Interior Design Blends Vintage Elegance With Modern Comfort at The Collective at Woolsery

The Collective at Woolsery offers spectacular accommodation that fuses history, glamour and utmost luxury. This is a place that is inspiring and intriguing at the same time, born from a vision to create something that is unique, unforgettable and reminiscent of the past. Every room, suite and cottage has its own narrative, which has been carefully created with an empathy for the building and its former life, and this has been woven into its current context to evoke a strong connection with its history.

Emily Harmon, the project manager, collaborated with designer Hannah Lohan from New Heritage Design to create stunning spaces that radiate both richness and comfort and are carefully curated to blend old with new. This reflects the importance tech entrepreneur Michael Birch, who owns The Collective at Woolsery with his wife Xochi, places on his forebears who lived and worked in North Devon.

Hannah says: "It's been a dream to work with Emily, Michael, and Xochi on the interior accommodation at The Collective at Woolsery. Knowing their eccentric and theatrical style from incredible projects such as The Battery in San Francisco, I was inspired to create something that would be narrative driven. The high-end finishes and attention to detail really set the tone for my team with each building."

The collaboration truly comes alive through Emily Harmon's detailed briefs, akin to scripts, which meticulously outline the theme and style for each room. The synergy between New Heritage Design and Emily allowed for the creation of mood boards that seamlessly stitched together the narrative.

"We collaborated on our visions, often participating in 'workshop days' sifting through fabrics and prints which was exciting but also gratifying," added Hannah.

Art holds a special place in their hearts, which inspired the curation of an exquisite collection of art pieces with an emphasis on supporting emerging artists discovered at art fairs in and around London. Trawling vintage antique markets such as 'Alfie's Antique Market' in North London helped the pair source incredible vintage finds that have been carefully restored and harmonise seamlessly with modern elements such as the opulent soft furnishings. 

“Rich fabric textures and contrasting colours amplify the crossover in aesthetics which was such a key design element within the project,” says Emily.

A defining aspect of The Collective at Woolsery is the amalgamation of vintage wallpapers, prints and heritage fabrics reimagined in a contemporary manner, evoking nostalgia while remaining cutting-edge. This approach exemplifies the ability to preserve the past while crafting a fresh and modern experience for residents and visitors alike.

Whiteworks supplied hand painted designs printed onto wallpapers. Suzanna Whitework discovered her grandmother's portfolio of 1940's designs which inspired the creation of the Jet Collection (named after Joan Evelyn Thomson 1914-1993).  www.whiteworksgroup.co.uk

Shaun Menzfeld, a local joiner, played a pivotal role in this project's success. Bespoke wood paneling, mahogany inlays and vanity units infused a sense of luxury into every inch of the space. Collaborations with artisans like leather worker Bill Amberg, whos leather strap were woven throughout the metal staircase in The Old Smithy. 

The infusion of scorched wood textures, masterfully executed by Toasted Wood, breathes life into various elements, including timber and kitchen units. www.toastedwood.co.uk 

In the shop suites there are Rockwell Baths, The Water Monopoly's reinterpretation of the classic roll-top bath showcases the thoughtfulness that pervades the bathroom suites. www.thewatermonpoly.com

Hannah concludes: "What sets The Collective at Woolsery apart is the incredible attention to detail from reupholstering vintage hand-picked furniture to creating bespoke pieces through local joiners, architects, metal workers, and importantly supporting young emerging artists."

A detailed look at each space

The journey starts at the village shop, a unique community store that delights with its food and drinks. The shelves are filled with a variety of foods, in a setting reminiscent of the 1940s but with a touch of contemporary art by Joy Bomb. This shop, called J Andrew Shop and Post Office, has deep family roots for Michael Birch, as it was originally built by his great-grandfather, and his grandmother was born there. The playful pop art adds a fun touch, and the colourful tiles and stylish blown glass lighting contrast the two eras.

Suites and Rooms 

Shop Suite 1 retro feminine and fabulous

A feminine approach to the design, with pink hues and botanical wallpaper create a retro inspired feel.  

Shop Suite 2 roomy vintage-vibe suite

This room has  a masculine take on the 1940's style with deep blue tones contrasted with light mustard furniture and patterned wallpaper. 

Shop Room 3 vintage feminine charm

The soft palette of colours are reminiscent of the romantic and glamorous charm of the 1940s.  In the bathroom, a beautiful yellow Rockwell bath from The Water Monopoly proudly sits on round feet, a modern twist on a traditional roll top bath.  The focal point of the room has to be the incredibly expansive skylight built into the rafters which looks directly out onto the Medieval church tower.  

