Inside our favourite homes of 2020

Gothic mansion in Oxfordshire

Sitting at the heart of a private 178-acre estate in Kingwood, is Wyfold Court, one of the largest private houses in England.

A wealthy cotton merchant had this palace built in the 1800s, and combined the French Gothic styles with Scots baronial architectural designs.

The result was this incredibly impressive building. It’s truly majestic. The humungous corner turrets and gargoyles on the outside, and grand halls, high ceilings and monumental staircases on the inside all make it look like a palace straight out of a fairy tale.

In the late nineties the mansion was converted into 11 apartments, and more recently it’s been refurbished, giving the place a newer, contemporary feel.

We like the fact it’s been split into flats because that means more people will get a chance to experience a taste of living in a castle-like home.

The Devon home with panoramic sea views

Two noticeable effects 2020 has had on home-searching behaviour is that access to gardens and open spaces, as well as sea views, have shot up on home-hunters’ wishlists.

This semi-detached property in Bigbury-on-Sea, Kingsbridge, ticks those boxes with style.

What first stood out to us were the spectacular views. The home was obviously designed to make the most of the scenery, as it’s got massive glass doors and windows facing the sea and three balconies with uninterrupted views.

We love the modern and bright aspect of the home, and can tell it’s been done to a high standard.

The open plan living area, with access to a large decked balcony through two large bi-folding glass doors, creates a wonderful entertaining space.

Apparently you can enjoy the spectacle of either the sunrise or sunset from the comfort of your bedroom, but this place offers more than “just” these breath-taking views; Challaborough and Bigbury Beaches – both renowned in the area for their beauty – are just a few minutes’ walk away.

The converted mill in Hertfordshire

Here’s a truly unique home with a rich history – and packed with character and charm.

Nortonbury Mill is thought to date back to the 1600s, but a mill has sat on that site for much longer – records go way back as far as the Domesday Book. The surrounding countryside was once a sizeable Roman encampment, so one can only imagine the history connected to this property.

The current owners have transformed this into a home which is incredibly stylish. They’ve achieved a stunning combination of contemporary interior design with the original, rugged and earthy, nature of the building.

It is memorable.

In every room, you’ll see a blend of timber and brickwork which contrast beautifully with the off-white walls and ceilings. You end up with a warm, cosy, yet modern look that is a one-of-a-kind.

We love the open plan kitchen, dining area, and snug room. And how you get to watch the original mill through the windows as the water cascades and trickles through.

The ‘Grand Designs’ style home in Leicestershire

By looking at some of the photos, you could quite easily assume this property is sitting somewhere on a Californian hill.

It’s that split-level design, with the massive floor-to-ceiling glass walls and windows that make us think of a modern Hollywood mansion. It’s slick, bright, spacious, and equipped with the latest in technology and home innovation.

You can tell a great deal of thought and expertise went into the architectural design of the building, as well as its positioning, layout and décor.

From the outside, the prominence of glass reflects the green scenery around the house, and this subtle technique makes a modern construction blend in harmoniously with its natural surroundings.

The Scandi-style solid oak kitchen is delightful. The exposed stonework around the fireplaces and open living areas make the place feel homely and welcoming, and yet highly sophisticated.

We love it!

The luxury pad in Central London

For those of us who love the city life, this terraced home in South Kensington will tick a lot of boxes.

Like many terraced properties in London, from the outside, it may look rather unassuming and not particularly noteworthy. And then you open the front door…

Over its five floors (yes, five), we come across one spectacularly decorated room after another.

The living spaces have been designed in a way that they look amazing. They’re roomy, bright, modern, and classy. Check out the cinema room – how’s that for a place to binge-watch your favourite series!

Then there’s the lush bedrooms with their massive walk-in wardrobes and slick en-suites; and perhaps our favourite hangout spot: a beautiful rooftop terrace with a large jacuzzi (so large we weren’t sure whether it may have been a small swimming pool), sitting area, BBQ, and wall-mounted 50-inch TV.

The quirky one in Brighton

Most homes have their own features and peculiarities that make them stand out in their own special way. For this one, it was the interior. When it comes to contemporary décor and style, it was our top choice.

There’s much about it that we love. The visual impact of the combination of colours is unique. The interior is a seamless blend of modern chic, retro, minimalistic, and bohemian styles.

We can see a great deal of thought went into creating this brilliantly distinctive look.

Every room has its own unique character and quirks. The modern high-spec kitchen is given a warmer aspect by introducing the wooden walls and farmhouse-style table and benches.

In one of the living rooms, the dark bluish-grey colour of the walls is contrasted with the bold orange of the furniture and natural oak flooring, and it all comes together and looks like something straight out of an interior design magazine.

The barn conversion in Winchester

Finally, in the farmhouse/barn conversion category, the winner is this remarkable property in the small hamlet of Pitt, sitting right next to the prestigious South Winchester Gold Course.

Hats off to the local architect who designed this, because the result is stunning.

The moment you walk into the reception room you’re taken back by the magnificence of the 30ft vaulted ceiling, exposed timber beams, and massive floor-to-ceiling windows that allow the whole room to be flooded with natural light.

And that delightful look is carried on throughout the entire house.

We are very much mesmerised by the intricacy of the original beams and woodwork found in most rooms. And we love the kitchen, with its Aga oven and large island – and apparently a hidden cellar beneath it!

The agent listing the property says this home was designed for entertaining, and we can see that. During this time of year, we can imagine Christmas feeling rather cosy in there, sitting by one of the fireplaces or serving a roast on that lovely dining table.