Christian Bense’s Somerset Classical Country House: Tradition Meets Modernity

The article follows a high‑caliber interior redesign by Christian Bense and Lexi Strang for a Bath stone house. A London family transitioning from a Notting Hill villa needed a durable, elegant, and family‑friendly home in the West Country.

Working within a tight three‑month window, the duo stitched contemporary art and furniture into a traditional country‑house setting. The result is a space that feels both modern and respectful of its architectural context.

A Fast-Track Redesign for a Bath Stone Home

The project demanded speed and decisive collaboration with makers. The clients moved from keys received in March to a planned June relocation.

The architects‑turned‑designers treated the redesign as an adaptive process, not a complete reinvention. They honored the house’s scale and Bath stone texture while weaving in light, livable luxury for a young family.

The team mapped a strategy of pragmatic elegance. Rooms steeped in tradition were modernized with strong furniture lines and bold artworks.

Country‑house materials and craft balanced moments that felt too edgy. This rooted the interiors in the dwelling’s historic shell while making it usable for daily life and family gatherings.

Design Approach: Balancing Modernity with Tradition

The brief began with a masculine, contemporary, art‑filled vision. The designers tempered it to honor the architecture.

They pursued a “forever home” mentality, meaning spaces that are loved, durable, and easily restored. Key decisions focused on the geometry of the rooms, the texture of materials, and the rhythm of light.

Modernity was introduced as a compliment to the country house silhouette. It was never meant to confront the original architecture.

Textiles and finishes were chosen to avoid cliché patterns. Woven and embroidered fabrics were favored over printed chintz.

Florals appeared in subtler forms, such as embroidered linens and painted wall motifs. These served as quiet nods to the countryside.

Key Elements and Materials

Several design details anchor the project, giving it a curated yet lived‑in feel. The team favored a restrained palette and crafted focal points through materiality, craftsmanship, and art.

Signature Details

• Farrow & Ball “Preference Red” island as a bold, cohesive center for kitchen activity
• Handmade botanical tiles by Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics to introduce tactility and nature-inspired geometry
• Cox London “Magnolia Grandiflora” chandelier to fuse classic line work with contemporary presence
• A mix of custom walnut furniture and vintage‑style seating to balance warmth and sophistication

Craft and Collaboration: Makers as Co‑Designers

Many pieces and artworks were commissioned with deliberately loose briefs. This allowed craftspeople to interpret the space with site‑specific imagination.

Makers Jo leGleud and Tess Newall contributed artefacts and finishes that respond to the Bath stone and the house’s scale. Their work also addressed the family’s day‑to‑day needs.

This collaborative method ensured the outcomes were not only beautiful but also deeply resonant with place.

Fabrics, Florals, and the Human Scale

Textiles were chosen for tactility and longevity, favoring woven textures and embroidery. Florals appeared in a restrained form, often as embroidered linens or painted wall motifs.

These choices support a coherent palette that remains calm and adaptable as the family evolves.

Family Life as the Guiding Principle

Storage, soft seating, durable surfaces, and flexible layouts were prioritized. Spaces can accommodate play, meals, homework, and quiet time alike.

The idea of “forts and overturned cushions” is treated as a design cue. Areas of whimsy and comfort strengthen family life without compromising elegance.

Conclusion: A Modern‑Classic Forever Home

By weaving contemporary art and bold furniture into a traditional Bath stone envelope, the project achieves a harmonious balance between new‑world living and old‑world craft.

The house now stands as an elegant, family‑friendly residence that respects its country‑house heritage while embracing modern life.

 
Here is the source article for this story: A grand classical house in Somerset by Christian Bense, perfectly balanced between tradition and modernity