Shop Room 4 period styling and stunning views

Room 4 offers guests a view straight out to Dartmoor, its large Crittal windows allow light to flood the room.  The use of dark woods and rich fabrics allow a masculine theme to run throughout the 1940's styled room.  

The two rooms are located on the top floor and built into the rafters allowing guests to witness incredible views of the surrounding countryside and the village of Woolsery.

To stay above the J Andrews Shop in one of the suites costs £325 or alternatively reside in one of the beautiful rooms for £275 a night.  

The Cottages

The Old Smithy unique cottage steeped in history sleeps two

The Collective at Woolsery has breathed life into the historic blacksmith's cottage.  The Old Smithy has cleverly been renovated into an upside-down house with a hugely spacious bedroom on the ground floor which features a private bathroom with a walk-in rain shower, wood burner and freestanding tub.

Climb the custom-made iron staircase designed by interior designer Hannah Lohan and her team at New Heritage Design.  Lohan has threaded leather through each banister – a nod to the village blacksmith's life and work.  Polished cement floors, exposed beams, sheets of glass and a smart neutral palette bring contemporary design to the iconic cottage.

Upstairs, guests will enjoy a modern open-plan living area with state-of-the-art kitchen, wood-burning stove and under-floor heating providing a cosy place to enjoy a warm evening in front of the fire.

If you head out to the garden, you will find a secret door that leads you through to the back of The Farmers Arms, making it easy to wander home after a delicious meal and a few cocktails.

Stay at the Old Smithy from £450 per night 

Rosehill Cottage contemporary cottage sleeps four

Renovated in 2021, Rosehill Cottage is the perfect 'home from home,' offering guests a cosy, warm and social environment whilst being the perfect getaway for families and friends wanting to escape the city.  The interior design reflects the quintessential charm of the Devon cottage whilst combined with high spec technology to provide under-floor heating and state of the art Raku lighting system.  French doors lead out to a private suntrap patio. In the winter, guests can enjoy the warmth of the cottage from the log-burner and 'snug' area. 

Stay at Rosehill Cottage from £550 per night.

Hillside Cottage is a modern English country cottage with spacious garden sleeps six to eight

The most contemporary designed cottage is Hillside, the biggest of the three cottages.  Hillside boasts a large, fenced garden, suitable for a big family or a group of friends wanting the perfect place to socialise in.  The kitchen and living area are open-plan allowing guests to enjoy quality time together.  The bespoke kitchen is high-spec in design, along with the integrated appliances including a large Falcon range cooker and Subzero fridge freezer allowing guests to show off their culinary skills on state-of-the-art appliances. 

Upstairs, Hillside boasts four large bedrooms with two en suite bathrooms and a large balcony overlooking the private garden.  The master bedroom is the most impressive of all with natural wood-beaded chandeliers hanging beside exposed beams and a large, sumptuous bed.

Stay at Hillside Cottage from £750 per night (4 bedrooms)

ENDS

Hi-res images are available here. 

For further information, photography or quotes from the team behind The Collective at Woolsery, please contact:

Cheska Hull or Emilie Morris at RAW Food and Drink PR 

Email: cheska@rawfoodanddrinkpr.co.uk / emilie@rawfoodanddrinkpr.co.uk

Telephone: 07960 341 888 / 07932 337 016

Notes to Editor

Interior Design by Hannah Lohan from New Heritage Design www.newheriatagedesign.co.uk

About The Collective at Woolsery

The Collective at Woolsery is an extraordinary destination in the wild and unspoilt countryside of North Devon where luxury accommodation and exceptional dining intertwine. It was created by Michael and Xochi Birch out of their genuine love and connection to Woolsery, the ancestral home of Michael Birch. 

With a desire to breathe new life into this beautiful place, they embarked on a journey to revive various aspects of the village restoring the local pub, The Farmers Arms, re-opening the J.Andrew Shop & Post Office, establishing of Woolsery Fish and Chips, creating Birch Farm, and continuing with the ongoing renovation of Wulfheard Manor. 

Nestled in remote countryside that's off the beaten track, and far removed from Westcountry hotspots, this hidden gem also offers seven stunning places to stay, each exquisitely designed where you can indulge in whimsical eccentricities, with every detail reflecting a deep connection to the village's history and heritage. 

At The Farmers Arms executive head chef Ian Webber leads a farm-to-table revolution, crafting sensational menus with seasonal ingredients sourced directly from Birch Farm.

Visit the website to learn more www.woolsery.com