My Country Life: Guy Goodfellow

Guy Goodfellow trained as an architect and went on to become a director at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. He established his own interior design and architectural practice in 2002, and has collaborated on a diverse collection of houses in England, Europe and the US. His projects display a respect for historical integrity, working sympathetically with the architectural heritage of a building while imbuing it with contemporary relevance. The practice has been a member of the House & Garden Top 100 since its inception. He conceived the Tissus d’Hélène Drawing Room, alongside his creative director Steven Rodel, for WOW!house at the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour in London, which runs until 4 July.

Were you brought up in the country?
I grew up in Hertfordshire, but I’ve been in London for 35 years – now I’m pretty much done with it. My partner, James, is from Biggar in Lanarkshire – his family has lived there for ever and now we have a house there too. Socially, it’s an incredibly busy place – there’s always a dinner party or a gathering of some sort, so I leave my dinner jacket up there. 

Can you describe your home?
Architecturally, it’s very good, so it gives me something to get my teeth into. My partner is a landscape gardener and insisted that we have at least an acre and a half, so he’s happy. The house was last renovated in 1974, then it was abandoned – but once we’re finished with it, it will be a thing of beauty. 

Why did you choose it?
Having devoted my life to restoring country houses, it was only right that I own one myself. Devon, Suffolk, Norfolk, Wales, Cumbria – we searched everywhere for something architecturally good that could be a vehicle for the brand. 

What’s the view from your study?
I actually work in the drawing room. It’s one of the sunniest spaces and has the most incredible view of Culter Fell, then miles and miles of wild countryside. 

Can you describe the style of your house?
The main entrance hall is in the character of Sir John Soane – pure, refined, elegant. The reception rooms are quite Soane as well. Further back, the house gets much more cosy, characterful and quirky, with a library and lovely guest wings. I’m hoping to finish the renovation in time for my 60th in two years, so we can have a weekend of partying. 

Is there a local house that you covet?
That’s a tricky one – I fall in love with so many houses – but there’s an extraordinary place nearby in Symington. It’s Arts & Crafts, and everything, down to the light fittings, was designed by the architect. I just love it. It makes me think I might have one more house in me after this one – that would be it.

Which local galleries and museums do you love?
I’m chairman of Biggar Museum – it’s charming, with a lot of local artefacts. I’m hoping to work with a Glasgow-based company, ISO Design, which creates wonderful digital displays that bring this kind of place to life. 

Which are your favourite shops and pubs?
There’s not really the pub culture here that there is in England, but we really love Champany Inn, close to Linlithgow. It’s got an incredible atmosphere, great steaks, and you really feel that you’re in the middle of nowhere. As for shopping, we usually do that in London. 

How is your social scene different in the country?
We have the Biggar Club, which started up for hare-coursing in the 18th century. Now it’s a dining club that gets together four times a year. It’s so much fun, and it makes me feel good about getting old. We have a couple of Belted Galloway cows, which are pets – I bought them for James for his 50th birthday. 

What do you love most about where you live?
The scale of it all, and the beauty of the hills. The open fires. But the main thing for us has always been population density – it feels very, very quiet here. And the Glaswegians are so friendly and welcoming. I love them.

Guy Goodfellow Collection; WOW!house

Pictures from top: Guy Goodfellow (Astrid Templier); the Tissus d’Hélène Drawing Room for WOW!house at the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour (James McDonald); Goodfellow’s Lanarkshire home; and the view into a sitting room