“Kiba is a social butterfly; she always treats visitors with an enthusiastic welcome. She has a special rapport with the mailman.”

KIBA—HISTORIC MANOR HOUSE

Kiba is seven years old, and is one of four sisters born locally. She is a Japanese Spitz, which is a small dog, but is said to have the heart of a guard dog, and is larger than its small cousin the Pomeranian. She lives with Tania, Duncan, and their grown-up children in their house in East Sussex, which lies in the center of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (a designated exceptional landscape) and is only a short distance from the coastal towns of St Leonards-on-Sea and Hastings.

Kiba’s full name is Shiroi Kiba, which means “white fang” in Japanese—she was named after a character in the anime series Naruto by Tania and Duncan’s son when he was small. She is not a typical country dog, but she does a very good impersonation of one. She chases rabbits, barks ferociously at the birds and bees, and loves to run through the fields, although she keeps her immaculate white coat clean largely by herself.

Daily life at home is always busy and Kiba likes to be involved. She is an outstanding guard dog and is protective of her home, although she has her special rapport with the mailman and also greets regular visitors with a warm welcome, especially if rewarded with a treat. When it comes to downtime, she loves the cool stone floor of the courtyard and on winter evenings a snooze by the fire, but always seeks the company of the family. At night she loves to spend time with the family’s Burmese cat—even if the friendship is not always reciprocated, Kiba is never far from her side.

In this impressive entrance hall, Kiba makes her way down the grand staircase, delighted at having been allowed upstairs. A rather elegant female bust on a plinth looks perfectly in place against the leaded windows.

This warm spot by the open fire is a hit with Kiba. The sweeping staircase provides a “wow” factor when entering the house, especially combined with the paneled walls and the stunning fireplace.

The long dining table and Louis Ghost chairs by Philippe Starck for Kartell give a certain modern feeling but hold on to the traditional look. The magnificent Baccarat crystal chandelier adds opulence to the space.

The house and grounds are stunning and extremely impressive on arrival, with a long, sweeping drive and a magnificent view of the rolling hills from the front of the house. The house itself is one of the most historic in southeast England, dating back to the 13th century. Underneath its Georgian exterior lies a timber-framed Tudor manor house that has been home to many families over the years. Some interesting characters have owned the house, including the family that inspired Shakespeare’s King Lear and a baron who saved the life of a young Queen Victoria. The house is a Grade 2 listed building, meaning it is of special architectural interest and as such there are restrictions on any amendments. With nine bedrooms and several outbuildings, it’s a large home. On our photography shoot day Kiba was allowed to go through the whole house and pose in each of its rooms; she seemed to rather enjoy it, and I’m sure it’s because she is never normally allowed upstairs.

Kiba makes herself at home on the leather sofa. This smaller room that leads off the kitchen is a more intimate environment, perfect for watching television or reading.

Tania and Duncan have a keen eye for interiors and, although simple in design and taste, the effect is very impressive. The dining table can seat over 20 people, but equally works well for a few. The round table in the entrance hall extends and makes an alternative dining space. It is extremely cozy at Christmas time with the fire burning. The large living space with floor-to-ceiling windows and comfortable sofas is an excellent space for hosting guests, while the smaller room that leads off the kitchen is ideal for suppers in front of the television. The layout and size of both the house and garden make them perfect for parties and entertaining. When you have a home as unique as this, it’s good to share it with others.

The main living room, with two large sofas and armchairs, features vast doors that open out onto the garden, which make this room truly appealing in the summer. Being able to move from house to garden is ideal for entertaining.

While making the house their own is an ongoing project and seems almost impossible to complete, Tania and Duncan love it and it almost feels impossible for them to leave. It is their home, and there are plenty of things to enjoy and discover while this vast project continues.

One of the spare bedrooms at the back of the house. Sitting on the polished and stained floorboards is a freestanding Catchpole and Rye bath. Kiba sits on a vintage leather trunk at the base of the bed.

A second refurbished spare bedroom, with simple styling but impressive furniture. A copper Catchpole and Rye bath adds warmth to the room.

This semi-derelict outbuilding, with no roof and weathered walls, is earmarked for renovation as part of the ongoing work on this stunning property and its grounds.

