Rise Hall, the grade ii* listed manor that has been lovingly restored to become Sarah beeny’s family home, evokes the era of nobility and pomp that stately homes enjoyed in their heyday. Get the look with these old-world touches...

Walls and Floors

Pastel colours decorate the cornices, ceilings and walls of Rise Hall – it’s attention to little details like this, Sarah suggests, that give the place its ‘wow’ factor. For a similar look, try Paint Library’s Architectual Colours range (www.paintlibrary.co.uk). Each core colour comes in five graduated shades, so paint the walls, ceiling and woodwork of a room different tones for an interesting, harmonious colour scheme. A hand-painted wallpaper look can be achieved by using stencils on your existing walls. For tips and stencils, visit www.stencil-library.com. Since stencils can be used over and over, they are cost-effective, too!

Carpet credentials

The patterned carpets of Rise Hall add a real sense of occasion to sweeping staircases and high-ceilinged rooms. Try the cleverly named www.comparethecarpet.com for top brands at a fraction of the cost, as well as next day delivery.

Wood flooring gives a feeling of authenticity to stately homes, and laying solid wood or parquet flooring adds warmth to any room. Go for the reclaimed option and gain a floor with lots of real character.

Insulation

To keep the lofty rooms of Rise Hall toasty at a fraction of the cost, Sarah has opted for a natural insulation (in keeping with the period character of the house) – a roof filled with British sheep’s wool. Safe to touch with bare hands, and suitable for any small or large-scale projects, wool fibre is an excellent thermal retainer, and acts as a humidity buffer, too. For natural insulation, try www.thermafleece.com

Accessories

The furnishings of a room tie everything together, and Rise Hall’s stately aesthetic is continued throughout with baroque chairs coupled with opulent fabrics, and gilt picture frames swathing many a regal face. Even the bathrooms enjoy a special touch of their own, with vintage cisterns and wooden toilet seats!

Fit for a king

Pick statement pieces that really commit to the look, such as candelabras and decorative china, and choose fabrics that are plush and heavy. Auctions and second-hand shops are great for picking up quaint furnishings. Beaten up chairs can easily be re-upholstered with new material, and old curtains replaced with something a little more dramatic, to give a room a fresh look.

And don’t forget the exterior. A well-manicured lawn that begs for croquet or boule, bird baths and trellises can add something special to a home. Make the most of your open space with outdoor furniture. Handwoven rattan chairs from Akula Living (www.akulaliving.com) are guaranteed for five years to stand any harsh weather.

Photograph: John Carey