Once Upon A Time In A Country Home… Faiza Seth

Interior designer to the stylish and the discerning world over, invites Hello! To a free-wheeling tour of her 17th century country mansion – a 600 square metre english countryside house in the lush green gardens near chiddingfold, surrey; now converted into a modern family home

- Sangeeta Wadhwani

When your team at Casa Forma worked to convert a 17th century home into a modern one, taking into account the contemporary touches in the extensions added in the 1930s, surely the rich history and stories of earlier residents must have fascinated you?

“Old Pickhurst a beautiful Grade II English country house, lies near Chiddingfold, one of the most popular villages in Surrey. In medieval times the village of Chiddingfold enjoyed a period of great prosperity, when it was a centre of glass-making, supplying glass for St George’s Chapel, Windsor and other important buildings. In 1885, the Scottish architect, JM Brydon, who had developed a practice in designing public buildings, particularly hospitals in London, acquired 130 acres of land at Pickhurst and built-in brick and half-timber, his planned country home, Old Pickhurst. Brydon specialised in interior design and furnishing and, in 1871, he employed two female apprentices, Agnes Garrett and Rhoda Garrett, giving them entry into training that no other practice was willing to allow, as architecture was not considered suitable for women, then. The two cousins became the first British women to open an interior design business. Extended in the early 20th century, the 1930s and again by the current owners, Old Pickhurst abuts the 130 acre Pickhurst estate of which it was once a part. The new wing of the house was extended to create another living room, a study and a kitchen and an easier ‘flow’ to the upper floors which access the large master bedroom wing and four other generous bedrooms, all with en suites.”