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Reader event: Reinventing the country house at Daylesford
Next month, leading experts in architecture, interior design, stonework and cabinetry will share the secret of creating a country house suited to life in the 21st century at Daylesford’s Heritage Barn.
The past decade has seen a quiet country house. As properties are passed from one generation to the next, they are reshaped by new approaches to space, design and both family and working life. Together with this evolution, there is a renewed focus on materials and craftsmanship that is elevating country houses both large and small.
Reinventing the Country House
Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
Time: 11am–2pm
Where: Daylesford, near Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 0YG
Tickets: £65, to include a two-course lunch and a glass of wine.
To book: Telephone 01608 692871 or visit the event page at the Daylesford website.
So too are leaps and bounds in technology, sustainability and thermal efficiency, bringing levels of comfort rarely enjoyed by previous country dwellers.
The panel at this event will feature experts in their fields, including Ross Sharpe, one of the UK’s leading architects with a depth and breadth of experience in both contemporary and classically inspired homes; Pippa Paton, who has transformed a broad range of Cotswolds houses with her pared-back aesthetic; Edward Smith of Artorius Faber, the specialist in British stone; Greg Tirri of construction firm RW Armstrong; and Andrew Petherick of cabinetry specialist Guild Anderson, which has built a significant reputation for its unswerving commitment to craft, materials and painstaking design.
The event, at the magnificent Heritage Barn, will be followed by lunch and an opportunity to seek advice from the panel.
To book, telephone 01608 692871 or visit the Reinventing the Country House event page at the Daylesford website.
Meet the panellists
The panellists (from left to right): Pippa Paton, Andrew Petherick, Ross Sharpe, Edward Smith and Greg Tirri.
Pippa Paton founded her design studio in 2006, specialising in the sensitive renovation of historic Cotswold houses and repurposing estate outbuildings. Her work combines an understanding of a building’s evolution with contemporary living, creating spaces that respect their heritage. Her third book, Twenty First Century Cotswolds, Volume III, has just been published.
Andrew Petherick is a director at Guild Anderson, specialising in kitchens and back-of-house spaces for English country houses. He founded the Inspiring Makers Conference, supporting emerging cabinetry and furniture makers, and is a guest lecturer at The King’s Foundation, established by Charles III.
Ross Sharpe studied Architectural History and Architecture at St John’s College, Cambridge, and has practised architecture for nearly 30 years. His award-winning work, recognised by RIBA, the Georgian Group and the Historic Houses Association, spans the country. Specialising in classical and traditional design, he is a director at Yiangou.
Edward Smith is a founding director of Artorius Faber, a family-run Somerset business specialising in bespoke British stone. The company embraces a classic English sensibility, creating stonework suited to both traditional and contemporary design styles, with an emphasis on craftsmanship, quality, character and timeless detailing.
Greg Tirri is preconstruction director at RW Armstrong, with more than 15 years’ experience delivering exceptional country houses and complex residential projects. He has a strong understanding of the country-property sector, working closely with clients and professional teams to shape projects.
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