Explore Deans Court in Dorset

By Molly Malsom

Published: Friday, 19 November 2021 at 12:00 am

The drawing room of Deans Court serves as an untouched time capsule of 1930s elegance, while its kitchen reflects a more modern aesthetic, with vintage mementoes, patchwork cushions and Indian flatweave rugs.

This coexistence of styles reflects the approach of its owners, Sir William and Lady Ali Hanham, who manage to celebrate the house’s past while also making it a welcoming family home.

"Deans
In 1725, fine red-brick façades were added to the north side of Deans Court (shown here) and to the east, enclosing the Saxon hall.

Deans Court in Wimborne, Dorset has been in the Hanham family since 1548, although the core dates back to the 8th century, when it was part of the town’s Saxon monastery.

Notable later additions include 16th-century stained- glass windows, Georgian panelling, a Victorian wing and vestiges of immaculate 1930s style. ‘This is a house that has been formed by layers of history and each generation has left its mark,’ says Ali.

"Deans
The front façade is Georgian, with Victorian additions visible to the rear.

The couple moved to this house 11 years ago, when William inherited the estate from his father who, in turn, was bequeathed it by a cousin in the 1970s. ‘Although William had often visited the house, he didn’t grow up here,’ explains Ali. 

You might also enjoy:

In many ways, this meant that both Ali and William could approach reviving the house and estate with their own vision. And they’ve been busy: innovations include nurturing the organic kitchen garden founded by William’s mother, establishing a cafe, opening a homewares shop and converting and decorating several holiday cottages within the grounds. During the summer months, the lawns of Deans Court become the setting for marquee weddings.

The living room

But when it came to redecorating the house, Ali took a softly-softly approach. What was once a gentleman’s library ‘with a rather dull green colour scheme and nondescript Victorian furniture’ now functions as the couple’s living room and has been given a subtle refresh.

"Deans
The library now serves as the family’s living room, painted in Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball to update the mood.

Oil portraits and marble busts now mix with ikat cushions in jewel colours, linen stripes and more modern paintings, all set against walls painted in Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball. Meanwhile, the dining room is painted in Blazer, another Farrow & Ball shade.

Get the look:

Hague Blue, from £52, Farrow & Ball Buy it now

Ali and William have established a good relationship with Farrow & Ball, which is a local company. In fact, they are such close neighbours that the paint brand sometimes brings clients here to view its heritage colours in a quintessentially English setting.

The decoration

Ali has an expert eye for fabrics, colour and vintage pieces (before moving to Dorset she co-ran the Cotswolds vintage and antique interiors shop Sharland & Lewis), while William was a dealer in Old Master paintings. So each, in their own way, was well placed to bring out different aspects of the property’s distinctive character.

"Deans
The fabric for the canopy and curtains dates from the 1980s.

However, the decorative style of Deans Court also dates from William’s great-aunt, Cordelia Hanham, who lived here in the 1930s. ‘She was the last person to devote a great deal of time and money to decorating the house before we arrived,’ says Ali. Cordelia was the widow of Sir John Hanham, 9th baronet, and was by all accounts an indomitable woman. ‘A local lady remembers Cordelia as a ‘stern presence’,’ smiles Ali.

The bedrooms

A fat folder full of papers relating to the decor of a twin bedroom demonstrates how Cordelia took decorating very seriously. It is crammed with handwritten bills of sale from Liberty in 1938, plus sketches of mahogany furniture and fabric swatches. ‘War was about to break out, but Cordelia was undaunted and commissioned Liberty to come down and design this bedroom in apricot shades,’ reflects Ali. A second bedroom was decorated by Cordelia with a chinoiserie theme.

"Deans
A canopy and a mix of fabrics in pinks and reds make this a welcoming master bedroom. It was originally decorated in the 1980s by William’s parents.
"Deans
This twin bedroom was redecorated in 1938 in shades of soft apricot with fabrics and furniture from Liberty. Plump, silky eiderdowns are folded at the end of each bed and a collection of porcelain is displayed in an alcove.
"Deans
1930s chinoiserie wallpaper in the guest bedroom provides an uplifting backdrop for the dark Jacobean furniture. The cushion is in vintage Sanderson fabric

The bathrooms

"Deans
This cloakroom was redecorated in the 1990s with a timeless toile wallpaper.
"Deans
Ali and William kept the en suite’s 1930s bath and updated the room with a rug and Farrow & Ball shades, using Arsenic below the dado rail, Shaded White above and Down Pipe on the outside of the bath.

Get the look:

Arsenic, from £52, Farrow & Ball Buy it now

Shaded White, from £52, Farrow & Ball Buy it now

Down Pipe, from £52, Farrow & Ball Buy it now

The dining room

Portraits of William’s ancestors in earlier centuries line the walls of the imposing dining room, which the couple use for family gatherings such as Christmas. ‘It has a wonderful atmosphere,’ says Ali.

"Deans
The formal dining room has been redecorated in Blazer, which acts as a warm backdrop for ancestral portraits through the centuries.

Get the look:

Blazer, from £52, Farrow & Ball Buy it now

The great hall

The medieval great hall, which lies directly ahead of the front entrance of the house, is the oldest part of the building and centres around a huge fireplace. Sunlight flows through stained-glass windows; some date from the 16th century, while others were added in 1868, all set amid Georgian oak panelling.

"Deans
The oak-panelled great hall is the oldest part of the house. The Chinese plates over the fireplace are 18th-century.
"Deans
The wide entrance hall leads into the 8th-century great hall, which was later panelled in Georgian oak.
"Deans
Parts of the stained-glass windows date from the 16th century, while cushions and linen upholstery add more contemporary touches.

The kitchen

The large family kitchen in the Victorian wing is a relaxed room that shows best how Ali and William deftly combine past and present at Deans Court. The dresser is Victorian but the long table and benches are made from oak from their estate. On the dresser’s shelves, copper pans hang alongside Ali’s quirky vintage finds and pastel sketches, while cushions and lampshades in her favourite fabrics add colour and character.

"Deans
A Victorian dresser in the kitchen is home to a collection of copper pans and vintage curios. The bench and table were made of oak from the Deans Court estate. The flatweave rug is Indian.

The portrait over the range cooker is of Maria Theresa of Spain, a work that caught William’s eye when he was going through stacks of paintings up in the attic.

"Deans
The kitchen has a relaxed, contemporary feel owing to its paint shade, mix of textiles and ceiling lights. William found the portrait of Louis XIV’s wife, Maria Theresa of Spain, in the attic and hung it over the fireplace.

Today, she is at the heart of 21st-century family life, exemplifying how Ali and William preserve the past while at the same time giving Deans Court a fresh future. ‘The work here never stops, but being a part of the house’s history is a huge pleasure,’ says Ali.