Recrafting History: House Of Dré Transforms Powdermills Into A Bespoke Hotel Of Craft And Comfort

Project Info

Project Name: Crafted at Powdermill

Location: East Sussex, England, United Kingdom

Designer: House of Dré

In the rolling countryside of East Sussex, England, a historic Georgian estate has been reimagined as a serene, craft-centred hotel and members’ retreat that blends heritage architecture with contemporary hospitality. The reinvention of the former Powdermills Hotel, now launched as Crafted at Powdermill, marks the debut of a new lifestyle brand that champions creativity, connection and nature-rooted living.

A Historic Setting, Recast for Modern Life

Set around a private lake and framed by ancient woodland and wildflower pastures in Battle, East Sussex, Crafted at Powdermills occupies a Grade II-listed country house whose origins stretch back centuries. This rural estate, historically a gunpowder mill site before becoming a hotel, has been thoughtfully refurbished to honor its past while creating a distinctly modern hospitality experience.

The hotel’s transformation was led by London-based design studio House of Dré, which crafted an interior language that steers clear of clichéd period pastiche and instead embraces a “modern folk” aesthetic - warm, textured, and rooted in place. Local artisans and makers were integral to the design, contributing bespoke furniture, ceramics and lighting that elevate every space with tactile craftsmanship.

Design Dialogue: Craft, Color and Character

House of Dré’s design philosophy for Crafted at Powdermills emerged from a concept comparable to a handcrafted quilt - a patchwork of spaces each with its own narrative and colour story that together create a unified whole. Throughout the 55 guestrooms and suites, this translates into layers of earthy hues, playful palettes, and furniture made from locally sourced British timber, highlighting the natural beauty of these materials.

Guests encounter bespoke pieces by fine furniture maker Sebastian Cox, sculptural lamps shaped by ceramicist Holly Dawes using clay drawn from nearby woodland, and artwork curated from regional creatives. Public areas such as the reception, lounges and private dining rooms are similarly curated to strike a balance between heritage and contemporary comfort, while the cocktail bar bursts with bold color and mid-century energy.

Spaces for Living, Creating and Reconnecting

Crafted at Powdermills is envisioned as more than a place to sleep, it’s a place to slow down and do. A dedicated Craft Barn and Art Studio host workshops in everything from ceramics and natural dyeing to printmaking and forging, enabling guests to engage with traditional skills in a hands-on way.

Wellness and outdoor life are woven into the experience too. The lakeside setting invites cold-water swims, paddleboarding, forest yoga and saunas by the water’s edge, anchoring a rhythms of activity and rest far removed from city pace.

Complementing these pursuits are a pub, all-day restaurant and cocktail bar. The culinary program places seasonality and local provenance front and centre, with a commitment to high British ingredient content across menus.

A New Kind of Boutique Hospitality

Crafted at Powdermills is the first location for the new Crafted brand - a series of life-friendly hotels and clubs envisioned by entrepreneur Chris King, co-founder of the Birch hotel brand. Designed for a generation seeking deeper connection, creativity and calm, the concept aims to redefine rural hospitality by favoring authenticity, craftsmanship and community.

More than simply a country escape, Crafted at Powdermills aims to be a place where guests feel invited to linger, make, explore and connect - a curated blend of heritage, craftsmanship and contemporary living that respects its history while looking boldly to the future.