The Hunting Lodge in Hampshire is surely one of the most celebrated houses in the world of interior design. Built for Henry VII in the fifteenth century, with its distinctive ogee-gabled facade added in 1620, it became the home of the legendary interior designer John Fowler in 1947. After his death in 1977, it was snapped up by Nicky Haslam, who entertained there on a lavish scale, adding layers of his own possessions (and stories) to its small and charming rooms. Now the house is passing to a third interior designer, Francis Sultana, whose sophisticated, glamorous aesthetic we have long admired.
“It was love at first sight,” says Francis, who had only visited the house twice before he decided to take it on. “I have known about the house since my teens; anyone who is in love with interior design will know its significance.” Francis already inhabits a famous interior in London – his Albany set is in the original mansion designed by the architect William Chambers in the 1770s for Viscount Melbourne. Francis has meticulously restored the space, paying careful attention to historical detail (down to the rabbit glue that fixes the canvas wallcoverings to the walls), but has also filled it with contemporary art and furniture for a bold, flamboyant look.
MAY WE SUGGEST: Designer Francis Sultana's spectacular Albany set decorated for Christmas
Things will be different at the Hunting Lodge, though, as Francis explains: “I adore that my Albany sets are full of history; my approach to the renovations was historically correct and I will take the same approach here. The difference in this project is that it will not be about commissioning contemporary pieces but more about curating the rooms with pieces that are appropriate to the history of the house and that of British decoration." All changes have to be undertaken in conjunction with the National Trust, who own the house and lease it out. "I am approaching this in a very academic and historically sympathetic manner, and I review the best course of decoration for each room alongside the National Trust. It sounds daunting, yet I am actually finding it to be a very enjoyable process, and I am building a greater knowledge of the history of British interior decoration.”
The history of the house is at the heart of Francis' plans for restoration. "Continuity is so incredibly important for this project. John Fowler was the prince of decorators in Britain and we are all still influenced by him today. His interiors had a profound effect on me. I remember in my early teens when my late mother asked me to choose outdoor wall lanterns for our house in Gozo, I instinctively picked a John Fowler design and I adore the fact that the same wall lanterns flank the front door of the Hunting Lodge; they remind me of my mother and made me feel the house was already my home."
With that in mind, Francis intends to conserve much of the existing decoration. "We are restoring and replacing all the significant features such as original wallpapers and specialist paint finishes, taking into account both John Fowler's original décor and the influences of Nicky Haslam over the past years." As well as putting in a new kitchen and new bathrooms, some necessary changes are taking place to the structure of the house, as Francis notes: "the house will have some serious structural renovations to ensure its wellbeing for future generations - not the aesthetics but the elements that every home-owner knows (and perhaps slightly dreads) like a leaking roof and damp management."
The draw of the country life is strong for Francis, who grew up in a small village on the Maltese island of Gozo. "The house is the tonic I have been looking for at this time in my life," he says, "somewhere I can leave behind my intense London schedule and have as a retreat, not too far away." The Hunting Lodge's charming gardens are Francis' favourite aspect of the house at the moment, and he has brought in the young garden designer Alexander Hoyle for their restoration. "It's been a great journey looking back through the old photographs from Nicky and John's time at the house to ensure we bring the garden back with respect for the past, adding just a bit of me to continue its wonderful history."
Another major aspect of the house's appeal for Francis is the creativity with which it is imbued. "The wonderful small studio room, where both John and then Nicky drew, will be my place to sit and gaze out onto the woods, with their inspiration and the beauty surrounding me. I know it will have a huge influence on my work in general and allow me the peace and tranquility to think, to dream and to create."
"I do feel that a house chooses its owners," concludes Francis. "This house knew not only that I would love it but I would take care of it, so it’s a wonderful love affair and I am so very happy."
