A Layered English Country Cottage Full of Pattern

Interior designer Emma Sherlock welcomes us into her character-filled countryside home in Hampshire’s Bourne Valley—an evolving space shaped by history, memory, and a deeply personal approach to design.

With a background spanning Fine Art, Architecture, History of Art, and a long career at Vogue, Emma brings a richly layered sensibility to every room she touches. Her home reflects that same philosophy: nothing overly staged or precious, but instead a soulful mix of pattern, texture, antiques, and inherited pieces that have been collected and reworked over time.

From a sitting room anchored by her grandmother’s vintage curtains to a cozy kitchen layered with collected art, ceramics, and vintage finds, Emma shares how she builds rooms that feel lived-in, warm, and full of character. She opens up about her design approach—mixing pattern fearlessly, embracing imperfection, and always designing with comfort and longevity in mind.