Finding The Farmhouse it's soul.
because the homes we spend our holiday need soul too.
On my first visit to The Farmhouse in autumn 2025 I had mixed feelings. Secret Bolthole was all about little holiday cottages with soul, not big farmhouses, surely! Travelling through the rural rolling hills of North Worcestershire, with remains of estate homes, hops and orchards lining the way. I turned off the 'B' road onto a lane and private track and my heart beat just a little faster - because I knew this was the kind of property treasure, that you'd have to be invited to find. As I passed through the gateway, and dropped down the drive there stood a redbrick Georgian Farmhouse, set with a lake as backdrop, surrounded by woods with lush green lawn and the hint of a medieval past - tucked away from view - who new!
I met Hannah and Ellie, the sisters who ran and owned the house with their family. They had poured themselves into a redecoration project during lockdown, driven to make something more of the house. — The enthusiasm, effort and care in every room really did show, yet somewhere along the way the house had lost its course; Fittings that didn't quite belong, a kitchen too polished, pale walls that felt cold. The character of the building had been hushed, yet quietly begged to be be rediscovered.
A house like this - a mix of medieval bones, Georgian additions, set within a remote wooded valley, had a voice. It just needed someone to listen.
The different era's of the house offered up different living styles. Beamed lower ceilinged rooms demanded warm deep colours inviting you to snuggle up. Whilst the Georgian front elevation felt like a breath of air with space and light from the huge windows.
The long landings and hallways made the space curious and rambling (in a good way). Each room was spacious without being cavernous. I knew we could do something with this home. Yet something still tugged at me, in the practical part of my brain, was it a Secret Bolthole?
I wasn't sure The Farmhouse fit for the Secret Bolthole brand? What changed my mind - not what the house was, but what it could be. Along with owners brimming with energy to collaborate to make it happen.
Lets be honest, Secret Bolthole conjours up little cottages tucked away in quite corners or stunning locations. So did The Farmhouse really hit the brief? It had so much to offer and owners full of energy, passion and ideas, willing to make it happen.
It made me reflect on what really hit the brief for a home to slip into our collection and fit. So I distilled my 'non-negotiables' for a bolthole in this list:
- A stunning location, seclusion or views are totally our vibe.
- A beautiful house, full of character and charm that could be re-imagined into a home that would fit our style.
- Owners committed to the journey, from hard graft to investment - because we can't make it happen alone.
Over the last few months I have been lucky to visit some wonderful properties in stunning locations, at times it has been hard to walk away from them. I always keep in mind our lovely guests, who trust us to wow them. So the real magic ingredient for me is the owners. knowing they have the same passion about their homes as I do about mine, and that every guest would matter.
The project - operation farmhouse soul
We set to work agreeing the size and scope of the project for the Farmhouse. Initially I suggested a light touch, but the more inspiration we found in the property, the bigger the project became. Ellie and Hannah along with their family felt they wanted to do the house justice. So the brief expanded with a full kitchen re-design, sandblasting beams. Stripping floorboards and full bathroom refit.
We decided to strip back anything that didn't belong and lean hard into what did. Age, warmth, character, imperfection. The kind of home that gives you a hug the moment you walk through the door, regardless of its size.
I started with a paint palette. Warm taupes and moody, evocative tones for the snug and lounge. Accents of deep Etruscan red in the kitchen lounge areas. A warm pinky taupe (Farrow and Ball Jitney) runs through the spine of the house — the hallway, staircase, landing tying everything together with a sense of warmth and continuity.
The beams were stripped. The cream kitchen came out, replaced with a softer tone, plain iron handles replaced ornate ones. Units were removed and a dresser added - a farmhouse staple. Open oak shelves replaced wall cupboards. Perfect for displaying kitchenalia, pictures and adding texture. Traditional pine chairs painted in a red added a pop of colour and fit the style of the new rustic feel. A ladder was hung above the big oak to display and a the twinkle of fairy lights. The big old kitchen table was newly sanded and waxed. The kitchen is now full of warmth and a place to linger, spend time together and full of soul.
The project has grown and expanded and with it the ambitions of the sisters. They now have a home they are proud of and love hosting and sharing their love of the place, whilst offering Ellie an avenue to expand her private chef business.
"The idea behind The Farmhouse is space enough for your tribe yet homely enough for a couples retreat "
The bedrooms is where we embraced colour. Sisters, Ellie and Hannah love a splash of colour and wanted a statement master with ensuite. Once we were finished we ended up with two, and no bedroom left behind - because who wants to get the short straw! Out went the pale. In came deep greens, dusky pinks, dramatic aubergine and mustard yellows. Each room has its own personality now .
The bedrooms needed a few older pieces to fit the character of the house. I spent hours in vintage stores and flea markets, hunting for the right pieces. Chest of drawers, dressing tables, mirrors and bedside tables. It wasn't just about decorating a room, but building each one from floor to ceiling with rugs, paint colour, wall decor and lighting. From a mood board and scheme i went about sourcing furniture that fitted the vibe. Lighting that was softer and more natural. Mirrors that caught the light. Textiles that made you stop and reach for the feel. The mass-produced came out - the one-offs moved in.
As with all our Boltholes the outside and setting is a crucial part of the experience. After all we don't escape our everyday lives to sit indoors, generally we want to immerse ourselves in nature and our surroundings. So we invite guests to get outdoors with reasons to linger longer with a fire pit, hot tub, hammocks or sauna.We added a generous outdoor dining table and the owners invested in a big electric hot tub overlooking the lake. A Lounge seating area had a fire pit added with plenty of places to sit and share moments.
We never consider our houses are finished, just evolving. These are living, breathing spaces that evolve over time, so there is yet more to do. We're planning a boot room makeover - because who doesn't love a boot room! The games room will have soft lighting, magical wall decor and fun disco balls for a space to dance, play and make merry. Outside further planting and hammocks and loungers to enjoy long summer days outdoors.
How we work to create a home that people want to stay in
The Secret Bolthole brand is built entirely on how a house feels. Not its size. Not its postcode. Not its thread count. How it feels. And for that, the interiors have to tell a story that is authentic to the building itself.
Our process — as involved as you need us to be.
As part of bringing a new home into the collection, we will visit your property, and you. We will give you honest feedback and offer ideas on what approach would work to achieve great rentals. If your home is a good fit for us, then we will build a proposal — including an interiors mood board sharing our vision for your property. This is a joining of minds, your wants and needs are important to building a holiday space that you want to spend time in, and guests want to book. Here is a little more about our process and how we work.
- We visit and listen. We look at what the house is telling us, before we suggest a single change.
- We put together a full proposal and mood board — a vision for how the home could feel at its best.
- We work alongside you at whatever level suits. If you love trawling flea markets and poring over paint charts, we'll leave you to it. If you'd rather hand it over, we can do the leg work for you.
- Through our own interiors shop, we can supply soft furnishings, lighting and décor — keeping prices down and the process seem-less.
- We manage the marketing message from pre-launch, photography, sharing your story on social media, build the pricing structure, manage the messaging and launch your home to our audience, taking care to care for every guest personally.
- We build out all the tech, landing pages, digital guides, extras and experiences bespoke to your property and of course pricing.
- Finally we closely track the results, page views, searches, standby bookings and of course bookings revenue.
