Located on the river Ouse in Yorkshire, Bert & May founder Lee Thornley’s new family home is a celebration of natural materials and tiles – of course

Originally built in 1650 as a collection of small cottages, the lodge features natural materials and a simple colour palette, with restored fireplaces and exposed original beams celebrating the beauty of the building’s irregular shapes and features.

At the heart of the home is an oak Haberdasher’s Kitchen by deVOL which sits comfortably in an open plan dining room overlooking the natural swimming pool and views of the river beyond. Bert & May’s Raw Thick Bejmat terracotta tiles are on the floor with clear glazed Bejmat tiles as a splashback. The brushed bronze tap is from Samuel Heath.

Lee’s approach throughout the house was to restore rather than hide original features. Lime wash paints from Bauwerk in neutral tones provide a backdrop to the revealed beams and flooring in the hall and snug.

With views over rolling countryside and down to the River Ouse, the master bedroom has been designed to welcome nature inside with natural wood on the walls and vaulted ceiling, which combined with soft linens and furnishings create a calm sanctuary.

Lee say, “We wanted to create a home that feels like a sanctuary, focussing on the beautiful views and gardens. The palette of earthy tones set against natural terracotta, lime wash and real wood creates a fluid dialogue between the inside and outside. We poured a lot of time and care into restoring and exposing original features, revealing the beautiful bones and honouring the original craftspeople that built it.”

Photographer: Beth Davis