Q&A: Inside Kin House – Heritage with a Playful Twist

In our first Q&A of the series, we venture to Kin House, a reimagined Georgian manor in Wiltshire where historic elegance meets playful, modern design. Working with design company Barlow & Barlow, we explore how the venue balances restoration with personality — and how you can bring a touch of Kin House charm into your own home.

Tucked away in the Wiltshire countryside, Kin House is a masterclass in how to breathe new life into historic architecture without losing its soul. Once a grand Georgian manor, it has been reimagined as a modern country retreat where period craftsmanship meets bold, joyful design. Working with interior designer Lucy Barlow of Barlow & Barlow, the Kin House team created a space that feels both storied and spontaneous — full of colour, texture, and unexpected details that make every room a discovery.

In this conversation for Design & Refine, we spoke to Kin House Brand Director Gaby Harvey, about how they balanced restoration with reinvention — from preserving intricate mouldings and Delft tiles to wrapping bathtubs in patterned fabric. Whether you’re restoring a heritage home or simply looking to capture a little of Kin House’s eclectic charm, their approach offers plenty of ideas to draw from: honour what’s timeless, play with what’s personal, and let the building’s bones guide the design story.

Kin House embraces its Georgian bones but feels refreshingly current. How would you describe the signature style and story of Kin House’s interiors?

We worked closely with Lucy Barlow from Barlow & Barlow to create a scheme that combined her playful style with the period features of the building, re-imagining the traditional connotations of an English country house. Each room has unique fabrics, antique furniture and finishings so it feels like you're in someone's eclectic private home.

With this in mind, how do you decide which historical details to preserve, reinterpret, or let go?

Matt and I love Georgian architecture, so all of the original features such as fireplaces, woodwork, cornicing, and delft tiles were a no brainer to preserve, however we did re-interpret certain features in new ways, for example we moved a panelled entryway to a different room to create a changing space for guests.

What inspiration guided your choices of materials, finishes, and furnishings to create Kin House’s distinctive character?

We used the architecture to inspire the design direction, and motifs such as oak leaves and shells are seen throughout the house, from a handcrafted shell grotto to our Fermoie fabric-wrapped bathtubs.

Period properties can feel formal or intimidating. How have you made Kin House feel warm, playful, and approachable?

We wanted to use colour, print and texture to make the historical details feel contemporary and playful, so you’ll see lots of pinks, soft mint green, tortoiseshell, and leopard prints (a Lucy Barlow signature!) around the house.

When restoring or refurbishing heritage spaces, lighting often makes or breaks the mood. How have you used lighting (natural light, artificial, accent) in Kin House to preserve character while updating for modern comfort?

Our lighting scheme was designed in collaboration with Max Barlow and we have lots of bespoke light fittings mixed with more affordable pieces, as well as picture lamps, to create an intimate atmosphere. We avoid ceiling spotlights wherever possible as the lighting can be a bit harsh, using lamps in different shapes and heights to layer lighting. We have some incredible Georgian windows at Kin House so most of the spaces get a lot of lovely natural light too.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in preserving original features (mouldings, fireplaces, sash windows, etc.) while ensuring modern standards of comfort and sustainability?

We are Grade II*-listed so always take great care to maintain our original features, and looking things after things well from the start means you hopefully don’t get any surprises later down the line!

For anyone walking through Kin House, it’s easy to fall in love with the interiors. What tips would you give to someone who wants to bring a little of that Kin House magic into their own home?

Don’t be afraid to experiment with colour and pattern in your soft furnishings, it can completely lift a room even if you have muted paint colours on the walls and furniture. Some well-chosen vintage pieces also add depth to modern spaces.

And finally, looking back on the project, what’s the one guiding principle that shaped Kin House’s interiors and could inspire others in their own design work?

Always look at the bones of the building first and use that as the springboard for your interiors – a country house kitchen won’t feel out of place in the Cotswolds but might not feel right in the heart of London! Grounding your scheme with a sense of place and considering your surroundings is a natural place to start.

With thanks to Natasha, Gaby, and the team at Kin House.

Written by - Natalie Jahangiry

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