It was only last autumn that I became familiar with the term windfall apples: the fallen fruits that find their way to the orchard floor via nature’s hand. It speaks of the cycle of life and of regeneration; where Bramleys discover new beginnings in crumble, Coxes in juice and Braeburns in chutney. And, so, it felt appropriate to name this former Herefordshire cider mill – now reimagined as an idyllic countryside bolthole – as such.
“Windfall was built around 200 years ago and had remained in the same family up until our purchase,” property owner Nicola notes. “The main aim was for the interiors to look as though they had always been there.” Achieved by reviving reclaimed materials like wood and stone – some flagstones plucked from the surrounding fields and river – staining doors to give the effect of historical craftsmanship and incorporating the kind of furniture that would have once stood, like antique chairs and chests.
Clever fabric choices are also key to enkindling farmhouse comfort, which is unsurprising given Nicola’s admiration for the celebrated late British interior decorator Robert Kime and his specialism in antique textiles. “I had the very unique opportunity to collaborate with a specialist interior architect who worked with Robert for over 20 years,” she enthuses. The result is a greater appreciation for the floral tapestries, Perugia Towel-esque linen tablecloth and high-patterned bedspread, curtains and rug that have been carefully bestrewn amongst the barn’s centuries-old bones.
As with all the best historical renovations, elements of 21st-century luxury have been interwoven to make the space feel special and sumptuous, alongside its all-important authenticity. Such as the showstopping Plain English kitchen – sure to top many a Pinterest board with its tomato vine-green panelling, perfect symmetry and rustic butchers block island as though swept from a bastidon in Provence’s hills.
One of Windfall’s biggest allures is its vast remoteness; surrounded by fields that appear stitched together into a patchwork quilt of luscious greens and fiery auburns, with soaring peaks beyond. “I had been looking for the right property for nearly 10 years,” Nicola notes. “I hadn’t aimed to do a full conversion, but the setting sold it to us! We wanted to live for some part of the year in a quieter, more rural spot and we love the Black Mountains. Being in a setting of such beautiful isolation, that is accessible year-round with a village shop nearby is a huge bonus.” The renovation started in 2022 and finished exactly a year later, with Nicola drawing inspiration from her “incredibly happy” childhood home in Scotland, which bore similarities to Windfall's immersed-in-nature quality – even down to the gentle brook that runs at the end of the garden.
"The location is so special as it looks straight onto the Black Mountains and it almost feels as though you are in them.” Nicola adds. "The aspect is wonderful as well, as we make the most of the morning and evening sun. The view is an ever-changing painting with the light moving across the mountains throughout the day. And the Dark Sky Area ensures the most magical star display; particularly from the outdoor hot tub.”
The year-round appeal of Windfall is evident – what better place to take shelter in during wintertime, or to reap the pleasures of the land in the heat of summer? Just like windfall apples, this once forgotten agricultural cider mill has been transformed into something wholly anew. “When I arrive at the top of the drive to open the gates, it feels that all weight of the world is lifted.”
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