Hidden relics
Jo Berryman plays with scale and keeps the traces a house’s past leaves behind.
What’s a space that felt right the moment you walked in, and why?
When we first entered Somerleaze House, it called us in, beckoning and hypnotising us instantly. I was taken by the grandeur of the hallway, the immensity of the high ceilings and the decorative mouldings. It took my breath away. I knew we would have to make our imprint on it, but somehow I also knew its bones could take whatever we wanted to do and still retain the essence of its period beauty.
What’s your favourite space, and why?
The kitchen, without question. Before we built the extension, it was a tiny little Victorian kitchen, quite incongruous with the rest of the house, but the views from the window were just extraordinary. With the extension I wanted to bring the exterior in, so we have copious glazing running all along the back of the house, and we can take in the landscape throughout the seasons. It’s also where we do a lot of our gathering. Family time always begins in the kitchen.
What makes a space work, in your view?
There are no hard and fast rules. If you can’t be true to yourself within your own home, then where can you be? I’m a firm believer that you like what you like for a reason, so amassing your beloved collections and the things you love in a space somehow authenticates your home. You don’t need to adhere to external guidelines. I love playing with scale and unlikely juxtapositions: bold, bombastic prints in small spaces, or a delicate little portrait hung upon a vast wall.
I love playing with scale and unlikely juxtapositions: bold, bombastic prints in small spaces, or a delicate little portrait hung upon a vast wall.
What’s one detail people often overlook in a space?
The traces a house’s past has left behind. There are lots of niches and alcoves within our home. When we were doing the works upstairs, I discovered a hidden window, which I revealed and have kept just as it is, a relic of the home. I love the idea of having these hidden relics.
Is there a moment in a place that has stayed with you? What made it stay?
This house is a wonderful space to celebrate milestones and unions. I’ve had a multitude of significant gatherings here, but the most significant of all was the birth of my son. I birthed him in the playroom. That will stay.
What’s a place you think more people should know about?
I love a ruin or an abandoned folly, and the West Country is not short of these. One of my favourites is the Bruton Dovecote, which is just so splendid, whether viewed from a distance or from within. It’s home to bats now and is protected.
Where’s at the top of your list to visit next?
My inner goth would love to explore Whitby and comb its beach for Whitby jet.
