Ben Pentreath, a designer known for his work rooted in historical and traditional aesthetics, reflects on the influence of the homes that have shaped his life and creative approach. From early childhood experiences to his current residence, Pentreath’s journey reveals a deep connection to old architecture and the enduring character of lived-in spaces.
Pentreath’s fascination with design began in childhood, sparked by his paternal grandparents’ self-built bungalow on the River Beaulieu in Hampshire. Constructed in the 1950s and inspired by the Festival of Britain, the house featured bold decorative choices such as a purple dining room ceiling and William Morris curtains. The home’s blend of post-war antiques and vivid decoration left a lasting impression on him, and he inherited several family heirlooms, including Flight, Barr & Barr china.
Growing up in a Dorset village, Pentreath lived in a merged property composed of three terrace houses dating from the 17th to the Victorian eras. His upbringing in these historic buildings and an artistic household—his mother was a potter and both parents were painters—helped cultivate his appreciation for craftsmanship and traditional design. His father, a naval officer with a passion for architecture, influenced the creative atmosphere at home, decorating his study with bright colors and Morris & Co fabrics.
During his university years studying History of Art at Edinburgh, Pentreath decorated his room in a shared flat in Edinburgh’s New Town with carefully curated finds from junk shops, fostering his instinct for making spaces uniquely personal. After university, he moved to New York City, where he lived in a small but stylish apartment in a brownstone in Greenwich Village. The apartment featured playful decoration, including a tea-stained floral wallpapered bedroom, becoming a lively social hub for friends.
In 2004, Pentreath began renting the Old Parsonage in Dorset, a neoclassical 18th-century house he had known since childhood. Initially bare and weathered, the house evolved gradually through his experimentation with color and furnishings. This period marked the beginning of his professional work in interior decoration, emphasizing subtle changes—such as a single color or lampshade—that can transform a space.
More recently, Pentreath and his husband, gardener and florist Charlie McCormick, relocated to Westness, a mid-18th-century house on the remote island of Rousay in Orkney. The house, historically associated with patrons of the arts and crafts movement, contains original features including 1896 Morris & Co wallpaper and William de Morgan tiles, reflecting a longstanding tradition of craftsmanship. Despite its need for modernization, including rewiring and window replacement, the couple has embraced the home’s atmosphere, living amid its unfolding history.
Life on Orkney has brought new rhythms and a focus on simple pleasures such as cold-water swims, gardening, and sourcing local seafood. Pentreath notes that after years of renting, this move has allowed them to truly establish roots, bringing a sense of contentment and permanence.
Through his lifelong engagement with architectural history and interior decoration, Ben Pentreath illustrates how old houses can inspire a deep sense of belonging and creativity, blending past influences with present-day living.