This historic UK estate is a vibrant, craft-led retreat—here's why it’s a design lover’s dream

Welcome to Superior Interiors, a series that explores the wonderful world of hotel design and what makes each hotel interior feel special—from local artists and bespoke furniture to vintage pieces and impossible-to-find accessories.

Thoughtful hotel design evokes a feeling, helping guests feel relaxed, inspired, and at home. But the finest hotel interiors do more than that: They make you want to explore, peek behind corners, and open doors. The interiors tell a story. Where does that piece come from? Who made it? What is its history?

Crafted at Powdermills, a country hotel in East Sussex, does all of the above. Spearheaded by Andreas Christodoulou, the founder of House of Dre, and commissioned by Crafted’s co-founder Chris King, Powdermills is a cabinet of curiosities brimming with delightful design ideas, all bound by a clear ethos: celebrating local craftspeople and the landscape.

The aesthetic

Eye-pleasing patterns, mystical motifs, and fun, boldly colored pairings.

The vision

The vision was to create a zeitgeisty hotel that captures a feeling rooted in nature, wellness, sustainability, and arts and crafts. Throughout the project, Andreas found himself returning to a quote by local designer Sebastian Cox: “The thorn is the mother of the oak.” Another way of looking at it: Forests can grow from nothing. It captures the spirit of the team’s ambition—build something with local artisans that sits within its surrounding nature.

Stand-out design moment

The parlor room, which is reserved for members and hotel guests, is a joyful masterpiece. The ceiling's checked stripes interact with the pattern on the coffee tables and the nearby green-and-white striped ottoman stools. Bespoke commissions by artists Jo Dumpleton and Mary West hang on either side of the room, bringing together the colors across every surface in the space. Like the other front-of-house spaces, the parlor plays with colors like a painting—it’s vibrant without being chaotic.

The setting and architectural context

The wood throughout is sustainably sourced from Sussex and made in the UK, something almost unheard of in hospitality. Oak and beech are mixed together, which is not just a stylistic choice—sourcing a single species at scale simply isn't possible, says Andreas.

Estelle Manor was an inspiration conceptually, as its design team was not intimidated by the heritage of the Grade II-listed 45-acre Cotswolds-based estate. And arguably, that's precisely what the team have achieved here at Powdermills, working with the building's original features and reinterpreting them with a fresh, bold sensibility.

Design features in the rooms

The rooms offer a deliberate exhale after the exuberance of the communal spaces. Warm oak joinery and bespoke-built headboards by Sebastian Cox anchor the space, while handwoven throws in autumnal ochre, rust, and sage add tactile depth. Organic-form mirrors in natural wood frames and sculptural ceramic lamp bases keep the design language consistently earthy. The rooms feel pared back and timeless—not trend-led—which makes as much sense aesthetically as it does from a sustainability perspective.

Local artisan collaborations

The intention of the hotel is clear before you've even checked in. At the entrance, a shelf displays ceramics made by local craftspeople, each piece accompanied by an introduction to the creative who made it. It feels more like a crafts exhibition than a hotel front entrance—and that's precisely the point.

Chiara Perano, an English Italian artist based in East Sussex is to thank for the standout sweeping ceiling mural in the dining room: A deep-blue sky populated by shooting stars, gold botanical forms, and a pale crescent moon make it a dreamy setting for private dining events.

Another special mention goes to the arrival station of the restaurant, which was woven from local willow by Emma Purcell, a Sussex-based basketmaker. Not only is the work totally bespoke, it’s also a rare skill to work with a commercial joiner in this way.

Art and furniture curation

The approach to furniture and art is gloriously eclectic. The team combed antique shows to find pieces with a layer of history; others were commissioned for their textural fabrics. Some came from hotels that were closing. The hotel's own existing furniture from its time as the historic Powdermills Hotel was retained too: four-poster beds, coffee-tables, art, and statues already part of the building's story. One statue, Andreas says, is “an old friend that came along for the journey.”

Despina Wotton, the art consultant for Crafted, has done a masterful job at making the art a complimentary character to the hotel’s design story. Pieces were chosen to work with the palette throughout, referencing nature and motifs, including Charlie Sheppard’s mosaic proudly stationed by the front door and a bespoke woven textile piece from Tessa Layzelle hung like a flag above the fireplace in the library.

Niche design fact:

The hotel has an on-site country-style pub, used by guests and locals alike, which in itself is a stroke of genius. As a nod to the site’s industrial heritage, the design team left weld marks on the curved edges at the end of the bar.

Hotel at home

Decor

Furniture