Real Homes: Oast House Living

An oast house is a building designed for drying hops as part of the brewing process and they can be found in most hop-growing (and former hop growing) areas around the UK. Many have now been turned into homes and this is a beautiful example of one originally built in the 1880s on the outskirts of Goudhurst that has been turned into a charming family home.

When it was bought three years ago by photographer Katy Donaldon and her husband Jim, it had already been converted with considerable flair and although they had some 1980s touches to get their teeth into, the essential interior spaces and layout was excellent. They have furnished it beautifully; I love the French influence used throughout, the beautiful original beams and the delicate details. The mismatched chairs painted white around the kitchen table, white wooden floorboards and soft pastel paint used on the walls all combine to make it a light, bright and stylish living space.

{Images by David Merewether  via Wealdon Times}