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Elmet Interiors

‘Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.’  (William Morris, designer, writer and socialist, 1834-1896)

Elmet Farmhouse is a really special place. ‘Perfect in every way’ is how our guests describe it. The interiors are as stunning as the views. Both are guaranteed to take your breath away. The farmhouse itself has such a lovely atmosphere that our guests find it hard to tear themselves away.

Dating back to the early 18th century, Elmet Farmhouse was originally a yeoman clothier’s farmstead. Grade II Listed, the building was lovingly restored during 2013-14 to reveal the subtle details of the traditional vernacular architecture unique to this corner of Yorkshire. Built of honey-coloured sandstone, its carved fireplaces and stone mullion windows embody the rugged character of the surrounding landscape.

Decorated and ‘curated’ by design historian Lesley Jackson, the interiors respect the simple beauty of the house and are full of design delights. Delicate cut-paper lamps by local designer Hannah Nunn are one of Elmet’s most captivating features. Casting a warm glow, their designs echo the flowers and grasses in the garden and meadows outside. Similar motifs are incorporated in Hannah’s wallpapers and cushions, which pop up in surprising places upstairs.

Complementing these contemporary furnishings are choice pieces of Mid-Century Modern design, including vintage furniture by Ercol and Scandinavian classics made from  natural wood. The stunning printed textiles used as curtains and hangings throughout the house also date from the post-war period. Drawn from the owners’ personal collection, they include fabrics by important firms such as Edinburgh Weavers, Hull Traders, Sanderson and Tibor.

Along with pattern, colour is a distinctive feature of the decor. Mellow Farrow & Ball paints are used downstairs, while zingy lime green linoleum enlivens the kitchen and bathrooms. Original paintings and prints and quirky ceramics and glass add to the aesthetic pleasures of Elmet’s interiors. Every object has been carefully chosen, right down to the tableware and tea towels.

A treasure trove for contemporary design lovers, Mid-Century Modern enthusiasts and vintage design buffs, Elmet Farmhouse offers a unique holiday experience. An inspiring and unusual house, Elmet is comfortable and relaxing but full of surprises, a place you’ll never forget.

These photos give you a glimpse of what lies in store at Elmet, but nothing quite prepares you for the thrill of experiencing the real thing. 

‘I’ve thoroughly enjoyed restoring and decorating Elmet Farmhouse. It’s a handsome 18th century building with wonderful features and a lovely atmosphere. The furnishings I’ve chosen complement the colour of the stone and the simple purity of the house.’ (Lesley Jackson, writer, curator and design historian)                                                                                                                                                                    

Elmet – an 18th century farmhouse with  21st century facilities                                                                            

  

• Large elegant living room with panoramic views

• Original 18th century features include stone mullion windows and a huge carved fireplace fitted with a wood-burning stove

• Window seat with breathtaking views across Hardcastle Crags towards Heptonstall and Stoodley Pike

• Decorated in Farrow and Ball estate emulsion (Sudbury Yellow), with woodwork in Dulux satinwood (Heavy Seas)

• Cut-paper lamps by Hannah Nunn decorated with flowers and grasses

• Curtains and cushions made from Edinburgh Weavers’ Kalabu screen-printed linen fabric, 1960s

• Stylish Scandinavian Modern furniture, including Danish beech sofa by Skipper, cabinet by Ib Kofod-Larsen and Swedish teak sideboard by Troeds

• Classic Ercol Windsor Contemporary easy chair

• Original 1950s textile design and screen-printed fabric by Joan Charnley

• Vintage glassware includes pieces by Kosta, Dartington, Mdina and Stuart

• Natural wool carpet and wool rug

• Television with built-in DVD player, hifi with radio, CD player and retro cassette player

• Bagatelle and a treasure trove of vintage games

• Library includes poetry by Ted Hughes, novels by the Brontë sisters, photographs by Fay Godwin and Martin Parr, extensive local history publications and Lesley Jackson’s books on furniture, textiles and post-war design

  

‘For us, Elmet Farmhouse and its choice of furnishing and decoration was an absolute delight.’ (Ray, architect and furniture designer)                                                                                                                            

 

