My Country Life: Richard Smith

In a career spanning more than 30 years, Richard Smith has produced designs for a host of fabric houses, from Rubelli to Osborne & Little. Inspired by nature, travel, art and architecture, his fabrics and papers combine imagination and informality with craftsmanship. In 2011, he started his design house, Madeaux, in his East Sussex studio. His seasonal collections are inspired as much by the wildlife on his doorstep as by the ancient documents and vintage tapestries seen on his travels.

Were you brought up in the country?
I grew up in a small market town in Rutland, surrounded by a gentle, rolling landscape. You can’t get much further from the coast in that part of the Midlands, but strangely I always knew I’d end up by the sea. After school I was drawn to London, where I spent the next 20 years, until I moved to East Sussex. 

Can you describe your home?
It’s a 17th-century farmhouse in the middle of a nature reserve, overlooking the English Channel.

Why did you choose this particular location?
I came across the house on a walk – it was abandoned, in a sorry state. It was crying out for attention.

What’s the view out of your kitchen window?
The kitchen faces north, looking onto a cobbled courtyard full of herbs and verbena in the summer, with clipped shapes for winter interest. The sheltered position and the Aga make this the most popular room in the house.

How would you describe the style of your home?
Built in local sandstone, it’s a complete mash of styles: simple 17th-century origins, updated with large windows in the early 19th century and additions up until the early 20th. The use of local materials pulls it all together.

How do your surroundings influence your work?
I think of the house as my design lab, where I can use my wallpapers and fabrics, seeing what their scale and colours do to a room. It also highlights what’s missing in the collections – I’ve been designing fabrics and wallpapers for more than 30 years, but don’t pretend to be an interior designer, so hands-on experience of using things from my brand is invaluable.

How is the social scene different in the country?
We are lucky to have such a wide cross section of friends locally – and we still have lots of London-based friends too. East Sussex is an incredibly friendly county and we were made to feel so welcome from the moment we arrived 20 years ago.

Is there a house locally that you covet?
I love a project, and every now and then look into taking on something new, but every time I come home down the lane, with views across Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne, I am reminded how lucky we are.

Which are your favourite pubs in the area?
So many to mention, but I love the atmosphere and delicious food at the Crown, in Hastings Old Town, and the George in Rye.

Favourite local galleries and museums?
Hastings Contemporary is in a fabulous building on the beach and puts on inspired shows that would give any established gallery a run for its money. Last year’s Soutine/Kossoff was phenomenal.

What are your favourite countryside pursuits?
A walk along the Royal Military Canal is breathtakingly beautiful. It’s full of history and a great place to witness the migration of birds.

What do you most miss about the country when you’re in town – and vice versa?
I never miss the country when I’m in town, but I’m always happy to return: the country is properly home.

What do you love most about where you live?
The house has space to entertain, yet remains a comfortable place. I’ve had so many precious times here with family and friends, and look forward to creating many more.

Madeaux by Richard Smith

Pictures from top: Richard Smith in his studio; trying out fabrics and wall coverings at home; one of the bathrooms; and a cosy corner of the sitting room