A Holiday (home) state of mind

Returning home from a summer holiday, there’s a question which plays on many minds: ‘Is now the time to buy a dream second home?’. Whether a barn in France, a Masseria in Italy, or a cave house in Greece, everyone has a special place which captures their heart. The wonder lies in what it would be like to make it a home. 

More than just bricks and mortar, a second home is a place where shoulders collectively drop, family and friends come and go, and time feels suspended. Where interior design briefs are concerned, the transitional nature of such a relaxed setting often allows for more artistic licence than usual. And unlike a family home - where practicality is usually top of the list - there’s a freedom of expression where everyday rules are left at the door (along with shoes).

Back in 2023 Carter-Wells co-founder Alice rented an exquisite converted barn near Monclar de Quercy. It had belonged to the late Hollywood actor Louise Fletcher and decorated by her friend, the revered British designer Kathryn Ireland. As well as being an unforgettable place to stay, it served as an immersive fast-track to Kathryn’s layered style. “She [Louise] knew exactly what she wanted decor-wise and we filled it with my fabrics and her art collection. It made for a charming home that she loved until the end; it really was her happy place,” says Kathryn.

Kathryn has been retreating to - and renovating - her own farmhouse near Montauban for three decades. “The best thing I did was buy my second house first,” she says with a laugh, explaining how: “Here I change gears; I go into my calm, collected self. It’s a labour of love as well as a place to live in. Nothing here feels too serious, it’s about having fun and leaning into that holiday feeling.” 

Based in Los Angeles and visiting London regularly, she heads to the French farmhouse for three months each summer for the ultimate in work-life balance. “It's a fabulous place to work; clients come and we go antiquing - L’Isle-sur-la-Sogue is fabulous. If clients don’t have heirlooms then we’ll go shopping together to find them - I want them to have the experience of finding things.” 

But what of the practicalities when it comes to the nitty-gritty? While Ireland has built up a network of local makers, interior designer Sean Symington, who recently completed a home outside Paris for a London-based family, has his own tried-and-tested method. “We’ll source everything in the UK as it means we can oversee every stage ourselves, ensuring impeccable quality and that everything is neat, precise and beautifully finished,” he says. 

Sean and his team integrate the same workflows as at home: “They have proved to be immensely successful abroad and perfectly suited to cross-border collaboration. Now we have it down to a science, allowing generous lead times for deliveries, following a clear and considered system, and making sure every drawing and specification is so detailed that fewer site visits are needed.” 

His advice for fellow designers is wise: “Communication is everything: be mindful of language barriers, keep your systems and procedures as streamlined as possible, and manage expectations clearly from the very outset. Above all, maintain a collaborative approach; when everyone feels part of the same team, even the trickiest cross-border challenges become far easier to navigate.”