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Late last year, between the pages of Architectural Digest, actress Sienna Miller afforded interior fans the luxury of stepping inside her home… and it’s like something straight out of a fairytale.
Located in Buckinghamshire, England, this 16th-century thatched roof cottage has a whimsical appeal to it, drawing you in with its old-time charm. Bought on a whim at a time in her life when the media’s glare was at an all-time high, Miller saw this space as her sanctuary, and she hasn’t looked back since.
Miller enlisted the help of her good friend, director Gaby Dellal, who set about breathing new life into this abode while maintaining its inherently nurturing spirit. Spending her downtime here with her daughter, friends and family when she’s not too busy starring in some of the most well-received films and series, Miller’s home marries eclectic interiors and modern fixtures with vintage fabrics and old-school touches seamlessly.
“The house offers a sanctuary,” Sienna Miller tells AD. “It has a nurturing feeling; it is a home with a heart.”
An old gravel driveway became a wildflower meadow, a fusty garage was transformed into a stunning guest bedroom. Floors, windows, doors — everything was updated, and the finished product is nothing short of magnificent. From reclaimed windows sourced on eBay to Victorian-era floorboards, the space remained true to its heritage throughout the renovation process.
A home made for living, rather than for show, Dellal says of the space: “There are always lots of friends with muddy boots and dogs, yet, miraculously, the house never feels crowded—you can spill into all the different rooms and find space.”
When Sienna Miller returned after the project was complete, she could not believe the transformation. “I knew it had massive potential, but arriving to see this meadow in front of the house planted with wildflowers, I started to cry,” she recalls.
“And it was all achieved in such a short space of time. Gaby is a true artist. Everything has a story, like the kitchen cabinets that were made from old school desks, and there is a real sense of place—it is an artistic retreat but not in any sense precious. Every time I stay here, I discover new aspects.”
From the cosy snug complete with a fuchsia Donegal Tweed Rose Uniacke sofa and antique light fixtures to the quaint kitchen with its farmhouse table and apron sink, the whole property exudes a feeling of comfort and quiet contentment.
There’s 1970s wallpaper adorning the walls of the bathroom, a large rosewood dining table made to be gathered around for Sunday lunch, and twin beds in Miller’s daughter’s room topped with Projektityyny quilts and cushions that are perfect for an impromptu slumber party.
A former outbuilding has become a guesthouse, complete with a vintage table and chairs on the patio outside that invite you to spend an afternoon in the sun, sipping a coffee in pure, unadulterated peace.
In Miller’s own room purple reigns supreme. From the Maison C’s Coven wallpaper covering one wall to the upholstered headboard with striped Hungarian linen, we can only imagine the feeling of diving into that bed at the end of a long day.
See the full house tour on Architectural Digest. Photography by Architectural Digest.
This article was originally published in March 2023.