Tucked into the folds of the lush Durham Dales, the seven-bedroom North Farm was recently named one of the best holiday homes in the UK by Condé Nast Traveller for good reason. The stone farmhouse, which has belonged to the family of biographer Philip Eade for generations, has been transformed into a stylish country bolthole by Eade and the celebrated interior designer Rita Konig.
Accustomed to designing homes for global A-listers, Konig relished the opportunity to work on her own home at North Farm, conjuring her signature style with mismatched floral and geometric fabrics, contemporary and antique furnishings and bold colours in this quintessentially English property. The large, light-filled hallway sets the tone for a very special house: its walls daubed in a rich ochre Edward Bulmer paint created especially for Konig, a large vintage Jacques Tati film poster hangs above a contemporary Philippe Hurel table adorned with a vast bouquet of fresh flowers.
This eclectic mix of colours, designer pieces and vintage finds continues throughout North Farm, achieving a definitively stylish yet homely feel. Leading off from the hallway, visitors will discover three distinctive sitting rooms, each with its own vibe and open fire or wood burner. One of these not only serves as a delightful playroom for young children but also features a large day bed, meaning it can double as an extra bedroom if required, with a next-door bathroom with a large walk-in shower making it the ideal spot for guests with limited accessibility.
In keeping with North Farm’s heritage, the kitchen is the heart of the property. A bespoke wooden dresser created by Plain English and painted in deep Army Camp green runs the length of the internal wall, housing an Aga, large ceramic Howe sink and Konig’s collection of antique glassware. Further storage, appliances and workspace are found in the adjoining pantry and scullery rooms. A splendid antique Italian dining table, seating up to 14 guests in antique ladderback chairs, affords far-reaching views across the surrounding countryside and makes the perfect spot for informal meals with family and friends.
Moving upstairs, guests will discover North Farm’s seven bedrooms. These include a dual-aspect room with an elegant William Yeoward four-poster bed and adjoining bathroom; a double bedroom, with striking charcoal 'pomegranate print' linen walls and curtains by Schumacher and a headboard made by artisanal furniture designer Ensemblier, that boasts south and west-facing windows, an antique writing desk overlooking the gardens and a sofa upholstered in vibrant pink ikat fabric; and a south-facing blue room decorated with Jean Munro chintz curtains and headboards. In addition to the bathroom adjoining the four-poster room, there is a shower room and two bathrooms, including one whose bath affords views over the dales.
While not styling it out indoors at North Farm, guests can unwind in its walled gardens, which feature a table, chairs and barbeque for relaxed outdoor dining, play a game of croquet or enjoy a post-lunch stroll (or snooze) in the dappled light of the orchard. A renovated stone barn in the grounds serves as an indoor games retreat, with a table tennis and pool table.
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