The Grove
In 2021 Merchant & Mills purchased 4 The Grove, dating from the 1890s a former home of the headmaster of the Rye Grammar School. Situated in the centre of Rye, a stone’s throw from the Merchant & Mills shop.
Renovated to bring back its former Victorian splendour. Much attention has been paid to the generous kitchen and large conservatory dining area to create a perfect social area to begin and finish each day. The 2 reception rooms are both spacious and cosy for evenings of relaxation.
There are 6 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms over 2 floors. Surrounded by beautiful fabrics and unlimited inspiration the guests can immerse themselves in a Merchant & Mills cocoon.
R o o m 1 2 3 4 5 6
A large formal Victorian front bedroom featuring original fireplace, original built in wardrobe and lovely large patio doors opening on to the front balcony. The Victorian plaster work has been lovingly restored and the room has been decorated in a gentle palette of calm neutrals.
For a touch of grandeur, we installed a beautiful hand-forged king-size iron four poster bed and layered it with throws and vintage Chinese cotton cushions.
The floor sports rugs from Turkey and the room is home to some carefully selected furniture pieces and lighting. The mirror, paintings and side tables and mirror are some favourite vintage finds.
The front shower room is all about textures: a reclaimed terra cotta floor and white zellige tiles both sit calmy with the glass frame walk in shower. The salvaged sink has an unusual and pretty cast-iron frame. This room shares the front shower room with room 2.
R o o m 1 2 3 4 5 6
Classically proportioned, the rear facing large bedroom 2 has restored cornice and ceiling rose, crowning the original fireplace and original cupboard wardrobe.
There is a magnificent hand-forged king-size iron four poster bed, dressed laundered linen and bolsters, with selected throws over the organic wool duvet and pillows.
Rugs from Turkey, considered lighting, curious detailing and vintage finds furnish the room. A small, traditionally upholstered armchair, framed by distressed original Catalan shelves is the highlight of this unique scheme.
The front shower room is all about textures: a reclaimed terra cotta floor and white zellige tiles both sit calmy with the glass frame walk in shower. The salvaged sink has an unusual and pretty cast-iron frame. This room shares the front shower room with room 1.
R o o m 1 2 3 4 5 6
Rooms 3 & 4 are a pair of adjoining bedrooms, sat at the very back of the first floor. The first, our smallest room is also a walk-through to the second of these two rooms.
Both rooms feature restored antique French beds the second room is a double and the front first room is a small double.
These are lively rooms designed around the beautiful detailed Injuri throws that cover the beds over large bed bolsters on organic wool duvets and pillows. Traditionally upholstered vintage armchairs and end of bed benches, bedside chairs and vintage photography lamps, create a calm, homestead feel as light glows through linen curtains.
For privacy, the dividing door window is curtained and can be closed!
These bedrooms share the large bathroom, with a shower over a roll top bath framed by linen shower curtains. Reclaimed terra cotta flooring, flanked by tongue and groove panelled walls make a natural backdrop for the salvaged sink, supported with an antique iron frame and finished off perfectly with a tramp art mirror.
R o o m 1 2 3 4 5 6
On the top floor we have the first of these two charming bedrooms. Both rooms have had their original tongue and groove cladding restored. They have both retained their original fireplaces.
Bed 5 is the smaller of the two and is situated at the back of the house looking over the garden.
The antique brass bed is dressed with a throw and a large bolster cushion in hand loomed Indian cotton over organic wool duvets and pillows.
Side tables are vintage finds, and the room has a traditionally upholstered antique armchair in brown over dyed ticking.
This bedroom has its own bathroom. With a small bath and handheld over-bath shower set. Zellige wall tiles and a reclaimed terra cotta floor, make for a small but perfect washroom.
R o o m 1 2 3 4 5 6
The slightly larger front bedroom 6 looks to the west and gets a gentle light in the morning.
The antique brass bed is dressed with a throw and a large bolster cushion over organic wool duvets and pillows Bed linen Day Break and First light extra wide linen. Organic wool duvets and pillows.
The Swedish rocking chair, side table and antique chest of drawers are all local finds.
Room 6 also has its own bathroom. The shower is clad in perfect green cement tiles, and the walls in traditional tongue and groove.