The contrast of Kiba in the middle of the fallen leaves from this acer tree is so striking that she could almost be in Japan. Looking at the garden from the kitchen, this tree looks like flames.

Flo and Ivy are sitting on the dining bench, ready to join in with whatever meal is happening. Huge windows bring the garden into the space and fill it with natural light. The long metal dining table seats the largest of dinner parties.

“Although they are sisters, they have quite different characters; Flo is bright, stubborn, and moody, while Ivy is very pretty and not as clever as Flo, but loves everyone.”

FLO AND IVY—RENOVATED SCHOOLHOUSE

Flo and Ivy are Maltipoos, a cross between Maltese Terriers and Poodles, and came from a breeder in Colchester, Essex. They have the same parents but were born seven months apart: Flo was born in November 2010 and Ivy was born in June 2011. Ivy is very sociable and will be quick to give you a lick, whilst Flo tends to be slightly more discerning.

They live with Marilyn and Julyan in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire, a village flanked by countryside and woodland. During the day the dogs are taken for several walks: one big walk into the woods, then shorter walks on the village green. They live a comfortable life and share the attention of Marilyn and Julyan.

Marilyn’s business is in design, and the house is decorated no differently from how it would be without dogs, aside from a throw here or there. Ivy and Flo have access to all areas and get to sit on some pretty remarkable furniture. They also have the garden with a stream running through it, so there is plenty of wildlife for them to watch and chase.

A garden room extension on the back of the house with metal windows and doors. Flo and Ivy’s feeding area is on the stone floor.

Flo and Ivy live a dual life as they spend much time in France in Marilyn and Julyan’s second home. Julyan drives them there over a two-day period; the dogs completely know the drill and even preempt what direction to take when arriving at the overnight hotel.

Their French home is in the village of Valros in the commune of Hérault in southern France. While there, they enjoy trips to the beach—they love to play with a ball on the beach, but when it gets too hot, they dig a hole in the sand under the lounger. The village itself has a beautiful old church that sits opposite their house in the square and the bells ring out every hour very loudly, but the dogs don’t even flinch. I’m convinced the dogs are bilingual!

The bespoke linen sofa was made by Bray Design, and the green painting is by Richard Nott. An Italian olive pot is used as a vase on the vintage raw elm coffee table.

Marilyn and Julyan moved into their English house in 1997. It was an old schoolhouse which has had extensive renovation and has taken on many guises over the years. Now it is bright, open, and minimalist; natural fabrics, stone, metal, and concrete are the materials of choice that make it the cool and stylish interior that it is today. In her day-to-day life, Marilyn helps her clients to make design and fabric choices, so she’s constantly exposed to the newest, most current trends when she travels to interior design fairs and fabric showrooms for research.

Flo walks down the stairs, past a selection of original African masks bought from the market in Sablon, Belgium.

In this big open space, two bespoke linen L-shaped sofas have been made to fit the shape of the room. The raw elm coffee tables have been pushed together, and a hide-covered chair complements the natural décor. The two swirl paintings are by Richard Nott.

Upstairs, there are two bedrooms, both with bathrooms, and a loft space for closets. The dogs spend nighttime asleep on the beds; although small, they make very good guard dogs and alert their owners if there are any noises.

Flo lies on the bed—this is definitely one of her favorite places. Large windows have been added to allow in the maximum amount of light. The dress picture above the bed is again by Richard Nott.

Flo and Ivy are the first dogs Marilyn and Julyan have had and they now can’t imagine life without them; they get on well together and are a big part of family life.

Ivy loves to sleep on the bed. This room features shades of burnt orange and blue, while the walls are in a natural hue. The cupboards are covered in gray linen and have metal handles.

Behind Ivy and Flo, who are catching some sunshine in the garden, is a small stream that attracts lots of wildlife. The dogs have become accustomed to this kind of activity.

Otis relaxes on a yellow linen sofa. This part of the house is very modern, with Italian side tables bought from furniture brand Baxter and simple ceramics.

“Every day the dogs have a mad half-hour belting around the garden, drinking from the pond and often jumping in, before collapsing onto their sofa.”