• Spacious farmhouse kitchen with large dining table

• Birch kitchen units and Danish beech cabinet with ample storage space

• Extremely well-equipped kitchen with vintage tableware by Midwinter and vintage glassware by Iittala and Ravenhead

• Large Danish oak dining table with six chairs and an Ercol-style Windsor armchair

• Rasch bicycle-patterned wallpaper

• Wash Up tea towel hangings by Jane Atfield and Robert Shepherd

• Forbo linoleum flooring and Farrow and Ball estate emulsion

• Hand screen-printed tea towels by Joanna Kinnersly-Taylor

• Aprons and mats with 1950s patterns by Lana Mackinnon

• 18th century stone mullion windows with hand-painted Buchan Pottery and glass by Mdina, Isle of Wight, Whitefriars and Caithness on window ledges

• Wood engravings by John Greenwood, lithograph by Jill Aldersley

• Gas hob, electric oven, dishwasher, fridge freezer, microwave and toasters

• Washing machine, iron and ironing board in adjacent utility room

  

‘The house is gorgeous, beautifully restored and full of lovely things.’ (Amanda, interior designer)

  

• Three light airy bedrooms 

• Danish beech cabinets and bookcases

• Early 19th century rocking chair

• White-painted wooden beds with attractive bedding

• Bedside lamps and table lamps by Hannah Nunn

• Master bedroom (above) with kingsize bed and Hannah Nunn  wallpaper frieze (In the Tall Grass)

• 18th century stone fireplace and stone mullion windows with window seat overlooking fields

• Curtains made from Rose Branch hand screen-printed cotton by Hull Traders, 1959

• Deer pattern textile hanging by Cawthra Mulock for David Whitehead, 1955

• Back bedroom (below left) with twin beds and Rasch bicycle-patterned wallpaper

• Curtains and textile hanging made from vintage 1950s and 60s abstract-patterned fabrics

• 18th century stone mullion windows with crystalline-glazed vases on window ledges

• Attic bedroom (below right) with velux windows, original beams and tongue-and-groove panelling

• Raw Coral screen-printed textile hanging by Tibor on stairwell

• Wooden shelving unit and multi-coloured upcycled 1960s chest of drawers

• Hanging lanterns and retro lampshade

  

  

• Two spacious bathrooms 

• Airy interiors with crisp white walls, white tiles and lime-green linoleum flooring

• First floor bathroom has toilet, wash basin and enamelled steel bath with shower

• Attic bathroom has toilet, wash basin and large walk-in shower with sliding door

• Attic alcove with Paper Meadow wallpaper by Hannah Nunn and Ercol chair painted in Farrow and Ball’s Berrington Blue

• Vintage 1950s textile hangings by Sanderson and Tibor

‘We have loved every minute of our stay here . The views from the house are breathtakingly beautiful and very evocative. The farmhouse itself, with its understated beauty and elegance, provided us with all the comforts we needed for our stay.’ (Kirstie and Robert)                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

  

• A characterful house with all mod cons

• Warm, well insulated, double-glazed and completely draught-free

• Practical cork-based linoleum flooring in kitchen and bathrooms

• Cushioned natural wool carpets with thick underlay in living room and bedrooms

• Eco combi-boiler supplies unlimited hot water and super-efficient central heating

• Wi-fi and mobile reception

‘Full of beautiful furniture. A lovingly curated selection of interior classics!’  (Jake, Artist)                                                                                                                                                                             

  

  

  

For a Room by Room Tour, please click here

‘This is a very special house in an outstanding location. The owners have lavished great care on restoration of the building and every detail of the attractive and interesting 20th century design interiors; beautiful textile hangings, interesting ceramics and glass, even vintage board games! No ordinary holiday cottage.’ (Melanie)

‘Elmet Farmhouse is exceptional. I felt privileged to bask in the immaculate comfort and cosy, mid-century chic of this beautifully restored and designed farmhouse. ’ (Sheila)

‘Total pleasure to stay here. It’s not often you stay in a house whose design has been curated by an expert in the field of mid 20th-century decor. Bravo!’ (Bruno)

To discover why Everyone loves Elmet, please click here

© Text and photographs copyright Lesley Jackson unless otherwise indicated