House Tours: Amanda Baker's peaceful sanctuary, Pays de la Loire

The interior style of Amanda Baker of @holly_lodge_home has always been a mix of English and French country styles. When we had the opportunity to take a look at her new life adventure in France, we were excited to see her style surrounded by local handpicked treasures, original features and the rural countryside of western France.

Congratulations on your new adventure Amanda! Tell us more - why did you choose to move from Warwickshire to France?

I have always loved France, my family travelled there for our holidays when I was a young child, so it holds lots of happy memories for me. Since marrying my husband, we have continued to spend several very enjoyable holidays touring some incredible parts of France too. 

Your home has a serenity about it, largely due to your interior style, but is it also inspired by the change in culture and climate?‌

 ‌The appeal of our move to France is to enjoy a sunnier, more relaxed, and carefree lifestyle as the location of our home is in the heart of the Loire Valley countryside.  We also love the sense of community, unity, and equality there, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity reflect the core values of French society.  Oh, I guess I also must mention we love the wine too, of course! I do think the nature of the place shows in our home.
 
“France is a beautiful country that has so much to offer like breath-taking sights and scenery, a divine range of culinary delights and a slower pace of life.”

I truly believed from the first day we saw our house - it had real potential to become a beautiful place for us to enjoy – It really does feel like home, and the views are amazing! France is home to some of the most stunning landscapes in the world. From the crisp white mountainous landscapes of the Alps to the clear turquoise waters and sandy beaches of the French Riviera, we have some of the most diverse and beautiful scenery - and we’re excited to explore it. 

Having spent the last two years working hard on the interior and exterior transformation of the house, we are delighted with the results. We can’t wait to move over permanently and explore other parts of Europe - especially Switzerland and the Pyrenees, which are all accessible to drive to within a day.

Your home is decorated in a mix of English and French country styles, rustic but often with a modern twist. Explain your style a little more Amanda. 

I adore a mix of styles including elegant French chic, stylish modern country, and relaxed rustic farmhouse interiors. Our French country-style home combines European elegance with rustic comforts. By using soothing hues, soft patterns, and antique accents, this aesthetic creates an inviting look that's both polished and lived-in at the same time.

“My home style definitely reflects my passions and interests. I adore interior design, creating seasonal floral arrangements and tablescapes.”

“My home style definitely reflects my passions and interests. 
I adore interior design, creating seasonal floral 
arrangements and tablescapes.”

 I like to think that our home vibe is one of a peaceful sanctuary - for both ourselves and our visitors to enjoy. I love entertaining and spending time with family and friends, especially at Christmas time, and I want them to feel comfortable and relaxed in our home.

We’re sure that the house brings you plenty of inspiration.

Yes! Internally, the original beams within our home and the granite fireplaces are real focal points, ones I absolutely adore. One of my favourite places to sit is in front of the log burner; in autumn and winter, it is a super cosy and relaxing spot. We also have a beautiful garden with 350-degree views of rolling French countryside featuring an original well and ornate cast iron water pump - and an original bread oven in the cellar ‘cave’ which we are determined to get working.

Amanda, tell us where your passion for homeware and interiors came from.

My passion for interiors began when I first became a homeowner in 1988 and went to college to study interior design. I have thoroughly enjoyed designing all ten of my homes - and since then, using my creative flair to enhance how we live at home. I believe that improving the aesthetics of our home environment can benefit our well-being. 

When creating a room, a mood board helps me to plan the colour palette and formulate ideas, so I see them together visually. Once I have chosen a theme it’s all about the layering, selecting key pieces of furniture and accessories that complete the look. I always go with my heart, but I am also not afraid to try new things. As time goes on, I think most of us learn to live with less clutter in our home, and I generally live by William Morris's famous quote - ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.’

"Light is an important aspect to me when choosing a home, the importance of natural light cannot be overstated."

The theme I chose for the interior design within our home is modern rustic French farmhouse style, featuring soft and muted colours, natural materials like raw wood and stone, plaster walls, wooden beams, and floral and botanical accessories. Our home has lots of original features, including large granite fireplaces and gorgeous rustic beams - which were central to the design of our interiors. I have added modern contemporary furnishings and finishes - for example the sofas and tiled flooring - but also incorporated warmth using natural textures and tones such as carefully crafted wooden furniture and soft furnishings for a relaxed style. 

There is nothing more welcoming after a day working in the garden than to escape to the sanctuary of a welcoming, cosy, relaxing salon!

If you’re thinking of a cosy reset for autumn-winter - browse our
 Cosy Edit. 
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‌‌Interior Design by Amanda Baker, @holly_lodge_home 
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‌Photography by Chris Snook @holly_lodge_home