Inside A Beautifully British Wiltshire Manor

Ever dreamed of trading in your urban pad for a classic country home? If the answer is ‘yes’, our follow-up has to be: how would you design it? If you’re the owners of this whimsically wonderful Wiltshire Manor, then you’d enlist the services of Emma Sherlock. The British interior designer was tasked with transforming the upstairs rooms of the property, creating a space that gave its owners a colourful sanctuary to retreat to day after day. Below, the designer gives us the tour (and shares some of the highlights from her latest project).

Look Inside… A Wiltshire Manor Designed By Emma Sherlock

The Property

Nestled in the British countryside, this picture-perfect Georgian family home comes complete with high ceilings, large windows and bucolic charm – as well as an abundance of character. 

The designer highlights that the crucial details underpinning the home are its excellent layout and generous proportions. No structural changes were needed during the transformation process, so the designer was free to focus on breathing new life into the interiors and creating a home that works for family living.

The Brief

The owners of the property asked Sherlock to redecorate the hall, landing, and first-floor bedrooms and bathrooms. A key part of the brief was to ensure the new schemes complemented the work already completed on the ground floor, while also incorporating the clients’ existing collection of art and antiques in a cohesive and considered way.

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Take The Tour

Master Bedroom

Boasting rustic beamed ceilings and large square-panelled windows, the master bedroom is the undeniable star of the show. Amongst the dark wood furnishings, Sherlock has brought colour into the space with a beautiful blue wallpaper from Robert Kime (in the print ‘Hyssop’) and a floral canopy bed by Charles Burger (in the pattern ‘Percale Persan’), paired with a red stripe by C&C Milano. The designer has also added Robert Kime Paris wall lights with red carnation ikat shades above the headboard, to better illuminate the space. 

At the foot of the bed sits a small sofa by David Seyfried upholstered in Fleurs de Buy fabric by Fleurons d’Hélène, while armchairs (again by David Seyfried) dressed in Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler’s ‘Seaweed’ print.

Photo Boz Gagovski

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Master Bathroom

Playing on the arcadian prints splashed across the master bedroom, Sherlock opted for a similarly themed wallpaper for the adjoining bathroom. Another cool-toned paper – this time ‘Lily of the Valley’ by Twigs – the designer paired the floral motifs with more warm-toned furniture that already belonged to the owners.

Photo Boz Gagovski

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Spare Bathroom

Another beautiful blue bathroom, this time decorated in a classic stripe using the Edwin Narrow Strip wallpaper by Schumacher. The addition of a white wooden chair upholstered in floral fabric and a matching blind – the fabric of choice here being ‘Été Muscovite’ by Décor Barbares – made sure the space felt balanced and playful.

Photo Boz Gagovski

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Landing

The liminal space between rooms becomes a highlight in and of itself, thanks to a soft lick of paint (‘Sky Blue’ by Edward Bulmer’) and a pair of botanic curtains (cut from the ‘Tree of Life’ fabric by Claremont Furnishings).

Photo Boz Gagovski

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Girls’ Bedroom

And finally, there’s the girls’ room. Armed with the same beam ceilings as the master, this bedroom paired the same countryside charm with more joyfully colourful touches fitting of young (but quickly growing) occupants. A fresh roll of wallpaper depicting delicate pink blooms (‘Fuchsia’ by Twigs), alongside a cherry red striped curtain (cut from ‘Candy Stripe’ by Ian Mankin) complete with little red pom poms makes the room feel instantly brighter.

Photo Boz Gagovski

Design Notes With Emma Sherlock

How did the Wiltshire Manor compare to your previous work?

Every project is different, as each client brings their own needs, tastes, and way of living. Rather than comparing, I focus on two key elements: understanding what the client wants from their home, and responding appropriately to the architecture of the house. When those two aspects are clear, the direction of the project tends to fall naturally into place.

What were your top priorities for this project?

Getting the palette right was essential. The ground floor had already been decorated, and I was asked to introduce slightly bolder tones upstairs. At the same time, it was important that the two levels flowed seamlessly, so the house felt harmonious and unified as a whole.

How did you begin the process? 

We began with the master bedroom, focusing on the design of the bed tester and selecting the combination of fabrics and wallpapers. The client and I quickly found ourselves completely aligned aesthetically, which made the process both efficient and hugely enjoyable. When that level of creative understanding is established early on, it becomes much easier to develop a design language to run throughout. 

Photo Boz Gagovski

Any fun stories from the experience?

While there wasn’t a single standout anecdote, the entire process was genuinely enjoyable, largely thanks to the strong creative synergy with the client, which made decision-making easier and more collaborative. 

Were there any challenges along the way?

Not particularly. With fantastic builders and a client who has a great eye, it was a very smooth and rewarding project to work on.

What atmosphere did you want to create?

Throughout the project, I wanted to create spaces with depth and visual interest, but above all, a sense of comfort – rooms that feel inviting, layered and easy to live in.

How did you create a sense of balance?

I wanted the master bedroom and bathroom to act as a place of sanctuary for the owners within their busy lives. The scheme for that room set the tone for the rest of the project – layered, enveloping and timelessly elegant. 

Photo Boz Gagovski

Any other highlights you love or want to share?

A bathroom with an open fireplace and armchairs on either side has to be the height of luxury!

You can find out more about Emma Sherlock’s recent projects at emmasherlock.com