A Modern Twist

A keen eye for design helped Karina Wilson-Meijer catapult an intriguing period property into the 21st century

- Jo Sheldrake

Karina Wilson-Meijer searched for more than a year to find her ideal home. She specifically wanted a property that was in the countryside, yet within easy reach of a city. In 2002, she viewed a country house in Somerset that fitted the bill perfectly. ‘I instantly knew it was the house for me,’ she recalls. ‘It was positioned in front of a beautiful old oak tree, flanked by lawns and a landscaped garden. The house is full of character and is steeped in history – parts of it date from the 1400s and it has been added to over the centuries. I feel enveloped in layers of time here.’

The property had already been converted from eight bedrooms and two bathrooms to five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Karina’s main objective was to remodel the kitchen and bathrooms, and to redecorate. Her passion for colour has been used to full effect throughout the interior, using a mix of strong colours on feature walls for a touch of drama and to offset and balance the white palette. ‘I have made the most of the large walls and high ceilings,’ says Karina, ‘and have tracked down pieces of furniture, artwork and sculptures that complement the period features by adding a modern twist.’