She is an interiors guru and daughter of a British design legend, so it is of little surprise Sophie Conran’s country home is packed full of colour, personality – and serious style.
Sophie, 55, daughter of Sir Terence Conran and his third wife, cookery writer Caroline Herbert, shares photographs of the Georgian manor house on her Instagram, revealing its stunning period features, sprawling grounds and tastefully-decorated interiors.
The designer bought the Grade II-listed Wiltshire property with her husband, financier Nick Hofgren, in 2013, after three years of looking for their perfect country home and has since focused on ‘stripping back’ to the property’s original charm.
Pretty in pink! A photogenic corner of Sophie Conran’s Georgian manor house in the Wiltshire countryside. The designer bought the Grade II-listed property with her husband, financier Nick Hofgren, in 2013, after three years of looking
Epitome of elegance: Friends and family gather in the large dining room, which boasts views out over the garden. A stunning Murano chandelier hangs from the ceiling and the walls are decorated with statement artwork and ornamental mirrors
True blue: The property is full of colour, including the shades of blue in this reception room. Sophie, daughter of Sir Terence Conran and his third wife, cookery writer Caroline Herbert, shares photographs of her home on Instagram
Creating corners of interest: The rest of the rooms are decorated in a similar fashion, with antique furniture, vibrant fabrics and pretty glassware all on display. Pictured, an antique chest of drawers flanked by chairs upholstered in a floral fabric
Creative vision: Sophie Conran (left in 2017) has put her own stamp on the stunning property and enhanced the period features. The estate recently hosted the wedding of Sophie’s daughter Coco to art dealer Alex Vardaxoglou (pictured)
Country retreat: The manor house, pictured, is made from bath stone and sits in acres of land. Conran has also put a lot of effort into the garden and grounds. There is a thriving vegetable patch, wildflowers and 30 acres of woodland
‘It has the most amazing proportions,’ Conran told British Vogue in an interview last year. ‘Huge floor-to-ceiling windows with the original shutters. We moved in as it was. My vision was to respect the architecture and peel back. I wanted to make it a house for friends, one that makes you happy.’
It is easy to imagine friends and family gathered in the large dining room, which boasts views out over the garden. A stunning Murano chandelier hangs from the ceiling and the walls are decorated with statement artwork and large elegant mirrors.
The rest of the rooms are decorated in a similar fashion, with antique furniture, vibrant fabrics and pretty glassware all on display.
A quick glance at Conran’s Instagram feed and it is easy to see her love of colour: the rooms are decorated with shades of pink, blue and green.
‘The architecture has very much influenced how I’ve decorated,’ Conran said. ‘Looking out of the window, it’s all buttercups and blossom – blowsy blooms of mock orange. This house has brought out the romantic in me.’
Conran, who sells her linen, tableware and Portmeirion ceramic collection through her website, has also put a lot of effort into the garden and grounds. There is a thriving vegetable patch, wildflowers and 30 acres of woodland.
Quirky touches: In the centre of one room several sunhats are displayed on a large circular table. Sophie said she was drawn to the floor-to-ceiling windows (one pictured) and the period features of the Georgian property
Eye for style: Conran, who sells her linen, tableware and Portmeirion ceramic collection through her website, said she enjoys searching for pieces to add to the home and imagines it will be a lifelong project. Pictured, one of the reception rooms
Seriously sumptuous: The guest rooms were the first to be decorated, Sophie revealed, and this bedroom looks worthy of a five-star hotel. The four-poster bed is hung with thick drapes that match the headboard and skirting
The estate recently hosted the wedding of Sophie’s daughter Coco to art dealer Alex Vardaxoglou.
The civil ceremony took place in Marlborough, Wiltshire, in December 2020 and the handful of photos shared of the event suggest the reception took place at Sophie’s.
Sophie also shares son Felix with ex-husband Alex Willcock. Together the pair run furniture makers Maker & Son.
Among those present were Coco’s uncle Jasper Conran and his partner, the artist Oisin Byrne.
Alex and Coco became engaged in May and had planned a wedding in May 2021 but decided to bring the date forward and scale back their plans in light of the pandemic restrictions.
Centrepiece: Flowers burst out of jars and vases dotted around the house, including this impressive display
The joys of spring: Sophie, who sells glassware and tableware online, created this stunning tablescape for Easter
Speaking to Tatler, Coco said: ”The whole day was totally magical from beginning to end and I wouldn’t change one single thing.
‘What was particularly lovely about having a smaller scale wedding was being surrounded by people we care so deeply about and having so much time to spend with them individually on the day.’
The bride designed her own dress, creating one with her signature square neckline, and complete with a matching jacket and trousers hidden under the skirt.
Meanwhile Coco’s sibling Song Willcock wore a similar design in a bright pink colour, while another donned a gown in a forest green fabric.
Full of life: Pots of flowers bloom in this seating area in one corner of the garden. Conran is working on meadows on the estate
Garden-to-table: The estate also boasts a thriving vegetable garden, pictured, which produces fresh food for the family