Home Style: Grains of Time
- Sharon Parsons
- May 24
- 4 min read

Over the centuries, this 17th-century malthouse has been adapted to suit generations of occupants, yet its intrinsic character remains very much the same
Designer Peter Ellis readily admits that he and his partner Hamish Davies did not have especially high hopes when they decided to view the 400-year-old malthouse which was to become their home five years ago. “We had a weekend cottage in the New Forest which Hamish inherited from his mother,” Peter explained. “It was charming, but we wanted more space and had set our hearts on finding a classic Georgian rectory in the area instead.”
Two years on, however, the search had proved fruitless, and the couple decided to expand the scope, both in geography and specification. “Nevertheless, when we first saw the details of this house, we thought it might be a bit too ‘beamy’ and traditional for our tastes – which I know sounds ridiculous!” Peter laughed. “But we liked the look of the beautiful, terraced garden, so we thought we might as well go and take a look...”
They were sold the moment they stepped inside the door one chilly Friday in January. “A fire crackled in the grate, there was bread baking in the Aga... and the whole house had such a welcoming feel,” Peter recalled. “We loved all the historic details and higgledy- piggledy layout, but most importantly, we felt we could put our own stamp on it. We had no doubt that this was the one.” It was indeed, and just six weeks later, the pair moved in.
The malthouse dates back to the 1640s and its roots are buried deep in the region’s historic malt industry: the tall window on the upper storey, which would once have accessed the grain store, is a permanent reminder of its origins.
Today, the five-bedroom house meanders over several floors via staircases at either end, and every crooked twist and turn reveals an unexpected feature or hint of the past. The beamed entrance hall and reception room with its vast inglenook fireplace and flagstones form the original heart of the house with a time-weathered oak door above a worn stone step leading to the vaulted kitchen at the back which Peter believes is where an outside barn probably once stood. The far end of the house, meanwhile, was added about 30 years ago by the previous owners, and an elegant library now stands in place of what was once the stables and yard.
“We don’t have any detailed records about the house, unfortunately,” Peter explained. “Before the last people bought it, it had been in the same family for more than 200 years but had fallen into rack and ruin: an old farmer nearby recalls the garden being full of broken cars and farm machinery – there was even an outside privy by the front door!”
Sadly, the historic documents were not passed on so certain elements remain a mystery. “Like a lot of old properties, features were added or altered over the centuries,” Peter said. “The original bones of the building are obvious, but there are also more ‘refined’ details,like some of the panelling and wood carving on the staircase that intrigue us... we’d love to know the stories behind them!”
Occasionally, little secrets reveal themselves: “We came across a 1940s brochure of the village which showed the house looking pretty much the same from the outside – apart from the roof which had since been replaced. And once three elderly sisters knocked on the door: as children, they had lived in a cottage on the malthouse’s former land at the back and used to play in the garden.”
The previous owners had spent some 30 years as custodians of The Old Malthouse, and Peter and Hamish credit them with a sensitive and considered restoration. Consequently, they approached upgrading the interiors with great care. “We didn’t want to make any sweeping changes, but felt it was important to bring a few things upto date,” Peter explained.
“Along with overhauling the main bathroom, which was particularly tired, one of our first projects was to alter the kitchen to suit our tastes a little more,” he continued. “I designed simple Shaker-style units with marble worktops to sit alongside the Aga and a large island-come-butcher’s block with deep drawers on either side – it looks great, but is incredibly practical, too.”
The couple also decided to replace the contemporary tumbled limestone floor which had been laid in the conservatory with reclaimed terracotta tiles from a local reclamation yard to match those in the adjoining kitchen. The narrow pine floorboards in the sitting room and library were also replaced with more sympathetic oak, beautifully aged by local artisan carpenters, while some of the shelves in the library and adjoining snug were altered to create panelled oak cupboards which neatly conceal modern-day necessities.
Apart from one or two shots of dramatic colour and pattern, the overall palette has been one of restraint – not least to showcase the couple’s many treasures. Fine antiques and vintage finds are combined with luxurious textiles and decorative touches, while family heirlooms sit alongside extensive collections of books, artwork, and ceramics. Not least are the diverse discoveries bought home from their many far-flung travels – from domestic items to more rarefied exotic objects. All have been showcased with care and consideration.
“We have a slightly eclectic style, and like the twist of combining solid period pieces with more contemporary or unusual additions,” Peter said. “We seek out things that will suit our home without being too prescriptive – it’s never been the obvious items that catch our eye!”
Thanks to their judicious efforts, their home is now stylish, comfortable and well-equipped for 21st-century living. Reassuringly though, this historic building’s character remains firmly intact. Surrounded by rolling landscape dotted with cattle – just as it was almost 400 years ago, it would still, no doubt, be easily recognised by its original maltster tenants – at least from the outside. “Inside might bring a few unexpected surprises,” noted Peter, “but hopefully they would approve!”
Photography: Richard Gadsby/Living4media
Words: Sharon Parsons/Living4media
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