The Old School House
by Rachel Cropper Studio

Rachel Cropper Studio has masterfully executed the complete restoration of an 18th century village school house in Dyrham, a project that had been in the making for over 15 years due to the building’s long abandonment. This historic structure, once the residence of the estate manager of Dyrham Park and later his daughter until her passing at 104, has been sympathetically restored and modernised without losing its authentic charm and historical significance.

The brief for Rachel Cropper Studio was clear: upgrade the house to contemporary living standards while preserving as much of its natural character and original features as possible. This meant carefully integrating modern amenities such as central heating and indoor bathrooms while ensuring that any additions, including a kitchen extension and an oak frame garage, were discreetly positioned at the rear of the property to maintain the village’s historic street scene.

The south-facing garden, with its picturesque views stretching to the fields and the city of Bath, now features steel frame glazing painted in Little Green’s ‘Hammock,’ a refreshing departure from the conventional black. Inside, the kitchen designed by Sola London in a Japandi style blends seamlessly with the home’s antique aesthetics, featuring oak furniture, antique sofas, and an antique prep table. The pantry, innovatively fitted with old elm floorboards that were no longer suitable for use as floors, now serves as a charming base for the owner’s pottery collection.

Rachel Cropper Studio’s design ethos of ‘honest restoration’ is evident throughout the home. In the Dining Room, a freshly plastered fireplace surround contrasts happily with the higgledy-piggledy original hearth, while antique tables and chairs complement newly laid large-format porcelain floors, bridging past and present. The quiet elegance of ‘Clean White’ painted walls throughout the ground floor provides a serene backdrop, allowing standout features like the cut bath stone fireplace in the Sitting Room to take centre stage.

Unexpected yet harmonious colour choices, such as the ‘Sulking Room’ pink front door and darker ‘Charbone’ internal doors, add a touch of surprise. The use of largely natural materials, including Sisool stairs, elm floorboards, and marble basins, ensures a harmonious integration with the building’s historical essence. A reclaimed French outdoor bistro table repurposed as a vanity in the master ensuite underscores the design’s blend of elegance and practicality.