MILO, OTIS, AND HARDY—RIVER COTTAGES

Martin and Yvonne, along with their children Casper and Francesca, have lived in this house for 25 years. Milo, a Blue Belton Setter, joined them as a puppy nearly 12 years ago, from a breeder near Peterborough. Four years later a second puppy arrived—Otis is also a Blue Belton Setter, although with more black in his coat, from a breeder in Gloucestershire. Eighteen months ago Hardy joined the gang, but his story is quite different. He was an unwanted working dog, and although he is also a setter he is referred to as an Orange Belton working setter. Read more about Hardy’s story on page 166.

Each day all three dogs are taken for a long walk in the woods and parkland near the house. Most days Yvonne takes them, and at weekends Martin will walk them to relax. Claudia, who helps to look after the dogs, will take them to the coast for a swim or up into the hills of Surrey, when Yvonne and Martin are away. Claudia adores the dogs, as they do her. The dogs also have the use of the house’s large, beautifully-planted garden, with a pond which they love to swim in and drink from.

Milo and Otis’s very distinguished profiles are reflected in the vintage mirrored credenza, artfully blending in with the monochrome palette. A vintage swan from Josephine Ryan Antiques echoes the colors of the painting hanging above it.

The dogs sit on their own newly-laundered blue linen couch in the big family kitchen. Exposed original beams and white walls make the room fresh and bright. The original oil painting behind them complements the room beautifully.

Milo peeks out from behind the concrete partition wall in the modern side of the home. Milo struggles to climb the open wooden stairs these days. An abstract piece of art from Josephine Ryan Antiques hangs opposite the foot of the stairs.

The dogs mostly hang out in the big kitchen and have their own couch that fits all three of them. Hardy quite often retreats to the dog crate, a place in which he feels comfortable and protected.

Martin and Yvonne’s home is in Richmond, a beautiful, green area of southwest London, adjoining the River Thames. The house is a Georgian cottage built in 1730. After living there for five years, they also bought the cottage next door and then proceeded to merge the two into one home, including the garden, which then gained the benefit of a beautiful old brick wall to the side.

This majestic room, where Hardy sits, is a beautiful blend of both modern and vintage. The contemporary Italian sofas (one upholstered in red vintage fabric) are from Baxter. The giant Venetian mirror from the Decorative Antiques Fair in London is complemented by the Italian white table and chair, also both from Baxter.

In the other half of the big room, on the dark wall two Venetian mirrors hang in the alcoves either side of the fireplace. To the left, a stunning tryptic sits above a dark wood console table.

The very distinctive interior style merges vintage and modern beautifully. The owners’ skill is evident in how the two cottages have been blended together so well but are unique in look and feel.

Yvonne likes to start with a white background and neutral furniture as a base before she does anything, allowing herself the opportunity to change the environment easily. Color goes into soft furnishings, flowers, paintings, and decorative pieces, and she opts for those found in nature: green, chartreuse, nude, pinky reds, and woad-dyed antique linen (woad is a plant dye) in shades of pale blue and indigo. Stunning art is evident all through the home—in fact, they are running out of walls to hang it on.

Above all else it is a family home and also very clearly a party house: Martin and Yvonne are well known for opening their home to friends in aid of charities close to their hearts. Attention to detail and unique themes make these occasions coveted calendar dates for their guests. The garden is also opened to visitors to raise money for charity.

The chartreuse yellow wall in the piano room is vibrant and striking. This clever use of color complements the antique Collard and Collard piano. A modern B&B Italia chair and stool, also upholstered in yellow, are the perfect match.

Yvonne is a true visionary and works hard to achieve perfection—her attention to detail is evident in everything you see. The home is beautiful but very comfortable, in an easy, relaxing style, and the dogs are very much part of it.

A green velvet throw on Francesca’s bed contrasts sharply with the dark wall behind it. Bedside tables in raw wood with old slate tops were bought from Petersham Nurseries.

The stunning garden, designed by Yvonne. The dogs enjoy the space and the pond. The garden statues are from Josephine Ryan Antiques. The modern courtyard is where the two original cottages meet, at the back of house.