned from a walk with a friend. \u2018I\u2019d deliberately left my phone behind to switch off from the stress of house hunting. When I got home, I had five missed calls from the estate agent,\u2019 she explains. It transpired that the previous offer had fallen through, leaving an opportunity for the couple to buy.<\/p>\n

In March 2022, the family moved into their new home. \u2018The house was in great condition and the garden was very well-maintained,\u2019 Nicky says.<\/p>\n

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\"Dressing\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Rachael Smith)<\/p>\n

As well as a new roof, boiler and woodburner, all of the windows had recently been replaced. \u2018Delighted that a family would be breathing new life into the home he\u2019d loved, the owner had kindly left us items, including beautiful chandeliers, which I wanted to keep as I put my own stamp on the farmhouse.\u2019<\/p>\n

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That summer, Nicky, who frequently collaborates with Tim Wilson Bespoke Kitchens<\/a> to design and create kitchens for her Joy Interiors clients, liaised with Tim to bring her vision for her own timeless kitchen to fruition.<\/p>\n

\u2018Other changes in the house included painting<\/a> throughout, and adding wall panelling<\/a> to the two living rooms,\u2019 she says. \u2018I wanted to introduce restful tones, combining off-whites with blush pinks, pale blues, greys and greens, as well as some black accents that I pulled through from the colour of the front door.\u2019<\/p>\n

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We all feel incredibly proud, privileged and grateful to be the current custodians of this historic property<\/p>\n

Her trusted team of artisan tradespeople upholstered furniture<\/a> and made curtains<\/a> and blinds for several rooms. Later, in 2024, the family bathroom<\/a> was updated and, last year, the couple\u2019s en-suite shower room was modernised. \u2018Our home is full of furniture and treasures that we\u2019ve collected over the years,\u2019 says Nicky.<\/p>\n

‘We love this house, which I often describe as a more \u201cgrown-up\u201d version of our cottage.\u2019 And the couple are delighted that, despite the setbacks, they eventually found a beautiful \u2013 and more practical \u2013 place to live.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s ideal for us and a very special home where we have plenty of space to make memories. We all feel incredibly proud and grateful to be the current custodians of this historic farmhouse.\u2019<\/p>\n

Living room<\/p>\n

By adding Georgian-style panelling, Nicky has provided a hint to her home\u2019s origins.<\/p>\n

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\"Living\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Rachael Smith)<\/p>\n

A soft-teal sofa adds another dimension to the calming neutral backdrop.<\/p>\n

Kitchen<\/p>\n

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\"Cottage\n<\/p>\n

Cabinets in Shaded White, Farrow & Ball<\/a>. Flooring, Quorn Stone.<\/a><\/p>\n

(Image credit: Rachael Smith)<\/p>\n

The family\u2019s cherished antique table fits well in this vaulted space, while the chandelier was left by the previous owner.<\/p>\n

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\"Cottage\n<\/p>\n

Mercury range cooker, Aga.<\/a><\/p>\n

(Image credit: Rachael Smith)<\/p>\n

While remodelling this space, Nicky decided that a false chimney breast with a mirror behind the cooker would create depth and a symmetrical feel for this run of units.<\/p>\n

Sitting room<\/p>\n

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\"Cottage-style\n<\/p>\n

Chair (left) and rug, Joy Interiors<\/a>. Lampshade, Kate Forman Designs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Rachael Smith)<\/p>\n

Soft-green tiles in a herringbone pattern form an attractive feature at the back of the fireplace in this more formal room.<\/p>\n

Kids’ bedroom<\/p>\n

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\"Teenagers\n<\/p>\n

Find similar cushions at The Interiors Yard.<\/a> Salinas square mirror, John Lewis<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Rachael Smith)<\/p>\n

Muted greys and shades of taupe create a restful look in this bedroom, while vintage trunks add character.<\/p>\n

Family Bathroom<\/p>\n

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\"Main\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Rachael Smith)<\/p>\n

Floor tiles inject subtle pattern in this newly revamped scheme.<\/p>\n

Main bedroom<\/p>\n

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\"Main\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Rachel Smith)<\/p>\n

The storage is designed to be practical and streamlined, and the muted William Morris wallpaper works well above the panelling.<\/p>\n

Nicky used the colour of the upholstered headboard as inspiration for this scheme.<\/p>\n

\u2018The farmhouse was ideal for us,\u2019 says Nicky. \u2018It\u2019s a very special home where we have plenty of space to make memories.\u2019<\/p>\n

Get the look
\n<\/p>\n

\n

\"Wayfair.co.uk\n<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Alpen Home<\/p>\n

Accent Trunk, Old Wood<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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\"B&amp;Q,\n<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

B&Q<\/p>\n

Persian Chenille Red Traditional Medium Rug<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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\"H&amp;M,\n<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

H&M<\/p>\n

Large hand-glazed stoneware vase<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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\"Ideal\n<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

If you enjoyed reading this, sign up for the Ideal Home newsletter<\/a> for all the latest home decor trends and inspiration delivered straight to your inbox<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Who lives here? Nicky Keen, an interior designer who runs Joy Interiors, her husband and their three children.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":440509,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[442,498,499,500,501,156,111,139,69],"class_list":["post-440508","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arts-and-design","tag-arts","tag-arts-and-design","tag-artsanddesign","tag-artsdesign","tag-design","tag-entertainment","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/440508","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=440508"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/440508\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/440509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=440508"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=440508"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=440508"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}