As an interior designer Ana Engelhorn isn’t afraid to make bold choices, and nowhere is this more evident than in the renovation of this Grade II listed 17th century farmhouse in Surrey.
The property had undergone five previous alterations before Ana came to it in 2020. Having been bought by new owners, it needed a complete overhaul, and Ana was the perfect designer to revive and revitalise the house, returning it to its former glory.
One of the most important elements of the redesign was the introduction of colour. Ana opted for a vibrant palette, selecting a kaleidoscope of colours from Francesca’s Paints for various rooms throughout the house, as well as commissioning a bespoke shade for the dining room. The living room is painted in vivid ‘Esmeralda’s Emerald Green’, the guest cloakroom in bold ‘Pigi’s Piggy Pink’, the main bedroom in opulent ‘Piedmontese Aubergine’ and the kitchen in a dramatic combination of lilac and blue shades, ‘The Lake’ and ‘Tommaso’s Periwinkle’.
“People worry too much, especially about colour,” says Ana. “If you want to paint a room and after a few months you’re still not sure about it, then you can change it. It’s not the end of the world.”
Ana had worked with Francesca Wezel of Francesca’s Paints on previous projects; an expert colourist and passionate about her craft, Francesca mixes each paint by hand using the finest bases from Italy, and then colours them in her London studio. One of the first eco paint companies in the UK, the focus is not on trends but on how colours can make people feel. This is a philosophy which aligned with Ana’s own design ethos.
On the project, Francesca says: “I really enjoyed being involved in this wonderful project with Ana. Her choice of colours, although strong, are all very tonal, resulting in a calm, pleasant palette throughout. My motto is ‘don’t be afraid of colour’ and Ana definitely isn’t, which was a joy as a passionate colourist and paint maker!”
