When Amy Bell’s mother-in-law, Olli, found her 7,969-square-foot Victorian Gothic house to be too much to handle on her own, Amy and her husband, James, decided they couldn’t resist settling into the beloved country home and its storied rooms. Built in 1849, “Hamsey House,” as it’s known, had previously been owned by Mr. Whitfield, who had acquired the plot of land after marrying the local farmer’s daughter. “He became a prominent businessman and went on to start a bank that merged into what is now Barclays,” says Amy.
Built of bricks fired at a nearby brickmaker’s—they were burned on one end to give them their unique gray color—the estate checks all the English country manor boxes: elaborate moldings, tall banks of windows, upstairs servants’ quarters with bells still intact. Outside, the sprawling eight acres are just as quintessentially English. There’s an orchard of apples, pears, quinces, and medlars—“They are really quite ugly, but the birds like them,” says Amy—as well as a parterre, wildflower garden, conservatory, and henhouse.
Here, Amy’s secrets to getting that English country look, even if you’re sitting stateside.
A Warm Welcome
“Why have just one wreath when you can have two,” says Amy, who always makes sure the grand entrance doors (painted Lichen by Farrow & Ball) are adorned with fragrant wreaths made of blooms cut from the property’s gardens. Also there to greet guests: a pair of vintage cast-iron doorstops depicting famous cricketer W. G. Grace.
Chirpy Backsplash
Salvaged from a local reclamation yard, the hand-painted yellow-and-blue ceramic tiles—now installed as a backsplash—inspired the kitchen’s palette. (Featuring a kitchen island painted Charleston Gray by Farrow & Ball.) Amy and James considered a classic English AGA cooker, but “I don’t really know how to cook on an AGA,” she says with a laugh. “In the end, we decided on a Lacanche range because they had such lovely colors.” She owes her mother for the first few pieces of her enamelware canister collection. “Now, I’ve run out of room!” she says.
Gifted Gallery Wall
Amy’s parents-in-law came across a skip (aka dumpster) being filled with remnants of a torn-down house, including numerous old advertisements. “They helped themselves to armfuls of them, then had them framed,” says Amy of the arrangement filling the dining nook’s wall (painted Sudbury Yellow by Farrow & Ball). The top middle “God Bless Our Home” piece was found tucked behind the old kitchen cabinets during the renovation. Amy topped the collection with a cardboard chicken garland she found at a favorite little shop in Lewes.
Basket Bevy
“I’m a big one for a wicker basket,” says Amy of her stash of finds piled in the pantry that is lined with pastoral wallpaper (“The Allotment” by Sanderson). Atop the chippy table are stacks of old wood garden drying and storage trays, which come in handy for holding freshly picked orchard fruit.
All-Weather Escape
An old glass conservatory backs onto the kitchen and hosts gatherings from the subdued to the celebratory (note the disco balls!). “The English weather isn’t all that brilliant, so this is like sitting in the garden without having to be in the elements,” says Amy. When the weather does cooperate, you’ll find the Bells lounging on the daybed in the summer house or out and about on the grounds enjoying the sights and smells of the many plantings.
Stately Surrounds
“I love watching nature unfold around me,” Amy says of the expansive gardens and surroundings. “I opened the curtains this morning to see a fox trotting across the lawn!”
Fancy a Cuppa? Teatime with Amy Bell
Join Amy for this treasured British ritual.
Favorite Blend: “Williamson’s Earl Gray. I like it strong served with milk. The kids always have a spoon of honey in theirs.”
Cup or Mug: “I have an Emma Bridgewater mug from Fortnum’s with little bees on it that I’m quite fond of.”
Served With: “Scones with clotted cream, Scotch pancakes (they’re slightly
sweeter than typical American pancakes), and cucumber sandwiches. You have to have
the crusts cut off!”
Sipping Spot: “I’m either on a little bench in the orchard or the one in the veg patch.”
This story appeared in the April/May 2023 issue of Country Living. Photographs by Brent Darby; produced by Ben Kendrick.
During her more than 25 years in magazines and lifestyle editorial, Jennifer Kopf has traveled coast to coast visiting homes, perusing shops and antiques shows, and exploring back roads and small towns for publications such as Midwest Living, Country Home, and Southern Living. As the Executive Editor of Country Living, she produces, writes, and edits stories about home design, antiques and collectibles, entertaining, and all things related to country life. When she’s not working on the latest Country Living stories, you can find her on the porch of her circa-1900 family farmhouse or out and about at auctions, antiques shows, and estate sales hunting for the next vintage treasure to bring home.
